PA COSMETOLOGY EXAM SCRIPT 2025/2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔When is an operator, apprentice or student prohibited from working on a client? -
✔✔When either the client or the operator has an infectious or contagious disease
✔✔When is waxing permitted in a nail salon or natural braiding salon? - ✔✔It is not
allowed. Only a licensed esthetics or cosmetology salon are permitted to offer waxing
✔✔What services are allowed in a natural braiding salon? - ✔✔Licensed natural hair
braided are allowed to perform twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking or
braiding of the hair. They may use straightening combs, flat irons, curling irons and blow
dryers on the hair. No chemical services.
✔✔Is booth rental allowed in Pennsylvania? - ✔✔No it is illegal
✔✔What are the State Board guidelines for a cosmetologist or limited license holder
wishes to provide services to clients who are unable to come into a salon? - ✔✔The
licensee must be employed by a salon and keep records for the services rendered
outside of the salon, including date, time, place and fee charged
✔✔How must shears be stored in a salon? - ✔✔Shears need to be stored upright with
the points down or in a protective case
✔✔Where are clean towels kept in a salon? - ✔✔In a closed cabinet
✔✔Where are used towels kept in a salon? - ✔✔In a closed container for soiled linens
✔✔How is the headrest of a facial chair prepared before a service? - ✔✔The headrest
should be covered with a clean cloth towel or an unused disposable paper towel
✔✔What is meant by a "license in escrow"? - ✔✔A licensed cosmetologist or limited
license holder who is not actively working in the salon can request the State Board, in
writing, to place his/her license in escrow.
✔✔What does a "license in escrow" protect? - ✔✔It protects his/her right to obtain a
license at any such time within a 5 year period to reactivate their license
✔✔When do all licenses expire? - ✔✔January 31st every 2 years
✔✔What must be done if a license is lost or if you have a change of address? -
✔✔Notify the State Board in writing
, ✔✔If a license is in escrow or expires for less than 5 years, how may it be restored? -
✔✔By paying a restoration fee for the years not renewed plus the current renewal fee
✔✔If a license is in escrow or expires for more than 5 years, how may it be restored? -
✔✔By paying the exam fee and passing the State Board exam for the appropriate
license being sought
✔✔What happens to an applicant who fails to report to the State Board Exam at the
scheduled time? - ✔✔Automatic failure and they must reapply and pay the appropriate
fee
✔✔To whom are all fines and penalties paid? - ✔✔Professional Licensure
Augmentation Account (PLAA)
✔✔What is a limited license? - ✔✔A license to practice either esthetics, natural hair
braiding or nail technology
✔✔What is the scope of practice for a cosmetology license? - ✔✔An individual holding
a cosmetologist license is qualified, without further licensure, to perform the functions of
a cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician or natural hair braider
✔✔Who is eligible for a temporary license? - ✔✔Applicants who have applied and paid
the fee to take the Cosmetologist, Nail Technician, Esthetician or Natural Hair Braider
State Board Exam
✔✔When is a temporary license issued? - ✔✔After training hours are completed and an
application to take the exam has been processed and approved. Once approved, the
temporary license will be sent to the applicant to display in the salon
✔✔What are the limits to a temporary license? - ✔✔Someone holding a temporary
license must practice under the supervision of a licensed teacher, cosmetologist or
limited license holder
✔✔How long is a temporary license valid? - ✔✔9 months
✔✔How many extensions on a temporary license are permitted? - ✔✔None
✔✔What is an apprentice? - ✔✔An apprentice is someone who learns cosmetology by
working in a salon. Limited licenses are not available through an apprenticeship
✔✔What are the requirements to teach an apprentice in a salon? - ✔✔Must have a
current Cosmetology Teacher's License, be at least 23 years old, have a high school
diploma or the equivalent and have 5 years experience as a licensed Cosmetologist in
PA
WITH ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔When is an operator, apprentice or student prohibited from working on a client? -
✔✔When either the client or the operator has an infectious or contagious disease
✔✔When is waxing permitted in a nail salon or natural braiding salon? - ✔✔It is not
allowed. Only a licensed esthetics or cosmetology salon are permitted to offer waxing
✔✔What services are allowed in a natural braiding salon? - ✔✔Licensed natural hair
braided are allowed to perform twisting, wrapping, weaving, extending, locking or
braiding of the hair. They may use straightening combs, flat irons, curling irons and blow
dryers on the hair. No chemical services.
✔✔Is booth rental allowed in Pennsylvania? - ✔✔No it is illegal
✔✔What are the State Board guidelines for a cosmetologist or limited license holder
wishes to provide services to clients who are unable to come into a salon? - ✔✔The
licensee must be employed by a salon and keep records for the services rendered
outside of the salon, including date, time, place and fee charged
✔✔How must shears be stored in a salon? - ✔✔Shears need to be stored upright with
the points down or in a protective case
✔✔Where are clean towels kept in a salon? - ✔✔In a closed cabinet
✔✔Where are used towels kept in a salon? - ✔✔In a closed container for soiled linens
✔✔How is the headrest of a facial chair prepared before a service? - ✔✔The headrest
should be covered with a clean cloth towel or an unused disposable paper towel
✔✔What is meant by a "license in escrow"? - ✔✔A licensed cosmetologist or limited
license holder who is not actively working in the salon can request the State Board, in
writing, to place his/her license in escrow.
✔✔What does a "license in escrow" protect? - ✔✔It protects his/her right to obtain a
license at any such time within a 5 year period to reactivate their license
✔✔When do all licenses expire? - ✔✔January 31st every 2 years
✔✔What must be done if a license is lost or if you have a change of address? -
✔✔Notify the State Board in writing
, ✔✔If a license is in escrow or expires for less than 5 years, how may it be restored? -
✔✔By paying a restoration fee for the years not renewed plus the current renewal fee
✔✔If a license is in escrow or expires for more than 5 years, how may it be restored? -
✔✔By paying the exam fee and passing the State Board exam for the appropriate
license being sought
✔✔What happens to an applicant who fails to report to the State Board Exam at the
scheduled time? - ✔✔Automatic failure and they must reapply and pay the appropriate
fee
✔✔To whom are all fines and penalties paid? - ✔✔Professional Licensure
Augmentation Account (PLAA)
✔✔What is a limited license? - ✔✔A license to practice either esthetics, natural hair
braiding or nail technology
✔✔What is the scope of practice for a cosmetology license? - ✔✔An individual holding
a cosmetologist license is qualified, without further licensure, to perform the functions of
a cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician or natural hair braider
✔✔Who is eligible for a temporary license? - ✔✔Applicants who have applied and paid
the fee to take the Cosmetologist, Nail Technician, Esthetician or Natural Hair Braider
State Board Exam
✔✔When is a temporary license issued? - ✔✔After training hours are completed and an
application to take the exam has been processed and approved. Once approved, the
temporary license will be sent to the applicant to display in the salon
✔✔What are the limits to a temporary license? - ✔✔Someone holding a temporary
license must practice under the supervision of a licensed teacher, cosmetologist or
limited license holder
✔✔How long is a temporary license valid? - ✔✔9 months
✔✔How many extensions on a temporary license are permitted? - ✔✔None
✔✔What is an apprentice? - ✔✔An apprentice is someone who learns cosmetology by
working in a salon. Limited licenses are not available through an apprenticeship
✔✔What are the requirements to teach an apprentice in a salon? - ✔✔Must have a
current Cosmetology Teacher's License, be at least 23 years old, have a high school
diploma or the equivalent and have 5 years experience as a licensed Cosmetologist in
PA
