1 | Page
ESTHETICIAN STATE BOARD EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
(200) | COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026,ALREADY GRADED A+
1.
Which agency sets the standards for workplace safety, including chemical
handling and exposure?
A) CDC
B) OSHA
C) FDA
D) EPA
Answer: B – OSHA regulates workplace safety and handling of hazardous
materials.
2.
Before beginning a facial treatment, the esthetician should perform which
step first?
A) Apply cleanser
B) Wash hands and sanitize equipment
C) Analyze the skin with a magnifying lamp
D) Put on gloves
Answer: B – Hand hygiene and sanitization are always the first step to
prevent infection.
3.
What is the correct order for disinfection of reusable implements?
A) Wash → Rinse → Sanitize → Dry → Store
B) Rinse → Wash → Dry → Store → Sanitize
C) Wash → Rinse → Dry → Disinfect → Store
D) Sanitize → Wash → Rinse → Store
Answer: C – Implements must be washed, rinsed, dried, disinfected, then
stored.
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4.
Which layer of the skin contains melanocytes responsible for skin color?
A) Stratum corneum
B) Stratum basale
C) Dermis
D) Hypodermis
Answer: B – Melanocytes are found in the stratum basale of the epidermis.
5.
What is the main function of the sebaceous glands?
A) Excrete sweat
B) Produce oil (sebum)
C) Regulate temperature
D) Excrete toxins
Answer: B – Sebaceous glands secrete sebum to lubricate and protect skin.
6.
Which infection control method destroys all microbial life, including spores?
A) Cleaning
B) Sanitation
C) Disinfection
D) Sterilization
Answer: D – Sterilization is the only method that kills all microorganisms
and spores.
7.
What skin condition is characterized by chronic redness, visible blood
vessels, and sensitivity?
A) Acne vulgaris
B) Rosacea
C) Psoriasis
D) Eczema
Answer: B – Rosacea presents with persistent redness and vascular issues.
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8.
Which of the following is a contraindication for chemical exfoliation?
A) Dry skin
B) Oily skin
C) Open wounds or cuts
D) Hyperpigmentation
Answer: C – Open lesions make chemical exfoliation unsafe.
9.
Which massage movement uses light, continuous stroking motions?
A) Effleurage
B) Petrissage
C) Tapotement
D) Friction
Answer: A – Effleurage involves smooth, gliding strokes for relaxation.
10.
Which of the following describes the function of the lymphatic system in
skincare?
A) Secretes hormones
B) Removes waste and toxins
C) Stimulates sebum production
D) Provides oxygen to skin cells
Answer: B – The lymphatic system helps drain waste and detoxify tissues.
11.
What type of bacteria causes acne and skin infections?
A) Bacilli
B) Cocci
C) Spirilla
D) Propionibacterium acnes
Answer: D – P. acnes is the bacterium associated with acne.
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12.
When performing extractions, which tool is most commonly used?
A) Tweezers
B) Lancet or comedone extractor
C) Scissors
D) Microdermabrasion wand
Answer: B – Comedone extractors or lancets are used for extractions.
13.
Which government agency approves cosmetic color additives?
A) FDA
B) OSHA
C) EPA
D) CDC
Answer: A – The FDA regulates cosmetic labeling and color additives.
14.
What is the average rate of cellular turnover for adults?
A) 7 days
B) 14 days
C) 28 days
D) 60 days
Answer: C – Adult skin cells typically renew every 28 days.
15.
Which layer of the skin is vascular and contains collagen and elastin fibers?
A) Epidermis
B) Dermis
C) Hypodermis
D) Stratum corneum
Answer: B – The dermis provides blood supply and structural support.
16.
What type of peel uses glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid?
ESTHETICIAN STATE BOARD EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
(200) | COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026,ALREADY GRADED A+
1.
Which agency sets the standards for workplace safety, including chemical
handling and exposure?
A) CDC
B) OSHA
C) FDA
D) EPA
Answer: B – OSHA regulates workplace safety and handling of hazardous
materials.
2.
Before beginning a facial treatment, the esthetician should perform which
step first?
A) Apply cleanser
B) Wash hands and sanitize equipment
C) Analyze the skin with a magnifying lamp
D) Put on gloves
Answer: B – Hand hygiene and sanitization are always the first step to
prevent infection.
3.
What is the correct order for disinfection of reusable implements?
A) Wash → Rinse → Sanitize → Dry → Store
B) Rinse → Wash → Dry → Store → Sanitize
C) Wash → Rinse → Dry → Disinfect → Store
D) Sanitize → Wash → Rinse → Store
Answer: C – Implements must be washed, rinsed, dried, disinfected, then
stored.
,2 | Page
4.
Which layer of the skin contains melanocytes responsible for skin color?
A) Stratum corneum
B) Stratum basale
C) Dermis
D) Hypodermis
Answer: B – Melanocytes are found in the stratum basale of the epidermis.
5.
What is the main function of the sebaceous glands?
A) Excrete sweat
B) Produce oil (sebum)
C) Regulate temperature
D) Excrete toxins
Answer: B – Sebaceous glands secrete sebum to lubricate and protect skin.
6.
Which infection control method destroys all microbial life, including spores?
A) Cleaning
B) Sanitation
C) Disinfection
D) Sterilization
Answer: D – Sterilization is the only method that kills all microorganisms
and spores.
7.
What skin condition is characterized by chronic redness, visible blood
vessels, and sensitivity?
A) Acne vulgaris
B) Rosacea
C) Psoriasis
D) Eczema
Answer: B – Rosacea presents with persistent redness and vascular issues.
,3 | Page
8.
Which of the following is a contraindication for chemical exfoliation?
A) Dry skin
B) Oily skin
C) Open wounds or cuts
D) Hyperpigmentation
Answer: C – Open lesions make chemical exfoliation unsafe.
9.
Which massage movement uses light, continuous stroking motions?
A) Effleurage
B) Petrissage
C) Tapotement
D) Friction
Answer: A – Effleurage involves smooth, gliding strokes for relaxation.
10.
Which of the following describes the function of the lymphatic system in
skincare?
A) Secretes hormones
B) Removes waste and toxins
C) Stimulates sebum production
D) Provides oxygen to skin cells
Answer: B – The lymphatic system helps drain waste and detoxify tissues.
11.
What type of bacteria causes acne and skin infections?
A) Bacilli
B) Cocci
C) Spirilla
D) Propionibacterium acnes
Answer: D – P. acnes is the bacterium associated with acne.
, 4 | Page
12.
When performing extractions, which tool is most commonly used?
A) Tweezers
B) Lancet or comedone extractor
C) Scissors
D) Microdermabrasion wand
Answer: B – Comedone extractors or lancets are used for extractions.
13.
Which government agency approves cosmetic color additives?
A) FDA
B) OSHA
C) EPA
D) CDC
Answer: A – The FDA regulates cosmetic labeling and color additives.
14.
What is the average rate of cellular turnover for adults?
A) 7 days
B) 14 days
C) 28 days
D) 60 days
Answer: C – Adult skin cells typically renew every 28 days.
15.
Which layer of the skin is vascular and contains collagen and elastin fibers?
A) Epidermis
B) Dermis
C) Hypodermis
D) Stratum corneum
Answer: B – The dermis provides blood supply and structural support.
16.
What type of peel uses glycolic, lactic, or salicylic acid?
