Florida Cosmetology Clinical Exam (2026)
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Section 1: Sanitation, Disinfection, and Safety (25 Questions)
1. What is the primary purpose of Florida's Cosmetology Licensure and Practice Act?
Answer: To protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
2. What is the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?
Answer: Cleaning removes visible debris, while disinfecting destroys or inactivates most
microorganisms on non-porous surfaces.
3. What is the most effective level of infection control?
Answer: Sterilization, which destroys all microbial life.
4. Before disinfecting a tool, what must you always do first?
Answer: Clean it thoroughly to remove all visible debris and residue.
5. What is an EPA-registered disinfectant?
Answer: A chemical agent that has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as
effective for destroying pathogens on non-porous surfaces in a salon setting.
6. What is the required contact time for an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant to be
effective?
Answer: Follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly, but it is typically 10 minutes.
7. What must be done to a multi-use tool after it has been used on a client?
Answer: It must be cleaned and disinfected before use on another client.
8. How should single-use items, like cotton balls or applicators, be disposed of after use?
Answer: They should be discarded immediately in a closed waste container.
9. What is an antiseptic?
Answer: A chemical that can be safely used on the skin to reduce microorganisms, such as 70%
isopropyl alcohol.
,10. Where should disinfectant solutions be mixed and stored?
Answer: In a well-ventilated area, away from clients, and in a labeled container.
11. What is the proper procedure for handling an exposure incident (e.g., a cut)?
Answer: Stop the service, wear gloves, clean the injured area, apply an antiseptic and a
bandage, and disinfect the entire work area.
12. How often should disinfectant solutions be changed?
Answer: According to the manufacturer's directions, typically daily or when visibly
contaminated.
13. What is the proper way to dispose of sharp objects like razor blades?
Answer: In a designated, puncture-proof, labeled sharps container.
14. What type of fire extinguisher is required in a cosmetology salon?
Answer: A Class ABC fire extinguisher.
15. What does OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard require?
Answer: That chemical manufacturers and importers label all hazardous products and that
employees are trained to safely use them.
16. What is the first thing you should do in case of an electrical fire?
Answer: Turn off the circuit and use a Class C fire extinguisher. Evacuate if it cannot be
controlled immediately.
17. How should a blood spill be handled?
Answer: Wear gloves, clean the spill with a biohazard kit or a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts
water, disinfect the area, and dispose of all cleaning materials in a sealed biohazard bag.
18. What is the purpose of an SDS (Safety Data Sheet)?
Answer: To provide detailed information about a chemical product, including its hazards,
composition, and safe handling procedures.
19. Where should clean and disinfected tools be stored?
Answer: In a clean, dry, closed cabinet or container to protect them from contamination.
20. Can you use the same neck strip or cape on more than one client?
Answer: No. All linens, capes, and neck strips must be fresh for each client.
21. What is the proper method for laundering soiled linens and towels?
Answer: They should be washed in hot water with detergent and bleach, and dried completely
in a dryer.
,22. What is a pathogenic organism?
Answer: A harmful microorganism that can cause disease.
23. What is the difference between sanitation and disinfection?
Answer: Sanitation reduces the number of microorganisms to a safe level, while disinfection
destroys most, but not all, microorganisms.
24. What should you never do with disinfectant tools?
Answer: Never place them in your mouth or pockets, or contaminate them in any way before
use.
25. What is the most important action to prevent the spread of infection?
Answer: Proper and frequent hand washing with soap and warm water.**
Section 2: Hair Cutting and Styling (25 Questions)
26. What are the four basic haircutting shapes?
Answer: Solid, graduated, layered, and uniform.
27. What is the purpose of a client consultation before a haircut?
Answer: To determine the client's desires, assess their hair type and face shape, and manage
expectations.
28. What is the term for the angle at which you hold the hair from the head when cutting?
Answer: Elevation.
29. What is a zero-degree (0°) elevation cut also known as?
Answer: A blunt cut or one-length cut.
30. What is the guideline in a haircut?
Answer: The first section of hair that is cut, which establishes the length and shape for the rest
of the haircut.
31. What is the difference between a stationary and a traveling guideline?
Answer: A stationary guideline does not move, while a traveling guideline moves with you as
you work through the haircut.
32. Which cutting tool is best for creating precise, straight lines?
Answer: Shears (scissors).
33. What is the purpose of texturizing shears?
Answer: To remove bulk and add texture and movement without changing the overall length
and shape.
, 34. How should you hold the shears and comb for safety and efficiency?
Answer: Palm the shears when combing, and hold the comb securely in your dominant hand.
35. What is the "fine" side of the comb used for?
Answer: For parting and sectioning hair with precision.
36. What is the area between the parietal ridge and the crown called?
Answer: The crest area.
37. What is the most common face shape that can wear almost any hairstyle?
Answer: Oval.
38. What technique is used to soften a hard line in a haircut?
Answer: Point cutting.
39. What is slithering (effilating)?
Answer: A sliding shear technique used to reduce bulk and create mobility.
40. What is the purpose of a disinfected neck strip?
Answer: To protect the client's neck from the cape and the cape from the client's skin,
maintaining sanitation.
41. Before cutting, what should you always do with the hair?
Answer: Analyze its texture, density, and growth patterns, and ensure it is evenly damp.
42. What is a growth pattern?
Answer: The direction in which the hair grows from the scalp (e.g., cowlicks, whorls).
43. What is the line between two sections of the hair called when you create a part?
Answer: A parting.
44. What is the term for the hair's ability to absorb moisture?
Answer: Porosity.
45. What is the widest part of the head, starting at the temples and ending at the bottom of
the crown?
Answer: The parietal ridge.
46. What technique involves cutting the hair with a razor?
Answer: Razor cutting, which produces a softer, more diffused line than shears.
47. Why is it important to check the haircut for balance from all angles?
Answer: To ensure the cut is even, symmetrical, and meets the client's desires from every view.
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS || 100% GUARANTEED PASS
<UPDATED VERSION>
Section 1: Sanitation, Disinfection, and Safety (25 Questions)
1. What is the primary purpose of Florida's Cosmetology Licensure and Practice Act?
Answer: To protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
2. What is the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?
Answer: Cleaning removes visible debris, while disinfecting destroys or inactivates most
microorganisms on non-porous surfaces.
3. What is the most effective level of infection control?
Answer: Sterilization, which destroys all microbial life.
4. Before disinfecting a tool, what must you always do first?
Answer: Clean it thoroughly to remove all visible debris and residue.
5. What is an EPA-registered disinfectant?
Answer: A chemical agent that has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as
effective for destroying pathogens on non-porous surfaces in a salon setting.
6. What is the required contact time for an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant to be
effective?
Answer: Follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly, but it is typically 10 minutes.
7. What must be done to a multi-use tool after it has been used on a client?
Answer: It must be cleaned and disinfected before use on another client.
8. How should single-use items, like cotton balls or applicators, be disposed of after use?
Answer: They should be discarded immediately in a closed waste container.
9. What is an antiseptic?
Answer: A chemical that can be safely used on the skin to reduce microorganisms, such as 70%
isopropyl alcohol.
,10. Where should disinfectant solutions be mixed and stored?
Answer: In a well-ventilated area, away from clients, and in a labeled container.
11. What is the proper procedure for handling an exposure incident (e.g., a cut)?
Answer: Stop the service, wear gloves, clean the injured area, apply an antiseptic and a
bandage, and disinfect the entire work area.
12. How often should disinfectant solutions be changed?
Answer: According to the manufacturer's directions, typically daily or when visibly
contaminated.
13. What is the proper way to dispose of sharp objects like razor blades?
Answer: In a designated, puncture-proof, labeled sharps container.
14. What type of fire extinguisher is required in a cosmetology salon?
Answer: A Class ABC fire extinguisher.
15. What does OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard require?
Answer: That chemical manufacturers and importers label all hazardous products and that
employees are trained to safely use them.
16. What is the first thing you should do in case of an electrical fire?
Answer: Turn off the circuit and use a Class C fire extinguisher. Evacuate if it cannot be
controlled immediately.
17. How should a blood spill be handled?
Answer: Wear gloves, clean the spill with a biohazard kit or a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts
water, disinfect the area, and dispose of all cleaning materials in a sealed biohazard bag.
18. What is the purpose of an SDS (Safety Data Sheet)?
Answer: To provide detailed information about a chemical product, including its hazards,
composition, and safe handling procedures.
19. Where should clean and disinfected tools be stored?
Answer: In a clean, dry, closed cabinet or container to protect them from contamination.
20. Can you use the same neck strip or cape on more than one client?
Answer: No. All linens, capes, and neck strips must be fresh for each client.
21. What is the proper method for laundering soiled linens and towels?
Answer: They should be washed in hot water with detergent and bleach, and dried completely
in a dryer.
,22. What is a pathogenic organism?
Answer: A harmful microorganism that can cause disease.
23. What is the difference between sanitation and disinfection?
Answer: Sanitation reduces the number of microorganisms to a safe level, while disinfection
destroys most, but not all, microorganisms.
24. What should you never do with disinfectant tools?
Answer: Never place them in your mouth or pockets, or contaminate them in any way before
use.
25. What is the most important action to prevent the spread of infection?
Answer: Proper and frequent hand washing with soap and warm water.**
Section 2: Hair Cutting and Styling (25 Questions)
26. What are the four basic haircutting shapes?
Answer: Solid, graduated, layered, and uniform.
27. What is the purpose of a client consultation before a haircut?
Answer: To determine the client's desires, assess their hair type and face shape, and manage
expectations.
28. What is the term for the angle at which you hold the hair from the head when cutting?
Answer: Elevation.
29. What is a zero-degree (0°) elevation cut also known as?
Answer: A blunt cut or one-length cut.
30. What is the guideline in a haircut?
Answer: The first section of hair that is cut, which establishes the length and shape for the rest
of the haircut.
31. What is the difference between a stationary and a traveling guideline?
Answer: A stationary guideline does not move, while a traveling guideline moves with you as
you work through the haircut.
32. Which cutting tool is best for creating precise, straight lines?
Answer: Shears (scissors).
33. What is the purpose of texturizing shears?
Answer: To remove bulk and add texture and movement without changing the overall length
and shape.
, 34. How should you hold the shears and comb for safety and efficiency?
Answer: Palm the shears when combing, and hold the comb securely in your dominant hand.
35. What is the "fine" side of the comb used for?
Answer: For parting and sectioning hair with precision.
36. What is the area between the parietal ridge and the crown called?
Answer: The crest area.
37. What is the most common face shape that can wear almost any hairstyle?
Answer: Oval.
38. What technique is used to soften a hard line in a haircut?
Answer: Point cutting.
39. What is slithering (effilating)?
Answer: A sliding shear technique used to reduce bulk and create mobility.
40. What is the purpose of a disinfected neck strip?
Answer: To protect the client's neck from the cape and the cape from the client's skin,
maintaining sanitation.
41. Before cutting, what should you always do with the hair?
Answer: Analyze its texture, density, and growth patterns, and ensure it is evenly damp.
42. What is a growth pattern?
Answer: The direction in which the hair grows from the scalp (e.g., cowlicks, whorls).
43. What is the line between two sections of the hair called when you create a part?
Answer: A parting.
44. What is the term for the hair's ability to absorb moisture?
Answer: Porosity.
45. What is the widest part of the head, starting at the temples and ending at the bottom of
the crown?
Answer: The parietal ridge.
46. What technique involves cutting the hair with a razor?
Answer: Razor cutting, which produces a softer, more diffused line than shears.
47. Why is it important to check the haircut for balance from all angles?
Answer: To ensure the cut is even, symmetrical, and meets the client's desires from every view.
