Esthetician (NIC Theory Exam) Practice Exam Questions
Past exam questions and practice questions based on official past exams
Exam info
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- Type
- State license
- Field
- Beauty
- Provider
- National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC)
- Sections
- Scientific Concepts (55) · Skin Care and Services (45)
- Questions · Time
- 100 questions · 90 min
- Format
- The NIC Candidate Information Bulletin describes the Esthetics Theory exam as 110 multiple choice questions with four answer choices, taken in 90 minutes. Only 100 questions are scored; the other 10 are unscored pretest questions that are mixed in. This practice mock covers the 100 scored questions across the two exam domains.
- Passing score
- NIC reports a passing score of 75% on the Esthetics Theory exam. Each state board decides who may take the exam and may set its own passing rules, required training hours, and practical exam, so check your state board for the rules that apply to you. There is no separate minimum score for each domain.
- Eligibility
- Your state board of cosmetology decides who may sit for the exam, including the required training hours and any practical exam. Check your state board and the NIC Candidate Information Bulletin before you register. The exam is taken at a testing center or as your state allows.
Exam outline
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Tap a unit name to see its key concepts and sample questions.
Scientific Concepts55 questions
- Unit 1: Microbiology and Infection Control★★★★★Weight 30%Concepts
- Unit 2: Anatomy and Physiology★★★★☆Weight 20%Concepts
- Unit 3: Skin Disorders and Diseases★★★★★Weight 30%Concepts
- Unit 4: Hair, Electricity, and Safety★★★☆☆Weight 20%Concepts
Skin Care and Services45 questions
- Unit 1: Consultation and Skin Analysis★★★★☆Weight 25%Concepts
- Unit 2: Facial Treatments and Exfoliation★★★★★Weight 30%Concepts
- Unit 3: Hair Removal, Lash, and Brow★★★★☆Weight 20%Concepts
- Unit 4: Makeup, Products, and Ingredients★★★☆☆Weight 25%Concepts
Esthetician (NIC Theory Exam) study tips
Written by our team- Study order
- Start with Microbiology and Infection Control and Anatomy and Physiology, because they are the base for the rest of Scientific Concepts, which is 55 of 100 scored questions. Next study Skin Disorders and Diseases, then Hair, Electricity, and Safety. Move on to Skin Care and Services with Consultation and Skin Analysis, then Facial Treatments, Hair Removal, Lash and Brow, and Makeup and Products.
- Topics people often miss
- Skin Disorders and Diseases has many look-alike terms, such as primary and secondary lesions and the different skin cancers, so make flash cards and review them often. Microbiology and Infection Control asks you to tell sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization apart. Facial Treatments mixes massage movements, exfoliation types, and contraindications, so learn each with a simple example.
- Test day tips
- The exam has 110 questions in 90 minutes, and 10 of them are unscored, so you cannot tell which ones count. Treat every question the same and aim for under a minute each. For "NOT" and "EXCEPT" questions, read the stem twice. When a question asks what to do, choose the answer that keeps the client safe, follows infection control, and stays within an esthetician's scope. Check your state board for any other rules.
▼ More about Esthetician (NIC Theory Exam) (trends · overview · FAQ)▲ Hide
Esthetician (NIC Theory Exam) exam trends
Scientific Concepts is the larger domain at 55% of the scored questions. It covers microbiology and infection control, anatomy and physiology, skin disorders and diseases, and hair structure and electricity. Terms that are easy to mix up include sanitation, disinfection and sterilization, primary and secondary lesions, and the layers of the epidermis. Skin Care and Services makes up the other 45% and covers consultation, skin analysis, facials, hair removal, and makeup. The chapters on this site are study groupings of those domains, and the chapter splits and weights are estimates, not official numbers.
Start with infection control and skin structure, because many other topics connect to them. Then practice skin disorders and lesions in short Beginner sets, and learn the steps of a facial in order. When you can answer most Intermediate questions, take a full 100-question Mock Exam and review every miss.
Esthetician (NIC Theory Exam) Sample Questions and Explanations →
About Esthetician (NIC Theory Exam)
The National Esthetics Theory Examination from NIC tests the science and skin care knowledge a new esthetician needs to work safely. It has two domains: Scientific Concepts (55%) and Skin Care and Services (45%). Short practice sets help you remember infection control levels, skin structure, lesions and disorders, and the steps and safety rules of facials, hair removal, and makeup.
FAQ
- Q. How many questions are on the NIC Esthetics Theory exam?
- The exam has 110 multiple choice questions. 100 are scored and 10 are unscored pretest questions. You get 90 minutes.
- Q. What score do I need to pass?
- NIC reports a passing score of 75%. Your state board may set its own passing rules and required training hours, so check your state board.
- Q. What topics does the exam cover?
- Two domains: Scientific Concepts (55%), which covers microbiology, infection control, anatomy and physiology, skin disorders, and hair; and Skin Care and Services (45%), which covers consultation, skin analysis, facials, hair removal, eyelash and eyebrow services, makeup, and products.
- Q. Are these the real NIC exam questions?
- No. Every question here is an AI-made practice question written for study. They are not real exam items, which are confidential, so use this site for practice and study your school's and NIC's own materials too.
- Q. Is this site connected to NIC?
- No. This site is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NIC or any state board.
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