7.3 NY Written Exam Content

Cosmetology State Board Exam Exam

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1 Introduction to the Cosmetology State Board Exam

1.1 About the Cosmetology State Board Exam 1.2 NIC vs State-Specific Exams 1.3 Exam Content Breakdown 1.4 How to Register and What to Expect 1.5 How to Use This Study Guide

2 Chapter 2: Scientific Concepts (35% of NIC Exam)

2.1 Infection Control & Sanitation 2.2 Bacteriology 2.3 Anatomy & Physiology - Skin 2.4 Anatomy & Physiology - Hair & Nails 2.5 Chemistry for Cosmetology 2.6 Electricity & Safety

3 Hair Care and Services

3.1 Hair Analysis and Consultation 3.2 Shampooing and Conditioning 3.3 Haircutting Fundamentals 3.4 Hairstyling and Finishing 3.5 Chemical Texture Services 3.6 Hair Coloring

4 Skin Care & Esthetics

4.1 Skin Analysis & Consultation 4.2 Facial Treatments 4.3 Hair Removal 4.4 Makeup Application

5 Chapter 5: Nail Care

5.1 Nail Anatomy & Disorders 5.2 Manicure Services 5.3 Pedicure Services 5.4 Nail Enhancements 5.5 Nail Art & Finishing

6 Chapter 6: State Licensing Requirements

6.1 How State Licensing Works 6.2 Training-Hour Requirements Across States 6.3 Exam Components: Theory and Practical 6.4 Application, Background Checks & Fees 6.5 Reciprocity, Endorsement & License Transfer 6.6 Renewal and Continuing Education 6.7 Scope of Practice & License Types 6.8 State Sanitation Rules & Discipline 6.9 Multi-State Comparison & Relocation Guide

7 Chapter 7: New York Cosmetology Exam

7.1 About the New York Cosmetology Exam 7.2 New York State Laws & Regulations 7.3 NY Written Exam Content 7.4 NY Practical Exam 7.5 NY-Specific Practice Questions

8 Chapter 8: Florida Cosmetology Exam

8.1 About the Florida Cosmetology Exam 8.2 Florida State Laws & Regulations 8.3 Florida Salon Requirements 8.4 FL Theory Exam Content 8.5 FL Clinical Exam Content 8.6 FL-Specific Practice Questions

9 Chapter 9: Test Strategies

9.1 Test-Taking Strategies 9.2 Preparing for the Written Exam 9.3 Preparing for the Practical Exam 9.4 Exam Day Checklist 9.5 Comprehensive Practice Questions 9.6 Final Review Checklist

7.3 NY Written Exam Content

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

The NY written exam has approximately 100 multiple-choice questions with a 2.5-hour time limit

Exam is based on the pre-licensing curriculum and tests theory, safety, sanitation, and NY laws

Available in 14 languages including Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Arabic

Results are pass/fail only - no numerical score provided

• Focus areas include bacteriology, anatomy, chemistry, hair/skin/nail diseases, and NY regulations
• Last updated: January 2026

The New York Written Examination tests your fundamental knowledge of cosmetology principles, safety procedures, anatomy, chemistry, and New York-specific laws and regulations. Understanding the exam structure and content areas will help you prepare effectively.

Exam Structure

• Feature Details
• Number of Questions Approximately 100 multiple-choice
• Time Limit 2.5 hours (150 minutes)
• Passing Score 70%
• Question Weighting All questions weighted equally
• Format Computer-based at DOS testing centers
• Results Pass/Fail only (no numerical score)
• Language Options

The New York written exam is available in 14 languages :

• Language Available
• English Yes
• Albanian Yes
• Arabic Yes
• Bengali Yes
• Chinese Yes
• French Yes
• Haitian Creole Yes
• Hebrew Yes
• Italian Yes
• Japanese Yes
• Korean Yes
• Russian Yes
• Spanish Yes
• Swahili Yes
• Turkish Yes

Select your preferred language when scheduling through the NY.gov e-Licensing system.

• Content Areas
• NY Written Exam Topics

• Subject Area Key Topics
• Bacteriology & Sanitation Bacteria types, infection control, disinfection vs. sterilization
• Anatomy & Physiology Bones, muscles, nerves, blood supply
• Chemistry pH scale, acids/alkalis, chemical reactions
• Hair Structure & Disorders Hair anatomy, growth cycle, diseases
• Skin Structure & Disorders Skin layers, conditions, contraindications
• Nail Structure & Disorders Nail anatomy, diseases, when to refer
• NY Laws & Regulations Article 27, Section 404, licensing requirements
• Safety Procedures Client safety, OSHA, workplace hazards
• How NY Exam Differs from NIC

• Aspect NY Exam NIC Exam
• Focus NY-specific laws, Section 404 sanitation General/national standards
• Question Style Emphasis on NY regulations Broader theory focus
• Sanitation Questions Heavy emphasis on NY Section 404 General infection control
• Legal Questions Article 27, DOS procedures Varies by state adoption
• Passing Score 70% Typically 75%
• Bacteriology & Sanitation

This is heavily tested on the NY exam. Topics include:

• Types of Bacteria
• Cocci - Round-shaped (staphylococci, streptococci, diplococci)
• Bacilli - Rod-shaped (cause tetanus, typhoid)
• Spirilla - Spiral-shaped (cause syphilis, Lyme disease)
• Infection Control
• Sanitation - Reducing number of pathogens to safe levels
• Disinfection - Destroying most pathogens (not spores)
• Sterilization - Destroying ALL microorganisms including spores
• NY Section 404 Requirements
• Clean and disinfect all implements between clients
• Proper hand washing protocols
• Storage of clean vs. used implements
• Single-use item disposal
• Workplace cleanliness standards
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Bones of the Head and Face
• Frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital bones
• Facial bones: zygomatic, maxillae, mandible, nasal
• Muscles
• Muscles of facial expression
• Muscles of mastication (chewing)
• Muscles of the neck, arms, and hands
• Nerves
• Cranial nerves (especially trigeminal/trifacial nerve - 5th cranial)
• Nerves of the arm and hand
• Sensory vs. motor nerves
• Circulatory System
• Blood supply to the head and face
• Arteries and veins relevant to cosmetology
• Function of blood components
• Chemistry
• pH Scale
• Scale of 0-14 (7 is neutral)
• Below 7 = acidic (hair cuticle closes)
• Above 7 = alkaline (hair cuticle opens)
• Most hair products are slightly acidic (4.5-5.5)
• Chemical Formulas to Know
• H2O - Water
• H2O2 - Hydrogen peroxide (developer, neutralizer)
• NaOH - Sodium hydroxide (lye relaxers)
• NH3 - Ammonia (hair color)
• Matter and Chemical Reactions
• Physical vs. chemical changes
• Oxidation and reduction reactions
• How permanent color and relaxers work chemically
• Hair Structure & Disorders
• Hair Anatomy
• Cuticle - Outer protective layer
• Cortex - Middle layer (color, strength, elasticity)
• Medulla - Inner core (may be absent in fine hair)
• Hair Growth Cycle
• Anagen - Active growth phase (2-7 years)
• Catagen - Transition phase (1-2 weeks)
• Telogen - Resting/shedding phase (5-6 weeks)
• Hair Properties
• Texture - Coarse, medium, fine
• Porosity - Ability to absorb moisture
• Elasticity - Ability to stretch and return
• Density - Number of hairs per square inch
• Hair Disorders
• Alopecia (hair loss)
• Tinea capitis (ringworm)
• Pediculosis capitis (head lice)
• Canities (gray hair)
• Skin Structure & Disorders
• Skin Layers
• Epidermis - Outer layer (stratum corneum, etc.)
• Dermis - Middle layer (blood vessels, nerves, follicles)
• Subcutaneous - Fat layer (insulation, cushioning)
• Skin Conditions
• Acne, eczema, psoriasis
• Herpes simplex (cold sores)
• When to refer vs. when to service
• Nail Structure & Disorders
• Nail Anatomy
• Nail plate, nail bed, matrix, cuticle
• Lunula, free edge, nail walls
• Nail Disorders
• Onychomycosis (fungal infection)
• Paronychia (infection around nail)
• When to refuse service and refer
• NY Laws & Regulations
• Key Topics
• Article 27 of the General Business Law
• Section 404 sanitation requirements
• License types and requirements
• Penalties for violations (Section 412)
• DOS procedures and requirements
• Display requirements
• Booth rental regulations
• Exam Day Tips
• Before the Exam
• Bring valid government-issued photo ID (current, not expired)
• Name on ID must match exam registration exactly
• Arrive at least 30 minutes early
• No study materials allowed in testing room
• During the Exam
• Read each question carefully
• Watch for words like "NOT," "EXCEPT," "ALWAYS," "NEVER"
• Flag difficult questions and return to them
• Use all available time - don't rush
• 2.5 hours provides about 1.5 minutes per question
• After the Exam
• Results reported as Pass/Fail only
• Email notification when results available
• View results through MY NY.gov Online Services
• Results NOT given by phone
• Key Takeaways
• Approximately 100 multiple-choice questions, 2.5-hour time limit
• 70% passing score required
• Available in 14 languages
• Heavy emphasis on NY Section 404 sanitation requirements
• Study bacteriology, anatomy, chemistry, and NY laws
• Results are pass/fail only - no numerical score

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