, PSI COSMETOLOGY EXAM PREP 2026 | STATE BOARD
PRACTICE QUESTIONS, THEORY TEST STUDY GUIDE &
ANSWERS
1. A stylist notices green discoloration on a client’s pre-lightened hair after swimming. What is
the most likely cause and solution?
A) Iron buildup from well water; use a clarifying shampoo
B) Copper oxidation from chlorine; apply a malic acid or metal remover treatment
C) Fungal overgrowth; prescribe antifungal cream
D) Overuse of purple shampoo; switch to blue shampoo
Correct answer: B) Copper oxidation from chlorine; apply a malic acid or metal remover
treatment
Rationale: Chlorine binds copper from pipes, oxidizing on porous lightened hair; metal
removers chelate minerals without cutting hair.
2. During a facial, a client experiences sudden redness and wheals after applying a new enzyme
mask. What should you do first?
A) Apply cold water immediately and remove the mask gently
B) Continue the mask for the full time to desensitize the skin
C) Apply a steroid cream from your first aid kit
D) Turn up the steamer to open pores and release irritants
Correct answer: A) Apply cold water immediately and remove the mask gently*
Rationale: Cold water halts the reaction and removes allergens; steroids require a
prescription and are outside salon scope.
3. A client with tightly coiled hair wants a relaxer but has flaky, red patches on the scalp. What is
the correct professional action?
A) Proceed carefully avoiding the red areas with a protective cream
B) Perform a strand test and if no breakage, relaxer is fine
C) Postpone service and recommend a dermatologist visit
,D) Use a milder thio relaxer instead of hydroxide
Correct answer: C) Postpone service and recommend a dermatologist visit*
Rationale: Active scalp conditions like dermatitis or psoriasis are contraindications for
chemical services due to risk of burns or infection.
4. A manicurist sees a yellowish, thickened nail with debris underneath but no pain. Which
condition is most likely, and can the service continue?
A) Onychomycosis; no, refer to a physician before service
B) Onycholysis; yes, clean under the nail thoroughly
C) Paronychia; yes, apply antiseptic and proceed
D) Leukonychia; no, it indicates liver disease
Correct answer: A) Onychomycosis; no, refer to a physician before service*
Rationale: Yellow thickened debris is fungal infection; salons cannot treat fungus—
physician diagnosis required to avoid spreading.
5. You are mixing a 20-volume developer with permanent hair color for a 50% gray coverage on
natural level 5 hair. What is the expected lift, and how long should it process?
A) 1-2 levels lift; process 30-45 minutes at room temperature
B) No lift; process 15 minutes only
C) 3-4 levels lift; process 20 minutes with heat
D) Lifts to level 9; process 60 minutes
Correct answer: A) 1-2 levels lift; process 30-45 minutes at room temperature
Rationale: 20-volume oxidizes melanin and deposits color, lifting 1-2 levels; standard gray
coverage needs full development time.
6. After a perm, the client’s hair feels mushy and stretches more than 50% before breaking. What
caused this and what should the stylist have done?
A) Over-neutralization; used too strong peroxide after perm
B) Under-neutralization; left perm solution too short
C) Overlapping relaxer on previously permed hair without strand test
, D) Using a metal rod in a microwave perm machine
Correct answer: C) Overlapping relaxer on previously permed hair without strand test
Rationale: Mushy hair indicates protein degradation from double chemical processing; a
strand test would show excessive stretching.
7. A pedicure client has an open sore between the toes. What is the mandatory action?
A) Apply an antiseptic liquid bandage and proceed with caution
B) Cover the sore with a waterproof adhesive patch and soak feet
C) Refuse the service and explain risk of infection to both parties
D) Wear double gloves and continue as requested
Correct answer: C) Refuse the service and explain risk of infection to both parties
Rationale: Open wounds are portals for pathogens (staph, fungus); state board prohibits
service on broken skin to prevent cross-contamination.
8. What is the difference between disinfecting and sterilizing a pair of metal cuticle nippers?
A) Disinfecting kills all viruses; sterilizing kills only bacteria
B) Sterilizing destroys all microorganisms including spores; disinfecting kills most pathogens
but not all spores
C) Disinfecting requires an autoclave; sterilizing uses only EPA hospital-grade liquids
D) No difference; both terms mean the same in cosmetology
Correct answer: B) Sterilizing destroys all microorganisms including spores; disinfecting
kills most pathogens but not all spores
Rationale: Sterilization (autoclave) achieves sporicidal death; disinfection (EPA liquid) kills
pathogens but not bacterial spores.
9. During a thermal straightening service using a flat iron at 450°F, the client’s hair produces
smoke and a burned odor. What should you do immediately?
A) Continue quickly to finish the section
B) Apply heat protectant spray directly onto the iron
C) Lower the temperature to 300°F and redo the section
PRACTICE QUESTIONS, THEORY TEST STUDY GUIDE &
ANSWERS
1. A stylist notices green discoloration on a client’s pre-lightened hair after swimming. What is
the most likely cause and solution?
A) Iron buildup from well water; use a clarifying shampoo
B) Copper oxidation from chlorine; apply a malic acid or metal remover treatment
C) Fungal overgrowth; prescribe antifungal cream
D) Overuse of purple shampoo; switch to blue shampoo
Correct answer: B) Copper oxidation from chlorine; apply a malic acid or metal remover
treatment
Rationale: Chlorine binds copper from pipes, oxidizing on porous lightened hair; metal
removers chelate minerals without cutting hair.
2. During a facial, a client experiences sudden redness and wheals after applying a new enzyme
mask. What should you do first?
A) Apply cold water immediately and remove the mask gently
B) Continue the mask for the full time to desensitize the skin
C) Apply a steroid cream from your first aid kit
D) Turn up the steamer to open pores and release irritants
Correct answer: A) Apply cold water immediately and remove the mask gently*
Rationale: Cold water halts the reaction and removes allergens; steroids require a
prescription and are outside salon scope.
3. A client with tightly coiled hair wants a relaxer but has flaky, red patches on the scalp. What is
the correct professional action?
A) Proceed carefully avoiding the red areas with a protective cream
B) Perform a strand test and if no breakage, relaxer is fine
C) Postpone service and recommend a dermatologist visit
,D) Use a milder thio relaxer instead of hydroxide
Correct answer: C) Postpone service and recommend a dermatologist visit*
Rationale: Active scalp conditions like dermatitis or psoriasis are contraindications for
chemical services due to risk of burns or infection.
4. A manicurist sees a yellowish, thickened nail with debris underneath but no pain. Which
condition is most likely, and can the service continue?
A) Onychomycosis; no, refer to a physician before service
B) Onycholysis; yes, clean under the nail thoroughly
C) Paronychia; yes, apply antiseptic and proceed
D) Leukonychia; no, it indicates liver disease
Correct answer: A) Onychomycosis; no, refer to a physician before service*
Rationale: Yellow thickened debris is fungal infection; salons cannot treat fungus—
physician diagnosis required to avoid spreading.
5. You are mixing a 20-volume developer with permanent hair color for a 50% gray coverage on
natural level 5 hair. What is the expected lift, and how long should it process?
A) 1-2 levels lift; process 30-45 minutes at room temperature
B) No lift; process 15 minutes only
C) 3-4 levels lift; process 20 minutes with heat
D) Lifts to level 9; process 60 minutes
Correct answer: A) 1-2 levels lift; process 30-45 minutes at room temperature
Rationale: 20-volume oxidizes melanin and deposits color, lifting 1-2 levels; standard gray
coverage needs full development time.
6. After a perm, the client’s hair feels mushy and stretches more than 50% before breaking. What
caused this and what should the stylist have done?
A) Over-neutralization; used too strong peroxide after perm
B) Under-neutralization; left perm solution too short
C) Overlapping relaxer on previously permed hair without strand test
, D) Using a metal rod in a microwave perm machine
Correct answer: C) Overlapping relaxer on previously permed hair without strand test
Rationale: Mushy hair indicates protein degradation from double chemical processing; a
strand test would show excessive stretching.
7. A pedicure client has an open sore between the toes. What is the mandatory action?
A) Apply an antiseptic liquid bandage and proceed with caution
B) Cover the sore with a waterproof adhesive patch and soak feet
C) Refuse the service and explain risk of infection to both parties
D) Wear double gloves and continue as requested
Correct answer: C) Refuse the service and explain risk of infection to both parties
Rationale: Open wounds are portals for pathogens (staph, fungus); state board prohibits
service on broken skin to prevent cross-contamination.
8. What is the difference between disinfecting and sterilizing a pair of metal cuticle nippers?
A) Disinfecting kills all viruses; sterilizing kills only bacteria
B) Sterilizing destroys all microorganisms including spores; disinfecting kills most pathogens
but not all spores
C) Disinfecting requires an autoclave; sterilizing uses only EPA hospital-grade liquids
D) No difference; both terms mean the same in cosmetology
Correct answer: B) Sterilizing destroys all microorganisms including spores; disinfecting
kills most pathogens but not all spores
Rationale: Sterilization (autoclave) achieves sporicidal death; disinfection (EPA liquid) kills
pathogens but not bacterial spores.
9. During a thermal straightening service using a flat iron at 450°F, the client’s hair produces
smoke and a burned odor. What should you do immediately?
A) Continue quickly to finish the section
B) Apply heat protectant spray directly onto the iron
C) Lower the temperature to 300°F and redo the section
