How to pass the cosmetology state board test? OMG😱

Those eight words can inspire anxiety, if not panic, in the boldest beauty student, the most courageous cosmetologist-in-training.

Don’t get scared. Get prepared.™

Start studying for your cosmetology state board test when you start school. Continue studying and practicing throughout your program. That way you won’t be cramming at the last minute.

Cramming doesn’t work. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You’re an artist. This is your career. Your future.

Don’t procrastinate.

If you work twice as hard now, you’ll enjoy twice as much success later. So start preparing for this important, required licensing exam. Three easy steps:

Plan
Practice
Prepare

When you plan, practice, and prepare, you’ll perform. You’ll walk in confidently—and crush it. Cosmetology state board? Yeah, whatever. More like state bored.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these three steps.

Step 1. Plan for the cosmetology state board test.

Plan time for studying

First, plan time for studying. Every day. Think about your daily schedule. When do you have 10 minutes?

“Nope, I’m waaaay too busy all the time.”

We hear you. We get it. But surely you have 10 minutes a day? C’mon …

You’re aimlessly refreshing Instagram.
You’re vegging on the couch.
You’re deep down the TikTok rabbit hole.

You know you can redirect 10 minutes of that time for state board prep. You want to be great, don’t you?

Day-by-day. Month-by-month. You’ve got to learn cosmetology to earn a cosmetology license. That’s right. Learn it. To earn it.™

Schedule your exam in advance

Second, make absolutely sure you schedule your exam within the time frame your state sets.

If you don’t, you could be forced to retake classes. Or worse, your entire cosmetology program from the beginning.

Talk about taking an L.

Some states require that you take your cosmetology state board test within months of completing your training. Other states give you more time. And each state decides how many hours of instruction must be completed before you’re eligible to take the state board. Be sure to check your state’s CIB (short for Candidate Information Bulletin) to get the information.

Get the best cosmetology state board app

Be sure to get a state board app that’s worth your precious time.

If you’re studying for your cosmetology state board, get for a state board app that actually shows you what you need to know for the written exam and how you need to perform at the state board practical exam, not an app that just gives you a bunch of questions in the same order over and over.

The best cosmetology app will have step-by-step how-to and cosmetology theory films, UNLIMITED, randomized practice tests (for one price), helpful feedback on your practice test answers (both right and wrong), a built-in cosmetology exam book full of need-to-know cosmo info, state-specific laws and rules questions, a read-out-loud option, a glossary of cosmetology terms, and flashcards. Got all that?

Also, you want a cosmetology state board app that’s smart, sleek, and really beautiful. Who wants to work with ugly, clunky technology when they’re learning to make people look beautiful for a career?

Step 2. Practice for the cosmetology state board test.

The cosmetology state board test has two parts: written and practical. They’re both hard. You’ve got to practice. We’ve got you covered.

Get ready for the WRITTEN cosmetology state board test

In most cases, the cosmetology written exam has 100 multiple choice questions that you have to answer correctly within a set amount of time. (Usually about one minute per question.)

These questions cover a wide range of cosmetology topics, including state-specific laws and rules. There’s no shortcut or easy way out here. Studying is required if you want to succeed.

Here’s an example of how you can study with the Filmbook® State Board app:

Do you know the answer? This is the kind of multiple-choice question you will face on your timed cosmetology state board test.

Here’s the answer to the multiple-choice question on spoon nails, with helpful feedback to ensure you can remember the answer: Koilonychia. Answering practice questions like this, every day, can really help you get prepared for the cosmetology state board test.

Know your cosmetology terms

Okay, there’s more to the cosmetology state board test. And it’s hard. You have to know LOTS of cosmetology terminology.

Anatomy topics—like abductor hallucis. Greater occipital nerve. Metacarpals.
Chemical topics—like ammonium thioglycolate. Disulfide bonds. Lanthionization.
Sanitation topics—like acetone. Diplococci. Staphylococci.
Scalp diseases and disorders—like pediculosis capitis. Carbuncle. Faruncle. Tinea favosa
Nail diseases and disorders—like koilonychia. Leukonycia. Onchatrophia

No worries. We’ve got you covered with a 1,200 word glossary that’s built right in. And you can filter it by topics like those above.

Glossary with 1,200 cosmetology terms defined! And you can filter it by 32 topics, including anatomy, human biology, chemistry, electricity, hair diseases, nail diseases, skin diseases, sanitation and more.

Oh, and get this: You can tap on terms in the built-in cosmetology exam book and the definition pops up. So if you see a word you don’t understand, the Filmbook State Board app defines it for you! On the spot!

Study with cosmetology flashcards

You can also test your knowledge of cosmetology terminology with flashcards. Right in the app! The Filmbook State Board app has over 1,200 flashcards to help you get prepared for the state board exam.

Use the read-out-loud option

Want to know how to pronounce a cosmetology term? You can turn on the read-out-loud option to hear how to say the word. Being able to say a word can help you remember its meaning.

Understand cosmetology theory

Cutting hair is one thing. Understanding cosmetology theory is another. Do you understand the theory of finger angle, finger position, elevation, and overdirection?

Get ready for the PRACTICAL cosmetology state board test

Let’s start with the state board haircut. Learn what it is and how to perform it. Flawlessly. Fearlessly.

In addition to successfully completing the state board haircut, you also need to know how to do the following:

Apply virgin relaxer
Use foils
Dry hair with a round brush
Work with a curling iron and a flat iron
Use blow dry brush

All the cosmetology state board test topics!

If you want to save time, get an app that actually covers all the cosmetology state board test topics. And has films on them!

Get an app that builds your confidence and your competence as you use it. An app that’s designed by artists for artists. You!

Step 3. Prepare for the cosmetology state board test

There are strict guidelines about what’s allowed during state board. Be sure to follow the rules or you won’t be able to complete—or pass—the test.

In general, you’ll need to demonstrate you know things like:

Safety and sanitation: How to properly store, label and discard products
Implements and tools: How to use, maintain and store them safely
Hair care: Draping and services, including haircutting, styling, chemical waving and relaxers, haircolor and lightener
Skin care: Services including facials, waxing and tweezing
Nail care: Services including manicures, pedicures, artificial nails and massage techniques

Do this before the cosmetology state board test

The practical portion of your state board requires that YOU supply your own cosmetology equipment.

Do this during the cosmetology state board test

Here’s what you need to do ONCE you are there. Remember, small easily avoidable mistakes can eat into your overall score:

Set up your workstation exactly as required.
Sanitize your hands before beginning.
Keep your work area tidy and clean throughout the exam.

So … Are you ready to pass the cosmetology state board test and get your cosmetology license?? Yes! You’ve got this.

Pass your cosmetology state board test!

The Filmbook State Board app can help you pass your cosmetology exam. No matter what cosmetology school you go to, and no matter what state you live in.