AR Cosmetology study guide
AR Cosmetology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Arkansas Cosmetology licensure examination is the assessment pathway through which the Arkansas Department of Health's cosmetology program evaluates candidates who want to practice cosmetology in the state. The Department of Health houses cosmetology licensing alongside its other licensing, permit, and plan-review functions, and an online licensing portal (CLIPS) is the Department's linked system for cosmetology transactions. The AR Cosmetology study guide has 5 sections and about 1,521 words.
01Scientific Concepts: Theory and Practical Application
Scientific Concepts questions test whether you can connect basic science to what happens at the shampoo bowl and the chemical station. Know the pH scale (0–14, 7 neutral): hair and skin prefer mildly acidic to neutral products, and the pH of a solution drives how much the cuticle lifts.
343 words, about 2 min02Hair Care and Hair Services
This domain spans haircutting, styling, chemical texture services, and coloring . For cutting, know the four basic forms (solid, graduated, increase-layer, uniform-layer), the difference between elevation and overdirection, and how sectioning controls balance.
282 words, about 1 min03Skin Care and Facial Services
Esthetics questions focus on skin analysis, cleansing, exfoliation, massage, and masking . Know the skin types (normal, dry, oily, combination) and conditions (dehydrated, sensitive, acne, mature).
265 words, about 1 min04Nail Care and Nail Services
The nail domain covers manicuring, pedicuring, and artificial nail enhancements . Know the anatomy of the nail: nail plate, nail bed, matrix, lunula, cuticle, eponychium, hyponychium, free edge, and sidewalls .
315 words, about 2 min05Salon Business, Safety, and Arkansas Law
This domain blends salon management, sanitation and infection control, and Arkansas cosmetology regulations . Know the difference between sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization , the use of EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants , and the rule that implements must be cleaned of debris before disinfection.
316 words, about 2 min