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CANDIDATE INFORMATION BULLETIN (CIB)

EXAMINATION CONTENT AND IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS

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The National Esthetics Combined Practice Theory Examination is a licensure examination for Esthetics Combined Practice, developed by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC).

This bulletin contains IMPORTANT INFORMATION regarding National Esthetics Combined Practice Theory Examination content and references.

The time allowed for this examination is 180 minutes.

PLEASE REVIEW ALL INFORMATION CAREFULLY.

For each NIC National Theory Examination, there are multiple parts to every Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB):

  • Important Instructions and Examination Content Domain Sections – This provides information and guidelines related to administration of the Theory examination and information about the scope of content covered in the examination.
  • References – This provides a list of references used to develop and support the content covered in NIC examinations. References will be the same for Theory, Practical, Written Practical, and Additional Sections for each exam.

BE CERTAIN TO REVIEW ALL PARTS OF THIS NIC EXAMINATION CIB CAREFULLY!

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS

General

  • Do not leave the examination area without permission. Permission must be obtained to leave the examination area for any reason, including restroom usage or at the completion of the examination. Picture ID is required for re-entry into the examination.
  • All examinations are administered in a testing environment.

Standardized Administration

Due to standardization of the NIC National Examinations, proctors and examiners are required to adhere to the following standards:

  • With the exception of verbal instructions, proctors and examination administration personnel are NOT allowed to speak with candidates.
  • If a candidate experiences an emergency situation, they may notify the proctor by raising their hand.

Prohibited Items

  • The following provides examples of materials and actions that are prohibited in the examination room during the examination administration:
    • Possession of cellular phones, watches (of any kind), pagers, tablets, computers, projectors, cameras, or any other electronic or recording devices, printed materials, or handwritten notes.
    • Purses, bags, coats, hats, and any other personal items not directly needed to complete the examination, are not allowed.
  • Communicating to other candidates or any examiner.
  • Exhibiting disruptive behavior. The above referenced items or actions are not an exhaustive list.

Failure to comply with any of these conditions or exhibiting ANY behavior that suggests an effort to cheat will result in immediate dismissal from the examination and the candidates’ actions reported to the proper authorities.

ESTHETICS COMBINED PRACTICE THEORY EXAMINATION
CONTENT OUTLINE

Domain Details

The following outlines the scope of content covered by the NIC National Esthetics Combined Practice Theory Examination. The percentages represent the percentage of items from each domain. The examination contains 140 items, of which 130 items are weighted and contribute to the candidate’s final score.

  1. Scientific Concepts (55%)
    1. Apply Knowledge of Infection Control Procedures
      1. Identify how disease and infection are caused (e.g., viral, bacterial, parasitical, fungal)
      2. Identify how disease and infection are transmitted (e.g., direct/indirect contact, communicable, cross-contamination)
      3. Recognize purpose and/or effect of infection control principles
        1. Determine levels of infection control (i.e., cleansing/sanitation, disinfection, sterilization)
        2. Determine methods of infection control (e.g., chemical, heat)
        3. Demonstrate blood exposure and contact incidence and response
    2. Apply and demonstrate knowledge of safety practices in:
      1. Procedure environment
      2. Products, ingredients, and equipment
      3. Protocols
      4. Recognizing issues outside of scope of practice (e.g., diagnosing, prescribing, medical authorization)
    3. Demonostrate a basic understanding of human physiology and anatomy related to:
      1. Cells and their functions
      2. Tissues (i.e., epithelial, connective, nerve, muscular)
      3. Organs and their function (e.g., skin, lungs, heart)
      4. Systems and their functions (e.g., muscular, integumentary, nervous, endocrine, skeletal)
    4. Demonstrate a basic understanding of human physiology and anatomy related to:
      1. Cells and their functions
      2. Tissues (i.e., epithelial, connective, nerve, muscular)
      3. Organs and their function (e.g., skin, lungs, heart)
      4. Systems and their functions (e.g., muscular, integumentary, nervous, endocrine, skeletal)
    5. Demonstrate an understanding of histology and physiology of the skin related to:
      1. Structure and function of the layers of the skin
      2. Structure and function of the glands
      3. Functions of the skin (e.g., protection, temperature regulation, absorption)
    6. Recognize and understand skin disorders and diseases related to:
      1. Disorders of the sebaceous gland (e.g., acne, milia, seborrhea)
      2. Disorders of the sudoriferous gland (e.g., hyperhidrosis, bromhydrosis, anhidrosis)
      3. Contagious diseases (e.g., bacterial conjunctivitis, herpes simplex, tinea)
      4. Skin inflammations (e.g., dermatitis, eczema, rosacea)
      5. Skin pigmentation (i.e., hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation)
      6. Skin growths (e.g., skin tags, moles, keratoma)
      7. Skin cancers (i.e., basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma)
      8. Primary and secondary skin lesions
    7. Recognize intrinsic and extrinsic factors and their effects on the skin (e.g., hormonal, environmental)
    8. Understanding function and composition of the hair related to:
      1. Structure of the hair and its follicle
      2. Growth cycles
      3. Abnormal hair growth (e.g., hirsutism, hypertrichosis)
    9. Apply knowledge of products and ingredients
      1. Recognize purpose and effects
      2. Interpret labeling
    10. Knowledge of principles of electricity
    11. Apply knowledge of practicing in a medical setting
      1. Recognize purpose and effect of medical procedures (e.g., injectables, light modalities, surgery)
      2. Define relevant medical terminology
  2. SKIN CARE AND SERVICES (45%)
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of performing a client consultation and documentation (e.g., health history, intake form, consultation chart, physician release)
      1. Conduct skin analysis (e.g., Fitzpatrick skin types/conditions/characteristics)
      2. Identify contraindications for skin services
      3. Develop treatment protocol
      4. Collect and maintain client documentation
    2. Apply knowledge of cleansing procedures
    3. Apply knowledge of steaming procedures
    4. Apply knowledge of massage manipulations and moisturizing
    5. Apply knowledge of exfoliation procedures
    6. Apply knowledge of extraction procedures
      1. Determine method of extraction
      2. Competent use of implements used for extractions (e.g., comedone extractor, lancet)
    7. Apply knowledge of lymphatic drainage
      1. Recognize purpose and effect of methods and contraindications
      2. Determine method of lymphatic drainage (e.g., manual, machine-aided)
      3. Demonstrate competent lymphatic drainage
    8. Apply knowledge of use of devices and machines and contraindications (e.g., laser, IPL, radio frequency)
      1. Recognize purpose and effect of methods
      2. Determine considerations for body region
      3. Determine product selection
      4. Competent product application and removal
    9. Apply knowledge of hair removal procedures
      1. Recognize purpose and effect of methods (e.g., waxing, sugaring, electrolysis)
      2. Determine considerations for body region (e.g., ears, Brazilian, underarm)
      3. Determine product selection
      4. Competent product application and removal
    10. Apply knowledge of body treatments (e.g., body wraps, body scrubs, cellulite types and treatments, hydrotherapy)
      1. Recognize purpose and effect of methods
      2. Determine product selection
      3. Demonstrate product application and removal
    11. Apply knowledge of LED procedure
      1. Recognize purpose and effect of methods (e.g., red and blue)
      2. Determine color selection
      3. Demonstrate product application and removal
      4. Demonstrate competent use of machine
    12. Apply knowledge of microcurrent procedure
      1. Recognize purpose and effect of modalities
      2. Determine settings
      3. Demonstrate product application and removal
      4. Demonstrate competent use of machine and applicators
    13. Apply knowledge of galvanic and high frequency treatments
      1. Recognize purpose and effect of modalities
      2. Determine settings
      3. Demonstrate product application and removal
      4. Demonstrate competent use of machine and applicators 
    14. Apply knowledge and recognize purpose and effect of other procedures (e.g., dermaplaning, microneedling, ultrasound, algae wraps, ayurveda, etc)
    15. Apply knowledge of makeup application

NATIONAL ESTHETICS COMBINED PRACTICE THEORY EXAMINATION
SAMPLE QUESTIONS

The following sample questions are similar to those on the NIC National Esthetics Combined Practice Theory Examination. Each question is followed by four answer options. Only one option is correct. Correct answers (keys) are listed along with the sample questions.

  1. Melanocytes, Merkel cells, and Langerhans cells are found in

    A. adipose tissue.

    B. liquid tissue.

    C. epithelial tissue.

    D. endothelial tissue.

  2. A gland associated with a hair follicle is

    A. sebaceous.

    B. endocrine.

    C. eccrine.

    D. adrenal.

  3. During the anagen phase of hair growth, the hair is

    A. beginning to destroy itself.

    B. actively growing.

    C. shedding.

    D. disconnecting from the papilla.

  4. Prior to receiving a chemical peel, a client predisposed to herpes simplex should begin a prescribed treatment of

    A. Renova

    B. an antibiotic

    C. Retin A

    D. an antiviral.

  5. A product used to dilute an essential oil is known as

    A. a carrier.

    B. a surfactant.

    C. an ointment.

    D. a humectant.

  6. Systemic hyaluronic acid is a strong water-binder that helps retain fluid content in the

    A. corpuscles.

    B. dermis.

    C. stratum corneum.

    D. lymph.

  7. Melanocytes that are more active will produce

    A. lighter skin.

    B. darker skin.

    C. sebaceous skin.

    D. dry skin.

  8. Acrochordons are also referred to as

    A. actinic keratosis.

    B. skin tags.

    C. milaria rubra.

    D. age spots.

  9. A product containing antiseptic reaches what level of decontamination?

    A. Disinfection

    B. Sterilization

    C. Ionization

    D. Sanitation

  10. A face lift is also referred to as a

    A. rhinoplasty.

    B. blepharoplasty.

    C. rhytidectomy.

    D. submandibular lipectomy.

  11. The first step of every body treatment protocol is

    A. deep breathing.

    B. gentle stroking.

    C. dry brushing.

    D. sanitize hands.

  12. Which of the following is also referred to as the basal layer?

    A. Stratum granulosum

    B. Stratum lucidem

    C. Stratum germinativum

    D. Stratum corneum

  13. A new client schedules for a series of chemical exfoliation treatments. When should the consultation form be reviewed and signed?

    A. Monthly

    B. Annually

    C. At the first treatment

    D. At each treatment

  14. Dilated capillaries that can be seen beneath the surface of the skin are known as

    A. seborrhea.

    B. keratoma.

    C. telangectasia.

    D. dehydrated.

  15. In addition to softening sebum, another function of a facial steamer is to

    A. oxygenate the skin.

    B. moisturize the skin.

    C. decrease circulation.

    D. detoxify the skin.

Answer Key
Item Key
1 C
2 A
3 B
4 D
5 A
6 B
7 B
8 B
9 D
10 C
11 D
12 C
13 D
14 C
15 A

NATIONAL-INTERSTATE COUNCIL OF STATE BOARDS OF COSMETOLOGY (NIC) REFERENCES

This list provides the references used to develop and support the content covered in the NIC National Esthetics Combined Practice examinations. References will be the same across exam types for each exam. Candidates are responsible for using these most updated versions of references, as these editions were used to reference test material.

Reference Date: March 01, 2026

Standard

Skin Care: Beyond the Basics

Copyrighted 2012

4th Edition

9781435487451

Milady www.Milady.com

;


  Milady Standard Advanced Esthetics

Copyrighted 2026

3rd Edition

9780357873069

Milady www.Milady.com

;


 

Supplemental

Milady Standard Advanced Esthetics

Copyrighted 2013

2nd Edition

9781111139094

Milady www.Milady.com

;


  Milady Standard Esthetics Fundamentals + Foundations

Copyrighted 2020

12th Edition

9780357263792

Milady www.Milady.com

Contact: ;


  The Epidermal Cell Therapy Skillsbook

Copyrighted 2015

Author: L. Saphonia Gee, L.M.E., CIDESCO Diplomat


 

Copyright 2025 National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, Inc.