Washington State Esthetician Written Exam Questions and Answers
100% Correct
Question 1
The modern words 'cosmetics' and 'cosmetology' are derived from which Greek word?
A) Kosmetikos
B) Aesthetikos
C) Derma
D) Epidermis
E) Trichos
Correct Answer: A) kosmetikos
Rationale: The term "kosmetikos" is the Greek word meaning "skilled in the use of
cosmetics." It is the root from which the modern terms related to the art and science of
beauty are derived.
Question 2
Which ancient civilization was among the first to cultivate beauty in an extravagant fashion,
using perfumes and cosmetics in their religious rites and for personal beautification?
A) The Romans
B) The Egyptians
C) The Greeks
D) The Chinese
E) The Victorians
Correct Answer: B) The Egyptians
Rationale: While the Greeks also valued beauty, the Egyptians are renowned for being the
first to develop and use cosmetics extensively for personal adornment, religious ceremonies,
and burial preparations.
Question 3
Which federal agency is responsible for regulating and enforcing safety and health standards to
protect employees in the workplace, including in salons and spas?
A) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
B) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
C) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
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D) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
E) The State Board of Cosmetology
Correct Answer: C) OSHA
Rationale: OSHA's mission is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working
men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach,
education, and assistance.
Question 4
The requirement that chemical manufacturers and importers must assess and communicate the
potential hazards associated with their products is part of the:
A) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
B) Infection Control Act
C) Clean Air Act
D) Decontamination Rule
E) Disinfection Standard
Correct Answer: A) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
Rationale: The HCS, created by OSHA, is a "right-to-know" law that requires chemical
manufacturers to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce and to create labels
and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to convey this information to downstream users.
Question 5
As a direct result of the Hazard Communication Standard, every product used in a salon or spa
that contains a potentially hazardous chemical must have a(n):
A) Efficacy label
B) EPA registration number
C) Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), now known as Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
D) UL certification
E) "Keep Out of Reach of Children" warning
Correct Answer: C) Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), now known as Safety Data Sheet
(SDS)
Rationale: The SDS is a detailed, 16-section document that provides comprehensive
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information about a chemical substance, including its physical and chemical properties,
health hazards, and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting.
Question 6
Which federal agency is responsible for registering all types of disinfectants sold and used in the
United States?
A) OSHA
B) The FDA
C) The CDC
D) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
E) The Department of Health
Correct Answer: D) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Rationale: The EPA registers chemical products used for disinfection to ensure they are
effective and safe for their intended use. An EPA registration number on a disinfectant
label indicates that the product has met federal standards for efficacy.
Question 7
Disinfectants that are effective for cleaning up blood and body fluids and are used in healthcare
settings are known as:
A) Tuberculocidal disinfectants
B) Hospital disinfectants
C) Fungicidal disinfectants
D) Virucidal disinfectants
E) Salon disinfectants
Correct Answer: B) Hospital disinfectants
Rationale: Hospital disinfectants are a category of EPA-registered disinfectants that are
proven to be effective against common hospital pathogens and are suitable for use on non-
porous surfaces in a medical or spa environment where exposure to bloodborne pathogens
is possible.
Question 8
Disinfectants that are proven to kill the bacteria that cause tuberculosis are known as:
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A) Bactericidal disinfectants
B) Hospital disinfectants
C) Tuberculocidal disinfectants
D) Broad-spectrum disinfectants
E) Virucidal disinfectants
Correct Answer: C) Tuberculocidal disinfectants
Rationale: Tuberculosis is caused by a particularly resilient bacterium. Disinfectants that
are effective against this organism are considered to be very potent and are often required
by state boards for the disinfection of implements that have come into contact with blood or
body fluids.
Question 9
Is it a violation of federal law to use any disinfecting product in a way that is contrary to its
labeling?
A) No, the label is only a recommendation.
B) Yes, it is a violation of federal law.
C) It is a violation of state law, but not federal law.
D) It is only a violation if someone is harmed.
E) It is only a violation if the product is used at a weaker dilution.
Correct Answer: B) Yes, it is a violation of federal law.
Rationale: The pesticide label (which includes disinfectants) is a legal document. The
statement "It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with
its labeling" is on every EPA-registered product. This means you must follow all
instructions for mixing, contact time, and use.
Question 10
The methods used to eliminate or reduce the transmission of infectious organisms in a salon or
spa setting are collectively known as:
A) Decontamination
B) Sanitation
C) Infection control
100% Correct
Question 1
The modern words 'cosmetics' and 'cosmetology' are derived from which Greek word?
A) Kosmetikos
B) Aesthetikos
C) Derma
D) Epidermis
E) Trichos
Correct Answer: A) kosmetikos
Rationale: The term "kosmetikos" is the Greek word meaning "skilled in the use of
cosmetics." It is the root from which the modern terms related to the art and science of
beauty are derived.
Question 2
Which ancient civilization was among the first to cultivate beauty in an extravagant fashion,
using perfumes and cosmetics in their religious rites and for personal beautification?
A) The Romans
B) The Egyptians
C) The Greeks
D) The Chinese
E) The Victorians
Correct Answer: B) The Egyptians
Rationale: While the Greeks also valued beauty, the Egyptians are renowned for being the
first to develop and use cosmetics extensively for personal adornment, religious ceremonies,
and burial preparations.
Question 3
Which federal agency is responsible for regulating and enforcing safety and health standards to
protect employees in the workplace, including in salons and spas?
A) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
B) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
C) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
,[Type here]
D) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
E) The State Board of Cosmetology
Correct Answer: C) OSHA
Rationale: OSHA's mission is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working
men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach,
education, and assistance.
Question 4
The requirement that chemical manufacturers and importers must assess and communicate the
potential hazards associated with their products is part of the:
A) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
B) Infection Control Act
C) Clean Air Act
D) Decontamination Rule
E) Disinfection Standard
Correct Answer: A) Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
Rationale: The HCS, created by OSHA, is a "right-to-know" law that requires chemical
manufacturers to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce and to create labels
and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to convey this information to downstream users.
Question 5
As a direct result of the Hazard Communication Standard, every product used in a salon or spa
that contains a potentially hazardous chemical must have a(n):
A) Efficacy label
B) EPA registration number
C) Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), now known as Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
D) UL certification
E) "Keep Out of Reach of Children" warning
Correct Answer: C) Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), now known as Safety Data Sheet
(SDS)
Rationale: The SDS is a detailed, 16-section document that provides comprehensive
,[Type here]
information about a chemical substance, including its physical and chemical properties,
health hazards, and safety precautions for handling, storing, and transporting.
Question 6
Which federal agency is responsible for registering all types of disinfectants sold and used in the
United States?
A) OSHA
B) The FDA
C) The CDC
D) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
E) The Department of Health
Correct Answer: D) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Rationale: The EPA registers chemical products used for disinfection to ensure they are
effective and safe for their intended use. An EPA registration number on a disinfectant
label indicates that the product has met federal standards for efficacy.
Question 7
Disinfectants that are effective for cleaning up blood and body fluids and are used in healthcare
settings are known as:
A) Tuberculocidal disinfectants
B) Hospital disinfectants
C) Fungicidal disinfectants
D) Virucidal disinfectants
E) Salon disinfectants
Correct Answer: B) Hospital disinfectants
Rationale: Hospital disinfectants are a category of EPA-registered disinfectants that are
proven to be effective against common hospital pathogens and are suitable for use on non-
porous surfaces in a medical or spa environment where exposure to bloodborne pathogens
is possible.
Question 8
Disinfectants that are proven to kill the bacteria that cause tuberculosis are known as:
, [Type here]
A) Bactericidal disinfectants
B) Hospital disinfectants
C) Tuberculocidal disinfectants
D) Broad-spectrum disinfectants
E) Virucidal disinfectants
Correct Answer: C) Tuberculocidal disinfectants
Rationale: Tuberculosis is caused by a particularly resilient bacterium. Disinfectants that
are effective against this organism are considered to be very potent and are often required
by state boards for the disinfection of implements that have come into contact with blood or
body fluids.
Question 9
Is it a violation of federal law to use any disinfecting product in a way that is contrary to its
labeling?
A) No, the label is only a recommendation.
B) Yes, it is a violation of federal law.
C) It is a violation of state law, but not federal law.
D) It is only a violation if someone is harmed.
E) It is only a violation if the product is used at a weaker dilution.
Correct Answer: B) Yes, it is a violation of federal law.
Rationale: The pesticide label (which includes disinfectants) is a legal document. The
statement "It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with
its labeling" is on every EPA-registered product. This means you must follow all
instructions for mixing, contact time, and use.
Question 10
The methods used to eliminate or reduce the transmission of infectious organisms in a salon or
spa setting are collectively known as:
A) Decontamination
B) Sanitation
C) Infection control
