Washington State Master Esthetician
Written Practical Actual Exam Prep
Questions with Answers| Latest
,1. What is the primary purpose of sanitizing implements before use on a
client?
A. To sterilize the implement completely
B. To reduce the number of pathogens on a surface to a safe level
C. To make implements shiny for display
D. To remove all organic matter only
Answer: B
Rationale: Sanitation lowers the number of pathogens on a surface to a level
considered safe by public health standards; it is not the same as sterilization,
which destroys all microbial life.
2. Which level of disinfectant is required for non-porous esthetics tools
that touch intact skin?
A. Low-level disinfectant
B. Intermediate-level (hospital-grade) disinfectant
C. Sterilization only
D. Soap and water alone
Answer: B
Rationale: Washington State requires an EPA-registered hospital-grade
(intermediate-level) disinfectant for non-porous tools used in esthetics services.
3. What is the correct order of steps for decontaminating a multi-use
metal implement?
A. Disinfect, then clean, then rinse
B. Clean, rinse, dry, then fully immerse in disinfectant for the labeled contact
time
C. Rinse only, then store
D. Wipe with alcohol and store immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Implements must first be cleaned of debris, rinsed, dried, and then
fully immersed in an EPA-registered disinfectant for the manufacturer's required
contact time.
,4. Which of the following is considered a single-use (disposable) item in
an esthetics setting?
A. Metal comedone extractor
B. Wooden spatula
C. Stainless steel tweezers
D. Glass rod applicator
Answer: B
Rationale: Porous items such as wooden spatulas, cotton pads, and sponges
cannot be properly disinfected and must be discarded after one use.
5. What does OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard primarily protect
against?
A. Allergic reactions to cosmetics
B. Exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials
C. Chemical burns from peels
D. Electrical shock from equipment
Answer: B
Rationale: The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard establishes practices to
protect workers from exposure to blood and other potentially infectious
materials, such as during accidental nicks or extractions.
6. A client has an open sore or active cold sore on the area to be treated.
What should the esthetician do?
A. Treat the area but avoid direct contact
B. Apply extra sanitizer and proceed as normal
C. Refuse or reschedule the service until the condition has healed
D. Cover the area with makeup and continue
Answer: C
Rationale: Active, open lesions such as herpes simplex (cold sores) are
contagious and a contraindication for service; the treatment should be
postponed until healed.
7. What is the purpose of Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in a salon or
spa?
A. To advertise new products to clients
, B. To provide safety, handling, and hazard information about chemicals used
in the workplace
C. To track client purchase history
D. To list retail pricing of products
Answer: B
Rationale: Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide detailed information on chemical
composition, hazards, handling, and emergency measures, and must be
accessible to employees.
8. Which practice best prevents cross-contamination when dispensing
product from a jar during a facial?
A. Dip fingers directly into the jar each time
B. Use a clean spatula to remove product and place it on a palette
C. Pour the whole jar out onto a towel
D. Share the jar between clients without a spatula
Answer: B
Rationale: Using a clean, disinfected spatula to remove product avoids
introducing contaminants into the bulk container, protecting future clients.
9. How should used linens (towels, headbands) be handled after a
service?
A. Reused immediately for the next client if they look clean
B. Placed in a covered, labeled hamper and laundered before reuse
C. Left in the treatment room until end of day
D. Rinsed with water only and re-folded
Answer: B
Rationale: Used linens are considered soiled after any client contact and must
be stored in a closed hamper and laundered with detergent/hot water before
reuse to prevent cross-contamination.
10. What is the minimum required contact/immersion time generally
needed for hospital-grade disinfectants used on multi-use implements?
A. It varies; the esthetician must follow the time stated on the product's
manufacturer label
B. Always exactly 1 minute
Written Practical Actual Exam Prep
Questions with Answers| Latest
,1. What is the primary purpose of sanitizing implements before use on a
client?
A. To sterilize the implement completely
B. To reduce the number of pathogens on a surface to a safe level
C. To make implements shiny for display
D. To remove all organic matter only
Answer: B
Rationale: Sanitation lowers the number of pathogens on a surface to a level
considered safe by public health standards; it is not the same as sterilization,
which destroys all microbial life.
2. Which level of disinfectant is required for non-porous esthetics tools
that touch intact skin?
A. Low-level disinfectant
B. Intermediate-level (hospital-grade) disinfectant
C. Sterilization only
D. Soap and water alone
Answer: B
Rationale: Washington State requires an EPA-registered hospital-grade
(intermediate-level) disinfectant for non-porous tools used in esthetics services.
3. What is the correct order of steps for decontaminating a multi-use
metal implement?
A. Disinfect, then clean, then rinse
B. Clean, rinse, dry, then fully immerse in disinfectant for the labeled contact
time
C. Rinse only, then store
D. Wipe with alcohol and store immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: Implements must first be cleaned of debris, rinsed, dried, and then
fully immersed in an EPA-registered disinfectant for the manufacturer's required
contact time.
,4. Which of the following is considered a single-use (disposable) item in
an esthetics setting?
A. Metal comedone extractor
B. Wooden spatula
C. Stainless steel tweezers
D. Glass rod applicator
Answer: B
Rationale: Porous items such as wooden spatulas, cotton pads, and sponges
cannot be properly disinfected and must be discarded after one use.
5. What does OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard primarily protect
against?
A. Allergic reactions to cosmetics
B. Exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials
C. Chemical burns from peels
D. Electrical shock from equipment
Answer: B
Rationale: The OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard establishes practices to
protect workers from exposure to blood and other potentially infectious
materials, such as during accidental nicks or extractions.
6. A client has an open sore or active cold sore on the area to be treated.
What should the esthetician do?
A. Treat the area but avoid direct contact
B. Apply extra sanitizer and proceed as normal
C. Refuse or reschedule the service until the condition has healed
D. Cover the area with makeup and continue
Answer: C
Rationale: Active, open lesions such as herpes simplex (cold sores) are
contagious and a contraindication for service; the treatment should be
postponed until healed.
7. What is the purpose of Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in a salon or
spa?
A. To advertise new products to clients
, B. To provide safety, handling, and hazard information about chemicals used
in the workplace
C. To track client purchase history
D. To list retail pricing of products
Answer: B
Rationale: Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide detailed information on chemical
composition, hazards, handling, and emergency measures, and must be
accessible to employees.
8. Which practice best prevents cross-contamination when dispensing
product from a jar during a facial?
A. Dip fingers directly into the jar each time
B. Use a clean spatula to remove product and place it on a palette
C. Pour the whole jar out onto a towel
D. Share the jar between clients without a spatula
Answer: B
Rationale: Using a clean, disinfected spatula to remove product avoids
introducing contaminants into the bulk container, protecting future clients.
9. How should used linens (towels, headbands) be handled after a
service?
A. Reused immediately for the next client if they look clean
B. Placed in a covered, labeled hamper and laundered before reuse
C. Left in the treatment room until end of day
D. Rinsed with water only and re-folded
Answer: B
Rationale: Used linens are considered soiled after any client contact and must
be stored in a closed hamper and laundered with detergent/hot water before
reuse to prevent cross-contamination.
10. What is the minimum required contact/immersion time generally
needed for hospital-grade disinfectants used on multi-use implements?
A. It varies; the esthetician must follow the time stated on the product's
manufacturer label
B. Always exactly 1 minute
