Free Cosmetology practice test
Cosmetology Safety & Infection Control Practice Test
20 free questions on safety and infection control. Practise at your pace, then review your answers. No account and no card.
Understand cleaning, disinfection and the label
Cleaning removes dirt and organic matter. Disinfection uses a product to kill or inactivate the microorganisms covered by its label on permitted surfaces. A tool that looks clean has not necessarily been disinfected. EPA explains the difference.
For an item that may be reused and disinfected, check its care instructions and the disinfectant's permitted use sites and surface types. Remove visible soil first. Follow the product's directions for dilution, application and the full wet contact time. One product's instructions do not establish another's. EPA's safe-use steps.
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) helps you find chemical hazards, safe handling, protective measures and emergency information. Read it alongside the product label. The checks below focus on these rules; the 20-question set also covers other salon safety concepts.
Try three quick self-checks (optional)
Choose an answer before opening the explanation. These checks are separate from the 20-question score.
1. What comes before disinfection?
A reusable, hard, nonporous tool has visible residue. Its care instructions permit disinfection, and the disinfectant label covers this use. Which sequence follows the rule?
- Remove the soil, then follow the disinfectant's application and wet contact-time directions.
- Spray over the residue and wipe dry immediately.
- Use extra concentrate to replace cleaning.
- Put the tool away once it looks dry.
Check answer and choice reasons
Correct answer: A. Cleaning and labeled disinfection are separate parts of this sequence.
- A: Removes visible soil before the permitted disinfection step.
- B: Leaves residue and cuts short the required wet contact.
- C: Changes the labeled dilution without replacing soil removal.
- D: Dry appearance does not establish disinfection.
2. Has the wet contact time been met?
A surface treated with disinfectant is supposed to remain visibly wet for the label's full contact time, but it dries early. What is the best conclusion?
- The smell confirms that the product has worked.
- The required wet contact has not been met; follow the label's application directions to meet it.
- Count the dry time as part of the wet contact time.
- Use a different product's shorter contact time.
Check answer and choice reasons
Correct answer: B. Contact time depends on the product and labeled use.
- A: Odor is not evidence that the labeled contact time was completed.
- B: Recognizes the missed requirement. Label-directed reapplication may be needed.
- C: Dry time does not satisfy a requirement for continuous visible wetness.
- D: Another product's directions cannot replace this label.
3. Where do you find spill and first-aid information?
You are reviewing a hazardous product's SDS before using it. Which pair of sections identifies accidental-release and first-aid information?
- Sections 9 and 10 only.
- A sales brochure and the retail price.
- Section 6 for accidental releases and Section 4 for first aid.
- Section 7 for both topics.
Check answer and choice reasons
Correct answer: C. SDS headings help you locate the relevant product-specific information.
- A: These sections cover physical/chemical properties and stability/reactivity.
- B: Sales information does not replace the SDS.
- C: Matches the accidental-release and first-aid headings.
- D: Section 7 covers handling and storage. Section 8 covers exposure controls and personal protection.
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
How should reusable nonporous shears or combs that can be disinfected be handled before reuse?
Check answer
Correct answerB. Cleaned, then disinfected with an EPA-registered disinfectant for the required contact time
Why this is correct: Cleaning, then disinfection, is correct: remove soil and clean the tool, then use a disinfectant suitable for the tool and purpose, following its labeled dilution, application and full wet contact time. Follow applicable board rules and the tool manufacturer's instructions. Wiping with a dry paper towel is wrong because a dry paper towel alone does not complete cleaning and disinfection. Spraying fragrance is wrong because fragrance is not a labeled disinfection procedure. Putting a used tool straight into a drawer is wrong because putting a used tool in a drawer does not decontaminate it. The question applies only to tools that may be reused and disinfected.
Safety & Infection Control Question 2 of 20
A reusable hard, nonporous implement has contacted human blood. Its manufacturer and applicable rules permit reuse after disinfection. Which approach is appropriate before reuse?
Check answer
Correct answerB. Clean it, then use an appropriate EPA-registered disinfectant according to its directions for blood-contaminated objects
Why this is correct: Cleaning, then using an appropriate disinfectant for blood-contaminated objects, is correct: follow required protective precautions, clean away blood and soil, then use a product suitable for the implement and contamination according to its labeled dilution, application and full wet contact time. OSHA accepts appropriate alternatives to tuberculocidal products, including EPA products labeled effective against both HIV and HBV, subject to its contamination and higher-level-disinfection conditions. State rules may impose additional requirements. Rinsing it with water and returning it to service is wrong because rinsing alone does not complete the required cleaning and disinfection. Using hand sanitizer instead of an implement disinfectant is wrong because hand sanitizer does not replace a product labeled for this implement use. Letting it dry and placing it with clean implements is wrong because drying and storage do not decontaminate the implement. The stem permits reuse only when the manufacturer and applicable rules allow disinfection.
Safety & Infection Control Question 3 of 20
What does a product's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) tell you?
Check answer
Correct answerB. The product's ingredients, safe handling, first aid, and spill procedures
Why this is correct: The SDS (formerly MSDS) from the manufacturer lists ingredients, hazards, safe handling/storage, and first aid — salons must keep it accessible to staff.
Safety & Infection Control Question 4 of 20
To help prevent chemically burning the skin during a permanent wave, the cosmetologist should:
Check answer
Correct answerA. Use a protective barrier (cotton/cream) and replace cotton once it becomes saturated
Why this is correct: A protective barrier keeps chemicals off the skin; saturated cotton must be replaced immediately or it can cause a chemical burn.
Safety & Infection Control Question 5 of 20
When picking up an object from the floor, you should bend the knees and lift using the muscles of the:
Check answer
Correct answerA. The legs/thighs (not the back)
Why this is correct: Proper body mechanics: bend the knees, keep the back straight, and lift with the leg muscles to avoid back injury.
Safety & Infection Control Question 6 of 20
A bacterium (microbe) is made up of how many cells?
Check answer
Correct answerA. One cell
Why this is correct: Bacteria are one-celled (single-cell) microorganisms — foundational infection-control knowledge.
Safety & Infection Control Question 7 of 20
An organism that lives on or takes nourishment from another living host is called a:
Check answer
Correct answerA. A parasite
Why this is correct: A parasite lives off a host; some disease-causing microbes are parasitic — a basis of infection control.
Safety & Infection Control Question 8 of 20
The device that changes alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC) is a:
Check answer
Correct answerA. A rectifier
Why this is correct: A rectifier converts AC to DC — basic electrical-safety knowledge for appliances.
Safety & Infection Control Question 9 of 20
Saturated steam sterilizes objects using:
Check answer
Correct answerA. Moist heat
Why this is correct: An autoclave uses saturated steam (moist heat) to sterilize; in salons, most tools need proper EPA disinfection per state law.
Safety & Infection Control Question 10 of 20
When bacteria are in the spore stage, they are:
Check answer
Correct answerA. Inactive/dormant and highly resistant
Why this is correct: Spores are a dormant, hard-shelled, highly resistant form, which is why some pathogens are hard to kill.
Safety & Infection Control Question 11 of 20
How do you know the correct dilution and contact time for a salon disinfectant?
Check answer
Correct answerA. Follow the EPA-registered product's label directions
Why this is correct: Dilution and contact time vary by product — always follow the EPA-registered disinfectant's label; there is no single universal number.
Safety & Infection Control Question 12 of 20
When using a UV or light device on a client, the cosmetologist should:
Check answer
Correct answerA. Follow the manufacturer's distance/time and protect the eyes
Why this is correct: UV/light devices can burn skin and harm eyes — always follow the maker's distance/time and shield the eyes.
Safety & Infection Control Question 13 of 20
If a client complains of stinging in a small area during a relaxer, you should:
Check answer
Correct answerA. Immediately rinse the relaxer from that area and follow the manufacturer/safety procedure
Why this is correct: Stinging signals chemical irritation/burn; rinse the product from that area immediately rather than continuing.
Safety & Infection Control Question 14 of 20
To disinfect salon tools and surfaces between clients, you should:
Check answer
Correct answerA. Use an EPA-registered disinfectant according to its label
Why this is correct: Modern standard: use an EPA-registered disinfectant per its label (dilution + contact time); old alcohol 'equivalences' are misleading.
Safety & Infection Control Question 15 of 20
Why should jewelry be removed when using electrical devices on a client?
Check answer
Correct answerA. Metal conducts electricity well and can cause a shock
Why this is correct: Metal jewelry is a conductor and increases shock risk — remove it before using electrical devices.
Safety & Infection Control Question 16 of 20
Vigorously brushing the hair right before a permanent wave can cause:
Check answer
Correct answerA. Scalp irritation/abrasion (risk of chemical burn)
Why this is correct: Vigorous brushing abrades/irritates the scalp; an irritated scalp reacts badly to perm chemicals — avoid it before chemical services.
Safety & Infection Control Question 17 of 20
Cosmetics and salon products must be stored in:
Check answer
Correct answerA. Covered, labeled containers (as required)
Why this is correct: Products belong in covered, labeled containers to prevent contamination/mix-ups/evaporation — a sanitation rule (varies by state).
Safety & Infection Control Question 18 of 20
If cold wave (perm) lotion accidentally drips onto the skin of the face or neck, you should:
Check answer
Correct answerA. Wash it off immediately with cool water
Why this is correct: Chemical on skin should be rinsed off immediately with cool water per the SDS; applying more chemicals to the skin is wrong.
Safety & Infection Control Question 19 of 20
When you pause cutting to section a client's hair, what is the safest way to hold the shears?
Check answer
Correct answerA. Palmed with the blades closed and directed away from the client's head
Why this is correct: Close the blades and rest the shears securely in your palm while sectioning. Keep the points away from the client's head. Open blades or points directed toward a person can cause an injury.
Safety & Infection Control Question 20 of 20
Bacteria are classified by SHAPE: the spiral/corkscrew type (such as syphilis bacteria) are called:
Check answer
Correct answerC. Spirilla (spiral)
Why this is correct: By shape: cocci (round), bacilli (rod), spirilla (spiral). Shape alone does not make a bacterium harmful — that depends on whether the species is pathogenic.
Common mistakes to review
- Confusing clean with disinfected: Removing dirt and completing labeled disinfection are different steps.
- Wiping dry too soon: A quick spray-and-wipe may miss the required wet contact time.
- Borrowing another bottle's instructions: Check this product's permitted use, dilution and contact time.
- Using the wrong reference: The disinfectant label gives use directions; the SDS provides chemical safety information.
For each missed answer, name the rule you overlooked and explain why each other choice fails. Then try a different question about the same concept.
Continue with mixed practice
Apply these rules alongside other topics in the free 20-question Cosmetology Mixed Review set.
Use the official board and current product instructions for your service and licensing requirements. These original study checks help you reason through the concepts.
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.