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Free National Cosmetology Written Practical Examination Practice Questions

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Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the National Cosmetology Written Practical Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

  1. 1After a manicure, a nail technician sorts the implements that touched the client. Which item cannot be properly disinfected and therefore must be discarded after this one client?

    1. A. Wooden orangewood stick
    2. B. Metal cuticle pusher
    3. C. Stainless steel nippers
    4. D. Metal nail clipper

    Answer: A

    Explanation: NIC's disinfection guidance states: "Items that cannot be immersed or properly saturated—especially those made of wood, foam, or other porous materials—cannot be safely disinfected and should be treated as single-use." An orangewood stick is porous wood, so it is single-use. The same guidance lists metal instruments such as nail clippers and cuticle pushers as items that can be soaked in an EPA-registered disinfectant and reused.

    Reference: NIC Testing — Disinfection Guidance — How do you disinfect metal tools vs. plastic or non-immersible items? — Non-Immersible or Porous Items (Single-Use)

  2. 2During a consultation, a client is worried about the number of hairs left in their brush each day and has no bald spots or scalp symptoms. According to MedlinePlus, roughly how many scalp hairs does a person normally lose each day?

    1. A. 5 to 20 hairs
    2. B. 50 to 200 hairs
    3. C. 300 to 500 hairs
    4. D. 1,000 to 2,000 hairs

    Answer: B

    Explanation: MedlinePlus states: "Normally, you lose roughly 50 to 200 hairs from your head every day." Daily shedding in that range, without patches or scalp changes, is normal and is not by itself a sign of a scalp disorder.

    Reference: Hair loss: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — Causes

  3. 3During skin analysis, an esthetician sees clogged pores on the client's nose in which the top of each plug of oil and skin cells is dark. What are these lesions called?

    1. A. Nodulocystic acne
    2. B. Telangiectasia
    3. C. Blackheads
    4. D. Whiteheads

    Answer: C

    Explanation: MedlinePlus explains: "The blockage is called a plug or comedone. If the top of the plug is white, it is called a whitehead. It is called a blackhead if the top of the plug is dark." Nodulocystic acne describes deep, hard, painful cysts, and telangiectasia describes small visible blood vessels.

    Reference: Acne: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — Causes

  4. 4During a manicure consultation, a nail technician sees a horizontal depression running across every fingernail. The client mentions a serious illness a few months earlier. What are these depressions called?

    1. A. Koilonychia
    2. B. Leukonychia
    3. C. Pitting
    4. D. Beau lines

    Answer: D

    Explanation: MedlinePlus explains: "Beau lines (also called Beau's lines) are depressions across the fingernail. These lines can occur after illness, injury to the nail, eczema around the nail, during chemotherapy for cancer, or when you do not get enough nutrition." Koilonychia is a spoon shape, leukonychia is white spots or streaks, and pitting is small surface dents.

    Reference: Nail abnormalities: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — Considerations — Beau lines

  5. 5A salon owner suggests placing rinsed metal nippers directly into an ultraviolet (UV) sanitizing box instead of a disinfectant soak. According to OSHA's nail salon guidance, what is the proper role of the UV box?

    1. A. Replacing the soak for reusable metal tools
    2. B. Storing tools already cleaned and disinfected
    3. C. Disinfecting tools that were only rinsed
    4. D. Sterilizing tools left inside for 15 minutes

    Answer: B

    Explanation: OSHA states: "Only use ultraviolet (UV) sanitizing boxes to store clean and disinfected reusable metal tools. The UV boxes do not disinfect tools." The nippers must still be cleaned and disinfected first; the UV box is only a storage place for tools that have already been disinfected.

    Reference: Health Hazards in Nail Salons - Biological Hazards (OSHA) — Steps to prevent exposure — cleaning and disinfecting tools

  6. 6A client says that, about three months after major surgery, hair has begun coming out in handfuls when shampooing and combing, all over the scalp rather than in patches. Which condition best fits this description?

    1. A. Tinea capitis
    2. B. Telogen effluvium
    3. C. Alopecia areata
    4. D. Traction alopecia

    Answer: B

    Explanation: MedlinePlus explains: "Physical or emotional stress may cause one half to three quarters of scalp hair to shed. This kind of hair loss is called telogen effluvium. Hair tends to come out in handfuls when you shampoo, comb, or run your hands through your hair. You may not notice this for weeks to months after the episode of stress." Alopecia areata and tinea capitis cause patches, and traction alopecia comes from tension hairstyles.

    Reference: Hair loss: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — Causes — telogen effluvium

  7. 7A facial client has persistent redness across the cheeks and nose, many fine spider-like blood vessels, and some acne-like bumps that have not improved with over-the-counter acne products. Which condition do these signs suggest?

    1. A. Vitiligo
    2. B. Atopic dermatitis
    3. C. Plaque psoriasis
    4. D. Rosacea

    Answer: D

    Explanation: MedlinePlus describes rosacea as "a chronic skin problem that makes your face turn red. It may also cause swelling and skin sores that look like acne." Its symptoms include "A lot of spider-like blood vessels (telangiectasia) of the face" and it notes that "Rosacea is not acne and will not improve with over-the-counter acne treatment."

    Reference: Rosacea: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — Introduction

  8. 8A client's fingernails are thin and curve inward like a spoon, with raised ridges. Which nail condition is this, and with what is it associated?

    1. A. Koilonychia; iron deficiency anemia
    2. B. Leukonychia; a fungal infection
    3. C. Pitting; heart valve infection
    4. D. Beau lines; long-term moisture

    Answer: A

    Explanation: MedlinePlus states: "Koilonychia is an abnormal shape of the fingernail. The nail has raised ridges and is thin and curved inward. This disorder is associated with iron deficiency anemia." The other pairings do not match the conditions MedlinePlus describes.

    Reference: Nail abnormalities: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — Considerations — Koilonychia

  9. 9Between clients, a stylist's hands are visibly greasy from working pomade through a client's hair. Which hand-hygiene step does CDC guidance support before the stylist touches the next client?

    1. A. Apply sanitizer, then wipe it off with a towel
    2. B. Rinse under clean running water without soap
    3. C. Wash with soap and clean running water
    4. D. Rub in alcohol-based sanitizer until dry

    Answer: C

    Explanation: CDC notes that "Hand sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy." and that "Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations." Because the hands are visibly greasy, sanitizer is not the right choice, and rinsing without soap does not remove the grease and germs.

    Reference: Hand Sanitizer Guidelines and Recommendations (CDC) — Soap and water vs. hand sanitizer

  10. 10While sectioning a client's hair, a stylist finds a smooth, round, coin-sized bald patch without scaling or redness, with short broken hairs at its edge that taper toward the scalp like exclamation points. Which condition does this most likely indicate?

    1. A. Seborrheic dermatitis
    2. B. Telogen effluvium
    3. C. Alopecia areata
    4. D. Tinea capitis

    Answer: C

    Explanation: MedlinePlus describes alopecia areata: "Patches where hair has fallen out are smooth and round in shape. They may be peach-colored. Hairs that look like exclamation points are sometimes seen at the edges of a bald patch with a magnifying tool." Tinea capitis patches are scaly and inflamed with black dots, seborrheic dermatitis causes flaky scales, and telogen effluvium is diffuse shedding.

    Reference: Alopecia areata: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia — Symptoms

Topics in this practice bank

These topics describe the available practice for National Cosmetology Written Practical Examination. Review the examination outline and its sources for scope and allocation details.

  • Scientific Concepts (20% of items)
    • Infection Control and Safety Practices — Recognize purpose and/or effects of infection control principles: Process of infection control: Recognize when cross-contamination occurs; Process of infection control: Prevention of cross-contamination; Process of infection control: Differentiate between the purpose of single- and multi-use tools
    • Infection Control and Safety Practices — Apply blood contact procedures
    • Basic Chemistry of Products Used in Cosmetology — Recognize purpose and effects of products and ingredients
    • Basic Chemistry of Products Used in Cosmetology — Recognize physical interactions with chemicals
    • Basic Chemistry of Products Used in Cosmetology — Recognize chemical reactions (e.g., overexposure, chemical burn)
  • Hair Care and Services (45% of items)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Evaluate condition of client’s hair and scalp (i.e., assessment)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Determine services or products
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Recognize purpose and interpret results of preliminary tests (e.g., predisposition and strand tests)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for Hair Care Services — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Tools used in Hair Care Services — Identify function, purpose and infection control procedures of tools used in hair services: Equipment (e.g., chair, workstation); Implements (e.g., razors, shears, combs/brushes); Supplies and materials (e.g., towels, drape, neck strips); Electrical tools (e.g., irons, blow dryers, clippers); Proper disinfection procedures
    • Tools used in Hair Care Services — Recognize safe practices for use of tools (i.e., equipment, implements, supplies, ergonomics)
    • Hair Care — Apply knowledge of principles and procedures for shampooing and conditioning
    • Hair Care — Apply knowledge of principles and procedures for scalp treatments and scalp massage
    • Hair Care — Apply knowledge of draping (e.g., chemical, shampoo, cutting)
    • Hair Design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety of hair cutting and shaping
    • Hair Design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety of hair styling: Wet styling; Thermal styling; Natural hair styling (e.g., braiding)
    • Hair Design — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety of hair enhancements
    • Hair Design — Apply principles of balance and design (e.g., facial shape, physical structure)
    • Chemical Services — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety for: Hair coloring (including corrective color); Hair lightening; Foiling; Chemical hair relaxing/restructuring and curl reduction: Hydroxide; Chemical hair relaxing/restructuring and curl reduction: Thio; Chemical hair relaxing/restructuring and curl reduction: Keratin; Chemical waving/texturizing: Alkaline; Chemical waving/texturizing: Acid; Chemical waving/texturizing: Non-thio; Chemical waving/texturizing: Keratin
  • Skin Care and Services (15% of items)
    • Client Consultation, analysis and Documentation for Skin Care Services — Evaluate condition of client’s skin: Skin type; Skin condition
    • Client Consultation, analysis and Documentation for Skin Care Services — Identify contraindications: Disorders; Diseases
    • Client Consultation, analysis and Documentation for Skin Care Services — Determine services and products
    • Client Consultation, analysis and Documentation for Skin Care Services — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Tools used for skin care services — Identify function, purpose and infection control procedures of tools: Equipment (e.g., chair, steamer); Implements (e.g., tweezers, brushes, extractors); Supplies, products, and materials (e.g., creams, masks, towels, body and hair drapes); Proper disinfection procedures
    • Tools used for skin care services — Recognize and understand safe practices for use of tools (i.e., equipment, implements, supplies, ergonomics)
    • Facial skin care services — Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety for: Cleansing; Steaming; Exfoliation; Extraction; Massage; Masks; Hair Removal: Tweezing; Hair Removal: Depilatory; Hair Removal: Hard wax; Hair Removal: Soft wax; Makeup application; Electrical equipment
  • Nail Care and Services (20% of items)
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for nail care services — Evaluate condition of client’s nails
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for nail care services — Identify contraindications: Disorders; Diseases
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for nail care services — Determine services and products
    • Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation for nail care services — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Tools used in nail care services — Identify function, purpose and infection control procedures of tools: Equipment (e.g., workstation, pedicure basin); Implements (e.g., nippers, file); Supplies, products, and materials (e.g., towels, creams, polish); Proper disinfection procedures
    • Tools used in nail care services — Recognize and understand safe practices for use of tools (i.e., equipment, implements, supplies, ergonomics)
    • Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety for basic manicure and pedicure
    • Apply knowledge of principles, procedures and safety for application, maintenance, and removal of nail enhancements: Nail tips; Acrylics

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These are independent study questions, not actual examination items. For examination requirements and official information, view National Cosmetology Written Practical Examination details.