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Michigan Cosmetology EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST
RELEASED
Michigan Cosmetology Exam
250 Practice Questions with Rationales
EXAM COVERAGE OVERVIEW (10 Key Points)
1. Governing Agency – The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
(LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing, oversees the Board of Cosmetology and
administers licensing .
2. Licensing Requirements – Applicants must be at least 17 years old, have a 9th-grade
education equivalent, complete 1,500 hours at a licensed school or a 2-year
apprenticeship (1,920 hours), and pass the NBCP examination .
3. Exam Provider – Michigan adopted the National Barber Cosmetology Program (NBCP)
examination developed and scored by PSI Services, LLC . The passing score is determined
by PSI .
4. Theory Exam – The theory exam consists of 100 scored + 10 unscored questions in 120
minutes, with a passing score of 70 out of 100 .
5. Practical Exam – The practical exam evaluates hands-on skills across 11 topic areas with
a passing score of 95 out of 127 in approximately 235 minutes .
6. Exam Fees – PSI charges $167 for both exams ($93 each separately). LARA charges a $63
initial license application fee .
7. Score Validity – Both passing scores must be earned within 1 year of each other, or the
older score expires .
8. License Renewal – The cosmetologist license expires August 31 of the next even-
numbered year and renews biennially for $48 with no CE requirement .
9. License Reciprocity – The process of obtaining a Michigan license by endorsement
(reciprocity) requires verification of credentials from another state .
10. Curriculum Topics – The 1,500-hour curriculum includes health/safety (200 hours), hair
care services (1,050 hours), esthetic services (125 hours), and manicuring services (125
hours)
QUESTIONS 1-250
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DOMAIN 1: SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL (30%)
1. According to Michigan Administrative Code R. 338.2121a, what is the validity period for a
passing examination score?
A) 6 months from the date earned
B) 1 year from the date earned
C) 2 years from the date earned
D) Indefinitely
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan Administrative Code R. 338.2121a(1) states that a passing score is valid for
1 year from the date it was earned. Both passing scores must fall within 1 year of each other to
count toward licensure .
2. What is the correct sequence for decontaminating a multi-use implement?
A) Disinfect first, then clean
B) Clean first, then disinfect
C) Sterilize only, no cleaning needed
D) Clean and disinfect simultaneously
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Visible debris must be removed first through cleaning before disinfection can be
effective. Disinfection destroys most pathogens on the surface, but cannot penetrate debris or
organic material .
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3. Under the Occupational Code, what is the minimum age to qualify for a Michigan
cosmetologist license?
A) 16 years old
B) 17 years old
C) 18 years old
D) 21 years old
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan Compiled Laws Section 339.1207(a) requires that applicants be not less
than 17 years of age .
4. What educational level is required to qualify for a Michigan cosmetologist license?
A) High school diploma or GED
B) Completion of 9th grade or equivalent
C) Associate degree
D) No education requirement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan Compiled Laws Section 339.1207(c) requires that applicants have had "an
education equivalent to the completion of the ninth grade" .
5. Universal Precautions for bloodborne pathogens are regulated by which agency?
A) EPA
B) FDA
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C) OSHA
D) CDC
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Universal Precautions for bloodborne pathogens are regulated by OSHA
(Occupational Safety and Health Administration). The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR
1910.1030) requires employers to protect workers from exposure to blood and other potentially
infectious materials .
6. Airtight containers create what type of environment for pathogens?
A) An environment that kills pathogens
B) The perfect environment for pathogens to grow and reproduce
C) A neutral environment that inhibits growth
D) A sterilizing environment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Airtight containers create the perfect environment for pathogens to grow and
reproduce due to the presence of moisture and lack of ventilation. This is why proper storage
and regular cleaning of containers is essential .
7. Total immersion of implements during disinfection is a requirement of which agency?
A) OSHA
B) FDA
C) EPA
D) CDC
Michigan Cosmetology EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR – JUST
RELEASED
Michigan Cosmetology Exam
250 Practice Questions with Rationales
EXAM COVERAGE OVERVIEW (10 Key Points)
1. Governing Agency – The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
(LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing, oversees the Board of Cosmetology and
administers licensing .
2. Licensing Requirements – Applicants must be at least 17 years old, have a 9th-grade
education equivalent, complete 1,500 hours at a licensed school or a 2-year
apprenticeship (1,920 hours), and pass the NBCP examination .
3. Exam Provider – Michigan adopted the National Barber Cosmetology Program (NBCP)
examination developed and scored by PSI Services, LLC . The passing score is determined
by PSI .
4. Theory Exam – The theory exam consists of 100 scored + 10 unscored questions in 120
minutes, with a passing score of 70 out of 100 .
5. Practical Exam – The practical exam evaluates hands-on skills across 11 topic areas with
a passing score of 95 out of 127 in approximately 235 minutes .
6. Exam Fees – PSI charges $167 for both exams ($93 each separately). LARA charges a $63
initial license application fee .
7. Score Validity – Both passing scores must be earned within 1 year of each other, or the
older score expires .
8. License Renewal – The cosmetologist license expires August 31 of the next even-
numbered year and renews biennially for $48 with no CE requirement .
9. License Reciprocity – The process of obtaining a Michigan license by endorsement
(reciprocity) requires verification of credentials from another state .
10. Curriculum Topics – The 1,500-hour curriculum includes health/safety (200 hours), hair
care services (1,050 hours), esthetic services (125 hours), and manicuring services (125
hours)
QUESTIONS 1-250
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DOMAIN 1: SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL (30%)
1. According to Michigan Administrative Code R. 338.2121a, what is the validity period for a
passing examination score?
A) 6 months from the date earned
B) 1 year from the date earned
C) 2 years from the date earned
D) Indefinitely
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan Administrative Code R. 338.2121a(1) states that a passing score is valid for
1 year from the date it was earned. Both passing scores must fall within 1 year of each other to
count toward licensure .
2. What is the correct sequence for decontaminating a multi-use implement?
A) Disinfect first, then clean
B) Clean first, then disinfect
C) Sterilize only, no cleaning needed
D) Clean and disinfect simultaneously
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Visible debris must be removed first through cleaning before disinfection can be
effective. Disinfection destroys most pathogens on the surface, but cannot penetrate debris or
organic material .
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3. Under the Occupational Code, what is the minimum age to qualify for a Michigan
cosmetologist license?
A) 16 years old
B) 17 years old
C) 18 years old
D) 21 years old
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan Compiled Laws Section 339.1207(a) requires that applicants be not less
than 17 years of age .
4. What educational level is required to qualify for a Michigan cosmetologist license?
A) High school diploma or GED
B) Completion of 9th grade or equivalent
C) Associate degree
D) No education requirement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Michigan Compiled Laws Section 339.1207(c) requires that applicants have had "an
education equivalent to the completion of the ninth grade" .
5. Universal Precautions for bloodborne pathogens are regulated by which agency?
A) EPA
B) FDA
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C) OSHA
D) CDC
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Universal Precautions for bloodborne pathogens are regulated by OSHA
(Occupational Safety and Health Administration). The Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR
1910.1030) requires employers to protect workers from exposure to blood and other potentially
infectious materials .
6. Airtight containers create what type of environment for pathogens?
A) An environment that kills pathogens
B) The perfect environment for pathogens to grow and reproduce
C) A neutral environment that inhibits growth
D) A sterilizing environment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Airtight containers create the perfect environment for pathogens to grow and
reproduce due to the presence of moisture and lack of ventilation. This is why proper storage
and regular cleaning of containers is essential .
7. Total immersion of implements during disinfection is a requirement of which agency?
A) OSHA
B) FDA
C) EPA
D) CDC
