ND Cosmetology study guide
ND Cosmetology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The North Dakota Cosmetology licensing examination is the credentialing process for individuals who want to practice cosmetology in North Dakota. It is designed for students completing a state-approved cosmetology program and for licensed professionals transferring from another jurisdiction. The ND Cosmetology study guide has 7 sections and about 2,357 words.
01Scientific Concepts and Infection Control
Microbiology as it is actually applied behind the chair: how pathogens travel from client to client, which level of decontamination each item needs, and the safety habits a state inspector checks first. Bacteria come as cocci (round), bacilli (rod), and spirilla (spiral); some form spores that survive ordinary disinfectants.
391 words, about 2 min02Hair Care and Haircutting
Learn the landmarks: parietal ridge, apex, four corners, occipital bone, and nape. Horizontal lines build weight, vertical lines remove weight, and diagonal lines blend.
342 words, about 2 min03Hair Coloring and Chemical Texturing
Primaries are red, yellow, and blue; secondaries are orange, green, and violet; complementary pairs (red/green, blue/orange, yellow/violet) neutralize each other. Levels run 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde) and describe depth, not tone.
334 words, about 2 min04Skin Care and Facial Services
Classify skin type - normal, dry, oily, combination, or sensitive - and record it on the client card. Fitzpatrick phototypes I to VI predict how skin responds to light and to exfoliation; types V and VI carry a much higher risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
290 words, about 1 min05Nail Care and Manicuring/Pedicuring
The matrix forms the plate, the nail bed supports it, and the lunula is the visible edge of the matrix. The eponychium (cuticle) seals the base, the hyponychium seals under the free edge, and the lateral folds frame the sides.
347 words, about 2 min06Salon Business
A sole proprietorship is the simplest structure and puts personal assets at risk; partnerships, corporations, and LLCs shift liability and taxation. Compensation models differ sharply: salary or hourly pays a fixed wage; commission pays a percentage of service and sometimes retail revenue; booth rental makes the stylist an independent contractor who sets prices, keeps all revenue, and pays self-employment tax plus their own insurance and supplies.
324 words, about 2 min07Law and Professional Practices
OSHA protects workplace safety and requires bloodborne-pathogen training plus SDS access. The EPA registers disinfectants.
329 words, about 2 min