1
NYS WAXING LICENSE EXAM 91 TERMS (QUIZZES
& ANS) 2026.
New York State Department of State Division of
Licensing Services
Waxing License Written Examination.
SECTION 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF SKIN & HAIR (Q1–Q15)
Q1: The outermost layer of the epidermis, consisting of 15-30 layers of flattened, dead
keratinized cells that provide the skin's protective barrier, is the:
A. Stratum basale
B. Stratum lucidum
C. Stratum corneum [CORRECT]
D. Stratum granulosum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the stratum corneum is the horny layer of dead, keratinized cells
that continuously shed and form the skin's primary barrier against environmental damage.
Q2: During which phase of the hair growth cycle does active cell division in the hair matrix
occur, with hair growing approximately 1 cm per month?
A. Telogen
B. Catagen
C. Exogen
D. Anagen [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because the anagen (growth) phase lasts 2-7 years depending on body
location; hair is actively growing and firmly anchored, making it most responsive to waxing.
Q3: The layer of the epidermis found only in thick skin (palms and soles), consisting of 3-5
layers of clear, dead cells without nuclei, is the:
A. Stratum spinosum
B. Stratum granulosum
C. Stratum lucidum [CORRECT]
D. Stratum basale
,2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the stratum lucidum is the clear layer found exclusively in thick
skin areas such as palms and soles, providing additional protection in high-friction zones.
Q4: The dermal layer responsible for providing structural support, elasticity, and containing
collagen and elastin fibers is the:
A. Papillary dermis
B. Reticular dermis [CORRECT]
C. Stratum germinativum
D. Subcutaneous layer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the reticular dermis is dense irregular connective tissue with
thick collagen and elastin bundles, providing strength, extensibility, and elasticity.
Q5: Fine, soft, non-pigmented hair covering most of the body (except palms, soles, lips) is
called:
A. Terminal hair
B. Lanugo
C. Vellus hair [CORRECT]
D. Androgenic hair
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because vellus hair is short (1-2mm), fine, lightly pigmented, covers most
body surfaces, and is not influenced by androgens.
Q6: The hair growth phase in which the follicle shrinks, hair growth stops, and the lower
part of the follicle degenerates (lasting 1-2 weeks) is called:
A. Anagen
B. Catagen [CORRECT]
C. Telogen
D. Anagen effluvium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because catagen is the transitional (regression) phase between anagen
and telogen; hair detaches from the blood supply but remains in follicle.
Q7: The layer of the hair shaft that provides strength, elasticity, and contains melanin
pigment is the:
, 3
A. Cuticle
B. Cortex [CORRECT]
C. Medulla
D. Inner root sheath
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the cortex comprises the bulk of the hair shaft, contains keratin
bundles for strength, melanin for color, and determines hair's mechanical properties.
Q8: The deepest layer of the epidermis, containing stem cells that continuously divide to
regenerate the epidermis, is the:
A. Stratum spinosum
B. Stratum granulosum
C. Stratum basale (stratum germinativum) [CORRECT]
D. Stratum corneum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the stratum basale (germinativum) contains basal cells and
melanocytes; cell division here pushes keratinocytes upward through epidermal layers.
Q9: The resting phase of the hair growth cycle, during which the old hair remains in the
follicle until pushed out by a new anagen hair, is:
A. Anagen
B. Catagen
C. Telogen [CORRECT]
D. Exogen
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because telogen lasts approximately 3 months; the club hair is loosely
held and easily shed, which is why waxing during this phase yields poor results.
Q10: Coarse, pigmented hair found on the scalp, underarms, and bikini area, which is
influenced by androgens, is classified as:
A. Vellus hair
B. Lanugo hair
C. Terminal hair [CORRECT]
D. Down hair
Correct Answer: C
NYS WAXING LICENSE EXAM 91 TERMS (QUIZZES
& ANS) 2026.
New York State Department of State Division of
Licensing Services
Waxing License Written Examination.
SECTION 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY OF SKIN & HAIR (Q1–Q15)
Q1: The outermost layer of the epidermis, consisting of 15-30 layers of flattened, dead
keratinized cells that provide the skin's protective barrier, is the:
A. Stratum basale
B. Stratum lucidum
C. Stratum corneum [CORRECT]
D. Stratum granulosum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the stratum corneum is the horny layer of dead, keratinized cells
that continuously shed and form the skin's primary barrier against environmental damage.
Q2: During which phase of the hair growth cycle does active cell division in the hair matrix
occur, with hair growing approximately 1 cm per month?
A. Telogen
B. Catagen
C. Exogen
D. Anagen [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because the anagen (growth) phase lasts 2-7 years depending on body
location; hair is actively growing and firmly anchored, making it most responsive to waxing.
Q3: The layer of the epidermis found only in thick skin (palms and soles), consisting of 3-5
layers of clear, dead cells without nuclei, is the:
A. Stratum spinosum
B. Stratum granulosum
C. Stratum lucidum [CORRECT]
D. Stratum basale
,2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the stratum lucidum is the clear layer found exclusively in thick
skin areas such as palms and soles, providing additional protection in high-friction zones.
Q4: The dermal layer responsible for providing structural support, elasticity, and containing
collagen and elastin fibers is the:
A. Papillary dermis
B. Reticular dermis [CORRECT]
C. Stratum germinativum
D. Subcutaneous layer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the reticular dermis is dense irregular connective tissue with
thick collagen and elastin bundles, providing strength, extensibility, and elasticity.
Q5: Fine, soft, non-pigmented hair covering most of the body (except palms, soles, lips) is
called:
A. Terminal hair
B. Lanugo
C. Vellus hair [CORRECT]
D. Androgenic hair
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because vellus hair is short (1-2mm), fine, lightly pigmented, covers most
body surfaces, and is not influenced by androgens.
Q6: The hair growth phase in which the follicle shrinks, hair growth stops, and the lower
part of the follicle degenerates (lasting 1-2 weeks) is called:
A. Anagen
B. Catagen [CORRECT]
C. Telogen
D. Anagen effluvium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because catagen is the transitional (regression) phase between anagen
and telogen; hair detaches from the blood supply but remains in follicle.
Q7: The layer of the hair shaft that provides strength, elasticity, and contains melanin
pigment is the:
, 3
A. Cuticle
B. Cortex [CORRECT]
C. Medulla
D. Inner root sheath
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the cortex comprises the bulk of the hair shaft, contains keratin
bundles for strength, melanin for color, and determines hair's mechanical properties.
Q8: The deepest layer of the epidermis, containing stem cells that continuously divide to
regenerate the epidermis, is the:
A. Stratum spinosum
B. Stratum granulosum
C. Stratum basale (stratum germinativum) [CORRECT]
D. Stratum corneum
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the stratum basale (germinativum) contains basal cells and
melanocytes; cell division here pushes keratinocytes upward through epidermal layers.
Q9: The resting phase of the hair growth cycle, during which the old hair remains in the
follicle until pushed out by a new anagen hair, is:
A. Anagen
B. Catagen
C. Telogen [CORRECT]
D. Exogen
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because telogen lasts approximately 3 months; the club hair is loosely
held and easily shed, which is why waxing during this phase yields poor results.
Q10: Coarse, pigmented hair found on the scalp, underarms, and bikini area, which is
influenced by androgens, is classified as:
A. Vellus hair
B. Lanugo hair
C. Terminal hair [CORRECT]
D. Down hair
Correct Answer: C
