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KENTUCKY ESTHETICIAN LICENSING EXAMINATION 2026
COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
ESTHETICIAN
Prepare for the Kentucky Esthetician Licensing Examination with this comprehensive
practice resource designed to support your licensing exam preparation. It features
exam-style questions covering skin analysis, facial treatments, hair removal,
sanitation, infection control, product knowledge, Kentucky state laws, and
professional esthetics practices. Use it to reinforce essential concepts, assess your
knowledge, and build confidence before test day. An excellent study aid for
candidates preparing for the Kentucky Esthetician Licensing Examination.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
INFECTION CONTROL, SAFETY & SANITATION (Questions 1–25)
Question 1: The primary purpose of sanitation in an esthetics practice is to:
A. Make the salon look clean
B. Prevent disease transmission
C. Reduce the cost of products
D. Impress clients
Correct answer: B. Prevent disease transmission
Rationale: Sanitation and disinfection prevent cross-contamination and
protect both the client and the esthetician.
Question 2: According to 201 KAR 12:100, what is the correct definition of
"disinfect"?
A. Removing surface debris with soap and water
B. The process of making a non-porous item safe for use through the use of a
chemical
C. The eradication of all microbial life through heat or pressure
D. Storing implements in a clean, covered container
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Correct answer: B. The process of making a non-porous item safe for use
through the use of a chemical
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 Section 1(3) defines disinfection as making a non-
porous item safe for use, including the use of a chemical intended to kill or
denature bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Question 3: How should porous implements such as pumice stones be
handled after use on a client?
A. Disinfected with EPA-registered solution
B. Reused without cleaning
C. Discarded after each client
D. Soaked in water and reused
Correct answer: C. Discarded after each client
Rationale: Pumice stones and other porous items cannot be effectively
disinfected because liquids can be absorbed into the material. They are
considered single-use and must be discarded after each client.
Question 4: Under 201 KAR 12:100, which of the following is required for a
disinfectant solution?
A. Mixed once per week
B. Stored uncovered for easy access
C. Prepared fresh daily and any time it becomes diluted or soiled
D. Reused indefinitely as long as it appears clear
Correct answer: C. Prepared fresh daily and any time it becomes diluted
or soiled
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 Section 5(1) requires disinfectants to be prepared
fresh daily and any time the solution becomes diluted or soiled.
Question 5: In Kentucky, implements must be disinfected according to:
A. Manufacturer's instructions and EPA guidelines
B. The salon owner's preference
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C. Visual inspection only
D. Universal standards without reference to labels
Correct answer: A. Manufacturer's instructions and EPA guidelines
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 requires that disinfectants be used in accordance
with the instruction label for dilution ratio and contact time.
Question 6: According to 201 KAR 12:100, which of the following is NOT an
acceptable disinfectant?
A. EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant
B. EPA-registered Sodium Hypochlorite 5.25% (household bleach) with a
manufacture date less than 6 months old
C. UV light for disinfection
D. An EPA-registered bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal disinfectant
Correct answer: C. UV light for disinfection
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 Section 3(2) explicitly states that UV light shall not
be acceptable for disinfection.
Question 7: Single-use items in an esthetics practice must be:
A. Disinfected and reused
B. Disposed of after one use
C. Stored for future use if they appear clean
D. Shared between clients to reduce waste
Correct answer: B. Disposed of after one use
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 Section 10(1) states that any item that may not be
cleaned and disinfected is considered single use and shall be disposed of
after each use.
Question 8: According to 201 KAR 12:100, what is the correct procedure for
cleaning and disinfecting non-porous implements?
A. Wipe with disinfectant and store immediately
B. Clean with soap and water, rinse, dry, and completely immerse in
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disinfectant for the full contact time
C. Soak in water with bleach for 2 minutes
D. Spray with disinfectant and wipe dry immediately
Correct answer: B. Clean with soap and water, rinse, dry, and completely
immerse in disinfectant for the full contact time
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 Section 3 requires non-porous implements to be
thoroughly cleaned, rinsed, dried, and then completely immersed in an
appropriate disinfectant for the full contact time.
Question 9: The required contact time for a disinfectant refers to:
A. The time it takes for the product to dry
B. The amount of wet contact time required for the disinfectant to be effective
against the pathogens on the label
C. The time the implement must soak in soapy water
D. The time the client must wait before the service begins
Correct answer: B. The amount of wet contact time required for the
disinfectant to be effective against the pathogens on the label
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 Section 1(2) defines contact time as the amount
of wet contact time required for a disinfectant to be effective.
Question 10: Disinfected implements must be stored:
A. Open to the air on the workstation
B. In a clean, covered container labeled as "disinfected" or "ready to use"
C. On a towel on the counter
D. In a drawer with dirty implements
Correct answer: B. In a clean, covered container labeled as "disinfected"
or "ready to use"
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 Section 3(7) requires disinfected implements to
be stored in a clean, covered container labeled as "disinfected" or "ready to
use".
KENTUCKY ESTHETICIAN LICENSING EXAMINATION 2026
COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
ESTHETICIAN
Prepare for the Kentucky Esthetician Licensing Examination with this comprehensive
practice resource designed to support your licensing exam preparation. It features
exam-style questions covering skin analysis, facial treatments, hair removal,
sanitation, infection control, product knowledge, Kentucky state laws, and
professional esthetics practices. Use it to reinforce essential concepts, assess your
knowledge, and build confidence before test day. An excellent study aid for
candidates preparing for the Kentucky Esthetician Licensing Examination.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
INFECTION CONTROL, SAFETY & SANITATION (Questions 1–25)
Question 1: The primary purpose of sanitation in an esthetics practice is to:
A. Make the salon look clean
B. Prevent disease transmission
C. Reduce the cost of products
D. Impress clients
Correct answer: B. Prevent disease transmission
Rationale: Sanitation and disinfection prevent cross-contamination and
protect both the client and the esthetician.
Question 2: According to 201 KAR 12:100, what is the correct definition of
"disinfect"?
A. Removing surface debris with soap and water
B. The process of making a non-porous item safe for use through the use of a
chemical
C. The eradication of all microbial life through heat or pressure
D. Storing implements in a clean, covered container
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Correct answer: B. The process of making a non-porous item safe for use
through the use of a chemical
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 Section 1(3) defines disinfection as making a non-
porous item safe for use, including the use of a chemical intended to kill or
denature bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Question 3: How should porous implements such as pumice stones be
handled after use on a client?
A. Disinfected with EPA-registered solution
B. Reused without cleaning
C. Discarded after each client
D. Soaked in water and reused
Correct answer: C. Discarded after each client
Rationale: Pumice stones and other porous items cannot be effectively
disinfected because liquids can be absorbed into the material. They are
considered single-use and must be discarded after each client.
Question 4: Under 201 KAR 12:100, which of the following is required for a
disinfectant solution?
A. Mixed once per week
B. Stored uncovered for easy access
C. Prepared fresh daily and any time it becomes diluted or soiled
D. Reused indefinitely as long as it appears clear
Correct answer: C. Prepared fresh daily and any time it becomes diluted
or soiled
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 Section 5(1) requires disinfectants to be prepared
fresh daily and any time the solution becomes diluted or soiled.
Question 5: In Kentucky, implements must be disinfected according to:
A. Manufacturer's instructions and EPA guidelines
B. The salon owner's preference
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C. Visual inspection only
D. Universal standards without reference to labels
Correct answer: A. Manufacturer's instructions and EPA guidelines
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 requires that disinfectants be used in accordance
with the instruction label for dilution ratio and contact time.
Question 6: According to 201 KAR 12:100, which of the following is NOT an
acceptable disinfectant?
A. EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant
B. EPA-registered Sodium Hypochlorite 5.25% (household bleach) with a
manufacture date less than 6 months old
C. UV light for disinfection
D. An EPA-registered bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal disinfectant
Correct answer: C. UV light for disinfection
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 Section 3(2) explicitly states that UV light shall not
be acceptable for disinfection.
Question 7: Single-use items in an esthetics practice must be:
A. Disinfected and reused
B. Disposed of after one use
C. Stored for future use if they appear clean
D. Shared between clients to reduce waste
Correct answer: B. Disposed of after one use
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 Section 10(1) states that any item that may not be
cleaned and disinfected is considered single use and shall be disposed of
after each use.
Question 8: According to 201 KAR 12:100, what is the correct procedure for
cleaning and disinfecting non-porous implements?
A. Wipe with disinfectant and store immediately
B. Clean with soap and water, rinse, dry, and completely immerse in
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disinfectant for the full contact time
C. Soak in water with bleach for 2 minutes
D. Spray with disinfectant and wipe dry immediately
Correct answer: B. Clean with soap and water, rinse, dry, and completely
immerse in disinfectant for the full contact time
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 Section 3 requires non-porous implements to be
thoroughly cleaned, rinsed, dried, and then completely immersed in an
appropriate disinfectant for the full contact time.
Question 9: The required contact time for a disinfectant refers to:
A. The time it takes for the product to dry
B. The amount of wet contact time required for the disinfectant to be effective
against the pathogens on the label
C. The time the implement must soak in soapy water
D. The time the client must wait before the service begins
Correct answer: B. The amount of wet contact time required for the
disinfectant to be effective against the pathogens on the label
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 Section 1(2) defines contact time as the amount
of wet contact time required for a disinfectant to be effective.
Question 10: Disinfected implements must be stored:
A. Open to the air on the workstation
B. In a clean, covered container labeled as "disinfected" or "ready to use"
C. On a towel on the counter
D. In a drawer with dirty implements
Correct answer: B. In a clean, covered container labeled as "disinfected"
or "ready to use"
Rationale: 201 KAR 12:100 Section 3(7) requires disinfected implements to
be stored in a clean, covered container labeled as "disinfected" or "ready to
use".
