NC Cosmetology study guide
NC Cosmetology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
North Carolina cosmetology licensure is administered by the NC Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners, which publishes exam, initial licensing, laws, rules, sanitation, and scope-of-practice information on its website. This independent study page helps candidates organize preparation; it is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Board. The NC Cosmetology study guide has 5 sections and about 1,543 words.
01Infection Control, Safety, and Consumer Protection
Most missed questions in this domain come from mixing up cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization. Cleaning removes visible soil with soap and water and must happen before any disinfectant touches an implement.
337 words, about 2 min02Hair Care and Hairdressing Services
Hair questions are usually structure questions in disguise. Know the three layers - cuticle (protective scales), cortex (strength, elasticity, pigment), medulla (absent in fine hair) - and the properties analyzed in consultation: texture, density, porosity, elasticity, and growth pattern.
316 words, about 2 min03Skin Care and Esthetics
Esthetics questions reward knowing skin anatomy and what each layer does. The epidermis is the protective outer layer, with the stratum corneum as the barrier; the dermis holds collagen, elastin, nerves, and glands; subcutaneous tissue cushions.
269 words, about 1 min04Nail Care and Manicuring
The nail plate sits on the nail bed and is produced by the matrix; the lunula is the visible part of the matrix, the cuticle and eponychium seal the base, the hyponychium seals under the free edge, and the sidewalls frame the nail. If you can picture where growth happens, you can answer most questions about cuticle care, thinning, and ridges.
310 words, about 2 min05Salon Business, Laws, and Rules
Law questions test whether you know who may do what and which agency regulates which piece. State boards license practitioners and salons, set sanitation and scope-of-practice rules, and conduct inspections.
311 words, about 2 min