A cosmetologist licensed in a state with lower requirements has held that license in good standing for more than two years. How is a Kentucky license earned?KRS 317A.100(2)
A Kentucky applicant fails the theory test. How soon may that part be retaken?KRS 317A.120(5)
A Kentucky applicant is caught cheating on the examination. For how long is a retake barred at the least?201 KAR 12:030, Section 13(2)
A Kentucky license has been expired for more than five years. What must a cosmetologist do for a new license?KRS 317A.050(15)
A Kentucky student practices cosmetology beyond the school enrollment before the Board examination. What follows?201 KAR 12:030, Section 11
A person in Kentucky works in two practices that the chapter licenses separately. What does KRS 317A.020 require?KRS 317A.020(6)
After passing the Kentucky examination, how long does an applicant have to apply for the license before restoration fees apply?201 KAR 12:030, Section 12(1)
Before training as an instructor in Kentucky, how long must a person have held a current cosmetologist, esthetician or nail technician license?KRS 317A.050(7)(a)
For how long does a passing Kentucky examination score stay valid?201 KAR 12:030, Section 10(3)
Show all 99 questions (90 more)
Licenses and examinations, continued
How far ahead of graduation must a Kentucky cosmetology school student register with the Board for examination?201 KAR 12:030, Section 8(1)
How long is the Kentucky nail technician course of study?KRS 317A.050(5)(a)
How many hours of instruction does a Kentucky license to provide shampoo and style services take?KRS 317A.050(12)(a)
How many hours of instruction does Kentucky require for an esthetician license?KRS 317A.050(4)(a)
How many hours of instruction must a Kentucky cosmetology student complete before performing chemical services on the public?201 KAR 12:082, Section 3(2)
How many of a Kentucky cosmetology student's 1,500 hours must be on applicable Kentucky statutes and administrative regulations?201 KAR 12:082, Section 3(1)
How many school hours stand behind a Kentucky cosmetologist license?KRS 317A.050(3)(a)
How many times may a Kentucky cosmetologist applicant retake an examination under KRS 317A.120?KRS 317A.120(6)
How much school time must be given to teaching Kentucky law each week?201 KAR 12:082, Section 5(1)
How old must every applicant for a Kentucky Board of Cosmetology license be?KRS 317A.050(1)(b)
On what is the Kentucky cosmetology practical demonstration performed?201 KAR 12:030, Section 9(2)
What is the minimum passing grade on the Kentucky theory test for cosmetologists, estheticians, shampoo stylists and nail technicians?201 KAR 12:030, Section 10(1)
What is the shortest time in which the 750-hour Kentucky instructor training course may be completed?KRS 317A.050(7)(b)
What must a Kentucky applicant have before being scheduled for the practical examination?201 KAR 12:030, Section 8(4)
What must a Kentucky examination applicant wear to the practical examination?201 KAR 12:030, Section 8(6)
What passing grades does Kentucky set for instructor examinations?201 KAR 12:030, Section 10(2)
Which schooling does KRS 317A.050 accept from a Kentucky license applicant?KRS 317A.050(1)(c)
Which two parts make up the Kentucky licensing examination?201 KAR 12:030, Section 9(1)
Within how many days must a Kentucky licensee report a change of name, address, employer, phone number or email to the Board?201 KAR 12:030, Section 3
Renewal and permits 6
A guest artist demonstrates in Kentucky before people who are not licensees. For how long is the required permit in effect?KRS 317A.050(16)
A Kentucky license is lost and the Board issues another. How is the new one marked?201 KAR 12:030, Section 14(1)
A Kentucky renewal application is postmarked after July 31. How does KRS 317A.050 treat the license?KRS 317A.050(14)
For which dates and places is a Kentucky temporary event services permit valid?KRS 317A.050(20)
On what date does a Kentucky cosmetology license expire under the Board's regulation?201 KAR 12:030, Section 2
When is the Kentucky license renewal period in the Board's regulation?201 KAR 12:030, Section 14(2)
Salons and inspections 13
An inspector has twice tried and failed to inspect a Kentucky salon. What must the salon do?201 KAR 12:060, Section 2(4)
Besides licenses, what must each Kentucky salon post in an accessible and conspicuous area?201 KAR 12:060, Section 1(5)
How far ahead of opening must a new Kentucky salon ask the Board inspector, in writing, for an inspection?201 KAR 12:030, Section 15(1)
How often must each establishment the Kentucky Board licenses be inspected at the least?201 KAR 12:060, Section 2(3)
The owner of a Kentucky beauty salon is not a licensed cosmetologist. What does KRS 317A.050 require?KRS 317A.050(6)(a)
Under the Kentucky inspection regulation, which two places count as a conspicuous area for posting?201 KAR 12:060, Section 1(2)
What must a Kentucky salon located in a residence have?201 KAR 12:030, Section 15(4)
What must each Kentucky licensee attach to the license before posting it?201 KAR 12:060, Section 1(1)
What must the sign at the main entrance of a Kentucky salon show?201 KAR 12:060, Section 4
When may a Kentucky Board inspector enter a licensed establishment?201 KAR 12:060, Section 2(1)
Which services make a Kentucky establishment a "limited beauty salon" under KRS 317A.010?KRS 317A.010(13)
Who may manage a Kentucky nail salon whose owner is not a licensed nail technician?KRS 317A.050(6)(c)
Within how many business days must a Kentucky salon report a change of manager to the Board?201 KAR 12:030, Section 16(2)
Infection control, health and safety 23
A client is cut during a service in a Kentucky salon and blood is present. What is the first step in the regulation?201 KAR 12:100, Section 17(1)
A Kentucky licensee has been diagnosed with a communicable disease. When may services resume?201 KAR 12:100, Section 18(1)
A Kentucky stylist takes pomade from a multi-use tub. What may not be used to remove it?201 KAR 12:100, Section 11(2)
How are clipper blades and attachments disinfected after each use under the Kentucky regulation?201 KAR 12:100, Section 8(2)
How does the Kentucky regulation say disinfected implements are stored?201 KAR 12:100, Section 3(7)
How does the Kentucky regulation treat shampoo bowls?201 KAR 12:100, Section 10(2)
How many times may a wax applicator stick go into the wax in a Kentucky salon?201 KAR 12:100, Section 9(2)
How often are towel warmers disinfected under the Kentucky regulation?201 KAR 12:100, Section 6(1)
How often must an autoclave used to sterilize in a Kentucky facility be spore tested by an independent laboratory?201 KAR 12:100, Section 22
How often must disinfectant solution be prepared in a Kentucky salon?201 KAR 12:100, Section 5(1)
In Kentucky, what happens to towels left in a towel warmer that nobody used that day?201 KAR 12:100, Section 6(2)
In what are nail drill bits soaked first, to remove product, under the Kentucky regulation?201 KAR 12:100, Section 7(5)
In what form may styptics be used to stop bleeding in a Kentucky salon?201 KAR 12:100, Section 17(6)
On what kind of skin may waxing services be performed in Kentucky?201 KAR 12:100, Section 9(1)
What does the Kentucky regulation require of every trash container in a licensed facility?201 KAR 12:100, Section 14(1)
What must a Kentucky licensee place around the patron's neck under KRS 317A.130?KRS 317A.130(1)(b)
What must every Kentucky esthetics facility have for lancets and other sharp items?201 KAR 12:100, Section 20(1)
When must hair and debris be swept up in a Kentucky salon?201 KAR 12:100, Section 14(2)
Where may a Kentucky licensee not carry or store a cosmetology implement?201 KAR 12:100, Section 16(3)
Where must clean towels and linen be kept in a Kentucky salon?201 KAR 12:100, Section 15(3)
Which adhesives may be used for eyelash services in Kentucky?201 KAR 12:100, Section 19(7)
Which Kentucky cabinet must approve the Board's health and sanitation regulations before they take effect?KRS 317A.060(2)
Which nail files does the Kentucky regulation not count as single use?201 KAR 12:100, Section 10(1)
Scope of practice and exemptions 12
A Kentucky client had microneedling this week. How long must pass before a licensee applies an exfoliating acid without a physician's direct supervision?201 KAR 12:280, Section 5(4)
Under KRS 317A.130, a Kentucky esthetician may do microblading only under whose immediate supervision?KRS 317A.130(2)
What does "immediate supervision" mean in the Kentucky esthetic practices regulation?201 KAR 12:280, Section 1(5)
What does "makeup artistry" not include under KRS 317A.010?KRS 317A.010(15)
What does KRS 317A.020 say about callus graters used for callus removal?KRS 317A.020(10)
What kind of microdermabrasion system may not be used in Kentucky?201 KAR 12:280, Section 4(2)
What strength of salicylic acid does limited chemical exfoliation by a basic Kentucky esthetician include?201 KAR 12:280, Section 5(3)
When may Kentucky licensees hold clinics for teaching or demonstrating for personal profit?KRS 317A.020(5)
Which hair work is exempt from KRS Chapter 317A altogether?KRS 317A.020(1)
Which service is outside Kentucky's "shampoo and style services"?KRS 317A.010(20)
Which three practices make up "cosmetology" in KRS 317A.010?KRS 317A.010(4)
Who may perform services at a Kentucky temporary event services location?KRS 317A.050(20)
Prohibited acts and penalties 10
A Kentucky salon license is under ongoing disciplinary action. What may not take effect meanwhile?201 KAR 12:030, Section 16(3)
Before incremental punitive action against an otherwise lawful Kentucky salon, what must usually be issued first?KRS 317A.020(8)
How does Kentucky classify practicing cosmetology without the license KRS 317A.020 requires?KRS 317A.990(3)
What is the fine range in Kentucky for a violation of a provision of KRS Chapter 317A?KRS 317A.990(1)
What is the fine range in Kentucky for violating one of the Board's administrative regulations?KRS 317A.990(2)
What may the Kentucky Board require of a licensee upon a proper showing of gross malpractice or incompetence?KRS 317A.140(3)
Which act is unprofessional conduct under the Kentucky inspection regulation?201 KAR 12:060, Section 3(4)
Which documented and verified fact does KRS 317A.020 deem an immediate and present danger to public health and safety?KRS 317A.020(8)
Which nail product does KRS 317A.130 forbid a Kentucky licensee to use on any patron?KRS 317A.130(1)(e)
Which of these is on the Kentucky regulation's list of prohibited items and practices?201 KAR 12:100, Section 21
The Board 7
How long is a term on the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology?KRS 317A.030(3)
How many members does the Kentucky Board of Cosmetology have, and who appoints them?KRS 317A.030(2)
How many members of the Kentucky Board make a quorum?KRS 317A.030(6)
How many of the Kentucky Board's members must have been cosmetologists for five years before appointment?KRS 317A.030(2)(a)
In which court does the Kentucky Board bring an action to enjoin a violation of the chapter?KRS 317A.020(9)
On what must a Kentucky Board emergency order be based?KRS 317A.020(7)
Whom does the Kentucky Board employ to administer the chapter and the Board's policies and regulations?KRS 317A.040(2)
How this list was compiled: Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 317A (KRS 317A.010 to 317A.145 and 317A.990) on the Kentucky General Assembly's own site (https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/chapter.aspx?id=38831); and Kentucky Administrative Regulations Title 201, Chapter 12, Board of Cosmetology (201 KAR 12:030, 12:060, 12:082, 12:100 and 12:280, each in the text effective December 2, 2025) on the same site (https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/201/012/). Each question names its section and links to the document it is in. Read 2026-10-09. Licence: Own work. Every question, wrong choice and explanation was written for this site from the statute and regulation text. Nothing comes from a testing vendor, a textbook, a prep course or an exam question pool.
How it works
An unofficial practice test for Kentucky Board of Cosmetology candidates on state law alone: KRS Chapter 317A and the regulations of 201 KAR Chapter 12, read on October 9, 2026. Science, theory and practical skills are not asked.
Read the full guide
What the Kentucky questions cover
Licenses and examinations lead, with infection control, health and safety close behind: Kentucky writes towel warmers, wax sticks, drill bits and blood exposure into 201 KAR 12:100 step by step. Salons and inspections, scope of practice, penalties, permits and the Board fill the rest.
How the bank follows the Board's own regulation
Under 201 KAR 12:030, Section 9, the examination is a theory test and a practical demonstration taken from the curriculum of 201 KAR 12:082. That curriculum gives a cosmetology student forty hours on Kentucky statutes and administrative regulations, and one hour of Kentucky law each week. This bank asks from those statutes and regulations. The regulation gives no count of questions.
A cosmetology student may not give chemical services to the public before 250 hours of instruction (201 KAR 12:082, Section 3).
A failed theory test or practical may be retaken one month after notice, as many times as needed (KRS 317A.120).
Wax sticks get one dip, and waxing nasal hair is on the prohibited list (201 KAR 12:100, Sections 9 and 21).
Questions and answers
Is there a free Kentucky state board of cosmetology practice test?
Yes, on Kentucky law: every question here is free and names the Kentucky statute or regulation it rests on. The Kentucky Board of Cosmetology did not write or review the page, and it is not a government site.
What score passes the Kentucky cosmetology theory test?
Seventy percent, on the theory test and on the practical demonstration alike (201 KAR 12:030, Section 10). Instructor examinations need eighty and eighty-five. A passing score stays valid for six months. Exam mode here marks 25 law questions at seventy percent.
Does this practice test include hair, skin and nail theory?
No. The theory test draws on the whole curriculum of 201 KAR 12:082, most of it science, theory and practice. This page keeps to the Kentucky statutes and regulations inside that curriculum.
Are these the questions on the real Kentucky exam?
They are not. The examination has never been seen by this site. The bank was written from KRS Chapter 317A and 201 KAR Chapter 12 as published on the Kentucky General Assembly's site.