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Washington State Esthetician Written
Exam Questions With Verified Solutions
And Rationales
1. What is the minimum passing score for the Washington State esthetician
written examination?
A. 70%
B. 75%
C. 76%
D. 80%
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The minimum passing score for both the written and performance
examinations in Washington State is a scaled score of 75 .
2. How many training hours are required to qualify for the Washington State
esthetician licensing examination?
A. 450 hours
B. 600 hours
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C. 750 hours
D. 1,200 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Washington State requires 750 hours of esthetician training at a state-
approved school to qualify for the licensing examination .
3. Which regulatory body oversees esthetician licensing and examinations in
Washington State?
A. Washington Department of Health
B. Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL)
C. Washington Department of Education
D. Washington Medical Board
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) oversees
esthetician licensing, examinations, and salon regulation .
4. How often must a Washington State esthetician license be renewed?
A. Annually
B. Every two years
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C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Washington esthetician licenses must be renewed every two years. The
renewal fee is $66 .
5. What is the primary difference between sanitation, disinfection, and
sterilization?
A. Sanitation kills all microorganisms; 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
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sanitation is the lowest level of infection control and removes visible
dirt and debris. Disinfection destroys most pathogenic microorganisms but is NOT
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effective against bacterial spores. Sterilization is the highest level and destroys all
microorganisms including bacterial spores .
6. Disinfectants used in Washington State salons and spas must be which of the
following?
A. Bactericidal only
B. Virucidal only
C. Bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
D. Tuberculocidal only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Disinfectants used in salons and spas must be bactericidal (kills
bacteria), virucidal (kills viruses), and fungicidal (kills fungi). This broad-spectrum
efficacy ensures protection against diverse pathogens .
7. According to Washington State regulations, a licensee MUST NOT perform
services on a client with which of the following conditions?
A. Dry skin
B. Visible open sores, inflamed skin, rash, or parasitic infestations
Washington State Esthetician Written
Exam Questions With Verified Solutions
And Rationales
1. What is the minimum passing score for the Washington State esthetician
written examination?
A. 70%
B. 75%
C. 76%
D. 80%
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The minimum passing score for both the written and performance
examinations in Washington State is a scaled score of 75 .
2. How many training hours are required to qualify for the Washington State
esthetician licensing examination?
A. 450 hours
B. 600 hours
,2|Page
C. 750 hours
D. 1,200 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Washington State requires 750 hours of esthetician training at a state-
approved school to qualify for the licensing examination .
3. Which regulatory body oversees esthetician licensing and examinations in
Washington State?
A. Washington Department of Health
B. Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL)
C. Washington Department of Education
D. Washington Medical Board
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) oversees
esthetician licensing, examinations, and salon regulation .
4. How often must a Washington State esthetician license be renewed?
A. Annually
B. Every two years
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C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Washington esthetician licenses must be renewed every two years. The
renewal fee is $66 .
5. What is the primary difference between sanitation, disinfection, and
sterilization?
A. Sanitation kills all microorganisms; 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
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sanitation is the lowest level of infection control and removes visible
dirt and debris. Disinfection destroys most pathogenic microorganisms but is NOT
, 4|Page
effective against bacterial spores. Sterilization is the highest level and destroys all
microorganisms including bacterial spores .
6. Disinfectants used in Washington State salons and spas must be which of the
following?
A. Bactericidal only
B. Virucidal only
C. Bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal
D. Tuberculocidal only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Disinfectants used in salons and spas must be bactericidal (kills
bacteria), virucidal (kills viruses), and fungicidal (kills fungi). This broad-spectrum
efficacy ensures protection against diverse pathogens .
7. According to Washington State regulations, a licensee MUST NOT perform
services on a client with which of the following conditions?
A. Dry skin
B. Visible open sores, inflamed skin, rash, or parasitic infestations
