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NIC NICCL National-Interstate Council Cosmetology Licensing Exam

DOMAIN 1: SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS (35%)

Scientific Concepts - Infection Control and Safety Practices

- Identify cause/transmission of diseases and infections
- Identify the purpose and differentiate among the categories of infection control
- Sanitation
- Disinfection
- Sterilization
- Recognize how cross-contamination occurs and how it can be prevented (e.g., single use and multi-use items)
- Apply blood exposure procedures
- Identify requirements of government agencies
- OSHA
- EPA

Scientific Concepts - Human Anatomy and Physiology

- Identify structure and functions of the:
- Hair and scalp
- Skin
- Nails
- Recognize signs and symptoms of conditions, disorders, and diseases related to:
- Hair and scalp
- Skin
- Nails
- Identify muscles and joints and their functions related to:
- Head and face
- Arms and hands
- Legs and feet
- Identify functions of:
- Nervous system
- Circulatory system

Scientific Concepts - Basic Chemistry used in Cosmetology

- Recognize purpose and effects of ingredients
- Recognize interactions between chemicals
- Recognize chemical reactions (e.g., overexposure, chemical burn)
- Recognize the values of the pH scale

DOMAIN 2: HAIR CARE AND SERVICES (45%)

Hair Care and Services - Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation

- Evaluate condition of client’s hair and scalp
- Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
- Utilize preliminary tests (e.g., predisposition and strand tests)
- Recommend services or products based on client needs
- Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)

Hair Care and Services - Tools used in Hair Care Services

- Identify purpose, function, and infection control procedures of items
- Equipment (e.g., chair, workstation)
- Implements (e.g., razors, shears, combs/brushes)
- Supplies and materials (e.g., towels, drapes, neck strips)
- Electrical tools (e.g. irons, blow dryers, clippers)
- Demonstrate safe practices
- Tools/Implements
- Ergonomics

Hair Care and Services - Hair Care Principles and Procedures

- Demonstrate shampooing and conditioning
- Demonstrate scalp treatments and scalp massage
- Demonstrate draping (e.g. chemical, shampoo, cutting, styling)
- Recognize differences in Hair Care principles and procedures based on various hair types and textures

Hair Care and Services - Hair Design Principles and Procedures

- Demonstrate hair cutting and shaping
- Demonstrate hair styling:
- Wet styling
- Thermal styling
- Natural hair styling (e.g., braiding)
- Apply, maintain, and remove hair enhancements:
- Wigs and hairpieces
- Hair additions (i.e., taping, bonding, fusion, linking)
- Apply principles of balance and design (e.g. facial shape, physical structure)
- Recognize differences in Hair Design principles and procedures based on various hair types and textures

Hair Care and Services - Chemical Services Principles and Procedures

- Perform hair color services (e.g., virgin, retouch, lightening, foiling, balayage, color formulation, color correction)
- Perform chemical hair relaxer/restructurizer and curl reduction (e.g., hydroxide, thio, keratin) service
- Perform chemical waving/texturizing (e.g., alkaline, acid, non-thio) services
- Understand the chemical products used for the various hair texture types

DOMAIN 3: SKIN CARE AND SERVICES (10%)

Skin Care and Services - Client Consultation, Analysis, and Documentation

- Evaluate the client’s skin:
- Skin type
- Skin condition
- Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
- Recommend services or products based on client needs
- Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)

Skin Care and Services - Tools used for Skin Care Services

- Identify purpose, function, and infection control procedures of items:
- Equipment (e.g., chair, steamer)
- Implements (e.g., tweezers, brushes, extractors)
- Supplies, products, and materials (e.g., creams, masks, towels, wax, head coverings)
- Demonstrate safe practices
- Tools/implements
- Ergonomics

Skin Care and Services - Skin Care Principles and Procedures

- Apply knowledge of a basic facial
- Apply knowledge of hair removal
- Apply knowledge of makeup application
- Apply knowledge of electrical equipment

DOMAIN 4: NAIL CARE AND SERVICES (10%)

Nail Care and Services - Client Consultation, Analysis and Documentation

- Evaluate condition of client’s nails
- Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
- Recommend services or products based on client needs
- Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)

Nail Care and Services - Tools used in Nail Care Services

- Identify purpose, function, and infection control procedures of items:
- Equipment (e.g., workstation, pedicure basin)
- Implements (e.g., nippers, file)
- Supplies, products, and materials (e.g., towels, creams, polish)
- Demonstrate safe practices
- Tools/implements
- Ergonomics

Nail Care and Services - Nail Service Principles and Procedures

- Apply knowledge of a basic manicure and pedicure
- Apply, maintain, and remove nail enhancements