Cosmetology practice test: free state board written exam questions
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Practise for the US cosmetology state board written (theory) exam with original questions on what the exam covers: infection control and safety, anatomy and chemistry, hair care and cutting, hair color, perms and relaxers, skin care and nail care. Start with 5 free questions, then take two timed tests of 100 questions in 82 minutes, with an explanation for every answer and your score per topic area. Your state's laws and rules are not included.
- 5 free questions
- 2 timed tests, 200 questions
- Pace: 49 s per question
- Score in 6 topic areas
- Practice certificate PDF
How many questions are on the cosmetology state board written exam?
Each state board chooses its own written exam. Many states use the national theory exam of the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC); others, such as Texas and California, use an exam from PSI. Most have about 100 scored questions plus a few unscored ones. Examples from official sources:
| Exam | Questions and time | To pass, fee |
|---|---|---|
| NIC Cosmetology Theory | 110 questions (100 scored), 90 minutes | Set by the state |
| Iowa (NIC, through Prov) | NIC theory exam | Scaled score 75, $83 per written exam |
| Texas (PSI for TDLR) | 100 scored questions in 120 minutes, plus 10 unscored in 10 minutes | 70%, $55 |
| California (PSI for the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology) | 100 scored plus 10 pretest questions, 120 minutes | Criterion-referenced (no fixed percentage published) |
Sources: NIC Cosmetology Theory candidate information bulletin effective 1 July 2022; Iowa barbering and cosmetology candidate information bulletin (Prov, 8 February 2026); PSI Texas cosmetology operator bulletin (1 January 2026); California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology exam page and PSI California cosmetologist bulletin (April 2026). Checked 28 October 2026. Always check your own state's candidate bulletin before you book.
What is on the cosmetology written exam?
The NIC theory outline weights Scientific Concepts (infection control, anatomy and physiology, basic chemistry) at 35%, Hair Care and Services at 45%, Skin Care at 10% and Nail Care at 10%. MyLevel follows that split in each 100-question test:
| Area | What you practise | Per MyLevel test |
|---|---|---|
| Infection control and safety | Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization, contact time, pathogens, blood exposure steps, SDS, chemical and electrical safety | 20 |
| Anatomy, chemistry and electricity | Hair and skin structure, bonds, growth cycle, pH, oxidation, emulsions, muscles, nerves, bones, current | 15 |
| Hair care, cutting and styling | Hair analysis, consultation, scalp disorders, elevations and guidelines, rollers, pin curls, design principles | 20 |
| Color, perms and relaxers | Levels and the color wheel, developer volumes and mixing ratios, application, waving chemistry, hydroxide and thio relaxers | 25 |
| Skin care and hair removal | Skin lesions and conditions, massage movements, exfoliants, sun protection, waxing | 10 |
| Nail care | Nail structure and disorders, filing and abrasives, enhancements and gels | 10 |
The split inside the 35% and 45% is MyLevel's own. State exams such as Texas's also include a licensing and regulation part on state law, which these tests do not cover.
What you practise on MyLevel
Every MyLevel question is an original practice question with one correct answer, three wrong ones and a short explanation of why. Calculations such as developer strength, mixing ratios, levels of lift, disinfectant dilution and pH steps were re-solved by script. The two full tests have 100 questions in 82 minutes each: the NIC theory exam's pace of 110 questions in 90 minutes, about 49 seconds per question. After each test you see your score per area, so you know what to study next.
Two timed tests cost $9.99, a one-time payment with no subscription and no time limit, and the pack also unlocks every other MyLevel job test. Not useful? Full refund within 14 days.
How to pass the cosmetology state board written exam
- Find your state's exam first: whether it is the NIC or a PSI exam, the number of questions, the time, the passing score and the fee are in your state's candidate information bulletin.
- Know infection control by heart: clean before you disinfect, keep the surface wet for the full contact time, throw away porous single-use items, and know every step after a blood exposure. It is a large part of every outline.
- Practise the color math: each 10 volumes of developer is about 3% hydrogen peroxide, mixing ratios multiply the color amount, and levels of lift are the target minus the natural level.
- Learn the chemistry behind the services: perms break disulfide bonds by reduction and rebuild them by oxidation; hydroxide relaxers break them for good and never go over thio-treated hair.
- Train under time: take a full MyLevel test, read the explanation of every miss, study your weakest area and retake. Aim for 75% or more in every area, and 85% for a safe margin.
MyLevel is independent and not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC), PSI, Prov, Prometric, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology or any other state board. All questions are original practice questions written by MyLevel on general cosmetology theory, not real exam questions, and do not cover state laws or rules. A practice score is not a state board exam result or a license.
Sample question with explanation
A small, raised bump on the skin that contains no fluid is a:
- Papule
- Vesicle
- Pustule
- Macule
Show the answer
Answer: A. Papule
A papule is a small, solid, raised lesion. A pustule contains pus and a vesicle contains clear fluid.
Frequently asked questions
Is this cosmetology practice test free?
Yes, you can start with 5 free questions with explanations, one from five of the six topic areas. Two full timed tests of 100 questions cost $9.99 once, with no subscription.
How many questions are on the cosmetology written exam?
Usually about 100 scored questions. The NIC Cosmetology Theory exam has 110 questions, of which 100 count, in 90 minutes (NIC bulletin effective July 2022). Texas's PSI exam has 100 scored questions in 120 minutes plus 10 unscored, and California's has 100 scored plus 10 pretest questions in 120 minutes.
What is the passing score for the cosmetology exam?
It is set by each state. Texas requires 70% correct (PSI bulletin, January 2026) and Iowa a scaled score of 75 on the NIC exams (Iowa candidate bulletin, February 2026). On MyLevel, aim for at least 75% in every area and 85% for a safe margin.
How much does it cost to take the cosmetology exam?
Fees differ per state. In Texas the PSI written exam costs $55 and the practical exam $76 (PSI bulletin, January 2026). In Iowa each written exam costs $83 (Iowa candidate bulletin, February 2026).
Is the cosmetology state board written exam hard?
It covers a lot: infection control, science, hair, chemical services, skin and nails, at about one question every 49 seconds (NIC) to 71 seconds (Texas PSI, counting the unscored items). Timed practice with an explanation for every answer shows which areas you still need to study.
Can I unlock only this test?
There is one option, so you never have to choose: the $9.99 job pack, one time. It unlocks the 2 full tests on this page and every other MyLevel job test, with no subscription and a full refund within 14 days if it does not help you.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. After a full practice test you can download a MyLevel practice certificate (PDF) with your score. It is a personal record of your practice, not an official document and not a state board exam result or cosmetology license.
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