Cosmetology Sanitation and Safety 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is the lowest level of decontamination that kills most bacteria, some fungi, and some viruses on surfaces?

Sterilization
Disinfection
Sanitation (Correct answer)
Immunization

Correct answer: Sanitation

Sanitation reduces the number of pathogens on a surface to a safe level as judged by public health standards, but does not eliminate all microorganisms.

Question 2: Which level of decontamination destroys all microbial life, including spores, and is required for surgical instruments?

Sanitation
Disinfection
Sterilization (Correct answer)
Antisepsis

Correct answer: Sterilization

Sterilization is the complete destruction of all microbial life including spores, achieved through autoclaving, and is required for instruments that penetrate the skin.

Question 3: An EPA-registered disinfectant labeled as 'hospital-grade' must be effective against:

Only bacteria
Bacteria, fungi, and viruses including HIV and HBV (Correct answer)
Spores only
Airborne pathogens only

Correct answer: Bacteria, fungi, and viruses including HIV and HBV

Hospital-grade, EPA-registered disinfectants must be effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens including bacteria, fungi, and viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B (HBV).

Question 4: What is the proper order of steps when decontaminating reusable salon tools?

Disinfect, then clean
Clean, then disinfect (Correct answer)
Sterilize, then clean
Sanitize, then sterilize

Correct answer: Clean, then disinfect

Tools must first be cleaned to remove all visible debris and contaminants, and then disinfected so the disinfectant can properly contact all surfaces of the implement.

Question 5: Which of the following is an example of a direct transmission of disease?

Touching a contaminated surface then touching your face
Airborne droplets from a sneeze
Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person (Correct answer)
Using unsterilized tools

Correct answer: Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person

Direct transmission occurs through immediate physical contact between an infected person and a susceptible host, such as skin-to-skin contact, without an intermediate object.

Question 6: Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide information about:

Client consultation forms
Hazardous chemicals including handling, storage, and emergency procedures (Correct answer)
State licensing requirements
Sanitation schedules

Correct answer: Hazardous chemicals including handling, storage, and emergency procedures

Safety Data Sheets (SDS), formerly called MSDS, are documents required for all hazardous salon chemicals that detail ingredients, hazards, protective measures, and emergency response information.

Cosmetology Sanitation and Safety 1

What is the lowest level of decontamination that kills most bacteria, some fungi, and some viruses on surfaces?

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Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

dos.ny.gov — Eligibility, fees, renewal, score release, score validity · verified Nov 2026
tdlr.texas.gov — Eligibility, fees, score validity · verified Nov 2026
barbercosmo.ca.gov — Eligibility, retake policy, test delivery, exam format, time limit, retake fee · verified Nov 2026
www2.myfloridalicense.com — Test delivery, exam format, passing score, score release, eligibility, renewal, retake policy, fees, exam information · verified Nov 2026
test-takers.psiexams.com — Test delivery, fees, exam format, passing score, score release · verified Nov 2026
nictesting.org — Test delivery · verified Nov 2026