California Esthetics State Board EXAM
2026 Questions and Answers
Bacteria - Correct answer-One-celled microorganisms that have both plant and
animal characteristics. Some are harmful, some are harmless.
Virus - Correct answer-A parasitic submicroscopic particle that infects and resides
in the cells of biological organisms. Its capable of replication only through taking
over the host cell's reproductive function.
Parasites - Correct answer-Organisms that grow, feed, and shelter on or in another
organism (host), while contributing nothing to the survival of that organism. They
must have a host to survive.
Fungi - Correct answer-Microscopic plant parasites, which include molds,
mildews, and yeasts; can produce contagious diseases such as ringworm.
Infection Control - Correct answer-The methods used to eliminate or reduce the
transmission of infectious organisms.
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,Cleaning - Correct answer-A mechanical process using soap and water or detergent
and water to remove all visible dirt, debris, and many disease causing germs; also
removes invisible debris that interferes with disinfection.
Sanitation - Correct answer-A chemical process for reducing the number of
disease-causing germs on cleaned surfaces to a safe level.
Disinfection - Correct answer-The process that eliminates most, but not necessarily
all, microorganisms on nonporous surfaces. This process is not effective against
bacterial spores.
Sterilization - Correct answer-The process that completely destroys all microbial
life, including spores.
Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic - Correct answer-What are the two primary types
of bacteria?
Nonpathogenic Bacteria - Correct answer-Harmless organisms that may perform
useful functions.
Pathogenic Bacteria - Correct answer-Harmful microorganisms that can cause
disease or infection in humans when they invade the body.
Cocci - Correct answer-Round-shaped bacteria that appear singularly or in groups.
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,Staphylococci - Correct answer-Pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters like
bunches of grapes. They cause abscesses, pustules, and boils.
Streptococci - Correct answer-Pus-forming bacteria arranged in curved lines
resembling a string of beads. They cause 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-Short, rod-shaped bacteria; they are the most common
bacteria and produce diseases such as tetanus, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, and
diphtheria.
Spirilla - Correct answer-Spiral or corkscrew-shaped bacteria; they cause syphilis
and Lyme Disease.
Motility - Correct answer-Also known as self-movement.
Flagella - Correct answer-Slender, hair-like extensions used by bacilli and spirilla
for locomotion (moving about).
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds - Correct answer-Also knows as quats;
disinfectants that are very effective when used properly in the salon.
Sodium Hypochlorite - Correct answer-Also known as household bleach.
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, Standard Precautions - Correct answer-Precautions such as wearing personal
protective equipment to prevent skin and mucous membrane where contact with a
client's blood, bodily fluids, secretions (except sweat), excretions, non-intact skin,
and mucous membranes is likely. Workers must assume that all blood and bodily
fluids are potential sources of infection, regardless of the perceived risk.
Universal Precautions - Correct answer-A set of guidelines published by OSHA
that require the employer and the employee to assume that all human blood and
bodily fluids are infectious for blood borne pathogens.
Binary Fission - Correct answer-The division of bacteria cells into two new cells
called daughter cells.
Anatomy - Correct answer-The study of the structures of the human body that can
be seen with the naked eye, and of what substances they are made; it is the science
of the structure of organisms, or of their parts.
Physiology - Correct answer-The study of the functions and activities performed
by the body structures.
Histology - Correct answer-The study of the tiny structures found in living tissue.
Cells - Correct answer-The basic unit of all living things; without these life does
not exist.
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2026 Questions and Answers
Bacteria - Correct answer-One-celled microorganisms that have both plant and
animal characteristics. Some are harmful, some are harmless.
Virus - Correct answer-A parasitic submicroscopic particle that infects and resides
in the cells of biological organisms. Its capable of replication only through taking
over the host cell's reproductive function.
Parasites - Correct answer-Organisms that grow, feed, and shelter on or in another
organism (host), while contributing nothing to the survival of that organism. They
must have a host to survive.
Fungi - Correct answer-Microscopic plant parasites, which include molds,
mildews, and yeasts; can produce contagious diseases such as ringworm.
Infection Control - Correct answer-The methods used to eliminate or reduce the
transmission of infectious organisms.
©COPYRIGHT 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Cleaning - Correct answer-A mechanical process using soap and water or detergent
and water to remove all visible dirt, debris, and many disease causing germs; also
removes invisible debris that interferes with disinfection.
Sanitation - Correct answer-A chemical process for reducing the number of
disease-causing germs on cleaned surfaces to a safe level.
Disinfection - Correct answer-The process that eliminates most, but not necessarily
all, microorganisms on nonporous surfaces. This process is not effective against
bacterial spores.
Sterilization - Correct answer-The process that completely destroys all microbial
life, including spores.
Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic - Correct answer-What are the two primary types
of bacteria?
Nonpathogenic Bacteria - Correct answer-Harmless organisms that may perform
useful functions.
Pathogenic Bacteria - Correct answer-Harmful microorganisms that can cause
disease or infection in humans when they invade the body.
Cocci - Correct answer-Round-shaped bacteria that appear singularly or in groups.
©COPYRIGHT 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,Staphylococci - Correct answer-Pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters like
bunches of grapes. They cause abscesses, pustules, and boils.
Streptococci - Correct answer-Pus-forming bacteria arranged in curved lines
resembling a string of beads. They cause 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-Short, rod-shaped bacteria; they are the most common
bacteria and produce diseases such as tetanus, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, and
diphtheria.
Spirilla - Correct answer-Spiral or corkscrew-shaped bacteria; they cause syphilis
and Lyme Disease.
Motility - Correct answer-Also known as self-movement.
Flagella - Correct answer-Slender, hair-like extensions used by bacilli and spirilla
for locomotion (moving about).
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds - Correct answer-Also knows as quats;
disinfectants that are very effective when used properly in the salon.
Sodium Hypochlorite - Correct answer-Also known as household bleach.
©COPYRIGHT 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, Standard Precautions - Correct answer-Precautions such as wearing personal
protective equipment to prevent skin and mucous membrane where contact with a
client's blood, bodily fluids, secretions (except sweat), excretions, non-intact skin,
and mucous membranes is likely. Workers must assume that all blood and bodily
fluids are potential sources of infection, regardless of the perceived risk.
Universal Precautions - Correct answer-A set of guidelines published by OSHA
that require the employer and the employee to assume that all human blood and
bodily fluids are infectious for blood borne pathogens.
Binary Fission - Correct answer-The division of bacteria cells into two new cells
called daughter cells.
Anatomy - Correct answer-The study of the structures of the human body that can
be seen with the naked eye, and of what substances they are made; it is the science
of the structure of organisms, or of their parts.
Physiology - Correct answer-The study of the functions and activities performed
by the body structures.
Histology - Correct answer-The study of the tiny structures found in living tissue.
Cells - Correct answer-The basic unit of all living things; without these life does
not exist.
©COPYRIGHT 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
