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Free Practice Questions for PA Esthetician

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Sample PA Esthetician Practice Questions

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1How many training hours are required to become a licensed esthetician in Pennsylvania?
A.300 hours
B.450 hours
C.500 hours
D.600 hours
Explanation: Pennsylvania requires completion of at least 300 hours of instruction in skin care/esthetics in a licensed school of cosmetology (PA.gov Esthetician Licensure Snapshot; Pearson VUE PA Candidate Handbook).
2Which board or agency oversees esthetician licensing in Pennsylvania?
A.Pennsylvania Board of Health
B.Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
C.Pennsylvania Department of Education
D.Pennsylvania Board of Skin Care
Explanation: The Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology oversees esthetician licensing in Pennsylvania.
3What is the minimum passing score for the Pennsylvania esthetician examination?
A.65%
B.70%
C.75%
D.80%
Explanation: A passing score of 75% or higher is required on the esthetician examination in Pennsylvania.
4What examination format is required for esthetician licensure in Pennsylvania?
A.Written theory exam only with no procedural content
B.Separate NIC written and hands-on practical exams
C.Combined computer-based theory and procedural skills exam via Pearson VUE
D.Oral examination only
Explanation: Pennsylvania requires a single combined computer-based theory/procedural skills examination administered by Pearson VUE. Since November 2014, PA does not require a separate hands-on practical exam for esthetician licensure.
5What is the educational prerequisite for an esthetician license in Pennsylvania?
A.No education required
B.8th grade education
C.10th grade or equivalent
D.10th grade or equivalent (unless over 35 or a veteran)
Explanation: Pennsylvania requires 10th grade or equivalent (unless over 35 or a veteran) to apply for an esthetician license.
6Who administers the esthetician exams in Pennsylvania?
A.Pearson VUE
B.PSI Services
C.Prometric
D.Castle Worldwide
Explanation: The Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology uses Pearson VUE to administer the esthetician theory/procedural skills examination.
7How often must esthetician licenses be renewed in Pennsylvania?
A.Annually
B.Every two years
C.Every three years
D.Every four years
Explanation: In Pennsylvania, esthetician licenses must be renewed biennially.
8Does Pennsylvania require continuing education for esthetician license renewal?
A.Yes, 8 hours per cycle
B.Yes, 16 hours per cycle
C.No CE required
D.Yes, 24 hours per cycle
Explanation: Pennsylvania CE requirement: No CE required.
9What is a unique aspect of esthetician licensing in Pennsylvania?
A.No unique requirements exist
B.300-hour training requirement plus a 10th-grade education exception for applicants over 35 or veterans
C.License is valid for life without renewal
D.No examination is required
Explanation: Pennsylvania requires 300 hours of esthetics instruction and allows a 10th-grade education exception for applicants over age 35 or veterans (PA.gov Esthetician Licensure Snapshot).
10Which services are within the scope of practice for a licensed esthetician in Pennsylvania?
A.Botox injections and dermal fillers
B.Facials, skin care, waxing, and makeup application
C.Hair cutting and styling
D.Nail services and pedicures
Explanation: Licensed estheticians in Pennsylvania may perform facials, skin care treatments, hair removal (waxing), makeup application, and other non-invasive skin care services.

About the PA Esthetician Exam

The Pennsylvania Esthetician Theory/Procedural Skills examination has a general esthetics portion and a Pennsylvania state law portion, covering safety and infection control, skin science and analysis, facials, hair removal, makeup, and electrotherapy.

Exam sponsor: Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology (exam delivered by Pearson VUE). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

100 questions

Time Limit

105 minutes

Passing Score

Scaled score of 75

Exam / Certification Fees

$93

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.

30-40%

Rules, Regulations, and Safety

Draping, prevention of salon accidents, labeling and chemical storage, SDS, thermal and electrical appliances, first aid and OSHA, sanitation and disinfection, predisposition/patch tests, ethics, communication, and record keeping

15-20%

Esthetic Science and Skin Analysis

Skin structure and anatomy, the purpose of skin analysis, conditions that benefit from services, conditions that preclude services, and skin disorders and diseases

20-25%

Facials

Lotions and creams, exfoliants, masks and packs, tools and equipment, facial procedures, microdermabrasion, desincrustation, aromatherapy, and massage anatomy

16-20%

Hair Removal

Tweezing, waxing, and the tools, implements, materials, and equipment used for temporary hair removal

10-15%

Makeup

Purpose of makeup, types of cosmetics, brushes and implements, color theory, application and removal procedures, corrective makeup, and artificial eyelashes

5-10%

Electricity and Electrotherapy

Galvanic current, high frequency current, and light therapy

Preparing for the PA Esthetician Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Scaled score of 75
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 105 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: $93 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 431 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 esthetician exam different from cosmetology?

The Pennsylvania esthetician exam is 100 items in 1 hour 45 minutes and covers skin care, facials, hair removal, makeup, and electrotherapy. The cosmetologist exam is 135 items in 2 hours 15 minutes and adds trichology, haircutting, haircolor, permanent waving, chemical relaxing, and nails.

What score do I need to pass?

A scaled score of 75 on the 0-100 reporting scale. Pearson VUE reports a numeric score only to candidates who fail, and the scaled score is not a percentage of items answered correctly.

Do I need separate licenses for esthetics and cosmetology?

The esthetician license is a limited license, and 49 Pa. Code § 7.14a limits its holder to esthetician services only. A cosmetology license covers hair, nails, and skin care, so a licensed cosmetologist may perform esthetics without a separate esthetician license.