WASHINGTON STATE ESTHETICIAN
WRITTEN ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 |
RCW 18.16 & WAC 308-20 |
Comprehensive Practice Test | Verified
Q&A | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
DOMAIN 1: WASHINGTON STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS
(35 Questions)
Q1: According to WAC 308-20-150, how often must an autoclave used in an esthetician
facility be tested for proper sterilization?
A. Daily
B. Weekly [CORRECT]
C. Monthly
D. Quarterly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WAC 308-20-150(4)(b) requires that autoclaves be tested for proper sterilization at
least weekly using biological indicators (spore tests). Results must be documented and
maintained. Daily testing (A) is not required. Monthly (C) or quarterly (D) testing does not
meet Washington State requirements.
Washington State Note: This is a frequently tested regulation—remember weekly spore
testing for autoclaves.
Q2: Under Washington State law (RCW 18.16), what is the minimum number of training hours
required for esthetician licensure?
A. 300 hours
,B. 450 hours
C. 600 hours [CORRECT]
D. 750 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: RCW 18.16.070 requires a minimum of 600 hours of training in an approved
esthetician program for licensure. This includes theoretical and practical instruction in skin
care, hair removal, makeup, sanitation, and Washington laws/rules. Option A (300) is for nail
technicians. Option B (450) is not a Washington requirement. Option D (750) exceeds the
minimum requirement.
Q3: Under RCW 18.16.050, which of the following services is NOT within the scope of practice
for a Washington State licensed esthetician?
A. Facial treatments and skin conditioning
B. Temporary eyelash extensions
C. Permanent tattooing of eyebrows [CORRECT]
D. Hair removal by waxing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: RCW 18.16.050 defines esthetics as noninvasive services to enhance the
appearance of the skin, including facials, hair removal, and makeup. Permanent tattooing
(micropigmentation) is a separate licensure category under RCW 18.16.100 and requires a
tattoo license, not an esthetician license. Options A, B, and D are all within the esthetician
scope of practice.
Q4: According to WAC 308-20-050, how often must an esthetician license be renewed in
Washington State?
A. Every 6 months
B. Annually [CORRECT]
C. Every 2 years
D. Every 3 years
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WAC 308-20-050 requires annual renewal of esthetician licenses. The renewal fee
must be paid by the expiration date on the license. Failure to renew results in late fees and
potential lapse of licensure. Options C and D represent renewal cycles from other states, not
Washington.
Q5: Under WAC 308-20-110, what is the minimum age requirement to obtain an esthetician
license in Washington State?
A. 16 years old
B. 17 years old [CORRECT]
C. 18 years old
D. 21 years old
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WAC 308-20-110(1) requires applicants to be at least 17 years of age to apply for
an esthetician license. While 18 is common in many states, Washington allows licensure at
17. Option A (16) is below the legal requirement. Option D (21) is not required for esthetics.
Q6: According to RCW 18.16.200, which of the following constitutes unprofessional conduct
for an esthetician?
A. Refusing service to a client with a contagious skin condition
B. Failing to maintain client confidentiality [CORRECT]
C. Referring a client to a dermatologist for a suspicious lesion
D. Using EPA-registered disinfectants
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RCW 18.16.200(1)(a) specifically identifies violating client confidentiality as
unprofessional conduct. Estheticians must maintain client privacy regarding services
rendered and personal information. Option A is proper professional judgment. Option C
demonstrates appropriate scope of practice awareness. Option D is a legal requirement, not
misconduct.
, Q7: Under WAC 308-20-150, how long must disinfectant solutions be in contact with
implements to be considered properly disinfected?
A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 10 minutes [CORRECT]
D. 30 minutes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WAC 308-20-150(3) requires that implements be immersed in EPA-registered,
hospital-grade disinfectant for the contact time specified by the manufacturer, which is
typically 10 minutes. This ensures proper disinfection of non-critical items. Contact times
less than manufacturer specifications are inadequate.
Q8: According to WAC 308-20-150, when must an esthetician wash their hands?
A. Only at the beginning of the workday
B. Before and after each client service [CORRECT]
C. Only when visibly soiled
D. Every hour regardless of service
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WAC 308-20-150(1) requires hand washing before and after each client service,
after using the restroom, before eating, and whenever hands become contaminated. This is a
critical infection control measure. Option A is insufficient. Option C misses the mandatory
timing requirements. Option D is not specific to client contact.
Q9: Under RCW 18.16.160, what is the penalty for practicing esthetics without a valid license
in Washington State?
A. A warning letter only
B. Misdemeanor criminal charge [CORRECT]
C. Civil fine of $100
WRITTEN ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 |
RCW 18.16 & WAC 308-20 |
Comprehensive Practice Test | Verified
Q&A | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
DOMAIN 1: WASHINGTON STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS
(35 Questions)
Q1: According to WAC 308-20-150, how often must an autoclave used in an esthetician
facility be tested for proper sterilization?
A. Daily
B. Weekly [CORRECT]
C. Monthly
D. Quarterly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WAC 308-20-150(4)(b) requires that autoclaves be tested for proper sterilization at
least weekly using biological indicators (spore tests). Results must be documented and
maintained. Daily testing (A) is not required. Monthly (C) or quarterly (D) testing does not
meet Washington State requirements.
Washington State Note: This is a frequently tested regulation—remember weekly spore
testing for autoclaves.
Q2: Under Washington State law (RCW 18.16), what is the minimum number of training hours
required for esthetician licensure?
A. 300 hours
,B. 450 hours
C. 600 hours [CORRECT]
D. 750 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: RCW 18.16.070 requires a minimum of 600 hours of training in an approved
esthetician program for licensure. This includes theoretical and practical instruction in skin
care, hair removal, makeup, sanitation, and Washington laws/rules. Option A (300) is for nail
technicians. Option B (450) is not a Washington requirement. Option D (750) exceeds the
minimum requirement.
Q3: Under RCW 18.16.050, which of the following services is NOT within the scope of practice
for a Washington State licensed esthetician?
A. Facial treatments and skin conditioning
B. Temporary eyelash extensions
C. Permanent tattooing of eyebrows [CORRECT]
D. Hair removal by waxing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: RCW 18.16.050 defines esthetics as noninvasive services to enhance the
appearance of the skin, including facials, hair removal, and makeup. Permanent tattooing
(micropigmentation) is a separate licensure category under RCW 18.16.100 and requires a
tattoo license, not an esthetician license. Options A, B, and D are all within the esthetician
scope of practice.
Q4: According to WAC 308-20-050, how often must an esthetician license be renewed in
Washington State?
A. Every 6 months
B. Annually [CORRECT]
C. Every 2 years
D. Every 3 years
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WAC 308-20-050 requires annual renewal of esthetician licenses. The renewal fee
must be paid by the expiration date on the license. Failure to renew results in late fees and
potential lapse of licensure. Options C and D represent renewal cycles from other states, not
Washington.
Q5: Under WAC 308-20-110, what is the minimum age requirement to obtain an esthetician
license in Washington State?
A. 16 years old
B. 17 years old [CORRECT]
C. 18 years old
D. 21 years old
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WAC 308-20-110(1) requires applicants to be at least 17 years of age to apply for
an esthetician license. While 18 is common in many states, Washington allows licensure at
17. Option A (16) is below the legal requirement. Option D (21) is not required for esthetics.
Q6: According to RCW 18.16.200, which of the following constitutes unprofessional conduct
for an esthetician?
A. Refusing service to a client with a contagious skin condition
B. Failing to maintain client confidentiality [CORRECT]
C. Referring a client to a dermatologist for a suspicious lesion
D. Using EPA-registered disinfectants
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: RCW 18.16.200(1)(a) specifically identifies violating client confidentiality as
unprofessional conduct. Estheticians must maintain client privacy regarding services
rendered and personal information. Option A is proper professional judgment. Option C
demonstrates appropriate scope of practice awareness. Option D is a legal requirement, not
misconduct.
, Q7: Under WAC 308-20-150, how long must disinfectant solutions be in contact with
implements to be considered properly disinfected?
A. 30 seconds
B. 1 minute
C. 10 minutes [CORRECT]
D. 30 minutes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: WAC 308-20-150(3) requires that implements be immersed in EPA-registered,
hospital-grade disinfectant for the contact time specified by the manufacturer, which is
typically 10 minutes. This ensures proper disinfection of non-critical items. Contact times
less than manufacturer specifications are inadequate.
Q8: According to WAC 308-20-150, when must an esthetician wash their hands?
A. Only at the beginning of the workday
B. Before and after each client service [CORRECT]
C. Only when visibly soiled
D. Every hour regardless of service
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: WAC 308-20-150(1) requires hand washing before and after each client service,
after using the restroom, before eating, and whenever hands become contaminated. This is a
critical infection control measure. Option A is insufficient. Option C misses the mandatory
timing requirements. Option D is not specific to client contact.
Q9: Under RCW 18.16.160, what is the penalty for practicing esthetics without a valid license
in Washington State?
A. A warning letter only
B. Misdemeanor criminal charge [CORRECT]
C. Civil fine of $100
