STUDY GUIDE | Virginia Cosmetology Licensing
Exam Prep 2026 | Theory Review, Chemical
Services, Hair Structure & Infection Control
VIRGINIA COSMETOLOGY LICENSING EXAM PREP
Theory Review | Chemical Services | Hair Structure | Infection Control
300 Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is the outermost layer of the hair shaft?
A. Cortex B. Medulla C. Cuticle D. Papilla E. Matrix
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Cuticle RATIONALE: The cuticle is the outermost
layer of the hair shaft, made up of overlapping scale-like cells that protect the inner
layers of the hair.
2. Which layer of the hair is responsible for giving hair its strength, elasticity, and
color?
A. Cuticle B. Medulla C. Sebaceous gland D. Cortex E. Dermal papilla
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Cortex RATIONALE: The cortex is the middle layer of
the hair shaft and contains melanin (responsible for color) and provides strength and
elasticity to the hair.
3. The innermost layer of the hair shaft is called the:
A. Cortex B. Cuticle C. Medulla D. Follicle E. Matrix
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Medulla RATIONALE: The medulla is the innermost
layer of the hair shaft. It is a hollow canal that runs through the center of the cortex and
is not always present in every hair.
4. Hair is primarily composed of which protein?
A. Melanin B. Collagen C. Keratin D. Elastin E. Fibrin
, CORRECT ANSWER: C. Keratin RATIONALE: Hair is made primarily of
keratin, a fibrous structural protein that also makes up fingernails and the outer skin
layer.
5. The part of the hair located below the surface of the scalp is called the:
A. Hair shaft B. Hair root C. Hair bulb D. Arrector pili E. Sebaceous gland
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hair root RATIONALE: The hair root is the portion of
the hair below the skin surface, enclosed within the hair follicle.
6. What structure supplies blood and nutrients to the hair follicle?
A. Arrector pili muscle B. Sebaceous gland C. Sudoriferous gland D. Dermal papilla E.
Hair shaft
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Dermal papilla RATIONALE: The dermal papilla is
located at the base of the follicle and contains blood vessels that nourish the hair matrix
cells, which are responsible for hair growth.
7. The club-shaped structure at the base of the hair root is called the:
A. Hair papilla B. Hair bulb C. Matrix D. Follicle E. Cortex
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hair bulb RATIONALE: The hair bulb is the club-
shaped enlargement at the base of the hair root. It surrounds the dermal papilla and
contains the matrix cells that produce hair.
8. Where does hair growth originate?
A. Dermal papilla B. Arrector pili C. Matrix cells D. Sebaceous gland E. Cuticle
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Matrix cells RATIONALE: Hair growth originates from
the matrix cells located at the base of the hair bulb. These rapidly dividing cells push
upward to form the hair shaft.
9. What is the technical term for the study of hair?
A. Dermatology B. Cosmetology C. Trichology D. Histology E. Pathology
, CORRECT ANSWER: C. Trichology RATIONALE: Trichology is the branch of
science that deals with the study of hair and scalp, including hair diseases and
conditions.
10. Which gland is attached to the hair follicle and produces sebum?
A. Sudoriferous gland B. Eccrine gland C. Apocrine gland D. Sebaceous gland E.
Endocrine gland
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Sebaceous gland RATIONALE: The sebaceous
gland is an oil gland attached to the hair follicle. It secretes sebum, which lubricates the
hair and skin.
11. The muscle attached to the hair follicle that causes goosebumps is called the:
A. Erector spinae B. Arrector pili C. Follicular muscle D. Dermal papilla E. Sebaceous
muscle
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Arrector pili RATIONALE: The arrector pili is a small
involuntary muscle attached to the hair follicle. When contracted (due to cold or fear), it
causes the hair to stand up, creating goosebumps.
12. The natural oil produced by the sebaceous gland is called:
A. Keratin B. Melanin C. Sebum D. Collagen E. Elastin
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Sebum RATIONALE: Sebum is the natural oil
secreted by the sebaceous glands that lubricates the scalp and hair, helping to keep
them soft and pliable.
13. What is the active growing phase of the hair growth cycle called?
A. Catagen B. Telogen C. Anagen D. Exogen E. Kenogen
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Anagen RATIONALE: Anagen is the active growth
phase of the hair cycle during which the hair is actively growing. It can last 2–7 years
and determines the length of the hair.
, 14. The transitional phase of the hair growth cycle is:
A. Anagen B. Telogen C. Catagen D. Exogen E. Kenogen
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Catagen RATIONALE: Catagen is the brief
transitional phase that signals the end of active hair growth. During this phase, the hair
follicle shrinks and detaches from the dermal papilla.
15. The resting phase of the hair growth cycle is called:
A. Anagen B. Catagen C. Exogen D. Telogen E. Kenogen
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Telogen RATIONALE: Telogen is the resting phase of
the hair cycle during which the hair does not grow. At the end of this phase, the hair is
shed and a new anagen phase begins.
16. Approximately what percentage of scalp hair is in the anagen phase at any
given time?
A. 10–15% B. 30–40% C. 50–60% D. 85–90% E. 95–100%
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 85–90% RATIONALE: At any given time,
approximately 85–90% of scalp hairs are in the anagen (active growth) phase, while the
remainder are in catagen or telogen phases.
17. The pigment responsible for hair color is called:
A. Keratin B. Melanin C. Collagen D. Hemoglobin E. Elastin
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Melanin RATIONALE: Melanin is the pigment that
gives hair its color. It is produced by melanocytes in the hair matrix and comes in two
types: eumelanin (dark) and pheomelanin (red/yellow).
18. Which type of melanin is responsible for red and blonde hair tones?
A. Eumelanin B. Neuromelanin C. Pheomelanin D. Trichomelanin E. Promelanin
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Pheomelanin RATIONALE: Pheomelanin produces
red and yellow/blonde pigments in hair, while eumelanin produces brown and black
pigments.
Exam Prep 2026 | Theory Review, Chemical
Services, Hair Structure & Infection Control
VIRGINIA COSMETOLOGY LICENSING EXAM PREP
Theory Review | Chemical Services | Hair Structure | Infection Control
300 Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is the outermost layer of the hair shaft?
A. Cortex B. Medulla C. Cuticle D. Papilla E. Matrix
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Cuticle RATIONALE: The cuticle is the outermost
layer of the hair shaft, made up of overlapping scale-like cells that protect the inner
layers of the hair.
2. Which layer of the hair is responsible for giving hair its strength, elasticity, and
color?
A. Cuticle B. Medulla C. Sebaceous gland D. Cortex E. Dermal papilla
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Cortex RATIONALE: The cortex is the middle layer of
the hair shaft and contains melanin (responsible for color) and provides strength and
elasticity to the hair.
3. The innermost layer of the hair shaft is called the:
A. Cortex B. Cuticle C. Medulla D. Follicle E. Matrix
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Medulla RATIONALE: The medulla is the innermost
layer of the hair shaft. It is a hollow canal that runs through the center of the cortex and
is not always present in every hair.
4. Hair is primarily composed of which protein?
A. Melanin B. Collagen C. Keratin D. Elastin E. Fibrin
, CORRECT ANSWER: C. Keratin RATIONALE: Hair is made primarily of
keratin, a fibrous structural protein that also makes up fingernails and the outer skin
layer.
5. The part of the hair located below the surface of the scalp is called the:
A. Hair shaft B. Hair root C. Hair bulb D. Arrector pili E. Sebaceous gland
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hair root RATIONALE: The hair root is the portion of
the hair below the skin surface, enclosed within the hair follicle.
6. What structure supplies blood and nutrients to the hair follicle?
A. Arrector pili muscle B. Sebaceous gland C. Sudoriferous gland D. Dermal papilla E.
Hair shaft
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Dermal papilla RATIONALE: The dermal papilla is
located at the base of the follicle and contains blood vessels that nourish the hair matrix
cells, which are responsible for hair growth.
7. The club-shaped structure at the base of the hair root is called the:
A. Hair papilla B. Hair bulb C. Matrix D. Follicle E. Cortex
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Hair bulb RATIONALE: The hair bulb is the club-
shaped enlargement at the base of the hair root. It surrounds the dermal papilla and
contains the matrix cells that produce hair.
8. Where does hair growth originate?
A. Dermal papilla B. Arrector pili C. Matrix cells D. Sebaceous gland E. Cuticle
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Matrix cells RATIONALE: Hair growth originates from
the matrix cells located at the base of the hair bulb. These rapidly dividing cells push
upward to form the hair shaft.
9. What is the technical term for the study of hair?
A. Dermatology B. Cosmetology C. Trichology D. Histology E. Pathology
, CORRECT ANSWER: C. Trichology RATIONALE: Trichology is the branch of
science that deals with the study of hair and scalp, including hair diseases and
conditions.
10. Which gland is attached to the hair follicle and produces sebum?
A. Sudoriferous gland B. Eccrine gland C. Apocrine gland D. Sebaceous gland E.
Endocrine gland
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Sebaceous gland RATIONALE: The sebaceous
gland is an oil gland attached to the hair follicle. It secretes sebum, which lubricates the
hair and skin.
11. The muscle attached to the hair follicle that causes goosebumps is called the:
A. Erector spinae B. Arrector pili C. Follicular muscle D. Dermal papilla E. Sebaceous
muscle
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Arrector pili RATIONALE: The arrector pili is a small
involuntary muscle attached to the hair follicle. When contracted (due to cold or fear), it
causes the hair to stand up, creating goosebumps.
12. The natural oil produced by the sebaceous gland is called:
A. Keratin B. Melanin C. Sebum D. Collagen E. Elastin
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Sebum RATIONALE: Sebum is the natural oil
secreted by the sebaceous glands that lubricates the scalp and hair, helping to keep
them soft and pliable.
13. What is the active growing phase of the hair growth cycle called?
A. Catagen B. Telogen C. Anagen D. Exogen E. Kenogen
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Anagen RATIONALE: Anagen is the active growth
phase of the hair cycle during which the hair is actively growing. It can last 2–7 years
and determines the length of the hair.
, 14. The transitional phase of the hair growth cycle is:
A. Anagen B. Telogen C. Catagen D. Exogen E. Kenogen
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Catagen RATIONALE: Catagen is the brief
transitional phase that signals the end of active hair growth. During this phase, the hair
follicle shrinks and detaches from the dermal papilla.
15. The resting phase of the hair growth cycle is called:
A. Anagen B. Catagen C. Exogen D. Telogen E. Kenogen
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Telogen RATIONALE: Telogen is the resting phase of
the hair cycle during which the hair does not grow. At the end of this phase, the hair is
shed and a new anagen phase begins.
16. Approximately what percentage of scalp hair is in the anagen phase at any
given time?
A. 10–15% B. 30–40% C. 50–60% D. 85–90% E. 95–100%
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 85–90% RATIONALE: At any given time,
approximately 85–90% of scalp hairs are in the anagen (active growth) phase, while the
remainder are in catagen or telogen phases.
17. The pigment responsible for hair color is called:
A. Keratin B. Melanin C. Collagen D. Hemoglobin E. Elastin
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Melanin RATIONALE: Melanin is the pigment that
gives hair its color. It is produced by melanocytes in the hair matrix and comes in two
types: eumelanin (dark) and pheomelanin (red/yellow).
18. Which type of melanin is responsible for red and blonde hair tones?
A. Eumelanin B. Neuromelanin C. Pheomelanin D. Trichomelanin E. Promelanin
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Pheomelanin RATIONALE: Pheomelanin produces
red and yellow/blonde pigments in hair, while eumelanin produces brown and black
pigments.
