10.3 PSI Examination Logistics, Structure & Test-Taking Strategies

The three Minnesota cosmetologist exams

Minnesota cosmetologist applicants must pass three written exams delivered by PSI Services for the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology. You may schedule all three as one combination exam or schedule each one separately. If you take the combination exam and pass only some parts, you retake only the exams you failed, paying the exam fee each time.

PSI's online portal lists a retake fee equal to the exam fee and an optional cancellation-protection purchase. The exams are also offered in Spanish and Vietnamese; you choose the language when scheduling and cannot change it on test day.

Content weights

The state exam is weighted General Information 15%, Licensing 25%, Practice Requirements 45% and Enforcement 15% (Chapters 1 and 2 of this guide).

Reference books

All exams are closed book. PSI lists Milady Standard Cosmetology (14th edition, 2022) and Pivot Point Fundamentals: Cosmetology (2nd edition, 2023) as the references for the general theory and written practical exams. The state exam is written from Minnesota Statutes chapter 155A and Minnesota Rules chapter 2105.

Before you test

• Eligibility. Minnesota schools certify that a cosmetology student is ready to take the written exams after 1,350 hours (Minn. R. 2110). Minnesota has no separate state-run hands-on exam; your school documents your clinical work.
• Scheduling. Schedule online at PSI's Minnesota cosmetology page (test-takers.psiexams.com/mncos), available 24 hours a day, or by phone at (855) 834-8746. You may test at a PSI center or by remote online proctoring. If you split delivery, schedule the test-center exam first and the remote exam second.
• Minnesota test sites listed in the bulletin include Brainerd (Central Lakes College), Saint Paul, Duluth, Mankato, Rochester and Woodbury, plus Fargo, North Dakota; any PSI site nationwide may be used.
• Canceling. Cancel or reschedule at least two days before the exam (for a Monday exam, by the previous Saturday) through the website or a live agent. Voice mail does not count.
• Forfeiting the fee. You lose the fee if you cancel late, do not show up, arrive after the start time, or lack proper identification.
• Accommodations. Request ADA accommodations with the PSI form; interpreters must be requested at least 30 days before the preferred test date.

Test day

Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Late arrivals are not admitted. A fingerprint is taken at check-in.

Identification. Register with your legal first and last name, and bring two valid, unexpired, signature-bearing IDs whose names match your registration:

Student IDs and employment IDs are not acceptable. A paper driver's license renewal with the old ID attached is accepted. If you cannot meet the ID rules, call PSI at least three weeks ahead.

Security. Personal items go in secure storage: phones, smart watches and other electronics, bulky outerwear, hats (unless religious), bags, notes, pens, food and drinks. Proctors may ask you to empty pockets and will inspect glasses and accessories. Anyone caught with prohibited items or giving or receiving help is dismissed and reported to the board. You may leave only for the restroom, with permission, and the clock keeps running.

On the computer. A tutorial of up to 15 minutes does not count against your time, and sample questions follow it. One question appears at a time with a running clock, and you can return to any question and change your answer until time expires. You may enter comments about questions; the comment process is the only review of the general theory exam. Each exam includes a few unscored experimental questions (10 on general theory, 5 each on the state and written practical exams) that look like scored items, so treat every question seriously.

Scores and licensing

• Results appear on screen immediately, with a printed score report at the site. A failing report includes a diagnostic breakdown of strengths and weaknesses. Online-test reports are emailed within 48 hours.
• Duplicate score reports are available from PSI (scorereport@psionline.com).
• Apply to the board within one year of passing. If parts were passed on different dates, the year starts from the earliest passing date. Minn. R. 2105.0145 requires original passing results no more than one year old.
• The application includes the course completion certificate with notarized school signatures and the $195 initial license fee (Section 1.2).

Strategy by exam

1. Read the stem twice. Underline words such as NOT, EXCEPT, FIRST, BEST and MOST. "First" questions on the written practical usually test safety steps: consult, check the scalp or skin, drape, test, then proceed.
2. Predict, then compare. Decide the answer before reading options, then eliminate options that conflict with a rule or with safety.
3. Watch Minnesota-specific traps. Alcohol is not a disinfectant in Minnesota; plastic bags only hold sterilized items; credo blades may not even be present; an expired-three-years operator retakes law and written practical, not general theory.
4. Answer everything. An unanswered item cannot earn credit. Make your best choice, note it mentally, and use the remaining time to revisit hard items.
5. Study the outline, not just the book. The outline lists every topic; the chapters in this guide follow it.