Best Cosmetology State Board Exam Study Books (2026): Top 3 Picks Reviewed

Why the Right Study Book Matters for Your Cosmetology Exam

You've spent hundreds of hours in cosmetology school learning how to cut, color, and style. Now there's one final hurdle between you and your license: the cosmetology state board exam. It can feel like a big deal — and it is — but with the right preparation, you've absolutely got this.

The state board exam has two parts:

1. Written (Theory) Exam — Typically 100+ multiple-choice questions covering everything you learned in school
2. Practical (Hands-On) Exam — Live demonstration of skills on a mannequin or model

Both parts must be passed to earn your cosmetology license, and the specifics vary by state. Some states use NIC (National-Interstate Council) standardized exams, while others create their own. Either way, the core content is the same.

Here's what the written exam covers:

Sanitation & Safety questions make up a large portion of most state board exams and are the most commonly missed section. Any study book you choose should have thorough coverage here.

How We Evaluated These Books

We reviewed each cosmetology exam study book based on five criteria:

1. Alignment with school curriculum — Does it match what cosmetology schools actually teach?
2. Question quality — Are the practice questions realistic and exam-formatted?
3. Topic coverage — Does it cover all six major content areas thoroughly?
4. Clarity of explanations — Can you understand why an answer is correct or incorrect?
5. Value for money — Is it worth the investment given free alternatives exist?

One thing to know upfront: Milady is the dominant publisher in cosmetology education. The vast majority of cosmetology schools in the United States use Milady textbooks, which means Milady exam prep materials are the most closely aligned with what you learned in class. That doesn't mean other publishers aren't valuable — it just means Milady has a built-in advantage.

Our Top 3 Cosmetology Exam Study Books for 2026

1. Exam Prep for Milady Standard Cosmetology (14th Edition) — Best Overall

If you used the Milady Standard Cosmetology textbook in school (and there's a very good chance you did), this is the companion exam prep book you want. It's organized chapter by chapter to match the textbook, so you can review specific topics without flipping through hundreds of pages looking for the right section.

The format is straightforward: multiple-choice questions with an answer key, mirroring exactly what you'll see on the state board written exam. The 14th Edition is the latest, covering all current exam topics.

What makes it stand out: This book is used by cosmetology schools themselves as a study tool. Your instructors likely have copies. The questions are written to match the Milady curriculum, which means they test concepts the same way your state board will if your school used Milady materials.

Pros:

• Directly aligned with the Milady textbook used in most schools
• Chapter-by-chapter format for targeted review
• Multiple-choice questions mirror actual exam format
• 14th Edition covers all current content
• Trusted by cosmetology instructors nationwide

Cons:

• Works best if your school used Milady textbooks
• Answer explanations are brief — you may need your textbook for deeper review
• Doesn't include practical exam preparation

2. Cosmetology Exam Practice Questions by Mometrix — Best Practice Questions

If you've already reviewed the theory and just need to test yourself, Mometrix's practice question book is an excellent choice. It's laser-focused on practice questions with detailed answer explanations — no textbook-style content review, just questions and answers.

Every major topic is covered: sanitation, hair care, skin care, nail care, chemical services, and salon business. The answer explanations don't just tell you the correct answer — they explain why it's correct and why the other options are wrong. This is exactly the kind of active recall practice that cements knowledge before test day.

What makes it stand out: The detailed answer explanations set this apart from basic question banks. Understanding why you got something wrong is far more valuable than simply seeing the correct answer. Mometrix is a well-established test prep publisher across many professional licensing exams.

Pros:

• 100% focused on practice questions — no filler content
• Detailed explanations for every answer (correct and incorrect)
• Covers all state board exam topics
• Great supplement to your school textbook
• Works regardless of which textbook your school used

Cons:

• No content review sections — assumes you already learned the material
• Fewer total questions than some online question banks
• Not organized by chapter to match a specific textbook

3. Exam Review for Milady Standard Cosmetology (13th Edition) — Budget Pick

Here's a smart money-saving tip: the 13th Edition of the Milady Exam Review covers all the same fundamental cosmetology concepts as the 14th Edition — at a significantly lower price. The core science of hair, skin, nails, sanitation, and chemistry hasn't changed dramatically between editions.

You'll still get chapter-by-chapter review questions in the standard multiple-choice format, aligned with the Milady curriculum. The main differences between editions are organizational updates, new photographs, and minor content additions — not fundamental changes to the material being tested on state board exams.

What makes it stand out: This is the same trusted Milady exam prep that schools have used for years, just one edition behind. For students on a budget (and let's be honest, cosmetology school isn't cheap), this is a practical way to get quality exam prep without paying full price.

Pros:

• Same trusted Milady exam prep format
• Significantly cheaper than the 14th Edition
• Core cosmetology content is still accurate and relevant
• Chapter-by-chapter organization
• Great option if budget is a concern

Cons:

• One edition behind — may not reflect minor curriculum updates
• Some chapter numbering may not match the 14th Edition textbook
• Fewer copies in circulation means harder to find used

Your Cosmetology Exam Study Strategy

Studying for the cosmetology state board is different from studying for a purely written exam. You need to prepare for both the written and practical portions — and the best approach is to study them together, not separately.

The Combined Study Method

Here's a study strategy that works for both parts of the exam:

1. Morning: Theory Review — Read a chapter or topic section in your study book, then answer the practice questions. When you get something wrong, look it up in your textbook or ask the AI tutor to explain it.

2. Afternoon: Hands-On Practice — Practice the skills related to what you studied that morning. If you reviewed chemical services in the book, practice a color application on your mannequin head. This dual approach reinforces concepts from both angles.

3. OpenExamPrep's free cosmetology practice questionsFree exam prep with practice questions & AI tutor

Study Timeline

Tips for the Written Exam

• Focus on sanitation first. It's the most heavily tested topic and the one where students lose the most points. Know the difference between sterilization, disinfection, and sanitation.
• Don't overthink it. The questions are straightforward multiple-choice. If you paid attention in school, you already know most of the material.
• Watch for state-specific questions. Some exams include questions about your state's specific laws and regulations. Check your state board's website for study materials on state law.
• Practice under timed conditions. Take at least 2-3 full practice exams with a timer to build your test-taking stamina.

Tips for the Practical Exam

• Practice on your mannequin head until the procedures feel automatic. You should be able to complete each skill without thinking about the steps.
• Talk through your process. Many states require you to verbalize what you're doing during the practical exam. Practice narrating your steps out loud.
• Time yourself. The practical exam is timed, and running out of time is one of the most common reasons students fail.
• Master the setup. A proper sanitation setup and professional draping procedure are often graded and set the tone for the entire practical exam.

Do You Even Need a Book?

Here's something worth considering: you probably already have the most important study resource — your Milady textbook from school. If you paid attention during your cosmetology program and still have your textbook, you may not need to buy anything additional.

A dedicated exam prep book adds value if you:

• Want questions in exam format — Your textbook teaches concepts, but exam prep books test them in the multiple-choice format you'll see on test day
• Need structured review — If it's been a few months since you covered certain topics in school, a chapter-by-chapter review guide helps you work through the material systematically
• Learn better by testing yourself — Active recall (answering questions) is more effective than passive re-reading for most people

If you're on a tight budget — and cosmetology school already costs a lot — you can absolutely prepare using:

• Your school textbook for content review
• OpenExamPrep's free cosmetology exam resources for practice questions and study guides
• The AI tutor for explanations when you get stuck (10 free questions per day)
• Study groups with your classmates for the practical portion

Many students pass the state board using just their school materials and free online resources. A study book is helpful, not mandatory.

Final Verdict

OpenExamPrep's free cosmetology resourcesFree exam prep with practice questions & AI tutor

If you want extra practice questions with detailed explanations, add the Mometrix practice question book as a supplement. And if budget is a real concern, the 13th Edition Milady Exam Review gives you the same core content at a lower price.

Remember: the state board exam tests what you already learned in cosmetology school. You've put in the hours. You know the material. A good study book simply helps you organize that knowledge and identify any gaps before test day. You've got this.