Texas Cosmetology Written Exam
Practice 2025–2026 – Verified Questions
and Correct Answers – Complete
Cosmetology Licensing
Based on TDLR licensing standards. Each question includes 4 answer options
with the correct answer and detailed rationale explaining why it is right.
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL & SANITATION (Questions 1-15)
Question 1
What is the first step in infection control that involves removing visible dirt and
debris with soap and water?
A. Disinfection
B. Sterilization
C. Cleaning
D. Decontamination
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• Option A is incorrect – Disinfection destroys most, but not all, harmful
microorganisms on surfaces; it follows cleaning.
, • Option B is incorrect – Sterilization is the complete elimination of all
microbial life, the highest level of infection control, but not the first step.
• Option C is CORRECT – Cleaning is the first step, removing visible dirt
and debris with soap and water or detergent and water before disinfection
can occur .
• Option D is incorrect – Decontamination refers to removal of blood or
potentially infectious materials from surfaces, which requires cleaning first .
Question 2
One-celled microorganisms that have both plant and animal characteristics and can
be harmful or harmless are called:
A. Viruses
B. Bacteria
C. Fungi
D. Parasites
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• Option A is incorrect – Viruses are smaller than bacteria and require living
hosts to reproduce; they are not classified as one-celled organisms.
• Option B is CORRECT – Bacteria are one-celled microorganisms with
both plant and animal characteristics; some are harmful (pathogenic) and
some are harmless (nonpathogenic) .
• Option C is incorrect – Fungi are multi-cellular or single-celled organisms
like mold and yeast, requiring different treatment.
• Option D is incorrect – Parasites live on or in other organisms; they are not
one-celled microorganisms like bacteria .
,Question 3
Which of the following is the average pH range of healthy human skin?
A. 3.0 to 4.0
B. 4.5 to 5.5
C. 6.0 to 7.0
D. 7.5 to 8.5
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• Option A is incorrect – A pH of 3.0-4.0 is too acidic and would cause skin
irritation.
• Option B is CORRECT – The average pH range of healthy human skin is
4.5 to 5.5, which is slightly acidic and helps protect against harmful
bacteria .
• Option C is incorrect – A pH of 6.0-7.0 is approaching neutral, less
protective than the natural acid mantle.
• Option D is incorrect – A pH of 7.5-8.5 is alkaline and can strip the skin's
protective barrier.
Question 4
What is the pH of pure distilled water?
A. 5.5
B. 6.5
, C. 7.0
D. 8.0
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• Option A is incorrect – 5.5 is the pH of healthy skin, not pure water.
• Option B is incorrect – 6.5 is slightly acidic, not pure water's neutral pH.
• Option C is CORRECT – Pure distilled water has a neutral pH of 7.0 .
• Option D is incorrect – 8.0 is alkaline, indicating mineral content.
Question 5
Which governmental agency mandates the use of a Patch Test (P.D. Test) prior to
using aniline derivative tints?
A. EPA
B. OSHA
C. FDA
D. TDLR
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• Option A is incorrect – The EPA regulates disinfectants and environmental
safety, not patch test requirements for hair color .
• Option B is incorrect – OSHA regulates workplace safety and bloodborne
pathogens, not product-specific testing.
Practice 2025–2026 – Verified Questions
and Correct Answers – Complete
Cosmetology Licensing
Based on TDLR licensing standards. Each question includes 4 answer options
with the correct answer and detailed rationale explaining why it is right.
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL & SANITATION (Questions 1-15)
Question 1
What is the first step in infection control that involves removing visible dirt and
debris with soap and water?
A. Disinfection
B. Sterilization
C. Cleaning
D. Decontamination
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• Option A is incorrect – Disinfection destroys most, but not all, harmful
microorganisms on surfaces; it follows cleaning.
, • Option B is incorrect – Sterilization is the complete elimination of all
microbial life, the highest level of infection control, but not the first step.
• Option C is CORRECT – Cleaning is the first step, removing visible dirt
and debris with soap and water or detergent and water before disinfection
can occur .
• Option D is incorrect – Decontamination refers to removal of blood or
potentially infectious materials from surfaces, which requires cleaning first .
Question 2
One-celled microorganisms that have both plant and animal characteristics and can
be harmful or harmless are called:
A. Viruses
B. Bacteria
C. Fungi
D. Parasites
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• Option A is incorrect – Viruses are smaller than bacteria and require living
hosts to reproduce; they are not classified as one-celled organisms.
• Option B is CORRECT – Bacteria are one-celled microorganisms with
both plant and animal characteristics; some are harmful (pathogenic) and
some are harmless (nonpathogenic) .
• Option C is incorrect – Fungi are multi-cellular or single-celled organisms
like mold and yeast, requiring different treatment.
• Option D is incorrect – Parasites live on or in other organisms; they are not
one-celled microorganisms like bacteria .
,Question 3
Which of the following is the average pH range of healthy human skin?
A. 3.0 to 4.0
B. 4.5 to 5.5
C. 6.0 to 7.0
D. 7.5 to 8.5
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• Option A is incorrect – A pH of 3.0-4.0 is too acidic and would cause skin
irritation.
• Option B is CORRECT – The average pH range of healthy human skin is
4.5 to 5.5, which is slightly acidic and helps protect against harmful
bacteria .
• Option C is incorrect – A pH of 6.0-7.0 is approaching neutral, less
protective than the natural acid mantle.
• Option D is incorrect – A pH of 7.5-8.5 is alkaline and can strip the skin's
protective barrier.
Question 4
What is the pH of pure distilled water?
A. 5.5
B. 6.5
, C. 7.0
D. 8.0
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• Option A is incorrect – 5.5 is the pH of healthy skin, not pure water.
• Option B is incorrect – 6.5 is slightly acidic, not pure water's neutral pH.
• Option C is CORRECT – Pure distilled water has a neutral pH of 7.0 .
• Option D is incorrect – 8.0 is alkaline, indicating mineral content.
Question 5
Which governmental agency mandates the use of a Patch Test (P.D. Test) prior to
using aniline derivative tints?
A. EPA
B. OSHA
C. FDA
D. TDLR
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• Option A is incorrect – The EPA regulates disinfectants and environmental
safety, not patch test requirements for hair color .
• Option B is incorrect – OSHA regulates workplace safety and bloodborne
pathogens, not product-specific testing.
