Challenge Your Exam Readiness With Our Free Cosmetology Practice Questions

Cosmetology is broadly defined by state laws as the professional practice of beautifying, caring for, and enhancing hair, skin, and nails. This scope encompasses hair cutting, coloring, styling, chemical services, skin care treatments, nail technology, and often makeup artistry. Unlike dermatology, which is a medical specialty requiring a physician license, cosmetology is non-medical and limited to procedures within state-approved scopes. Cosmetology training includes both theory (science, sanitation, regulations) and practical application (hands-on services). Licensure requires completion of an accredited program, passing state board exams, and ongoing compliance with safety standards. Some states subdivide licenses into specialties (e.g., esthetics, nail technology), but cosmetology generally refers to the full spectrum of beauty services. Defining cosmetology properly reinforces professional identity and helps clients and practitioners understand the boundary between cosmetology and medical aesthetics, ensuring safe referrals when conditions fall outside the scope of practice.