Page 1 of 72
WASHINGTON STATE MASTER ESTHETICIAN WRITTEN &
PRACTICAL TEST PREP 2026 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Washington State Master Esthetician Written & Practical Test Prep 2026
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL, SANITATION & SAFETY (Questions 1–35)
1. What is the primary difference between sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization in a salon
setting?
A. Sanitation kills all microorganisms including spores; disinfection reduces pathogens;
sterilization removes visible dirt
B. Sanitation removes visible dirt; disinfection destroys most pathogens but not spores;
sterilization destroys all microorganisms including spores
C. Sanitation and disinfection are the same process; sterilization is only for medical facilities
D. Sanitation uses chemicals; disinfection uses heat; sterilization uses UV light
Rationale: Sanitation is the lowest level and involves cleaning to remove visible dirt and debris.
Disinfection destroys most pathogenic microorganisms but is NOT effective against bacterial
spores. Sterilization is the highest level and destroys all microorganisms including bacterial
spores. Washington State regulations require proper disinfection of implements between
clients, while sterilization via autoclave is recommended for the highest level of protection.
2. Disinfectants used in Washington State salons and spas must be which of the following?
1|Page
,Page 2 of 72
A. Bactericidal only
B. Virucidal only
C. Bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
D. Tuberculocidal only
Rationale: Disinfectants used in salons and spas must be bactericidal (kills bacteria), virucidal
(kills viruses), and fungicidal (kills fungi). Washington State requires hospital-grade disinfectants
that meet these criteria.
3. How often must an autoclave used in an esthetician facility be tested for proper
sterilization?
A. Daily
B. Weekly
C. Monthly
D. Annually
Rationale: WAC 308-20-150 requires that autoclaves be tested for proper sterilization at least
monthly using biological indicators (spore tests).
4. A licensee must not perform or continue services on a client with which of the following?
A. A mild sunburn
B. Visible open sores or inflamed skin
C. Dry skin
D. A recent facial treatment
Rationale: WAC 308-20-110 states that a licensee must not perform or continue services on a
client with visible open sores, inflamed skin, or any infectious or contagious condition.
5. What is the minimum passing score for both the written and performance examinations in
Washington State?
A. 70%
B. 75%
2|Page
,Page 3 of 72
C. 76%
D. 80%
Rationale: WAC 308-20-120 states that the minimum passing score for both the written and
performance examinations in all practices is a scaled score of 75.
6. Examination results in Washington State expire how many years from the date of the
examination?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Rationale: WAC 308-20-120 states that examination results expire three years from the date of
the examination.
7. What is the purpose of a Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
A. To advertise the product
B. To provide information about the safe handling of chemicals
C. To list the price of the product
D. To provide marketing information
Rationale: A Safety Data Sheet provides detailed information about the hazards, safe handling,
storage, and emergency procedures for chemicals. It is required by OSHA/WISHA for all
chemicals in the workplace.
8. Which of the following is the correct way to disinfect non-porous implements?
A. Wipe with a dry towel
B. Rinse with water
C. Clean with soap and water, then submerge in an EPA-registered disinfectant for the required
contact time
D. Spray with alcohol only
3|Page
, Page 4 of 72
Rationale: Non-porous implements must first be cleaned with soap and water to remove debris,
then fully submerged in an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant for the manufacturer's
recommended contact time.
9. What percentage bleach solution is approved for sanitizing and disinfecting towels and
linens in Washington State?
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 20%
D. 50%
Rationale: WAC 308-20-110 specifies that towels and linens must be sanitized and disinfected
with a 10% bleach solution or its equivalent.
10. Which of the following items is considered a single-use item and must be discarded after
one client?
A. Tweezers
B. Razor blade
C. Metal spatula
D. Glass bowl
Rationale: Razor blades are single-use items and must be disposed of in a sharps container after
one use. They cannot be disinfected effectively.
11. Which of the following is TRUE regarding disinfection of surfaces?
A. Surfaces only need to be cleaned weekly
B. All surfaces must be disinfected after each client
C. Only visible soil needs to be cleaned
D. Disinfection is not required between clients
Rationale: All work surfaces, including chairs, tables, and counters, must be disinfected after
each client using an EPA-registered disinfectant.
4|Page
WASHINGTON STATE MASTER ESTHETICIAN WRITTEN &
PRACTICAL TEST PREP 2026 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
Washington State Master Esthetician Written & Practical Test Prep 2026
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL, SANITATION & SAFETY (Questions 1–35)
1. What is the primary difference between sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization in a salon
setting?
A. Sanitation kills all microorganisms including spores; disinfection reduces pathogens;
sterilization removes visible dirt
B. Sanitation removes visible dirt; disinfection destroys most pathogens but not spores;
sterilization destroys all microorganisms including spores
C. Sanitation and disinfection are the same process; sterilization is only for medical facilities
D. Sanitation uses chemicals; disinfection uses heat; sterilization uses UV light
Rationale: Sanitation is the lowest level and involves cleaning to remove visible dirt and debris.
Disinfection destroys most pathogenic microorganisms but is NOT effective against bacterial
spores. Sterilization is the highest level and destroys all microorganisms including bacterial
spores. Washington State regulations require proper disinfection of implements between
clients, while sterilization via autoclave is recommended for the highest level of protection.
2. Disinfectants used in Washington State salons and spas must be which of the following?
1|Page
,Page 2 of 72
A. Bactericidal only
B. Virucidal only
C. Bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
D. Tuberculocidal only
Rationale: Disinfectants used in salons and spas must be bactericidal (kills bacteria), virucidal
(kills viruses), and fungicidal (kills fungi). Washington State requires hospital-grade disinfectants
that meet these criteria.
3. How often must an autoclave used in an esthetician facility be tested for proper
sterilization?
A. Daily
B. Weekly
C. Monthly
D. Annually
Rationale: WAC 308-20-150 requires that autoclaves be tested for proper sterilization at least
monthly using biological indicators (spore tests).
4. A licensee must not perform or continue services on a client with which of the following?
A. A mild sunburn
B. Visible open sores or inflamed skin
C. Dry skin
D. A recent facial treatment
Rationale: WAC 308-20-110 states that a licensee must not perform or continue services on a
client with visible open sores, inflamed skin, or any infectious or contagious condition.
5. What is the minimum passing score for both the written and performance examinations in
Washington State?
A. 70%
B. 75%
2|Page
,Page 3 of 72
C. 76%
D. 80%
Rationale: WAC 308-20-120 states that the minimum passing score for both the written and
performance examinations in all practices is a scaled score of 75.
6. Examination results in Washington State expire how many years from the date of the
examination?
A. 1 year
B. 2 years
C. 3 years
D. 5 years
Rationale: WAC 308-20-120 states that examination results expire three years from the date of
the examination.
7. What is the purpose of a Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS)?
A. To advertise the product
B. To provide information about the safe handling of chemicals
C. To list the price of the product
D. To provide marketing information
Rationale: A Safety Data Sheet provides detailed information about the hazards, safe handling,
storage, and emergency procedures for chemicals. It is required by OSHA/WISHA for all
chemicals in the workplace.
8. Which of the following is the correct way to disinfect non-porous implements?
A. Wipe with a dry towel
B. Rinse with water
C. Clean with soap and water, then submerge in an EPA-registered disinfectant for the required
contact time
D. Spray with alcohol only
3|Page
, Page 4 of 72
Rationale: Non-porous implements must first be cleaned with soap and water to remove debris,
then fully submerged in an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant for the manufacturer's
recommended contact time.
9. What percentage bleach solution is approved for sanitizing and disinfecting towels and
linens in Washington State?
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 20%
D. 50%
Rationale: WAC 308-20-110 specifies that towels and linens must be sanitized and disinfected
with a 10% bleach solution or its equivalent.
10. Which of the following items is considered a single-use item and must be discarded after
one client?
A. Tweezers
B. Razor blade
C. Metal spatula
D. Glass bowl
Rationale: Razor blades are single-use items and must be disposed of in a sharps container after
one use. They cannot be disinfected effectively.
11. Which of the following is TRUE regarding disinfection of surfaces?
A. Surfaces only need to be cleaned weekly
B. All surfaces must be disinfected after each client
C. Only visible soil needs to be cleaned
D. Disinfection is not required between clients
Rationale: All work surfaces, including chairs, tables, and counters, must be disinfected after
each client using an EPA-registered disinfectant.
4|Page
