ID Esthetician study plan

Map every Idaho Board of Cosmetology statute and rule citation that governs estheticians onto a one-page reference sheet, listing scope of practice, licensing, renewal, and continuing education requirements.

State from memory the penalties and disciplinary actions the Idaho Board can impose for unlicensed practice, sanitation violations, and scope-of-practice overreach.

Define and correctly distinguish cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing, and match each to the tools and surfaces an esthetician touches in a typical service.

Demonstrate the EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant label check: contact time, dilution, and efficacy claims, using two product labels you supply yourself.

List the Idaho-specific rules for hand washing, glove use, linens, and single-use items, and identify three common inspection violations.

Build a step-by-step disinfection protocol card for each service category (facial, waxing, lash/brow, peel) and rehearse it aloud until you can run it without notes.

Explain standard precautions, chain of infection, and the difference between bloodborne and contact-transmitted pathogens in your own words.

Label a blank skin diagram from memory with the three skin layers, five strata of the epidermis, and at least eight appendages.

Describe the functions of the acid mantle, sebum, sweat, and melanocytes, and connect each to a treatment decision.

Identify the layers of the dermis, the subcutaneous layer, and the blood and lymph supply, and state how each responds to massage and exfoliation.

Trace the phases of wound healing and skin barrier repair, and state which treatments are appropriate in each phase.

Classify at least 15 skin conditions as disorders (treatable by an esthetician) versus diseases (refer to a physician), with a written justification for each.

Differentiate the Fitzpatrick phototypes and describe how each affects product selection, peel depth, and waxing temperature.

Explain the anatomy and physiology of aging skin, including collagen and elastin changes, and list the treatment implications.

Describe common contagious conditions (bacterial, viral, fungal) and the exact steps to take when you suspect one on a client.

Perform a full skin analysis routine, in order, on three practice volunteers and record hydration, oiliness, pore size, texture, and sensitivity findings.

Write a consultation script that captures medications, allergies, pregnancy, recent peels or waxing, and sun exposure, and rehearse it until it flows conversationally.

Build a contraindication matrix that maps at least 12 conditions or medications to specific services you must modify or refuse.

Draft intake, consent, and post-care forms that meet Idaho recordkeeping expectations, and confirm what must be retained and for how long.

Practice documenting a service note in SOAP format within 10 minutes of finishing a mock treatment.

Sequence a complete facial from pre-service setup through cleanup, listing each step and its sanitation checkpoint.

Compare the indications, contraindications, and application methods for gel, clay, cream, and sheet masks, and select the right one for three written client scenarios.

Demonstrate manual extractions and desincrustation on a practice model using correct pressure, direction, and post-extraction care.

Explain the difference between physical and chemical exfoliation and choose appropriate exfoliants for dry, oily, and sensitive profiles.

Perform a 15-minute face, neck, and shoulder massage sequence with correct contraindications and draping.

Identify hair growth cycles and the hair structures relevant to waxing, and explain why timing and hair length matter.

List the contraindications for waxing, sugaring, and threading, including retinoids, Accutane history, diabetes, and compromised skin.

Demonstrate correct wax application direction, removal direction, temperature testing, and hard versus soft wax selection on a practice area.

Describe sugaring paste handling and threading technique well enough to explain each to a client, including hygiene and aftercare.

Write a post-wax and post-thread aftercare handout that covers 24- to 48-hour precautions and ingrown hair prevention.

Classify peels by depth (superficial, medium, deep) and state which depths an Idaho esthetician may perform and which require medical supervision.

List the active ingredients in common peels (AHA, BHA, TCA, enzyme) with their concentrations, pH considerations, and neutralization requirements.

Write a peel pre- and post-care protocol, including priming, sun avoidance, and signs of complication requiring referral.

Sequence a makeup application from prep through setting, matching foundation to undertone on three different skin tones.

Explain lash and brow services (tinting, lamination, extensions, brow shaping) with their patch-test, consent, and contraindication requirements.

Re-take every domain self-quiz and score 85% or higher on each, logging missed items and the reason for each miss.

Review the full Idaho law cheat sheet and recite scope of practice, sanitation, and recordkeeping rules without notes.

Run three full mock practicals end to end, timed, with a peer scoring your sanitation and consultation steps.

Drill 100 mixed practice questions under timed conditions and analyze error patterns by domain.

Assemble a final one-page quick-reference sheet you can review in the 48 hours before the exam.