If you are a beauty school student preparing for the esthetician state board exam, make sure to bookmark this page or save it on Pinterest as you prepare to ace your upcoming test! These free esthetics state board practice test questions and study guide are here to prepare you for the big day.
In the following article, you’ll find out everything you need to know about your upcoming esthetician test, including vital esthetician state board kit info, the 4-1-1 on the Milady Esthetics State Board Practice Test, free practice questions, and everything in between!
Free Esthetics State Board Practice Test: Overview
- Esthetician State Board Exam Basics: Theory & Practical
- 9 Tips for Acing Your Esthetician State Board Exam
- How to Choose the Right Esthetician State Board Kit
- NIC Esthetician Practice Exam
- Milady Esthetics Practice Test
- PSI Esthetics Practice Test
- The Best Resources for Top-Rated Esthetician Practice Exams
- Free Esthetician Practice Test & Study Questions
Esthetician State Board Exam Basics
Your esthetician state board exam will be divided into two parts. The first is a timed, written exam. This is referred to as the esthetician state board esthetician written exam. The second part is called the state board esthetician practical exam. During the practical exam, you will demonstrate real procedures on models.
9 Tips for Acing the Esthetician Exam in Your State
It’s easy to be nervous about passing your esthetician state board exam. However, it’s important to remember that the top esthetician schools want to prepare you to do well. After all, that’s the key that allows you to finally get your esthetician license. By paying attention in class and taking your coursework seriously, you’re already a step ahead.
So, take a deep breathe and relax: the classes at all accredited esthetician schools are designed to prepare you for this!
The following are nine tips for making your life a little easier before and after the test.
1. Register to Take the Exam
Take a look at your state-specific esthetics licensing requirements and register to take your exam! You can find the hourly requirements and cost in your state by consulting The Top Esthetician Schools in the US.
- Taking the exam in Kansas, Washington, or Virginia? Then you can register through Ergometrics – National Testing Network.
- If you live in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Indiana, or the District of Columbia, register through Pearson VUE.
- Residents of Vermont can register for their esthetician state board test through ISO Quality Testing.
- If you live in Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, or West Virginia, register through DL Roope Administrations.
- Use Prometric to register for your esthetician test if you live in Hawaii.
- Register through PSI Services if you live in one of the following states:
Alabama
Arkansas
Colorado
Georgia
Illinois
Iowa
Maryland
Minnesota
Michigan
Nebraska
North Dakota
New Jersey
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah - If you’re a resident of any of the following states, register through your state’s cosmetology state board:
Alaska
California
Kentucky
Louisiana
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Wyoming
Before registering, make sure you meet your state’s requirements for the number of training hours. You should also be prepared to pay a registration fee and test fee. After passing the esthetician test, your state will charge a fee for your license. Typically, you can do this online. For more details, click on your state’s name below.
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | District of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming
Give yourself a few months to study, and mark the date on your calendar. (We don’t recommend registering for an exam one week from now!)
2. Prepare All Necessary Paperwork
You’ll definitely need to provide a government-issued form of ID, like a Driver’s License or Passport. For many esthetician exams, you’ll need two forms of formal ID. Additionally, you’ll need written proof that you’ve completed training hours at an accredited esthetician school.
3. Compile Your Beauty Supplies
The exact beauty supplies required in your state board exam kit depends on your state’s individual exam. In the following sections, we’ll look at the specific requirements more in-depth, with helpful lists for you. It’s a good idea to bring extras, in case you lose or break a tool on the day of the esthetician test.
4. Study a Little Each Day
Rather than cramming the week before the exam, study a little each day. Feeling inspired? Spend several hours on a weekend! Don’t be shy; invite some of your esthetician school classmates to study with you!
5. Time Yourself
When working through your free esthetician exam questions, time yourself! The actual exam is timed, so make sure you can comfortably answer all of the questions comfortably within the time parameters. Typically, this is 100 questions in 90 minutes.
6. Practice Makes Perfect for the Practical Exam
Testers will be judging your performance not only on how well you do, but also on the order in which you do the steps of each practical assignment.
Therefore, memorize the exact order of each procedure until they’re burned into your brain. Make up fun acronyms, write them over and over again – whatever helps you!
7. Sterilize Everything & Throw Out Used Supplies
During the practical exam, make sure to sterilize everything. This includes your hands, the materials you’re working with, and your work area. When you’re finished with a procedure, make sure all of your used supplies end up in the garbage can. Failure to do so can result in point deductions! It’s easy to forget these steps during the test, so reminding yourself beforehand will make it more likely that you follow through.
8. Breathe Deeply, And Relax – What’s the Worst That Can Happen?
Take a few deep breathes throughout the esthetician state board test. Deep breathing has been shown to reduce stress! Remember, the worst thing that can happen is a failure. And that’s not all that bad. Many people fail the first time, but you will have the chance to retake it!
9. The Day of the Esthetician Exam: Show Up Early and Prepared
On the day of the esthetician test, show up at least half an hour early. This gives you time to register and get situated. We also recommend blocking off the entire day for the exam. For example, don’t go out to a social event before the test. Instead, stay home, review your notes, and eat healthy meals.
How to Choose the Right Esthetician State Board Kit
Choosing the right esthetician state board kit depends on the type of exam you are taking. Download the free esthetician state board kit checklists below for the exam you’ll be taking!
NIC Esthetician Exam Kit Checklist (Coming Soon!)
PSI Esthetician Exam Kit Checklist(Coming Soon!)
TDLR Esthetician Exam Kit Checklist(Coming Soon!)
NIC Esthetician Practice Exam
NIC stands for the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology. Currently, the NIC is the top authority on testing potential estheticians for licensure. At this time, 31 states require you to pass the NIC theory and practical exams. Notably, even states that don’t officially use the NIC written exam do base their exams on the NIC.
NIC Esthetician Theory Exam
The NIC Esthetician Written Exam will have two parts. The first is a Scientific Concepts section covering topics like microbiology, organs and their function, and the composition and structure of hair growth. The Scientific Concepts Section comprises 55% of the written exam.
The remaining 45% of the written exam consists of topics related to Skin Care and Services. For example, this includes treatment protocols, proper exfoliation practices, and makeup artistry.
NIC Esthetician Practical Exam
Here are the procedures covered in the NIC practical exam:
- Eyelash Enhancement
- Makeup Application & Technique (on the face)
- Preparation of both the Client (your model) and the Work Area
- Using Products for Facial Cleansing
- Proper Facial Exfoliation, including Towel Steaming
- Facial Massaging with Product
- Another, “New” Client Work Space Preparation
- Eyebrow Hair Removal
- Soft Wax
- Facial Mask Application
- Blood Exposure Procedures
- Hard Waxing the Upper Lip
- Microdermabrasion
Keep in mind that during each of these procedures, you will be evaluated on the cleanliness of your environment.
This includes sanitizing your hands, keeping your tools clean, and performing infection control. You’ll also need to make sure that all of your tools and supplies are visibly labeled by name. (They must be labeled in English.) Consult the NIC Infection and Control Safety Standards for more details.
Here are some helpful links to prepare you for the NIC esthetician exam:
- The NIC Candidate Information Bulletin for the Theory Test
- The NIC Candidate Information Bulletin for the Practical Exam (this provides a list of what you should include in your esthetician state board kit!)
Download Your Free NIC Esthetician Practice Exam Here!
(Coming Soon)
Milady Esthetics Practice Test
Every state’s esthetician state board test is different. However, most tests are based on Milady content. Therefore, it is incredibly useful to study using Milady Textbooks and practice exams!
You can’t go wrong with the Milady Standard Esthetics: Fundamentals. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to prepare. This practice esthetician state board exam guide is available as an eTextbook, as a Hardcover, as a Spiral Bound. You can also buy it used!
You can also take a wide variety of Milady Esthetics State Board Practice Tests:
- Milady Esthetics State Board Practice Test on Quizlet
- Milady Esthetician State Board Test Flashcards
PSI Esthetician Practice Test
PSI, which stands for Professional Services Industries, is a leading test development organization in the US. Many cosmetology boards in the United States use PSI for aesthetics testing. At this time, PSI doesn’t offer an official Esthetician Practice Exam. (Although they do have an official PSI Cosmetology Theory Practice Exam and a PSI Nail Technology Theory Practice Exam.)
Even though PSI doesn’t have a formal PSI Esthetician Practice Test, we have created our own, carefully crafted PSI Esthetician Practice Test.
Download Your FREE PSI Esthetician Practice Test Today!
(Coming Soon)
Amazon’s Greatest Esthetician Practice ExamsÂ
Here is a list of the Amazon’s Practice Esthetician State Board Exam Guides:
- Esthetician Exam Flashcard Study System by Esthetician Exam Secrets Test Prep Team
- Understanding Skin Flip Chart
- State Board Exam Review for the Esthetician Student
- Esthetician State Board Examination Review by The State Board Resource Center
- Milady Skin Care and Cosmetic Ingredients Dictionary
- Esthetician Exam Secrets Study Guide: Esthetician Test Review for the Esthetician Exam
Save some money with Amazon Student Prime, because Amazon has a fantastic selection at low prices!
Free Esthetician Practice Tests Online
Registration, test, tuition, and license fees all add up quickly. We understand! Therefore, we’ve compiled this list of free esthetician practice exams online. While paid tests are the best type if you can afford them, using a variety of free esthetician practice tests will also help you prepare.
- Pro Prof’s Preparation For Esthetics State Board Exam
- Quizlet’s Practice for Esthetics State Board Exam V.1
- Mometrix’s Free Esthetician Practice Test Questions
- TDLR Esthetician State Board Review
- What You Need to Know to Pass Your Esthetics State Board Exam
- Cosmetology Test Questions: Skin & Its Disorders (60 questions)
Download Trade for Career’s FREE Practice Esthetician State Board Exam Today!
(Coming Soon)
You’ve Got This!
 Practice Esthetician State Board Exam Guides Are Your Friend
It’s easy to think you’ll be fine after attending esthetician classes and looking over your notes. But when you’re taking the exam, the stakes are higher. As a result, it’s more difficult to perform under pressure. That’s why we highly recommend investing in a practice esthetician state board exam book or flashcard set. The more you pound it into your brain, the more relaxed you’ll feel during the test.
And you deserve to feel relaxed! You’ve worked hard to get through school. Now it’s time to show them what you’ve got. We believe in you!
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