Florida Cosmetology State Board Test
2026/2027 | Exam Questions with Verified
Answers and Detailed Rationales Grade A
Question 1
What is a thio-free wave?
A. A perm that uses ATG as the primary reducing agent
B. A perm that uses an ingredient other than ATG as the primary reducing agent,
such as cysteamine or mercaptamine
C. A perm that uses no reducing agent
D. A perm that uses only heat to process
Correct Answer: B. A perm that uses an ingredient other than ATG as the
primary reducing agent, such as cysteamine or mercaptamine
Rationale: Thio-free waves use alternative reducing agents like cysteamine or
mercaptamine instead of ammonium thioglycolate (ATG).
Question 2
What are hydrogen bonds?
A. Strong chemical bonds that can only be broken by chemical solutions
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B. Very weak side bonds that are the result of attraction between opposite electrical
charges; easily broken by water or heat; reform as hair dries or cools; account for
1/3 of hair's total strength
C. Bonds that connect amino acids
D. Bonds that cross-link polypeptide chains
Correct Answer: B. Very weak side bonds that are the result of attraction
between opposite electrical charges; easily broken by water or heat; reform as
hair dries or cools; account for 1/3 of hair's total strength
Rationale: Hydrogen bonds are weak physical side bonds easily broken by water or
heat and reform as hair dries or cools.
Question 3
What are salt bonds?
A. Weak physical side bonds easily broken by change in pH; reform when pH
balance is restored; account for 1/3 of hair's total strength
B. Strong chemical bonds that cannot be reformed
C. Bonds that connect amino acids
D. Bonds that are permanent and cannot be broken
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Correct Answer: A. Weak physical side bonds easily broken by change in
pH; reform when pH balance is restored; account for 1/3 of hair's total
strength
Rationale: Salt bonds are weak physical side bonds broken by pH changes and
reform when pH balance is restored.
Question 4
What are substitutes for ammonia in permanent waving solutions?
A. Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide
B. Aminomethylpropanol (AMP) and Monoethanolamine (MEA)
C. Cysteamine and mercaptamine
D. Glyceryl monothioglycolate and ammonium thioglycolate
Correct Answer: B. Aminomethylpropanol (AMP) and Monoethanolamine
(MEA)
Rationale: AMP and MEA are substitutes for ammonia in permanent waving
solutions.
Question 5
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What are ammonia-free waves?
A. Perms that use ammonia as the primary alkalizing agent
B. Perms that use an ingredient that does not evaporate as readily as ammonia, so
there is very little odor associated with their use (AMP or MEA)
C. Perms that require heat to process
D. Perms that have a pH below 7.0
Correct Answer: B. Perms that use an ingredient that does not evaporate as
readily as ammonia, so there is very little odor associated with their use (AMP
or MEA)
Rationale: Ammonia-free waves use AMP or MEA, which do not evaporate as
readily as ammonia, resulting in very little odor.
Question 6
What is glycerol monothioglycolate?
A. The main active ingredient in acid-balanced waving lotions; primary reducing
agent in most acid waves; low pH
B. The active ingredient in alkaline waves
C. A substitute for ammonia
D. A neutralizer for perms