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Sample CA Esthetician Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CA Esthetician exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 354+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1How many training hours does California require for an esthetician license?
A.300 hours
B.600 hours
C.1,000 hours
D.1,600 hours
Explanation: California requires 600 hours of combined theoretical and practical instruction from a Board-approved esthetician or cosmetology school.
2Which board regulates esthetician licensing in California?
A.California Department of Health
B.California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
C.California Medical Board
D.California Board of Education
Explanation: The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC) regulates esthetician licensing, school approval, and professional standards for all beauty professionals in the state.
3What type of examination does California require for esthetician licensure following recent changes from Senate Bill 803?
A.Both written and practical
B.Written examination only
C.Practical examination only
D.No examination required
Explanation: Following changes from Senate Bill 803, California requires only a written examination for esthetician licensure. The practical examination component was eliminated, streamlining the licensing process.
4Does California require continuing education for esthetician license renewal?
A.Yes, 10 hours per cycle
B.Yes, 16 hours per cycle
C.Yes, 24 hours per cycle
D.No, CE is not required
Explanation: California does not require continuing education credits for esthetician license renewal. Licensees renew by paying the renewal fee and submitting the renewal application.
5What is the contact phone number for the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology?
A.(800) 555-1234
B.(800) 952-5210
C.(916) 555-0000
D.(888) 200-5000
Explanation: The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology can be reached at (800) 952-5210 for licensing information and regulatory questions.
6What is the official website for the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology?
A.ca.gov/cosmetology
B.barbercosmo.ca.gov
C.beauty.california.gov
D.calesthetician.gov
Explanation: The official website for the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology is barbercosmo.ca.gov, where applicants can find licensing information, exam schedules, and regulatory updates.
7What impact did Senate Bill 803 have on California esthetician licensing?
A.Increased required training hours
B.Eliminated the practical examination requirement and modernized the licensing process
C.Required mandatory CE
D.Raised the minimum age to 21
Explanation: Senate Bill 803 modernized California's cosmetology licensing by eliminating the practical examination requirement for estheticians, streamlining the licensing process while maintaining educational standards through the 600-hour training requirement.
8In California, what is the distinction between a 'skin care' license and a 'cosmetology' license?
A.They are identical
B.Skin care focuses on facial and body treatments; cosmetology includes hair, nails, and skin care
C.Cosmetology is limited to skin only
D.There is no skin care license in California
Explanation: California's skin care (esthetician) license covers facial and body treatments, waxing, makeup, and other skin-focused services. A cosmetology license covers a broader scope including hair cutting/styling, nail services, AND skin care. Cosmetology requires 1,000 hours of training compared to 600 for skin care.
9What is California's position on estheticians performing laser treatments?
A.Estheticians can freely perform laser treatments
B.Laser treatments require medical oversight or a separate medical license
C.Only master estheticians can use lasers
D.Lasers are banned in California
Explanation: In California, laser treatments are considered medical procedures and require either a medical license or performance under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. Estheticians cannot independently perform laser treatments with only their esthetician license.
10What must a California esthetician display at their place of employment?
A.Nothing
B.Their current, valid license in a location visible to the public
C.A school diploma only
D.A business card only
Explanation: California requires all licensed estheticians to display their current, valid license at their place of employment in a location that is visible to the public. This allows clients and board inspectors to verify licensure status.

About the CA Esthetician Exam

The California Esthetician licensing exam is a written-only exam (no practical, per SB 803) covering sanitation and infection control, client consultation and skin analysis, skin care treatments, hair removal, eyelash/eyebrow services, and makeup application.

Exam sponsor: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

75 questions

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

75% (57/75)

Exam / Certification Fees

$115 (includes examination and initial license fee)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published by the Board. the BBC does not release official pass-rate data Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

40%

Safety & Infection Control

CA BBC sanitation and disinfection rules, EPA-registered disinfectants, bloodborne pathogen response, and single-use item requirements

19%

Client Consultation & Skin Analysis

Client intake and consultation, Fitzpatrick skin typing, skin anatomy, and treatment contraindications

17%

Skin Care

Facial treatment steps, facial machines, chemical peels and exfoliation, and product chemistry

15%

Hair Removal

Waxing fundamentals, hair growth cycle, contraindications, and aftercare

6%

Eyelash & Eyebrow

Lash lift, brow lamination, tinting, and dermaplaning services

3%

Makeup

Color theory, color correcting, sanitation, and product application order

Preparing for the CA Esthetician Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75% (57/75)
  • Exam length: 75 questions
  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: $115 (includes examination and initial license fee) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 354 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the California esthetician exam different from the cosmetology exam?

The California esthetician written exam covers only skin care, facials, hair removal, lash/brow, and makeup (75 scored questions, 90 minutes). The California cosmetologist exam covers a broader scope including hair, nails, and chemical services (100 scored questions, 120 minutes). Both are written-only since SB 803 eliminated the practical exam in 2022.

What score do I need to pass the California esthetician exam?

California requires a 75% passing score on the esthetician written exam, meaning you must answer at least 57 of the 75 scored questions correctly.

Do I need separate licenses for esthetics and cosmetology in California?

Yes. In California, esthetician is a separate 600-hour license from cosmetology (which requires 1,000 hours). Each license type has its own written exam administered by PSI for the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.