State board practice- Esthetician Test (Latest
2026/2027 Update) 100% Verified Actual Exam
Questions & Answers | Grade A
This State Board Practice Esthetician Test features 110 targeted practice questions and
comprehensive answers to help you confidently pass your licensing exam. It covers core topics
like infection control, skin analysis, hair removal, and physiology. This study guide ensures you
are fully prepared for exam day.
Key Benefits
• Exam Simulation: Mirrors the exact format and rigor of official state board written
examinations.
• Detailed Rationales like Answer
• Time-Saving: Skip the dense, outdated textbooks and review highly tested, must-know
concepts instantly.
• Instant Access: Digital delivery (PDF/document format) allows you to study on your
phone or computer anywhere, at any time.
Topics Covered
• Infection Control & Safety: Sanitation, sterilization, and OSHA/EPA regulations.
• Anatomy & Physiology: Skin histology, muscles, and body systems.
• Skin Analysis & Facials: Skin types, disorders, diseases, and facial treatments.
• Hair Removal: Waxing methods, contraindications, and procedures.
• Basic Chemistry & Electricity: Product ingredients and equipment safety.
Ideal For
This material is perfect for esthetician students nearing the end of their program, recent
graduates, and licensed professionals who need to renew or transfer their license to a new
state.
Q1. What pH is given for distilled water? [Multiple Choice]
A) 15-18 inches
1
, B) 7.0
C) 100 times
D) 9
Answer: 7.0
Explanation: Pure distilled water is described as neutral with a pH of 7.0. '9' is an alkaline pH
value, not neutral. '15-18 inches' and '100 times' are numeric answers from other topics (steamer
distance and pH comparison) and are not pH values for distilled water.
Q2. What is the muscle named that covers the chest? [Multiple Choice]
A) Pectoralis pectoral mayor
B) procerus
C) mandible
D) trapezius
Answer: Pectoralis pectoral mayor
Explanation: The pectoralis (listed here as 'Pectoralis pectoral mayor') is the major chest muscle
covering the anterior thorax. The trapezius covers the upper back and neck area, the procerus is
a small muscle over the bridge of the nose, and the mandible is a bone — none of these cover the
chest.
Q3. Sunscreens work by absorbing sunlight. [True/False]
A) True
B) False
Answer: False
Explanation: Sunscreens act to prevent harmful effects of sunlight by reflecting or blocking light
(physical filters) and/or by filtering UV energy; saying they primarily absorb sunlight contradicts
the reflective/blocking mechanism noted here.
Q4. The magnifying lamp is primarily used to heat the skin during treatments.
[True/False]
A) True
B) False
Answer: False
2
, Explanation: A magnifying lamp is designed to enlarge and illuminate the skin so the practitioner
can inspect details more clearly; it is not intended as a heating device for treatments.
Q5. What is the term for cell division? [Multiple Choice]
A) Gommage
B) Mitosis
C) Dermatology
D) Trichology
Answer: Mitosis
Explanation: Mitosis is the biological process by which a single cell divides into two genetically
identical daughter cells — the standard term for cell division. 'Dermatology' and 'trichology' are
fields of study (skin and hair respectively), and 'gommage' is a type of exfoliant; none describe
cell division.
Q6. Which bone is identified as the largest bone of the mouth region? [Multiple
Choice]
A) Trapezius
B) Pectoralis pectoral mayor
C) Mandible
D) Zygomatic
Answer: Mandible
Explanation: The mandible is the lower jaw bone and is the largest bone in the mouth region.
The zygomatic is a cheekbone, and pectoralis pectoral mayor and trapezius are muscles — they
are not bones and not part of the mouth region structure.
Q7. Which layer lies directly above the stratum lucidum? [Multiple Choice]
A) the stratum corneum
B) dermatology
C) the stratum lucidum
D) the skin
Answer: the stratum corneum
Explanation: Epidermal layers are stacked; the stratum corneum is the outermost layer and sits
above the stratum lucidum. 'The skin' names the entire organ, not a specific epidermal layer.
3
, 'Dermatology' is the study of skin, not a layer. 'The stratum lucidum' is the layer being
referenced, not the one above it.
Q8. What term describes bacteria that cause disease? [Multiple Choice]
A) trichology
B) pathogenic
C) emollients
D) staphylococci
Answer: pathogenic
Explanation: Bacteria that cause disease are described as pathogenic (disease-causing).
'Staphylococci' names a specific group of bacteria (some of which are pathogenic) but is not the
general term for disease-causing organisms. 'Emollients' are vehicles used on skin, and
'trichology' is the study of hair — neither are terms for disease-causing bacteria.
Q9. Which bones form the cheekbones? [Multiple Choice]
A) Zygomatic
B) Mandible
C) Trapezius
D) Pectoralis pectoral mayor
Answer: Zygomatic
Explanation: The zygomatic bones are the paired bones that form the cheek prominence,
commonly called the cheekbones. The mandible is the lower jaw bone, not the cheekbone.
Trapezius and pectoralis pectoral mayor are muscles, not facial bones.
Q10. Gommage is an exfoliant that dissolves the skin rather than being rolled or
massaged off. [True/False]
A) True
B) False
Answer: False
Explanation: Gommage is a type of mechanical exfoliant applied to the skin and then removed
by rolling or massaging it off the surface; it does not chemically dissolve the skin.
4
2026/2027 Update) 100% Verified Actual Exam
Questions & Answers | Grade A
This State Board Practice Esthetician Test features 110 targeted practice questions and
comprehensive answers to help you confidently pass your licensing exam. It covers core topics
like infection control, skin analysis, hair removal, and physiology. This study guide ensures you
are fully prepared for exam day.
Key Benefits
• Exam Simulation: Mirrors the exact format and rigor of official state board written
examinations.
• Detailed Rationales like Answer
• Time-Saving: Skip the dense, outdated textbooks and review highly tested, must-know
concepts instantly.
• Instant Access: Digital delivery (PDF/document format) allows you to study on your
phone or computer anywhere, at any time.
Topics Covered
• Infection Control & Safety: Sanitation, sterilization, and OSHA/EPA regulations.
• Anatomy & Physiology: Skin histology, muscles, and body systems.
• Skin Analysis & Facials: Skin types, disorders, diseases, and facial treatments.
• Hair Removal: Waxing methods, contraindications, and procedures.
• Basic Chemistry & Electricity: Product ingredients and equipment safety.
Ideal For
This material is perfect for esthetician students nearing the end of their program, recent
graduates, and licensed professionals who need to renew or transfer their license to a new
state.
Q1. What pH is given for distilled water? [Multiple Choice]
A) 15-18 inches
1
, B) 7.0
C) 100 times
D) 9
Answer: 7.0
Explanation: Pure distilled water is described as neutral with a pH of 7.0. '9' is an alkaline pH
value, not neutral. '15-18 inches' and '100 times' are numeric answers from other topics (steamer
distance and pH comparison) and are not pH values for distilled water.
Q2. What is the muscle named that covers the chest? [Multiple Choice]
A) Pectoralis pectoral mayor
B) procerus
C) mandible
D) trapezius
Answer: Pectoralis pectoral mayor
Explanation: The pectoralis (listed here as 'Pectoralis pectoral mayor') is the major chest muscle
covering the anterior thorax. The trapezius covers the upper back and neck area, the procerus is
a small muscle over the bridge of the nose, and the mandible is a bone — none of these cover the
chest.
Q3. Sunscreens work by absorbing sunlight. [True/False]
A) True
B) False
Answer: False
Explanation: Sunscreens act to prevent harmful effects of sunlight by reflecting or blocking light
(physical filters) and/or by filtering UV energy; saying they primarily absorb sunlight contradicts
the reflective/blocking mechanism noted here.
Q4. The magnifying lamp is primarily used to heat the skin during treatments.
[True/False]
A) True
B) False
Answer: False
2
, Explanation: A magnifying lamp is designed to enlarge and illuminate the skin so the practitioner
can inspect details more clearly; it is not intended as a heating device for treatments.
Q5. What is the term for cell division? [Multiple Choice]
A) Gommage
B) Mitosis
C) Dermatology
D) Trichology
Answer: Mitosis
Explanation: Mitosis is the biological process by which a single cell divides into two genetically
identical daughter cells — the standard term for cell division. 'Dermatology' and 'trichology' are
fields of study (skin and hair respectively), and 'gommage' is a type of exfoliant; none describe
cell division.
Q6. Which bone is identified as the largest bone of the mouth region? [Multiple
Choice]
A) Trapezius
B) Pectoralis pectoral mayor
C) Mandible
D) Zygomatic
Answer: Mandible
Explanation: The mandible is the lower jaw bone and is the largest bone in the mouth region.
The zygomatic is a cheekbone, and pectoralis pectoral mayor and trapezius are muscles — they
are not bones and not part of the mouth region structure.
Q7. Which layer lies directly above the stratum lucidum? [Multiple Choice]
A) the stratum corneum
B) dermatology
C) the stratum lucidum
D) the skin
Answer: the stratum corneum
Explanation: Epidermal layers are stacked; the stratum corneum is the outermost layer and sits
above the stratum lucidum. 'The skin' names the entire organ, not a specific epidermal layer.
3
, 'Dermatology' is the study of skin, not a layer. 'The stratum lucidum' is the layer being
referenced, not the one above it.
Q8. What term describes bacteria that cause disease? [Multiple Choice]
A) trichology
B) pathogenic
C) emollients
D) staphylococci
Answer: pathogenic
Explanation: Bacteria that cause disease are described as pathogenic (disease-causing).
'Staphylococci' names a specific group of bacteria (some of which are pathogenic) but is not the
general term for disease-causing organisms. 'Emollients' are vehicles used on skin, and
'trichology' is the study of hair — neither are terms for disease-causing bacteria.
Q9. Which bones form the cheekbones? [Multiple Choice]
A) Zygomatic
B) Mandible
C) Trapezius
D) Pectoralis pectoral mayor
Answer: Zygomatic
Explanation: The zygomatic bones are the paired bones that form the cheek prominence,
commonly called the cheekbones. The mandible is the lower jaw bone, not the cheekbone.
Trapezius and pectoralis pectoral mayor are muscles, not facial bones.
Q10. Gommage is an exfoliant that dissolves the skin rather than being rolled or
massaged off. [True/False]
A) True
B) False
Answer: False
Explanation: Gommage is a type of mechanical exfoliant applied to the skin and then removed
by rolling or massaging it off the surface; it does not chemically dissolve the skin.
4
