Free South Dakota Cosmetology State Laws and Rules Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the South Dakota Cosmetology State Laws and Rules Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A practitioner plans to charge clients for facial cleansing and masks in South Dakota. Which credential must the practitioner hold before providing those esthetics services?

   1. A. An esthetician license
   2. B. A nail technician license
   3. C. A demonstrator license
   4. D. An instructor license

   Answer: A

   Explanation: SDCL 36-15-2.2 states, "No person may engage in the practice of esthetics unless the person is licensed by the commission." Charging for facial cleansing and masks is paid esthetics practice, so the practitioner needs an individual esthetician license.

   Reference: SDLRC - Codified Law 36-15 - COSMETOLOGISTS, ESTHETICIANS, NAIL TECHNICIANS, AND SALONS — SDCL 36-15-2.2

2. 2A reusable, nonporous esthetics implement has been cleaned. To complete effective disinfection, which source controls how long the disinfectant must remain in contact?

   1. A. The disinfectant manufacturer's product label
   2. B. The implement manufacturer's care instructions
   3. C. The salon's written infection-control procedure
   4. D. The Commission's salon inspection report

   Answer: A

   Explanation: ARSD 20:42:01:01 defines effective disinfection by requiring that "items/surface must be cleaned prior to" disinfection and that "disinfection and contact time (as listed on label) must be strictly adhered to;" The disinfectant product label sets the required contact time; instructions for the implement, a salon procedure, and an inspection report cannot replace it.

   Reference: South Dakota Administrative Rules, Article 20:42 — ARSD 20:42:01:01(6)

3. 3Which submission satisfies South Dakota's general application rule for an esthetician license?

   1. A. A complete appropriate form submitted without the fee
   2. B. A complete, legible, appropriate form accompanied by the application fee
   3. C. A legible but incomplete appropriate form accompanied by the fee
   4. D. A complete form for another license type accompanied by the fee

   Answer: B

   Explanation: ARSD 20:42:03:01 requires an application to "be made on the appropriate form, be complete, legible and accompanied by the appropriate application fee."

   Reference: Arsd 20 42 Current — ARSD 20:42:03:01

4. 4Where must a working South Dakota esthetician display the current individual license?

   1. A. In the licensee's primary working area
   2. B. At the salon's main license-display area
   3. C. In the salon's employee-record area
   4. D. At the establishment's reception area

   Answer: A

   Explanation: ARSD 20:42:04:09 requires that "The current license of each person practicing cosmetology, esthetics, or nail technology services must be displayed in the licensee's primary working area whenever the licensee is working."

   Reference: Arsd 20 42 Current — ARSD 20:42:04:09

5. 5After using towels and linens during a facial, where must a South Dakota licensee place them?

   1. A. In a covered container for used linens
   2. B. In a separate open container reserved for used linens
   3. C. In a closed cabinet reserved for clean linens
   4. D. In an individual service bag until the end of the day

   Answer: A

   Explanation: ARSD 20:42:05:01(1) directs individual licensees to "Deposit all used towels, robes, or linens in a covered container."

   Reference: Arsd 20 42 Current — ARSD 20:42:05:01(1)

6. 6A South Dakota esthetics student at a licensed school wants to begin providing services to school clients. What minimum amount of classroom, demonstration, and practice education must the student complete first?

   1. A. 60 hours
   2. B. 90 hours
   3. C. 110 hours
   4. D. 225 hours

   Answer: C

   Explanation: ARSD 20:42:06:06(3) provides that esthetics "students must spend 110 hours in classrooms, demonstrations, and practice" before serving school clients. The other hour figures correspond to different educational requirements and do not state this threshold.

   Reference: South Dakota Administrative Rules, Article 20:42 — ARSD 20:42:06:06(3)

7. 7An esthetics apprentice in a licensed apprentice salon asks when client services may begin. How many hours of classroom study, demonstrations, and practice on nonclients must come first?

   1. A. 60 hours
   2. B. 110 hours
   3. C. 225 hours
   4. D. 400 hours

   Answer: B

   Explanation: ARSD 20:42:07:06.02(1) provides, "An apprentice may perform esthetics services on a client only after the apprentice has completed 110 hours in the classroom, studying theory, watching demonstrations, and practicing on non clients;" This gate belongs to the apprentice route, separate from school student status.

   Reference: South Dakota Administrative Rules, Article 20:42 — ARSD 20:42:07:06.02(1)

8. 8How many educational hours must a South Dakota licensee successfully complete before operating a microdermabrasion machine?

   1. A. 8 hours
   2. B. 12 hours
   3. C. 16 hours
   4. D. 24 hours

   Answer: C

   Explanation: ARSD 20:42:08:07 states, "A licensee shall successfully complete a minimum of 16 educational hours before operating a microdermabrasion machine."

   Reference: Arsd 20 42 Current — ARSD 20:42:08:07

9. 9What inspection schedule should a South Dakota salon or booth normally expect?

   1. A. An announced inspection every month
   2. B. An announced inspection every two years
   3. C. An unannounced inspection approximately once per calendar year
   4. D. An inspection only after a complaint

   Answer: C

   Explanation: ARSD 20:42:09:01 states, "Salon or booths shall be inspected approximately once per calendar year and shall be unannounced."

   Reference: Arsd 20 42 Current — ARSD 20:42:09:01

10. 10A client requests a scalp massage from a practitioner who holds only a South Dakota esthetician license. What is the correct scope decision?

    1. A. Perform it if no product is applied
    2. B. Perform it only as part of a facial
    3. C. Perform it with the client's written consent
    4. D. Decline it because esthetics does not include scalp treatments or scalp massage

    Answer: D

    Explanation: The statute states, "Esthetics does not include scalp treatments or scalp massage." A stand-alone esthetician license therefore does not authorize the requested service.

    Reference: SDLRC - Codified Law 36-15 - COSMETOLOGISTS, ESTHETICIANS, NAIL TECHNICIANS, AND SALONS — SDCL 36-15-2.2