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National Esthetics Combined Practice Theory Examination — Information & Free Practice

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National Esthetics Combined Practice Theory Examination

Provider
National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC); administered by Test Administration companies and States upon approval and authorization of NIC
Format
Theory examination of four-option multiple-choice items, only one option correct
Exam questions
140 items, of which 130 are weighted and contribute to the final score
Time limit
180 minutes
Examination outline
  • Scientific Concepts (55%) (55%)
    • Apply Knowledge of Infection Control Procedures — Identify how disease and infection are caused (e.g., viral, bacterial, parasitical, fungal)
    • Apply Knowledge of Infection Control Procedures — Identify how disease and infection are transmitted (e.g., direct/indirect contact, communicable, cross-contamination)
    • Apply Knowledge of Infection Control Procedures — Recognize purpose and/or effect of infection control principles — Determine levels of infection control (i.e., cleansing/sanitation, disinfection, sterilization)
    • Apply Knowledge of Infection Control Procedures — Recognize purpose and/or effect of infection control principles — Determine methods of infection control (e.g., chemical, heat)
    • Apply Knowledge of Infection Control Procedures — Recognize purpose and/or effect of infection control principles — Demonstrate blood exposure and contact incidence and response
    • Apply and demonstrate knowledge of safety practices in: — Procedure environment
    • Apply and demonstrate knowledge of safety practices in: — Products, ingredients, and equipment
    • Apply and demonstrate knowledge of safety practices in: — Protocols
    • Apply and demonstrate knowledge of safety practices in: — Recognizing issues outside of scope of practice (e.g., diagnosing, prescribing, medical authorization)
    • Demonostrate a basic understanding of human physiology and anatomy related to: — Cells and their functions
    • Demonostrate a basic understanding of human physiology and anatomy related to: — Tissues (i.e., epithelial, connective, nerve, muscular)
    • Demonostrate a basic understanding of human physiology and anatomy related to: — Organs and their function (e.g., skin, lungs, heart)
    • Demonostrate a basic understanding of human physiology and anatomy related to: — Systems and their functions (e.g., muscular, integumentary, nervous, endocrine, skeletal)
    • Demonstrate an understanding of histology and physiology of the skin related to: — Structure and function of the layers of the skin
    • Demonstrate an understanding of histology and physiology of the skin related to: — Structure and function of the glands
    • Demonstrate an understanding of histology and physiology of the skin related to: — Functions of the skin (e.g., protection, temperature regulation, absorption)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Disorders of the sebaceous gland (e.g., acne, milia, seborrhea)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Disorders of the sudoriferous gland (e.g., hyperhidrosis, bromhydrosis, anhidrosis)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Contagious diseases (e.g., bacterial conjunctivitis, herpes simplex, tinea)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Skin inflammations (e.g., dermatitis, eczema, rosacea)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Skin pigmentation (i.e., hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Skin growths (e.g., skin tags, moles, keratoma)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Skin cancers (i.e., basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma)
    • Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to: — Primary and secondary skin lesions
    • Recognize intrinsic and extrinsic factors and their effects on the skin (e.g., hormonal, environmental)
    • Understanding function and composition of the hair related to: — Structure of the hair and its follicle
    • Understanding function and composition of the hair related to: — Growth cycles
    • Understanding function and composition of the hair related to: — Abnormal hair growth (e.g., hirsutism, hypertrichosis)
    • Apply knowledge of products and ingredients — Recognize purpose and effects
    • Apply knowledge of products and ingredients — Interpret labeling
    • Knowledge of principles of electricity
    • Apply knowledge of practicing in a medical setting — Recognize purpose and effect of medical procedures (e.g., injectables, light modalities, surgery)
    • Apply knowledge of practicing in a medical setting — Define relevant medical terminology
  • SKIN CARE AND SERVICES (45%) (45%)
    • Demonstrate an understanding of performing a client consultation and documentation (e.g., health history, intake form, consultation chart, physician release) — Conduct skin analysis (e.g., Fitzpatrick skin types/conditions/characteristics)
    • Demonstrate an understanding of performing a client consultation and documentation (e.g., health history, intake form, consultation chart, physician release) — Identify contraindications for skin services
    • Demonstrate an understanding of performing a client consultation and documentation (e.g., health history, intake form, consultation chart, physician release) — Develop treatment protocol
    • Demonstrate an understanding of performing a client consultation and documentation (e.g., health history, intake form, consultation chart, physician release) — Collect and maintain client documentation
    • Apply knowledge of cleansing procedures
    • Apply knowledge of steaming procedures
    • Apply knowledge of massage manipulations and moisturizing
    • Apply knowledge of exfoliation procedures
    • Apply knowledge of extraction procedures — Determine method of extraction
    • Apply knowledge of extraction procedures — Competent use of implements used for extractions (e.g., comedone extractor, lancet)
    • Apply knowledge of lymphatic drainage — Recognize purpose and effect of methods and contraindications
    • Apply knowledge of lymphatic drainage — Determine method of lymphatic drainage (e.g., manual, machine-aided)
    • Apply knowledge of lymphatic drainage — Demonstrate competent lymphatic drainage
    • Apply knowledge of use of devices and machines and contraindications (e.g., laser, IPL, radio frequency) — Recognize purpose and effect of methods
    • Apply knowledge of use of devices and machines and contraindications (e.g., laser, IPL, radio frequency) — Determine considerations for body region
    • Apply knowledge of use of devices and machines and contraindications (e.g., laser, IPL, radio frequency) — Determine product selection
    • Apply knowledge of use of devices and machines and contraindications (e.g., laser, IPL, radio frequency) — Competent product application and removal
    • Apply knowledge of hair removal procedures — Recognize purpose and effect of methods (e.g., waxing, sugaring, electrolysis)
    • Apply knowledge of hair removal procedures — Determine considerations for body region (e.g., ears, Brazilian, underarm)
    • Apply knowledge of hair removal procedures — Determine product selection
    • Apply knowledge of hair removal procedures — Competent product application and removal
    • Apply knowledge of body treatments (e.g., body wraps, body scrubs, cellulite types and treatments, hydrotherapy) — Recognize purpose and effect of methods
    • Apply knowledge of body treatments (e.g., body wraps, body scrubs, cellulite types and treatments, hydrotherapy) — Determine product selection
    • Apply knowledge of body treatments (e.g., body wraps, body scrubs, cellulite types and treatments, hydrotherapy) — Demonstrate product application and removal
    • Apply knowledge of LED procedure — Recognize purpose and effect of methods (e.g., red and blue)
    • Apply knowledge of LED procedure — Determine color selection
    • Apply knowledge of LED procedure — Demonstrate product application and removal
    • Apply knowledge of LED procedure — Demonstrate competent use of machine
    • Apply knowledge of microcurrent procedure — Recognize purpose and effect of modalities
    • Apply knowledge of microcurrent procedure — Determine settings
    • Apply knowledge of microcurrent procedure — Demonstrate product application and removal
    • Apply knowledge of microcurrent procedure — Demonstrate competent use of machine and applicators
    • Apply knowledge of galvanic and high frequency treatments — Recognize purpose and effect of modalities
    • Apply knowledge of galvanic and high frequency treatments — Determine settings
    • Apply knowledge of galvanic and high frequency treatments — Demonstrate product application and removal
    • Apply knowledge of galvanic and high frequency treatments — Demonstrate competent use of machine and applicators
    • Apply knowledge and recognize purpose and effect of other procedures (e.g., dermaplaning, microneedling, ultrasound, algae wraps, ayurveda, etc)
    • Apply knowledge of makeup application
Examination sources