Cosmetology safety, chemistry and electricity practice questions
Safety and basic chemistry are part of the NIC’s Scientific Concepts domain, and California’s Safety and Infection Control domain includes SDS, federal regulations, ventilation and electrical safety. These questions test whether you can use products and equipment without hurting yourself or a client.
110 questions in 1 hour 30 minutes in the NIC format. 10 of the 110 questions come from safety, chemistry and electricity, and every answer is explained.
Or try the free safety, chemistry and electricity drillUnder OSHA's labeling system, which signal word is used for the more severe hazards?
What to know about safety, chemistry and electricity
- OSHA sets workplace safety standards. Its Hazard Communication Standard requires that hazardous products have labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and that employees are trained to read them.
- An SDS lists a product’s hazardous ingredients, safe handling and storage, protective equipment, first aid and fire-fighting measures. Keep one for every product you use and read it before you use the product.
- The pH scale runs from 0 to 14. 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic and above 7 is alkaline. Each whole step is a tenfold change. Hair and skin are slightly acidic.
- Alkaline products soften and swell the hair’s cuticle; acidic products contract and harden it. Mixing an acid and an alkali produces neutralization.
- Oxidation adds oxygen or removes hydrogen; reduction removes oxygen or adds hydrogen. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent.
- An emulsion is two liquids that do not mix, held together by an emulsifier. In an oil-in-water emulsion, oil droplets are dispersed in water; in a water-in-oil emulsion, water droplets are dispersed in oil. Surfactants have a water-loving head and an oil-loving tail.
- Electricity: a volt measures pressure, an ampere the strength of the current, an ohm resistance and a watt how much energy is used per second. Alternating current changes direction; direct current flows one way.
- Use UL-listed equipment, never use a damaged cord or an overloaded outlet, keep electrical tools away from water, and unplug tools by the plug, not the cord.
- Store chemicals closed, labeled and away from heat, and work with enough ventilation to keep vapors and dust out of the breathing zone.
NIC outline area I.A, I.C: 10 of the 110 questions in our NIC-format mock come from this topic. The notes state principles every state shares; state rules are in the Texas, California and Florida guides.
Drill safety, chemistry and electricity, then sit the full exam
110 questions in 1 hour 30 minutes in the NIC format. 10 of the 110 questions come from safety, chemistry and electricity, and every answer is explained.
Or try the free safety, chemistry and electricity drillCommon questions
What is an SDS in cosmetology?
A Safety Data Sheet: the manufacturer’s document on a product’s hazards, safe handling and storage, protective equipment, first aid and fire-fighting measures. OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard requires one for hazardous products.
What pH is neutral?
A pH of 7. Below 7 is acidic, above 7 is alkaline, and each whole number is ten times stronger than the next.
110 questions in 1 hour 30 minutes in the NIC format. 10 of the 110 questions come from safety, chemistry and electricity, and every answer is explained.
Or try the free safety, chemistry and electricity drillMore cosmetology exam topics
- Infection control · 16 of 110
- Anatomy and disorders · 12 of 110
- Hair care, cutting and styling · 30 of 110
- Hair color and chemical services · 20 of 110
- Skin care, hair removal and makeup · 11 of 110
- Nail care and enhancements · 11 of 110
- State laws and rules
Free safety, chemistry and electricity drill · NIC mock exam · Texas exam · California exam · Florida exam
Original independent practice. Not affiliated with or endorsed by NIC, PSI, Pearson VUE, TDLR, the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, the Florida Board of Cosmetology or any state board.