WASHINGTON STATE ESTHETICIAN WRITTEN EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS GRADED A+) LATEST UPDATE
2025/2026
The word 'cosmetics and cosmetology' come from the Greek word - CORRECT ANSWER
kosmetikos
Who was the first to cultivate beauty in an extravagant fashion? - CORRECT ANSWER Greeks
Who regulates and enforces safety and health standards? - CORRECT ANSWER OSHA
What is the Hazard Communication Standard? - CORRECT ANSWER requires that chemical
and importers assess and communicate the potential hazard associated with their products
What is a result of the Hazard Communication Standard? - CORRECT ANSWER the material
safety data sheet
Environmental Protection Agency does what? - CORRECT ANSWER registers all types of
disinfectants sold and used in the US
Hospital disinfectants - CORRECT ANSWER Effective for cleaning blood and body fluids
Tuberculocidal disinfectants - CORRECT ANSWER Disinfectants that kill the bacteria that
causes tuberculosis.
True or false: It is against federal law to use any disinfecting product contrary to its labeling -
CORRECT ANSWER True
,Why does the State Regulatory Agencies exist? - CORRECT ANSWER protect salon and spa
professionals and to protect consumers' health, safety, and welfare while they receive salon and
spa services
Infection control - CORRECT ANSWER The methods used to eliminate or reduce the
transmission of infectious organisms
Is disinfection effective against bacterial spores? - CORRECT ANSWER no
Disinfectants used in salons and spas must be what? - CORRECT ANSWER Bactericidal,
virucidal, and fungicidal
Bacteria - CORRECT ANSWER one-celled microscopic organisms that have both plant and
animal characteristics
Microorganism - CORRECT ANSWER Any organism of microscopic or submicroscopic size
Most bacteria is what? - CORRECT ANSWER nonpathogenic
Cocci - CORRECT ANSWER Round shaped bacteria that appear singly or in groups
Staphylococci - CORRECT ANSWER pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters
Staphylococci cause what? - CORRECT ANSWER abscesses, pustules, and boils
Streptococci - CORRECT ANSWER Pus-forming bacteria arranged in curved lines
Streptococci can cause what? - CORRECT ANSWER infections such as strep throat and blood
poisoning
,Diplococci - CORRECT ANSWER Spherical bacteria that grow in pairs and cause diseases
such as pneumonia
Bacilli - CORRECT ANSWER Rod shaped bacteria
What is the most common type of bacteria? - CORRECT ANSWER bacilli
Spirilla - CORRECT ANSWER spiral or corkscrew shaped bacteria
Virus - CORRECT ANSWER A parasitic submicroscopic particle that infects and resides in
cells of biological organisms
bloodeborne pathogens - CORRECT ANSWER disease-causing microorganisms that are
carried in the body by blood or body fluids
What is the main difference between viruses and bacteria? - CORRECT ANSWER Bacteria can
live and reproduce on its own
Fungi - CORRECT ANSWER microscopic plant parasites that include molds, mildews, and
yeasts
What is the most basic cause of fungal infections? - CORRECT ANSWER dermatophytes
Tinea versicolor is also known as what? - CORRECT ANSWER sun spots
Decontamination method 1 - CORRECT ANSWER Cleaning and then disinfecting with an
appropriate EPA-registered disinfectant
Decontamination method 2 - CORRECT ANSWER Cleaning and then sterilizing
, An autoclave is for use in sterilization, which is the highest level of what? - CORRECT
ANSWER decontamination
When cleaning you must remove all of what from tools, implements, and equipment? -
CORRECT ANSWER visible dirt and debris
Proper washing method - CORRECT ANSWER liquid soap and warm water with a nail brush
3 proper ways to clean your tools and implements - CORRECT ANSWER soap and warm
water then scrubbing with a nail brush, ultrasonic unit, and a cleaning solvent
Is the second step of decontamination method 1 (disinfecting) useful against bacterial spores? -
CORRECT ANSWER no
Sterilization - CORRECT ANSWER The process that completely destroys all microbial life,
including spores
Is dry-heat sterilization recommended for use in salon and spas? - CORRECT ANSWER no
The CDC requires autoclaves be tested how often? - CORRECT ANSWER weekly
If the label of a disinfectant does not have the word 'concentrate' on it then what does that mean?
- CORRECT ANSWER the product is already mixed
Efficacy - CORRECT ANSWER the ability to produce an effect
First degree burn - CORRECT ANSWER A minor burn affecting the upper layers of the skin,
primarily the epidermis, with some redness and irritation but no blisters or open skin
Second degree burn - CORRECT ANSWER a burn involving the epidermis and the dermis;
redness and blisters appear
AND ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS GRADED A+) LATEST UPDATE
2025/2026
The word 'cosmetics and cosmetology' come from the Greek word - CORRECT ANSWER
kosmetikos
Who was the first to cultivate beauty in an extravagant fashion? - CORRECT ANSWER Greeks
Who regulates and enforces safety and health standards? - CORRECT ANSWER OSHA
What is the Hazard Communication Standard? - CORRECT ANSWER requires that chemical
and importers assess and communicate the potential hazard associated with their products
What is a result of the Hazard Communication Standard? - CORRECT ANSWER the material
safety data sheet
Environmental Protection Agency does what? - CORRECT ANSWER registers all types of
disinfectants sold and used in the US
Hospital disinfectants - CORRECT ANSWER Effective for cleaning blood and body fluids
Tuberculocidal disinfectants - CORRECT ANSWER Disinfectants that kill the bacteria that
causes tuberculosis.
True or false: It is against federal law to use any disinfecting product contrary to its labeling -
CORRECT ANSWER True
,Why does the State Regulatory Agencies exist? - CORRECT ANSWER protect salon and spa
professionals and to protect consumers' health, safety, and welfare while they receive salon and
spa services
Infection control - CORRECT ANSWER The methods used to eliminate or reduce the
transmission of infectious organisms
Is disinfection effective against bacterial spores? - CORRECT ANSWER no
Disinfectants used in salons and spas must be what? - CORRECT ANSWER Bactericidal,
virucidal, and fungicidal
Bacteria - CORRECT ANSWER one-celled microscopic organisms that have both plant and
animal characteristics
Microorganism - CORRECT ANSWER Any organism of microscopic or submicroscopic size
Most bacteria is what? - CORRECT ANSWER nonpathogenic
Cocci - CORRECT ANSWER Round shaped bacteria that appear singly or in groups
Staphylococci - CORRECT ANSWER pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters
Staphylococci cause what? - CORRECT ANSWER abscesses, pustules, and boils
Streptococci - CORRECT ANSWER Pus-forming bacteria arranged in curved lines
Streptococci can cause what? - CORRECT ANSWER infections such as strep throat and blood
poisoning
,Diplococci - CORRECT ANSWER Spherical bacteria that grow in pairs and cause diseases
such as pneumonia
Bacilli - CORRECT ANSWER Rod shaped bacteria
What is the most common type of bacteria? - CORRECT ANSWER bacilli
Spirilla - CORRECT ANSWER spiral or corkscrew shaped bacteria
Virus - CORRECT ANSWER A parasitic submicroscopic particle that infects and resides in
cells of biological organisms
bloodeborne pathogens - CORRECT ANSWER disease-causing microorganisms that are
carried in the body by blood or body fluids
What is the main difference between viruses and bacteria? - CORRECT ANSWER Bacteria can
live and reproduce on its own
Fungi - CORRECT ANSWER microscopic plant parasites that include molds, mildews, and
yeasts
What is the most basic cause of fungal infections? - CORRECT ANSWER dermatophytes
Tinea versicolor is also known as what? - CORRECT ANSWER sun spots
Decontamination method 1 - CORRECT ANSWER Cleaning and then disinfecting with an
appropriate EPA-registered disinfectant
Decontamination method 2 - CORRECT ANSWER Cleaning and then sterilizing
, An autoclave is for use in sterilization, which is the highest level of what? - CORRECT
ANSWER decontamination
When cleaning you must remove all of what from tools, implements, and equipment? -
CORRECT ANSWER visible dirt and debris
Proper washing method - CORRECT ANSWER liquid soap and warm water with a nail brush
3 proper ways to clean your tools and implements - CORRECT ANSWER soap and warm
water then scrubbing with a nail brush, ultrasonic unit, and a cleaning solvent
Is the second step of decontamination method 1 (disinfecting) useful against bacterial spores? -
CORRECT ANSWER no
Sterilization - CORRECT ANSWER The process that completely destroys all microbial life,
including spores
Is dry-heat sterilization recommended for use in salon and spas? - CORRECT ANSWER no
The CDC requires autoclaves be tested how often? - CORRECT ANSWER weekly
If the label of a disinfectant does not have the word 'concentrate' on it then what does that mean?
- CORRECT ANSWER the product is already mixed
Efficacy - CORRECT ANSWER the ability to produce an effect
First degree burn - CORRECT ANSWER A minor burn affecting the upper layers of the skin,
primarily the epidermis, with some redness and irritation but no blisters or open skin
Second degree burn - CORRECT ANSWER a burn involving the epidermis and the dermis;
redness and blisters appear
