NIC Cosmetology theory exam: 10 free practice questions

Ten real questions from our NIC Cosmetology bank, with the keyed answer and an explanation for each. The NIC National theory examination is the paper most states sit. No signup, nothing to install.

1. Hair Care and Services

   1. What is trichology?

   1. The scientific study of the hair and the scalp
   2. The clinical study of diseases that affect the skin
   3. The clinical study of nails and their associated disorders
   4. The anatomical study of muscular movement and contraction

   Answer: The scientific study of the hair and the scalp

   Trichology is the branch of dermatology focused on the hair and scalp.

2. Hair Care and Services

   2. What are the three phases of the hair growth cycle, in order?

   1. Active phase, dormant phase, release phase
   2. Growth phase, rest phase, shed phase
   3. Terminal phase, vellus phase, lanugo phase
   4. Anagen phase, catagen phase, telogen phase

   Answer: Anagen phase, catagen phase, telogen phase

   Anagen is the active growth phase, catagen is the transitional phase, and telogen is the resting/shedding phase.

3. Hair Care and Services

   3. Which hair growth phase is the resting phase?

   1. Telogen
   2. Terminal
   3. Catagen
   4. Anagen

   Answer: Telogen

   During the telogen phase, the hair rests and is eventually shed as a new anagen hair begins to grow beneath it.

4. Hair Care and Services

   4. What is the technical term for split ends?

   1. Trichoptilosis
   2. Fragilitas crinium
   3. Monilethrix
   4. Canities

   Answer: Trichoptilosis

   Trichoptilosis is the technical term for split or frayed hair ends, caused by weathering, chemical damage, or mechanical stress.

5. Scientific Concepts

   5. Which level of infection control destroys all microbial life?

   1. Sanitation
   2. Cleaning
   3. Disinfection
   4. Sterilization

   Answer: Sterilization

   Sterilization is the only level that destroys bacterial spores; disinfection and sanitation reduce pathogens but don't eliminate them completely.

6. Scientific Concepts

   6. What does cleaning accomplish in an infection control protocol?

   1. Neutralizes any chemical residue left behind once the disinfectant contact time has fully elapsed
   2. Provides complete sterilization of implements by combining heat, pressure, and EPA-registered hospital-grade sporicidal chemistry for total spore destruction
   3. Physically removes visible dirt and debris so that disinfectant can reach the underlying surface
   4. Destroys all bloodborne pathogens on a surface including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV

   Answer: Physically removes visible dirt and debris so that disinfectant can reach the underlying surface

   Cleaning is a mechanical step — it removes debris so that disinfectant can actually contact pathogens; it does not kill anything on its own.

7. Scientific Concepts

   7. Which hepatitis virus is most resistant to disinfectants and hardest to kill on surfaces?

   1. Hepatitis C
   2. Hepatitis D
   3. Hepatitis A
   4. Hepatitis B

   Answer: Hepatitis B

   Hepatitis B can survive on surfaces for up to 7 days and requires EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectants.

8. Skin Care and Services

   8. Which protein is the primary structural component of the epidermis and makes skin waterproof?

   1. Elastin
   2. Keratin
   3. Melanin
   4. Collagen

   Answer: Keratin

   Keratin is a fibrous protein that forms the tough, waterproof outer layer of skin, hair, and nails.

9. Skin Care and Services

   9. Which layer of the skin contains blood vessels, nerve endings, hair follicles, and sweat glands?

   1. Dermis
   2. Epidermis
   3. Stratum lucidum
   4. Stratum corneum

   Answer: Dermis

   The dermis is the dense connective-tissue layer under the epidermis; it houses blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and sweat and sebaceous glands.

10. Nail Care and Services

    10. The area of the nail where new nail plate cells are produced is the:

    1. Cuticle
    2. Matrix
    3. Free edge
    4. Nail bed

    Answer: Matrix

    The matrix (or nail root) contains the germinal cells that form the nail plate; damage to the matrix can cause permanent deformity.

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