National Esthetics Written Practical Examination — Information & Free Practice
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National Esthetics Written Practical 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
- Written examination of multiple-choice items on the practical procedures (the published sample items include four-option single-answer items and a select-all image item)
- Exam questions
- 50 items, of which 40 are weighted and contribute to the final score
- Time limit
- 90 minutes
Examination outline
WORK AREA PREPARATION AND SET UP OF SUPPLIES (10%) (10%)
- Disinfects all work areas completely with product that is EPA-registered disinfectant that is virucidal, bactericidal, and fungicidal
- Sanitizes hands
- Universal products are labeled in English
- Items to be disinfected, soiled linens, and trash are disposed of in correct containers throughout section
CLIENT PREPARATION AND BASIC FACIAL (23%) (23%)
- Basic facial products are labeled in English
- Implements and supplies are visibly clean
- Cleanses entire face
- Performs exfoliation with manual exfoliant using an implement or material on entire face excluding eyes and lips
- Steams the face with towel and removes residual product completely
- Demonstrates facial massage procedure using 4 different types of facial massage movements
- Demonstrates facial mask application and concludes the service
- Maintains drape throughout section
- Items to be disinfected, soiled linens, and trash are disposed of in correct containers throughout section
WORK AREA AND NEW CLIENT PREPARATION, AND SET UP OF SUPPLIES (10%) (10%)
- Disinfects all work areas completely with product that is EPA-registered disinfectant that is virucidal, bactericidal, and fungicidal
- Sanitizes hands
- Universal products are labeled in English
- Items to be disinfected, soiled linens, and trash are disposed of in correct containers throughout section
HAIR REMOVAL OF THE EYEBROW USING SIMULATED SOFT WAX AND TWEEZING (15%) (15%)
- Hair removal of the eyebrow products are labeled in English
- Implements and supplies are visibly clean
- Demonstrates application of simulated soft wax procedure along entire length of one eyebrow
- Demonstrates removal of simulated soft wax
- Demonstrates tweezing procedure
- Maintains drape throughout section
- Items to be disinfected, soiled linens, and trash are disposed of in correct containers throughout section
FACIAL MAKEUP (22%) (22%)
- Facial makeup products are labeled in English
- Implements and supplies are visibly clean
- Applies foundation to cover face
- Applies blush
- Applies eyeliner
- Applies mascara
- Applies lip color
- Maintains drape throughout section
- Items to be disinfected, soiled linens, and trash are disposed of in correct containers throughout section
BLOOD EXPOSURE PROCEDURE (20%) (20%)
- Blood exposure supplies and materials are labeled in English
- Removes materials from the first aid kit
- Supplies and materials are visibly clean
- Candidate wears gloves
- Cleans injured area with antiseptic
- Covers with dressing that is absorbent and secured
- Disposes of all contaminated supplies
Examination sources
- NIC National Esthetics Written Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)
Content Outline — Domain Details paragraph (scope and percentages)
- NIC National Esthetics Written Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)
Content Outline — Domain Details paragraph (job analysis basis)
- NIC National Esthetics Written Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)
Content Outline — Blood Exposure Procedure domain heading
- NIC National Esthetics Written Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)
Content Outline — Domain Details paragraph
- NIC National Esthetics Written Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)
Sample Questions — introduction
- NIC National Esthetics Written Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)
CIB header — effective and revision dates
- NIC National Esthetics Written Practical Examination Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)
CIB introduction — time allowed
- NIC — NIC Exam Types
NIC Exam Types page — administration paragraph
- NIC — Examination Information
Examination Information page — Candidate Information Bulletins paragraph
- NIC Candidate Information Bulletin Selection (linked from nictesting.org)
CIB selection application — Exam Name list entry "Esthetics"