Examius
🇺🇸 United States · Trades
Cosmetology License Exam Syllabus
State board written and practical exams required to practice as a licensed cosmetologist or hairstylist.. The complete Cosmetology License Exam outline — 8 subjects, 32 chapters and 147 topics — laid out so you can see exactly what has to be covered and tick each item off as you go.
Cosmetology License Exam subjects
Each subject below has its own page with the full chapter → topic → sub-topic tree and a set of real exam-style flashcards.
4 chapters · 20 topics · 13 sub-topics
Hair Care: Shampooing, Cutting, and Styling5 chapters · 23 topics · 20 sub-topics
Chemical Texture Services4 chapters · 17 topics · 5 sub-topics
Haircoloring and Lightening5 chapters · 22 topics · 6 sub-topics
Anatomy, Physiology, and the Sciences4 chapters · 19 topics · 3 sub-topics
Skin Care, Facials, and Hair Removal4 chapters · 20 topics
Nail Care and Nail Disorders3 chapters · 14 topics · 2 sub-topics
Career, Communication, and Salon Business3 chapters · 12 topics
Cosmetology License Exam flashcard decks
491 question-and-answer cards across 8 decks, written against this syllabus. Preview any deck free.
- Infection Control, Safety, and State Regulations — 51 cards
- Hair Care: Shampooing, Cutting, and Styling — 62 cards
- Chemical Texture Services — 60 cards
- Haircoloring and Lightening — 62 cards
- Anatomy, Physiology, and the Sciences — 79 cards
- Skin Care, Facials, and Hair Removal — 64 cards
- Nail Care and Nail Disorders — 63 cards
- Career, Communication, and Salon Business — 50 cards
How to work through the Cosmetology License Exam syllabus
The outline on this page is arranged the way the syllabus itself is: subject, then chapter, then topic, then sub-topic. That last level is what most study plans skip, and it is where coverage actually goes wrong — a chapter marked "done" often has three sub-topics inside it that were never touched.
Weight your plan accordingly: Hair Care: Shampooing, Cutting, and Styling carries 23 topics while Career, Communication, and Salon Business carries 12. Giving both the same number of weeks is the most common planning mistake for Cosmetology License Exam.
The ~120 hour estimate above is a first pass only: roughly 45 minutes per topic plus 12 minutes per sub-topic. Revision cycles, past papers and mocks sit on top of that number.
Cosmetology License Exam syllabus FAQ
What subjects are in the Cosmetology License Exam syllabus?
Cosmetology License Exam covers 8 subjects: Infection Control, Safety, and State Regulations, Hair Care: Shampooing, Cutting, and Styling, Chemical Texture Services, Haircoloring and Lightening, Anatomy, Physiology, and the Sciences, Skin Care, Facials, and Hair Removal, Nail Care and Nail Disorders and Career, Communication, and Salon Business. Together they contain 32 chapters and 147 named topics.
How big is the Cosmetology License Exam syllabus?
The full Cosmetology License Exam outline breaks down into 32 chapters, 147 topics and 49 sub-topics. Hair Care: Shampooing, Cutting, and Styling is the largest single subject with 23 topics across 5 chapters.
How long does it take to cover the whole Cosmetology License Exam syllabus?
Roughly 120 hours for one full pass. That estimate allows about 45 minutes per topic plus 12 minutes per sub-topic, so it is first-pass coverage — revision, past papers and mock tests sit on top of it. At 3 hours a day that is about 6 weeks.
Are there Cosmetology License Exam flashcards?
Yes — 491 question-and-answer flashcards across 8 decks, one per subject, written against this syllabus. A sample of every deck is readable on this site for free, and the complete decks are in the Examius app.
Is this Cosmetology License Exam syllabus free to use?
Yes. Every page here is free to read, and importing the Cosmetology License Exam syllabus into the Examius app to tick off topics as you finish them is free too, in United States and everywhere else. No account is needed to start.
Related Trades syllabuses
Federally regulated license, with written and skills tests, required to operate commercial trucks and buses.
EPA 608 Certification syllabusEPA-mandated certification for HVAC technicians who handle refrigerants under the Clean Air Act.
Journeyman/Master Electrician License Exam syllabusState or local exams certifying electricians at journeyman and master levels based on the National Electrical Code.
NCCER Certification syllabusNational Center for Construction Education and Research credentials for construction and craft trades workers.
City & Guilds Electrical Installation (Level 3) syllabusVocational qualification for electricians covering installation and inspection, a core requirement to work as a UK qualified electrician.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Card syllabusCard scheme proving construction workers' qualifications and health-and-safety competence to access UK building sites.
Gas Safe Registration (ACS) syllabusAccredited Certification Scheme assessment required for gas engineers to legally work on gas appliances and join the Gas Safe Register.
NVQ Diploma in Bricklaying (Construction) syllabusNational Vocational Qualification proving competence in bricklaying, a recognised route to a CSCS card on UK construction sites.
Browse all 9 Trades syllabuses → · All United States exams →