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MN Cosmetology study materials
MN Cosmetology study resources

MN Cosmetology practice questions

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Question 1Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

Which body issues and renews cosmetology licenses in Minnesota?

  1. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
  2. Minnesota Department of Health
  3. Board of Barber Examiners
  4. Board of Cosmetologist Examiners Correct answer.

Explanation

Minnesota Statutes chapter 155A creates the Board of Cosmetologist Examiners and gives it authority to license and regulate cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, instructors, salons, and schools. The Department of Health and the Department of Labor and Industry have no licensing role for cosmetology practitioners, and barbering is regulated separately.

Question 2Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

How many clock hours of training must a Minnesota cosmetology program include for a student to qualify for the cosmetologist examination?

  1. 2,100 hours
  2. 1,000 hours
  3. 3,000 hours
  4. 1,550 hours Correct answer.

Explanation

Minnesota sets the cosmetologist curriculum at 1,550 clock hours of instruction in a licensed school. A student must complete the full required course of study before being eligible to sit for the licensing examination. Shorter hour totals do not satisfy the requirement.

Question 3Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

Which service is within the scope of practice of a licensed Minnesota cosmetologist?

  1. Laser tattoo removal
  2. Administering cosmetic injections
  3. Haircutting and chemical waving Correct answer.
  4. Diagnosing a skin disease

Explanation

Cosmetology practice covers services to hair, skin, and nails, such as cutting, styling, chemical waving, coloring, and similar beauty treatments. Medical procedures and diagnosing disease fall outside the license and would require a health care license.

Question 4Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

A person who performs cosmetology services for compensation in Minnesota must:

  1. register with the city where the salon is located
  2. join a professional association
  3. hold a current Minnesota license Correct answer.
  4. carry professional liability insurance

Explanation

Chapter 155A prohibits practicing cosmetology for pay without a current Minnesota license issued by the board. City registration, association membership, and insurance are not substitutes for state licensure.

Question 5Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

Barbering services in Minnesota are licensed and regulated by the:

  1. Board of Nursing
  2. Department of Health
  3. Board of Cosmetologist Examiners
  4. Board of Barber Examiners Correct answer.

Explanation

Barbering is governed by its own statute and administered by the Board of Barber Examiners, separate from the cosmetology chapter. Cosmetology licenses therefore do not authorize barbering and barber licenses do not authorize cosmetology.

Question 6Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

Before a salon may offer cosmetology services to the public, the business must:

  1. be owned by a licensed cosmetologist
  2. hold a Minnesota salon license Correct answer.
  3. obtain a city business permit only
  4. employ at least five licensees

Explanation

A salon must be licensed by the Board of Cosmetologist Examiners before it provides services to the public. The chapter does not require a minimum number of employees, and a non-licensee may own a salon if a licensed salon manager is in place.

Question 7Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

Every licensed Minnesota salon is required to have:

  1. a licensed salon manager Correct answer.
  2. a full-time receptionist
  3. a physician on call
  4. at least two licensed cosmetologists

Explanation

A salon license requires a designated salon manager who holds a current license and is responsible for the salon's compliance with the statutes and rules. Staffing levels, front-desk staffing, and medical coverage are not licensing conditions.

Question 8Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

Between clients, reusable implements such as combs and shears must be:

  1. rinsed in hot water only
  2. wiped with a dry towel and reused
  3. stored with clean towels
  4. cleaned and disinfected Correct answer.

Explanation

Reusable implements must be cleaned to remove debris and then disinfected with a product labeled for that purpose before being used on another client. Rinsing, dry wiping, or towel storage does not kill organisms and does not satisfy the rule.

Question 9Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

Porous items that cannot be effectively disinfected, such as foam nail buffers, must be:

  1. discarded after use on one client Correct answer.
  2. kept in a closed container for reuse
  3. washed with soap and water and reused
  4. treated with air freshener

Explanation

Items that cannot be cleaned and disinfected because they are porous must be treated as single-use and thrown away after one client. Washing, spraying, or storing them does not make them safe for reuse.

Question 10Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

Which of the following is grounds for disciplinary action by the board?

  1. Working part-time hours
  2. Practicing outside the license scope Correct answer.
  3. Charging more than nearby salons
  4. Declining to serve a client

Explanation

The board may discipline a licensee for practicing beyond the services authorized by the license held, along with other violations such as unsanitary practice or unlicensed activity. Pricing, schedule, and the choice of which clients to accept are business decisions, not violations.

Question 11Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

Allowing an unlicensed person to perform cosmetology services in a licensed salon is:

  1. permitted when the salon is busy
  2. a violation subject to discipline Correct answer.
  3. permitted if the client agrees
  4. permitted when the person is supervised

Explanation

Only licensed individuals may provide cosmetology services; supervision, client consent, or a busy schedule does not create an exception. A salon that permits unlicensed practice exposes its own license to discipline as well.

Question 12Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

Services performed by students in a licensed school clinic must be:

  1. performed on mannequins only
  2. advertised as done by licensed professionals
  3. under an instructor's supervision Correct answer.
  4. offered free of charge

Explanation

Student clinical work must be performed under the supervision of a licensed instructor, and clients must be informed that students are providing the service. Schools may charge for clinic services, and advertising student work as professional work would be misleading.

Question 13Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

To serve as a cosmetology instructor in Minnesota, a person must:

  1. hold an instructor license Correct answer.
  2. work only as a school administrator
  3. hold a university teaching degree
  4. hold a cosmetology license for six months

Explanation

Instructors must hold a separate instructor license from the board in addition to meeting the underlying practitioner and experience requirements set by rule. A university degree or a short period of practitioner licensure does not substitute for the instructor credential.

Question 14Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

To keep a Minnesota cosmetology license current at renewal, a licensee must:

  1. submit a new background check
  2. retake the practical examination
  3. repeat 1,550 hours of training
  4. complete required continuing education Correct answer.

Explanation

Renewal requires the licensee to complete the continuing education required by board rule and submit the renewal with the appropriate fee. Licensees are not required to retake licensing examinations, repeat the training program, or repeat a background check at each renewal.

Question 15Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

An advertisement stating that a salon's staff can cure skin disease would be:

  1. acceptable with a disclaimer
  2. acceptable if the staff are estheticians
  3. acceptable if approved by the board
  4. prohibited as false or misleading Correct answer.

Explanation

Advertising that is false, deceptive, or misleading is prohibited, and claiming to cure disease is both misleading and outside the lawful scope of cosmetology practice. A disclaimer does not cure the misrepresentation, and the board does not preapprove advertising claims.

Question 16Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

A board inspector arrives at a licensed salon during posted business hours. The inspector may:

  1. enter and inspect the salon Correct answer.
  2. inspect only the reception area
  3. inspect only after a client complaint
  4. inspect only with a warrant

Explanation

The board has inspection authority over licensed salons and may enter and examine premises during business hours to verify compliance with the statutes and rules. A complaint is not a precondition, and the inspection is not limited to the front of the shop.

Question 17Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

A salon owner rents a chair to a friend who has no Minnesota license, and the friend cuts hair for paying clients in the salon. What is the legal result?

  1. No violation, because the chair was rented
  2. Both are subject to enforcement Correct answer.
  3. Only the renter is at fault
  4. Only the client bears responsibility

Explanation

Unlicensed practice is prohibited regardless of how the worker is paid or classified, and a salon may not allow unlicensed services on its premises. Both the unlicensed individual and the salon can face enforcement action.

Question 18Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

A licensed esthetician is asked to perform a procedure that requires a health care license. What should she do?

  1. Perform it after brief training
  2. Perform it with a signed waiver
  3. Decline, as it is outside her scope Correct answer.
  4. Perform it if the client asks

Explanation

A licensee may perform only the services authorized by the license held, and a client waiver cannot expand that scope. Performing a procedure that requires a health care license would expose the esthetician to discipline for practicing beyond scope.

Question 19Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

A cosmetology student has completed 1,200 of the required 1,550 hours and asks to take the licensing examination now. The correct response is:

  1. yes, with a provisional license
  2. yes, if the school director approves
  3. yes, after passing the written exam
  4. no, until all hours are complete Correct answer.

Explanation

Examination eligibility requires completion of the full required course of study, including the clock-hour requirement. A school official cannot waive the hours, and Minnesota does not issue a provisional license on partial completion.

Question 20Minnesota Statutes and Board Rules (Chapter 155A and related rules)

A cosmetologist licensed in another state moves to Minnesota and wants to work immediately. She must:

  1. use the other state's license for one year
  2. start working and apply later
  3. pay a fee and keep practicing
  4. obtain a Minnesota license first Correct answer.

Explanation

Out-of-state licensure does not authorize practice in Minnesota; the individual must first obtain a Minnesota license, which the board may issue by endorsement when the applicant meets the applicable requirements. Practicing on the foreign license, with or without a fee, is unlicensed practice.

Question 21Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

Disinfection is best described as a process that:

  1. Kills most pathogens on hard surfaces Correct answer.
  2. Reduces the number of bacteria on skin to a safe level
  3. Destroys every microbial form, including bacterial spores
  4. Removes all visible debris and soil from implements before storage

Explanation

Disinfection uses an EPA-registered chemical on nonporous implements to destroy most pathogenic organisms, though it does not destroy bacterial spores. Cleaning is the separate step that removes visible debris, and sterilization is the stronger process that kills spores.

Question 22Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

Which implement is considered porous and therefore cannot be safely disinfected for reuse?

  1. A stainless steel cuticle nipper
  2. A wooden emery board Correct answer.
  3. A glass mixing dish
  4. A metal styling comb

Explanation

Porous items absorb liquids and cannot be reliably cleaned and disinfected, so they are single-use and must be discarded after a client. Metal and glass implements have smooth, nonporous surfaces that can be cleaned and then disinfected.

Question 23Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

The primary purpose of a Safety Data Sheet in a salon is to:

  1. Explain a product's hazards, safe handling, and first aid Correct answer.
  2. List the salon's daily appointment schedule and staff assignments
  3. Document client consent forms for chemical services
  4. Record the results of monthly autoclave spore testing

Explanation

Every professional product must come with a Safety Data Sheet that identifies its hazards and describes safe handling, storage, and first-aid steps. Sheets must be kept on site and be accessible to employees.

Question 24Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

The correct handwashing procedure includes:

  1. Lathering with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds Correct answer.
  2. Using hand sanitizer alone whenever hands are visibly soiled
  3. Rinsing quickly with cool water and drying on a cloth towel
  4. Washing only the palms and backs of the hands for five seconds

Explanation

Hands must be lathered with soap and warm running water, scrubbed including between fingers and under nails, for at least 20 seconds before rinsing and drying. Visible soil must be washed off with soap and water rather than sanitized.

Question 25Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

After use, a single-use item such as a paper nail file should be:

  1. Sprayed with disinfectant and stored in a closed drawer
  2. Immersed in quat solution for ten minutes and reused
  3. Washed with soap and water, then wiped with alcohol
  4. Discarded in a covered waste container Correct answer.

Explanation

Porous single-use items cannot be cleaned and disinfected reliably, so they are discarded after one client. Spraying, soaking, or wiping a porous item does not make reuse safe.

Question 26Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

A client arrives with an inflamed, oozing rash on the scalp. The cosmetologist should:

  1. Perform the service while wearing two pairs of gloves
  2. Refer the client to a physician and reschedule Correct answer.
  3. Apply a medicated shampoo before beginning the service
  4. Service the client in a separate room away from others

Explanation

Weeping, inflamed skin lesions suggest a contagious or undiagnosed condition, and services must be postponed until a physician clears the client. Gloves, room location, or product application do not make serving such a client safe.

Question 27Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

Disposable gloves are worn during a service primarily to:

  1. Create a barrier against bloodborne pathogens Correct answer.
  2. Keep the cosmetologist's hands soft and moisturized
  3. Replace the need for handwashing between clients
  4. Protect the client from the cosmetologist's nail polish

Explanation

Gloves form a barrier that keeps blood and body fluids from contacting broken skin on the cosmetologist's hands. They do not replace handwashing, which is still required before gloving and after removing gloves.

Question 28Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

After a service, soiled towels and linens should be:

  1. Sprayed with disinfectant and reused the same day
  2. Stored in an open hamper until the end of the week
  3. Placed in a closed container away from soil Correct answer.
  4. Shaken out and folded for the next client

Explanation

Soiled linens are placed in a closed, labeled container and laundered before reuse, keeping them separate from clean supplies. Shaking linens disperses organisms into the air and work area.

Question 29Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

A quaternary ammonium disinfectant should be mixed:

  1. With hot water to increase its killing power on implements
  2. Only when the solution turns cloudy or develops an odor
  3. Stronger than the label states to shorten the contact time needed
  4. According to the label's dilution ratio and tested with strips Correct answer.

Explanation

Disinfectants must be diluted exactly as the label directs, and test strips confirm the working strength of quats. Over-concentration, overheating, or waiting for visible changes all compromise safety or effectiveness.

Question 30Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

The first step in cleaning a blood spill on the floor is to:

  1. Sprinkle sawdust over the spill and sweep it up
  2. Wipe the area with a cloth towel and launder it
  3. Glove up and blot the spill with disposable towels Correct answer.
  4. Mop the area with hot water and phenolic disinfectant

Explanation

Blood spills are handled with gloves and absorbent disposable materials first, then the area is cleaned and disinfected with an EPA-registered hospital-grade product. Cloth and sweeping methods spread contamination.

Question 31Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

Contact time on a disinfectant label refers to:

  1. How long an item must stay wet with the solution to be disinfected Correct answer.
  2. How long the product remains effective after its container is opened
  3. The time needed for the product's odor to dissipate after use
  4. The interval between mixing a fresh solution and discarding it

Explanation

Contact time is the full period an implement must remain immersed or wet with the properly diluted solution for the product to work. Shortening it means the item has not been disinfected.

Question 32Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

A product labeled as a hospital-grade disinfectant must be registered with the:

  1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  2. Minnesota Board of the Barbers and Cosmetology
  3. Environmental Protection Agency Correct answer.
  4. Food and Drug Administration

Explanation

Disinfectants are pesticides regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency, and hospital-grade products carry an EPA registration number on the label. The FDA handles drugs and cosmetics, while OSHA sets workplace safety rules.

Question 33Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for cosmetologists because the virus is:

  1. Transmitted by sharing combs and brushes
  2. Present in all unwashed human hair
  3. Carried in the air and inhaled in crowded salons
  4. Spread through contact with infected blood Correct answer.

Explanation

Hepatitis B is a bloodborne pathogen spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids, which is why occupational exposure rules require employers to offer the vaccine. It is not airborne and is not carried on hair or grooming tools.

Question 34Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

Pediculosis is a condition caused by:

  1. Parasitic insects that infest the hair Correct answer.
  2. Bacteria that enter through small cuts
  3. A fungus that thrives on warm, moist skin
  4. A virus that spreads through shared towels

Explanation

Pediculosis is an infestation of lice on the scalp or body hair, and it is contagious, so service is refused and the client is referred for treatment. Fungal, viral, and bacterial conditions are classified separately.

Question 35Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

A client with ringworm of the foot (tinea pedis) should be:

  1. Given a pedicure after the feet are wiped with alcohol
  2. Referred to a physician and not serviced Correct answer.
  3. Serviced if the affected area is covered with a bandage
  4. Serviced only with the salon's dedicated diabetic tools

Explanation

Tinea pedis is a contagious fungal infection, and clients with it are referred for medical treatment rather than served. Wiping with alcohol, covering the area, or using special tools does not eliminate the risk of spread.

Question 36Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

Ground fault circuit interrupters are required near sinks in a salon because they:

  1. Convert alternating current to direct current
  2. Shut off power when current leaks to ground Correct answer.
  3. Regulate the water temperature in shampoo bowls
  4. Reduce static electricity on combs and brushes

Explanation

A GFCI senses a small current leak and cuts the circuit almost instantly, preventing shock around water. It has nothing to do with water temperature, static, or converting current type.

Question 37Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

Which extinguisher class is designed for electrical fires in a salon?

  1. Class A
  2. Class B
  3. Class D
  4. Class C Correct answer.

Explanation

Class C extinguishers use nonconductive agents and are intended for energized electrical equipment. Class A covers ordinary combustibles, Class B flammable liquids, and Class D combustible metals.

Question 38Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

To reduce the risk of work-related back and wrist injuries, a cosmetologist should:

  1. Adjust chair height and posture to avoid strain Correct answer.
  2. Stand in one position for the entire appointment
  3. Work with arms extended and bend at the waist
  4. Use the same chair height for every client

Explanation

Good ergonomics means adjusting the client's chair and the cosmetologist's stance so the work is at a comfortable height with wrists neutral. Reaching, bending, and staying frozen in one position all increase strain.

Question 39Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

Adequate ventilation in a salon matters most because:

  1. It prevents disinfectant solutions from freezing
  2. It removes vapors from chemical products Correct answer.
  3. It dries acrylic nails faster between coats
  4. It keeps the salon at the temperature required by law

Explanation

Ventilation carries chemical vapors and dust away from the breathing zone, which protects both workers and clients. Product drying speed, storage temperature, and legal room temperature are not its purpose.

Question 40Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

Clean towels should be stored:

  1. In a closed cabinet away from soil Correct answer.
  2. In an open bin beside the shampoo bowls
  3. Stacked on a shelf under the manicure table
  4. In the same cabinet as the disinfectant jugs

Explanation

Clean linens are kept in a closed cabinet separated from soiled items so they are not recontaminated. Open bins, shared chemical storage, and low shelves all expose clean towels to dirt, moisture, or spills.

Question 41Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

An autoclave sterilizes implements by using:

  1. Pressurized steam at high temperature Correct answer.
  2. Dry heat circulated through a closed cabinet
  3. Ultraviolet light that damages microbial DNA
  4. A quaternary ammonium solution under pressure

Explanation

Sterilization in an autoclave is achieved with saturated steam under pressure at high temperature, which destroys all microbial life including spores. Ultraviolet light and quats disinfect at most, and dry heat units are a different, slower method.

Question 42Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

After a blood exposure incident, the cosmetologist should first:

  1. Complete an incident report at the end of the shift
  2. Apply an antibiotic ointment and continue the service
  3. Wait for symptoms before seeking medical advice
  4. Wash the area and report it to the supervisor Correct answer.

Explanation

Immediate washing of the exposed skin limits transmission, and the incident is reported right away so medical evaluation can be arranged. Delaying care or paperwork until later forfeits the benefit of prompt treatment.

Question 43Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

Used razor blades in a salon should be:

  1. Recapped and stored for sharpening and reuse
  2. Wrapped in a paper towel and placed in the trash
  3. Placed in a rigid, labeled sharps container Correct answer.
  4. Dropped into a puncture-resistant envelope for recycling

Explanation

Contaminated sharps go directly into a rigid, closable, labeled sharps container that prevents punctures and spills. Paper towels, recapping, and mail-style envelopes do not meet that standard.

Question 44Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

Which set of conditions most reduces the effectiveness of a disinfectant?

  1. Warm water, a clean container, a covered soak tray
  2. Heavy soil, wrong dilution, brief contact time Correct answer.
  3. Fresh solution, correct dilution, full contact time
  4. A new test strip, a sealed jar, a labeled lid

Explanation

Disinfectants fail when implements are not cleaned first, when the dilution is incorrect, or when contact time is cut short. Fresh solution, correct strength, and full immersion support effectiveness.

Question 45Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

In a whirlpool foot spa, the internal pipes and screen must be:

  1. Flushed with detergent and disinfectant after each use Correct answer.
  2. Scrubbed only when visible debris collects around the intake screen
  3. Cleaned once a week by a licensed plumber using a special brush
  4. Rinsed with clear water and left to air dry on a rack overnight

Explanation

Whirlpool basins harbor biofilm in the internal piping, so the unit is drained, cleaned, and disinfected after every client following the manufacturer's directions. Weekly, overnight, or appearance-based cleaning allows organisms to accumulate and spread between clients.

Question 46Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

A cosmetologist needs to know the health hazards, safe handling instructions, and first-aid steps for a chemical product used in the salon. Where should that information be found?

  1. The invoice from the product distributor
  2. The state cosmetology licensing rulebook
  3. The salon's client intake records
  4. The safety data sheet for that product Correct answer.

Explanation

Under hazard communication rules, manufacturers and employers must keep a safety data sheet (SDS) on file for each hazardous chemical. The SDS lists the product's hazards, safe handling and storage, required protective equipment, and first-aid measures. Salon staff should be able to locate the SDS for every chemical they use.

Question 47Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

A cosmetologist has just removed disposable gloves at the end of a service. What should be done next?

  1. Apply hand lotion before touching another surface
  2. Put on a fresh pair of gloves before the next client
  3. Wash hands with soap and warm running water Correct answer.
  4. Wipe the hands with a disinfectant surface wipe

Explanation

Gloves can develop unnoticed tears, and contamination is often transferred to the hands during removal. Handwashing with soap and warm running water is therefore required after gloves come off. The hands must be cleaned before the cosmetologist touches clean implements, surfaces, or another client.

Question 48Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

Which implement should be discarded after use on one client rather than cleaned and disinfected for reuse?

  1. A metal tail comb
  2. A tempered glass mixing dish
  3. An emery board used to shape a nail Correct answer.
  4. A stainless steel cuticle pusher

Explanation

Porous items such as emery boards, wooden sticks, cotton, and buffing materials absorb moisture and cannot be reliably cleaned and disinfected. They are treated as single-use and thrown away after each client. Nonporous metal and glass implements can be cleaned and then disinfected for reuse.

Question 49Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

Which practice best shows that a cosmetologist is following standard precautions?

  1. Disinfecting implements once at the end of the working day
  2. Wearing gloves only when a client's skin looks irritated
  3. Asking every client to sign a health disclosure form at the desk
  4. Treating all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious Correct answer.

Explanation

Standard precautions require the cosmetologist to assume that every client's blood and body fluids may carry pathogens, regardless of appearance or disclosure. Gloves, handwashing, and proper reprocessing of implements are applied consistently to all clients. This approach protects both the client and the worker when a condition is unknown.

Question 50Infection Control, Sanitation, and Salon Safety

A comb is washed with soap and water, dried, and placed in a drawer for the next client. Why does this fail to meet infection-control requirements?

  1. Washing leaves a soap film that attracts bacteria
  2. Washing removes debris but does not kill pathogens Correct answer.
  3. Drying an implement in a drawer causes it to rust
  4. Washing prevents later disinfectants from soaking in

Explanation

Cleaning removes visible soil and lowers the number of microorganisms, but it does not destroy pathogens. A reusable nonporous implement must be cleaned, rinsed, dried, and then completely immersed in an EPA-registered disinfectant for the full labeled contact time. Storing a merely cleaned implement allows pathogens to pass to the next client.