Cosmetology

Specific Competencies and Skills Tested in this Assessment:

Safety and Sanitation

• Apply techniques to ensure client safety and protection throughout all services 
• Identify and demonstrate the three levels of decontamination and disinfection 
• Identify concepts of salon-related ecology and bacteriology
• Demonstrate appropriate first-aid, workplace safety procedures, and universal precautions
• Select and utilize appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for specific tasks 
• Display knowledge of SDS information and OSHA regulations 

 

Scientific Concepts

• Identify scientific components of hair and scalp  
• Identify scientific components of nails  
• Identify scientific components of skin 
• Exhibit basic knowledge of histology, anatomy, and physiology 
• Describe electrical safety and electrotherapy techniques 

 

Salon-Related Business Skills

• Demonstrate knowledge of pay scales and compensation plans  
• Distinguish types of salon ownership and licensures 
• Display professional client interactions and sales techniques 
• Complete and maintain appropriate client and salon records 

 

Physical Services

• Apply knowledge of hair care (e.g., shampoos, facial cleansers) 
• Apply knowledge of facial procedures, manipulations, skin analysis, hair removal, and make-up services 
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of manicuring services, including natural and artificial nails
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of pedicuring services 

 

Chemical Services

• Apply knowledge and proficiency of hair coloring, including corrective coloring and other formulation
• Apply knowledge and proficiency of hair lightening 
• Apply knowledge and proficiency of chemical hair relaxing, permanent waving, and restructuring 

 

Hair Designing

• Apply knowledge and proficiency of various hair cutting or texturizing tool techniques (e.g., clippering) 
• Apply knowledge and proficiency of various hair styling techniques, including base control (e.g., braiding, finger waving, pin curls) 
• Apply understanding of hair enhancement methods and procedures (e.g., wigs, extensions, hair fusions) 
• Apply knowledge and proficiency of various thermal tools and techniques (e.g., blow-drying, hair pressing, flat ironing, curling iron)

 

Written Assessment:

Administration Time: 3 hours

Number of Questions: 176

 

Areas Covered:

Safety and Sanitation: 19%

Scientific Concepts: 23%

Salon-Related Business Skills: 13%

Physical Services: 14%

Chemical Services: 19%

Hair Designing: 12%

 

 

 

 

Sample Questions: 

Disinfectant solution should be left overnight in a foot spa  

1. on a weekly basis  
2. at the end of the day  
3. every two weeks 
4. on a monthly basis  

 

Bloodborne pathogens can be spread by 

1. using hot wax on body hair  
2. tweezing when the skin is broken  
3. cutting the hair when it is dry 
4. hugging the client after the service 

 

The technical term for bitten nails is  

1. onycholysis  
2. onychophagy  
3. leukonychia 
4. paronychia 

 

What part of the nail structure provides nourishment to the nail? 

1. hyponychium 
2. matrix  
3. cuticle  
4. nail plate 

 

In a salon, the percentage of stylists’ earnings that are calculated according to their sales is known as 

1. commission  
2. tips  
3. salary 
4. retail 

 

Moisturizers for facials are mixes of humectants and

1. emollients
2. exfoliants
3. sunscreen
4. masks

 

Temporary hair removal techniques include tweezing, waxing, shaving, and  

1. electrolysis
2. hirsuties
3. thermolysis
4. depilatories

 

Demi-permanent and semi-permanent hair colors 

1. are self-penetrating
2. are deposit only
3. contain certified colors
4. contain ammonium thioglycolic acid

 

The process of removing natural pigment from the hair is referred to as  

1. decolorization
2. drabbing
3. toning
4. tinting

 

Maintaining consistent tension during a haircut ensures

1. cutting an inch of hair
2. an even haircut
3. no split ends
4. that hair stays wet
   

 

Performance Assessment:

Administration Time: 3 hours

Number of Jobs: 5

 

Areas Covered: 

19%   90-Degree Haircut

Participant will drape mannequin properly, section and secure hair, perform a 90-degree blended layer cut, demonstrate appropriate use of shears, razor, and leave the workstation in a clean, orderly condition. 

 

19% Blow Dry, Curl, and Press Hair

Participant will properly drape the mannequin, perform a blow-dry service with round brush, section hair, perform pressing comb or flat iron to back section, use marcel iron to perform thermal curl, and leave the workstation in a clean, orderly condition.

 

29% Chemical Applications

Participant will properly drape the mannequin, section the entire head, complete a mock color retouch, six foil highlights, complete a virgin chemical relaxer, wrap one section with permanent wave rods, and leave the workstation in a clean, orderly condition. 

 

16% Manicure

Participant will sanitize a manicure table and arrange supplies and implements, perform a full manicure and hand massage on one hand, and leave the workstation in a clean, orderly condition.

 

17% Facial

Participant will properly drape mannequin, demonstrate application and removal of cleansing cream, demonstrate three massage manipulations and application and removal of massage cream.  Leave the workstation in a clean and orderly condition.

 

Sample Job:

Manicure

Maximum Time: 20 minutes

Participant Activity: The participant will sanitize a manicure table and arrange supplies and implements, perform a full manicure on one hand including a hand massage, remove excess cream from nails, and polish nails with 1 base coat, 2 coats of dark polish, and 1 top coat and leave the workstation in a clean and orderly condition.