West Virginia Esthetician Practice Test

All 68 answers rest on West Virginia's own text, 48 of them on the Board's salon rule, 3 CSR 5.

How much of the autoclave log must a West Virginia salon keep on the premises for the Board to review?

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists or the NIC. Bank checked October 15, 2026.

Next step Esthetician tests for other statesThe whole NIC outline: Washington esthetics test

All 68 questions

Scientific concepts: infection control 25

  • A client brings her own tweezers and asks the aesthetician to use them. What does West Virginia's rule require first? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-4.7
  • A client hands over a tool that is on West Virginia's prohibited list. What happens to it? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-4.7
  • A disinfectant spray is used on a tool that is not submerged. How long must the surface stay wet? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-3.4
  • A facial is over and the towels are damp. When must used linens be put away in a West Virginia salon? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-2.3
  • A salon owner wants a UV light box on each West Virginia facial trolley to hold tools. What does section 3-5-4.4 say? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-4.4
  • A weekly client would like her own extractor and tweezers held at a West Virginia salon until she returns. What does section 3-5-4.7 say? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-4.7
  • An autoclave may be used in a West Virginia salon only if spore tests are run by a contracted laboratory at least how often? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-4.5
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Scientific concepts: infection control, continued

  • Before a tool is disinfected in West Virginia, four things are done to it. In what order? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-3.2
  • Brow scissors have just been used. What does West Virginia's rule say about cleaning scissors and razors? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-3.4
  • How does section 3-5-3.2 have the surfaces of a tool or implement disinfected? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-3.2
  • How does West Virginia's rule define an approved disinfectant? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-3.1
  • How large a supply of disinfected tools and single-use supplies must be on hand in a West Virginia salon? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-3.3
  • How long does an implement stay in the disinfectant under West Virginia's rule? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-3.2
  • How much of the autoclave log must a West Virginia salon keep on the premises for the Board to review? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-4.5
  • How often must a high frequency wand and its glass or metal electrode be cleaned and disinfected under section 3-5-3.5? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-3.5
  • In which other forms may EPA-registered bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal products be used in a West Virginia salon? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-3.1
  • The laboratory reports a positive spore test for a West Virginia salon's autoclave. When may the machine go back into use? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-4.5
  • Under West Virginia's salon rule, when must an aesthetician cleanse the hands with soap and water? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-2.2
  • West Virginia has items rinsed after disinfection. What reason does the rule give? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-3.2
  • West Virginia's rule names three activities after which hands must be washed. Which three? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-2.2
  • What condition does West Virginia put on single-use items that a client supplies? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-4.7
  • What does West Virginia require for the head rest of a chair between clients? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-2.4
  • Where does West Virginia's rule have clean linen kept until it is used on a client? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-2.3
  • Which parts of a facial steamer or other aesthetic machine must be cleaned and disinfected in West Virginia? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-3.5
  • Who is held responsible for keeping a work station's chair, mirror, drawers and disinfectant containers clean during working hours in West Virginia? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-2.7

Scientific concepts: safety and prohibited items 13

  • A client asks a West Virginia aesthetician to take off a small mole during a facial. What does the rule say? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-4.3
  • A client's skin shows what looks like a disease. What must a West Virginia practitioner do? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-4.3
  • An aesthetics salon is located in a West Virginia residence. Which of these does the rule require of it? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-2.6
  • Apart from certified service animals, which animals may be kept in a West Virginia salon? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-4.8
  • How often are a West Virginia salon's floors mopped, where that is possible? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-2.13
  • West Virginia bars implements that take off corns or calluses in what way? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-4.3
  • West Virginia requires hot and cold running water piped to the faucets of a lavatory. How does the rule define a lavatory? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-2.5
  • What does West Virginia Code 30-27-14 make unlawful for a professional licensee? West Virginia Code 30-27-14
  • What kind of ventilation must a West Virginia salon have before opening and whenever it operates? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-2.1
  • What must be framed and posted in a conspicuous place in every West Virginia salon? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-2.9
  • Which makeup-table item does West Virginia prohibit in any salon or school? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-4.2
  • Which of these is a prohibited substance that must not be present in a West Virginia salon? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-4.1
  • Who must inspect a West Virginia salon and state that its electrical wiring is adequate for the facility's use? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-2.10

Skin care and services: wax, single-use items and scope 16

  • A wooden stick has been dipped into the wax pot once. What becomes of it under West Virginia's rule? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-7.2
  • How are new single-use items stored once they are out of their sealed packaging in West Virginia? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-6.2
  • How is paraffin wax given out for a client in a West Virginia salon? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-7.5
  • How must wax pots and paraffin warmers be kept in a West Virginia salon? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-7.1
  • Lightening hair is part of aesthetics in West Virginia Code 30-27-3, except on one part of the body. Which? West Virginia Code 30-27-3(a)
  • Section 3-5-6.1 ends its list of single-use items with a general class. Which class? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-6.1
  • Section 3-5-7.4 covers any surface that a used wax stick has touched. What must be done, and when? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-7.4
  • Under West Virginia Code 30-27-3, acts count as aesthetics when done on the human body for compensation and not for what? West Virginia Code 30-27-3(a)
  • Wax in a pot has been contaminated by double-dipping. What does section 3-5-7.1 require? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-7.1
  • West Virginia allows one case in which an applicator is dipped into wax again. Which case? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-7.3
  • West Virginia's definition of aesthetics lets preparations be applied to the feet and how far up the leg? West Virginia Code 30-27-3(a)
  • Where do used single-use items go after each use in a West Virginia salon? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-6.1
  • Which hair removal does West Virginia's definition of aesthetics name? West Virginia Code 30-27-3(a)
  • Which lash and brow service does West Virginia's definition of aesthetics name? West Virginia Code 30-27-3(a)
  • Which new single-use items may sit out in the open in a West Virginia salon? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-6.2
  • Which of these items on an aesthetician's trolley is single-use under West Virginia's rule? 3 CSR 5, section 3-5-6.1

West Virginia license law (extra) 14

  • A graduate is waiting to take the examination and has a job in an aesthetics salon. Under what supervision may she work on a West Virginia work permit? West Virginia Code 30-27-11
  • A person who violates West Virginia's licensing article is guilty of a misdemeanor. What fine does section 30-27-23 set on conviction? West Virginia Code 30-27-23(b)
  • An aesthetician whose license from another state has expired receives a West Virginia provisional license. Which of these is a step toward the full license? West Virginia Code 30-27-9(b)
  • An inspector walks into a West Virginia skin care room. Where should the aesthetician's license be on display? West Virginia Code 30-27-13(b)
  • Besides the displayed license, what must every person practicing aesthetics in West Virginia possess? 3 CSR 1, section 3-1-2.3
  • By what date each year must a West Virginia professional license be renewed? West Virginia Code 30-27-10(a)
  • For salons, how does West Virginia Code 30-27-3 define general supervision? West Virginia Code 30-27-3(o)
  • How many clock hours of training does West Virginia law require of an aesthetician? West Virginia Code 30-27-3(b)
  • How many times may a West Virginia work permit be renewed? West Virginia Code 30-27-11
  • West Virginia also certifies waxing specialists, who only wax and tweeze. How many hours in all does that certificate rest on? 3 CSR 14, section 3-14-3.6
  • West Virginia Code 30-27-8 sets a minimum age for an aesthetician's professional license. What is it? West Virginia Code 30-27-8(a)
  • West Virginia's Board may credit work experience toward school hours. At what rate? 3 CSR 1, section 3-1-11.1
  • Which document from a licensed physician goes in with an application for a West Virginia aesthetician license? West Virginia Code 30-27-8(a)
  • Which schooling does West Virginia Code 30-27-8 accept from an applicant for a professional license? West Virginia Code 30-27-8(a)

How this list was compiled: Examination: the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists sends applicants to its third-party examiner (https://www.wvbbc.com/License-Services/How-To-Become-Licensed); the examiner's Candidate Information Bulletin for the Board (https://provexam.com/test-information/west-virginia-board-of-barbers-cosmetologist) lists the Esthetics written examination at 110 questions, of which 10 are unscored pilot questions, 90 minutes, passing score 70, Scientific Concepts 55 percent and Skin Care and Services 45 percent, and links the National Esthetics Theory Examination bulletin of the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC), effective September 1, 2025 (https://prov-testing.github.io/nic_cib/esthetics_national_theory_english_2025.html). Facts: West Virginia Code chapter 30, article 27, on the Legislature's site (https://code.wvlegislature.gov/30-27/), and the Board's legislative rules 3 CSR 5 (operation of salons, effective May 21, 2025), 3 CSR 1 (licensure, effective May 9, 2024) and 3 CSR 14 (waxing specialist, effective April 27, 2026), as posted on the Board's Laws and Regulations page (https://www.wvbbc.com/About-Us/Laws-Regulations). Each question names its section and links to it. Read 2026-10-15. Licence: Own work. Every question, wrong choice and explanation was written for this site from the public texts named. Nothing comes from a real examination, the sample questions in a bulletin, a practice product, a textbook or a prep course.

How it works

This unofficial West Virginia esthetician practice test covers the State's salon rule and aesthetics law. It is not affiliated with the West Virginia State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists or the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC).

Read the full guide

What West Virginia's written exam covers

The Board's examiner gives the NIC Esthetics theory examination, and NIC's bulletin of September 1, 2025 gives Scientific Concepts 55 percent of it and Skin Care and Services 45 percent.

How the 68 questions are split

Of the 68, 25 are on infection control and 13 on safety and prohibited items, both Scientific Concepts lines. Wax, single-use items and the scope of aesthetics take 16, and the aesthetician license 14.

  • An approved disinfectant is an EPA-registered quaternary ammonium solution that is bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal (3 CSR 5, section 3-5-3.1).
  • UV sterilizers and light boxes must not be present, and an autoclave needs a spore test every 30 days (sections 3-5-4.4 and 3-5-4.5).
  • A wax stick is dipped once and discarded without the other end being used (section 3-5-7.2).

Questions and answers

How many questions are on the West Virginia esthetician exam?

The examiner's bulletin for the Board lists the Esthetics written examination at 110 questions, 10 of them unscored pilot questions, in 90 minutes, with a passing score of 70.

Is there a West Virginia state law test for an aesthetician license?

The examiner's bulletin lists two examinations for the license, Esthetics (the NIC theory examination) and Practical Esthetics, 151 minutes of hands-on work that this page does not cover. It lists no state law test for an aesthetician.

What does this West Virginia esthetician practice test leave out?

Everything on NIC's outline that West Virginia's texts do not state: anatomy, skin disorders, chemistry, facial procedures and electrical treatments. The Washington esthetics test on this site follows the whole outline.

Are these the real West Virginia esthetician exam questions?

No. Each one was written for this site from 3 CSR 1, 5 and 14 and West Virginia Code chapter 30, article 27, and links to its section. The examination and the sample questions in NIC's bulletin were not used.

How many hours do you need to be an esthetician in West Virginia?

600 clock hours of training, at age 18 or older, with a high school diploma, GED or ability to benefit test and a certificate of health (West Virginia Code 30-27-3 and 30-27-8). The State's texts spell the license aesthetician.

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