Free Esthetician practice test
Free Esthetician Practice Test: Safety & Infection Control (2026)
20 questions on Safety & Infection Control, drawn from the written (theory) state board syllabus. Answer them all, then check your score. No account and no card.
Questions 1 to 20
Choose an answer before you open the explanation. Guessing first is what makes the explanation stick.
Safety & Infection Control Question 1 of 20
The main ingredient (continuous phase) of a water-in-oil emulsion is:
Check answer
Correct answerB. Oil
Why this is correct: In a water-in-oil emulsion, water droplets are dispersed in oil, so oil is the continuous (main) phase.
Safety & Infection Control Question 2 of 20
Between clients, reusable facial sponges used during cleansing must be:
Check answer
Correct answerB. Cleaned and disinfected, or single-use and discarded
Why this is correct: Sponges must not be shared between clients. Reusable ones must be cleaned and disinfected; otherwise use single-use sponges and discard them. Soaking shared sponges in water does not disinfect them.
Safety & Infection Control Question 3 of 20
Immunity that is inherited (present at birth) is referred to as:
Check answer
Correct answerB. Natural
Why this is correct: Natural (inherited) immunity is the body's built-in defense present from birth, not from vaccination or prior illness.
Safety & Infection Control Question 4 of 20
When standing to work, the weight of the body should be carried on the:
Check answer
Correct answerD. Balls of the feet
Why this is correct: Carrying weight on the balls of the feet supports good posture and reduces back and leg fatigue during long service hours.
Safety & Infection Control Question 5 of 20
Among the choices given, the simplest form of matter (a substance that cannot be broken down by ordinary chemical means) is a/an:
Check answer
Correct answerA. Element
Why this is correct: An element is the simplest form of matter that cannot be broken down by ordinary chemical means. (The smallest particle of an element is the atom.)
Safety & Infection Control Question 6 of 20
To pick up an object from the floor safely, you should mainly use the muscles of the:
Check answer
Correct answerC. Thighs
Why this is correct: Bend the knees and use the thigh muscles (not the back) to protect the spine and prevent injury.
Safety & Infection Control Question 7 of 20
Eye pads (round ~2½ x 2½ in. or butterfly ~2 x 6 in.) are used during treatment to cover the:
Check answer
Correct answerC. Entire eye area
Why this is correct: Eye pads protect the entire eye area from light, products, steam, or equipment during treatment.
Safety & Infection Control Question 8 of 20
Non-pathogenic bacteria are helpful or harmless. Pathogenic bacteria are:
Check answer
Correct answerB. Harmful (disease-causing)
Why this is correct: Pathogenic bacteria are harmful because they can cause disease; non-pathogenic bacteria do not. (Bacilli and cocci are shapes, not a harm classification.)
Safety & Infection Control Question 9 of 20
A preparation made by dissolving a solid, liquid or gaseous substance in another substance is called a:
Check answer
Correct answerB. Solution
Why this is correct: A solution is a uniform mixture of a solute dissolved in a solvent.
Safety & Infection Control Question 10 of 20
When removing cream products from a jar, the esthetician should use:
Check answer
Correct answerB. A clean spatula
Why this is correct: Use a clean spatula so fingers never enter the jar — this prevents contaminating the product.
Safety & Infection Control Question 11 of 20
For freedom of movement and to reduce fatigue during service, it is important to:
Check answer
Correct answerD. Maintain correct posture
Why this is correct: Correct posture reduces back, neck and shoulder strain and prevents fatigue during long service hours.
Safety & Infection Control Question 12 of 20
For a wet sanitizer (disinfection container) to be effective, it must contain:
Check answer
Correct answerC. An EPA-registered disinfectant
Why this is correct: A wet sanitizer must hold a proper disinfectant solution used at the correct dilution and contact time — not just water or a deodorizer.
Safety & Infection Control Question 13 of 20
A chemical agent with the power to destroy bacteria is a/an:
Check answer
Correct answerD. Germicide
Why this is correct: A germicide is an agent that destroys germs/microbes ('germ' + '-cide' = to kill).
Safety & Infection Control Question 14 of 20
Eye pads come in two shapes: round (about 2½ x 2½ in.) and a longer shape (about 2 x 6 in.) called:
Check answer
Correct answerA. Butterfly
Why this is correct: The longer 2 x 6 in. eye pad is the butterfly shape, designed to cover a wider eye area.
Safety & Infection Control Question 15 of 20
No person shall massage a surface of skin or scalp on a client that is:
Check answer
Correct answerB. Infected
Why this is correct: Massaging infected skin can spread bacteria and worsen the condition, so it is contraindicated.
Safety & Infection Control Question 16 of 20
The purpose of the SDS (Safety Data Sheet, formerly MSDS) is to:
Check answer
Correct answerB. Identify chemicals and their hazards
Why this is correct: The SDS identifies a product's chemicals, hazards, safe handling, storage and first aid.
Safety & Infection Control Question 17 of 20
Instruments that come into direct contact with a client require all of the following EXCEPT:
Check answer
Correct answerD. Just wiping with an antiseptic
Why this is correct: Antiseptics are for living skin, not tools. Implements must be cleaned and properly disinfected — wiping with antiseptic is not enough.
Safety & Infection Control Question 18 of 20
All chemicals in the salon should be:
Check answer
Correct answerA. Properly labeled
Why this is correct: Proper labeling lets everyone identify the product, its hazards and safe use.
Safety & Infection Control Question 19 of 20
Excess liquid remaining in a bowl after a client's treatment must be:
Check answer
Correct answerC. Discarded immediately
Why this is correct: Leftover product used during a service is discarded immediately; never return it to the original container.
Safety & Infection Control Question 20 of 20
Using bare fingers to remove product from a container and apply it to a client is:
Check answer
Correct answerA. Prohibited
Why this is correct: Fingers in a jar contaminate the product; always use a clean spatula.
Practice content notice: These are original study questions, not recalled or official exam items. Exam providers, timing, passing scores, and state-law coverage can change; verify current requirements with your licensing board.