CALIFORNIA COSMETOLOGY LICENSE
EXAM 2026/2027 | COMPLETE STUDY
GUIDE | VERIFIED PRACTICE QUESTIONS
& DETAILED RATIONALES | STATE BOARD
PREP|100% CORRECT | GRADED A+
Which of the following cannot be used to reform the hair after the relaxer is
removed - ANSWER Conditioner
Stretching of the hair during the application of the relaxing cream will cause it to -
ANSWER Break
The average pH range of a sodium Hydroxide relaxer is -
ANSWER Somewhere higher than a Thio Relaxer
When doing a retouch relaxer service, it is a good idea to - ANSWER Leave
conditioner on previously relaxed hair during the service
Chemical relaxers and permanent wave solutions have what effect on the hair -
ANSWER Alkaline, so they swell and soften
The average pH range of an ammonium Thioglycolate relaxer is -
ANSWER 8.5-11.5
,The average/approximate pH range of a sodium hydroxide relaxer is -
ANSWER 11.5-14
When doing a thio-based relaxer, why does the stylist use the wider side of the
comb - ANSWER Avoid overstretching the hair
Hair has been relaxed with a Hot Iron, then a chemical relaxer is applied. What is
likely - ANSWER Hair will break
Straightening the hair with the use of a hot comb, pressing iron, etc., is known as -
ANSWER Thermal straightening
Students test the heat of thermal tools on a piece of white tissue paper. This is to -
ANSWER Avoid usage of excessively hot tools
Using extremely high heat on white, grey, lightened, or tinted hair may cause the
hair to - ANSWER Both A and B (Discolor/Scorch)
Usually, pressing comb handles are wooden, while the combs themselves are made
of - ANSWER Copper & Brass
When the hair is pressed on both sides, this is referred to as a - ANSWER Hard
press
A Hard Press is most suited for which type of hair - ANSWER Coarse hair
, Fine hair, especially that around the face/hair line, requires less heat & pressure
and a - ANSWER Soft press
A hair press can be expected to last about - ANSWER 2 weeks
After a thermal press & curl, how long should you wait to style the hair -
ANSWER Until it has cooled
The best method to clean a curling / pressing iron is with - ANSWER Fine steel
wool
Which part of the hair is most easily broken during a thermal straightening service
- ANSWER Front or hairline
Which of the following is the MINIMUM recommendation for a foot spa to be
properly disinfected? - ANSWER between each client
Which is the lowest level of decontamination? - ANSWER sanitizing a surface
Which of the following is characteristic of a wax burn with some redness and
irritation, but no blisters? - ANSWER first degree burn
Which of the following is the FIRST step in responding to a blood exposure
incident? - ANSWER stop the service
, Which is the highest level of decontamination used for implements in salons? -
ANSWER sterilization
Which of the following is the FIRST step in properly cleaning a footpath tub? -
ANSWER Drain the water from a footpath and remove any visible debris
How often should capes and linens be laundered? - ANSWER After each use
Which is the BEST recommendation for applying acrylic fingernail products? -
ANSWER work at a ventilated work table
Which is the FIRST step if you get blood or other potentially infectious materials
in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken skin? - ANSWER immediately flood
the exposed area with water
For which purpose would the use of hospital-grade disinfectants be appropriate? -
ANSWER to clean blood and bodily fluids off surfaces
Which is a place used for storing disinfected tools and implements in the salon? -
ANSWER covered container
In a thermal press & curl, the stylist should begin the press - ANSWER Both A
and B (At the nape / Close to the scalp)
When pressing grey hair, use - ANSWER Light pressure and lowest heat
possible
EXAM 2026/2027 | COMPLETE STUDY
GUIDE | VERIFIED PRACTICE QUESTIONS
& DETAILED RATIONALES | STATE BOARD
PREP|100% CORRECT | GRADED A+
Which of the following cannot be used to reform the hair after the relaxer is
removed - ANSWER Conditioner
Stretching of the hair during the application of the relaxing cream will cause it to -
ANSWER Break
The average pH range of a sodium Hydroxide relaxer is -
ANSWER Somewhere higher than a Thio Relaxer
When doing a retouch relaxer service, it is a good idea to - ANSWER Leave
conditioner on previously relaxed hair during the service
Chemical relaxers and permanent wave solutions have what effect on the hair -
ANSWER Alkaline, so they swell and soften
The average pH range of an ammonium Thioglycolate relaxer is -
ANSWER 8.5-11.5
,The average/approximate pH range of a sodium hydroxide relaxer is -
ANSWER 11.5-14
When doing a thio-based relaxer, why does the stylist use the wider side of the
comb - ANSWER Avoid overstretching the hair
Hair has been relaxed with a Hot Iron, then a chemical relaxer is applied. What is
likely - ANSWER Hair will break
Straightening the hair with the use of a hot comb, pressing iron, etc., is known as -
ANSWER Thermal straightening
Students test the heat of thermal tools on a piece of white tissue paper. This is to -
ANSWER Avoid usage of excessively hot tools
Using extremely high heat on white, grey, lightened, or tinted hair may cause the
hair to - ANSWER Both A and B (Discolor/Scorch)
Usually, pressing comb handles are wooden, while the combs themselves are made
of - ANSWER Copper & Brass
When the hair is pressed on both sides, this is referred to as a - ANSWER Hard
press
A Hard Press is most suited for which type of hair - ANSWER Coarse hair
, Fine hair, especially that around the face/hair line, requires less heat & pressure
and a - ANSWER Soft press
A hair press can be expected to last about - ANSWER 2 weeks
After a thermal press & curl, how long should you wait to style the hair -
ANSWER Until it has cooled
The best method to clean a curling / pressing iron is with - ANSWER Fine steel
wool
Which part of the hair is most easily broken during a thermal straightening service
- ANSWER Front or hairline
Which of the following is the MINIMUM recommendation for a foot spa to be
properly disinfected? - ANSWER between each client
Which is the lowest level of decontamination? - ANSWER sanitizing a surface
Which of the following is characteristic of a wax burn with some redness and
irritation, but no blisters? - ANSWER first degree burn
Which of the following is the FIRST step in responding to a blood exposure
incident? - ANSWER stop the service
, Which is the highest level of decontamination used for implements in salons? -
ANSWER sterilization
Which of the following is the FIRST step in properly cleaning a footpath tub? -
ANSWER Drain the water from a footpath and remove any visible debris
How often should capes and linens be laundered? - ANSWER After each use
Which is the BEST recommendation for applying acrylic fingernail products? -
ANSWER work at a ventilated work table
Which is the FIRST step if you get blood or other potentially infectious materials
in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken skin? - ANSWER immediately flood
the exposed area with water
For which purpose would the use of hospital-grade disinfectants be appropriate? -
ANSWER to clean blood and bodily fluids off surfaces
Which is a place used for storing disinfected tools and implements in the salon? -
ANSWER covered container
In a thermal press & curl, the stylist should begin the press - ANSWER Both A
and B (At the nape / Close to the scalp)
When pressing grey hair, use - ANSWER Light pressure and lowest heat
possible
