Esthetics State Board Practical Review: Watch & Learn!
You are set up for SUCCESS at Southeastern Esthetics Institute! Our Licensed Instructors are ready to help you pass both your THEORY + PRACTICAL EXAMS with flying colors!

Check out our THEORY Prep Guide below for the Q & A's on the SCIENCES Chapters - and enjoy!
SOUTHEASTERN ESTHETICS INSTITUTE
PRACTICAL EXAMINATION SUPPLIES LIST & EXAMINATION STEP-BY-STEP
​Reference: www.nictesting.org

Important Practical Exam Instructions
MPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS
Do not leave the examination area without permission. Permission must be obtained to leave the examination area for any reason, including restroom usage or at the completion of the examination. Picture ID is required for re-entry into the examination.
  • Candidates are required to bring a supply kit for their own use.
  • It is the candidate’s responsibility to make certain they have a sufficient quantity of supplies that have been properly cleaned and disinfected and that implements are in proper working order.
  • The kit will be used during the examination as dry storage and is considered part of the work area. The kit must be kept closed (e.g., completely zipped or lid tightly closed) except when removing materials for a particular service.
  • Candidates may remove items, supplies, etc., from the kit at any time, however nothing may be returned to the kit.
  • EPA registered, disinfectant WIPES that demonstrate bactericidal, fungicidal, and virucidal properties must be used. DISINFECTANT SPRAYS ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED IN THE TESTING ENVIRONMENT.
Due to standardization of the NIC National Examinations, proctors and examiners are required to adhere to the following standards:
  • The verbal instructions will be read twice for each section of the examination.
  • With the exception of verbal instructions, the proctors are not allowed to communicate with candidates.
  • Examiners are not allowed to speak with candidates.
  • If a candidate experiences an emergency situation, please notify the proctor by raising your hand.
The following provides examples of materials and actions that are prohibited during the examination administration:
  • Possession of cellular phones, watches (of any kind) pagers, tablets, computers, projectors, cameras, or any other electronic or recording devices, printed materials, or handwritten notes.
  • Purses, bags, coats, hats, and any other personal items not directly needed to complete the examination, are not allowed.
  • Exhibiting disruptive behavior.
  • Communicating to other candidates or any examiner.
Candidates will be evaluated on proper designation of materials that are disposed. You are required to bring and use the following supplies for the appropriate disposal of materials:
* Container labeled “to be disinfected”
* Container labeled “soiled linens”
* Container labeled “trash”

Esthetics Practical Sections
The scope of the National Esthetics Practical Examination includes 6 (six) core domain services. The Core Domain Sections are based on the national job analysis.
  1. Work Area Preparation and Set Up of Supplies (First client) (10 minutes)
  2. Client Preparation and Basic Facial (25 minutes)
  3. Work Area Preparation for New Client and Set Up of Supplies (Second client) (10
    minutes)
  4. New Client Preparation and Hair Removal of the Eyebrows Using Simulated Soft Wax
    and Tweezing (5 minute set-up, Untimed procedure)
  5. Facial Makeup (20 minutes)
  6. Blood Exposure Procedure (10 minutes)
  7. Particle Microdermabrasion on the Forehead (10 minutes) +ADDITIONAL SECTION
    (Performed on Client 2)+
  8. Eyelash Enhancement (10 minutes) +ADDITIONAL SECTION (Performed on Client
    2)+
  9. Hair Removal of the Upper Lip Using Hard Wax (10 minutes) +ADDITIONAL SECTION
    (Performed on Client 2)+
** Products must be labeled in English
EXAMINATION UNIVERSAL/GENERAL SUPPLIES
  • Rubbermaid Large Storage Container with Clickable Lid
  • EPA-Registered Disinfectant Wipes
  • Mannequin Head
  • Headband/Disposable Cap for Mannequin Head
  • Hand Sanitizer in Pump Bottle - Manufacturer’s Label
  • Bag Labeled “To Be Disinfected” - LABELED ON ALL FOUR SIDES WITH TRASH LINER
  • Bag Labeled “Soiled Linens” - LABELED ON ALL FOUR SIDES WITH TRASH LINER
  • Bag Labeled “Trash” - LABELED ON ALL FOUR SIDES WITH TRASH LINER
  • Paper Towel Roll
  • Box of Gloves
  • Tupperware Container with Lid (for Water)
  • Bottle of Water
  • Ziplock Bag of Cotton Rounds
  • Ziplock Bag of Spatulas or Wax Sticks
  • First Aid Kit
  • Ziplock Bag for Blood Contaminated Materials
  • Wax Heater with Small Amount of Hard Wax

WORK AREA PREP AND SET UP OF SUPPLIES Step-by-Step Protocol:
  • Go into Storage Container and pull out Universal Supplies
  • Sanitize your hands
  • Disinfect work area with EPA-Registered Hospital Grade Disinfectant Wipes
  • Set up Universal Supplies on work area provided
  • Sanitize your hands and step back 
  • Items are disposed of in labeled bags, as appropriate

CLIENT 1 BAG
  • Cleanser in a Pump Bottle - labeled “Cleanser”
  • Facial Scrub in a Pump Bottle - labeled “Exfoliation Product”
  • Facial Exfoliation Brush
  • Wet Steam Towel in Ziplock Bag - labeled “Steam Towel”
  • Cream in a Pump Bottle - labeled “Massage Product”
  • White Cream Cleanser/Mask in Pump Bottle - labeled “Mask Product”
  • Small tupperware container with lid for serve as “Water Bowl”
  • Draping for the Client + Headband

CLIENT PREPARATION AND BASIC FACIAL Step-by-Step Protocol:
  • Sanitize hands, glove up, and sanitize again
  • Pour water into “Water Bowl”
  • Dispense “Cleanser” onto a cotton round and apply to the mannequin face
  • Utilize a cotton round and water to remove the “Cleanser” and throw away in “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Dispense “Exfoliant” onto a cotton round and apply to the mannequin face
  • Utilize the “Exfoliation Brush” to massage “Exfoliant” into the skin
  • Dispose of the “Exfoliation Brush” into “To Be Disinfected”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize a cotton round and water to remove the “Exfoliant” and throw away in “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Pull the pre-moistened towel of the “Steam Towel” bag; test the corners of the towel on the wrists and apply the “Steam Towel” to the mannequin face. Remove and place into “Soiled Linens”. Place the “Steam Towel” bag into the “Trash”.
  • Sanitize hands
  • Dispense “Massage Product” onto a cotton round and apply to the mannequin face
  • Demonstrate “Effleurage, Petrissage, Tapotement, and Friction” massage movements
  • Sanitize hands
  • Dispense “Facial Mask” onto a cotton round and apply to the mannequin face - avoiding eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Utilize a cotton round and water to remove the “Facial Mask” and throw away in “Trash”
  • Remove draping and headband from client and place in the “Trash”
  • Place lid on “Water Bowl” and place in “To Be Disinfected”
  • Throw any additional items from this section in the “Trash” or “To Be Disinfected”
  • Throw gloves in the “Trash”; Sanitize hands and step back

WORK AREA PREPARATION FOR NEW CLIENT AND SET UP OF SUPPLES Step-by-Step Protocol:
  • Sanitize hands
  • Disinfect work area with EPA-Registered Hospital Grade Disinfectant Wipes
  • Wipe down all Universal Supply items with Disinfectant Wipes
  • Throw wipes away in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Pull out Client 2 Bag from Storage Container
  • Sanitize hands
  • Prepare mannequin as “Client 2” with new draping and headband
  • Sanitize hands and step back

CLIENT 2 BAG
  • Tweezers
  • Water in a Spray Bottle - labeled “Pre-Epilation Product”
  • 1 Pelon Strip
  • 2 Wax Sticks
  • Vaseline Travel Size - labeled “Soft Wax”
  • Water in a Spray Bottle - labeled “Post-Epilation Product”
  • Paper Plate
  • Tinted Moisturizer/Foundation + Sponge
  • Powder + Sponge
  • Blush + Sponge
  • Eyeshadow (Brown) +  Qtip
  • Eyeliner - Sharpened
  • Pencil Sharpener
  • Mascara (Travel Size) + Disposable Mascara Wand
  • Lip Stick + Qtip
  • Draping for the Client + Headband

NEW CLIENT PREPARATION AND HAIR REMOVAL OF THE EYEBROW USING SIMULATED SOFT WAX AND TWEEZING (UNTIMED PROCEDURE) Step-by-Step Protocol:
  • Sanitize hands, glove up, and sanitize again
  • Pull tweezer and soft wax supplies from Client 2 Bag
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize a cotton round to apply “Pre-Epilation Product” to the right eyebrow; Throw cotton round in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Demonstrate tweezing procedure on the right brow of the mannequin
  • Place tweezer in “To Be Disinfected”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize a cotton round to apply “Post-Epilation Product” to the right eyebrow; Throw cotton round in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize a cotton round to apply “Pre-Epilation Product” to the right eyebrow; Throw cotton round in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Open “Soft Wax” and utilize 1st Wax Stick to apply “Test” product to the wrist; Throw wax stick in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize 2nd Wax Stick to apply “Soft Wax” to the left brow; Throw away wax stick in the “Trash”; Place “Soft Wax” in “To Be Disinfected”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Apply “Pelon Strip” to the left brow; Brace + remove “Pelon Strip”; Place in “Trash”
  • Sanitize Hands
  • Utilize a cotton round to apply “Prep-Epilation Product” to the right eyebrow; Throw cotton round in the “Trash”
  • Throw any additional items from this section in the “Trash” or “To Be Disinfected”
  • Throw gloves in the “Trash”; Sanitize hands and step back

FACIAL MAKEUP Step-by-Step Protocol:
  • Sanitize hands, glove up, and sanitize again
  • Pull Makeup supplies from Client 2 Bag
  • Sanitize hands
  • “Pump” or “scrape” all product for Makeup onto a Paper Plate
  • Pump “Foundation” onto paper plate; Utilize sponge to apply to mannequin
  • “Foundation” is placed in “To Be Disinfected”; Sponge is placed in “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Scrape “Powder” onto paper plate; Utilize sponge to apply to mannequin 
  • “Powder” is placed in “To Be Disinfected”; Sponge is placed in “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Scrape “Blush” onto paper plate; Utilize sponge to apply to mannequin 
  • “Blush” is placed in “To Be Disinfected”; Sponge is placed in “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Scrape “Eyeshadow” onto paper plate; Utilize Q-tip  to apply to mannequin 
  • “Eyeshadow” is placed in “To Be Disinfected”; Q-tip is placed in “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Apply sharpened “Eyeliner” to the lash line
  • “Eyeliner” is placed in “To Be Disinfected”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize disposable mascara wand to dip into “Mascara” and apply to lashes (this is mocked, due to no lashes on mannequin)
  • “Mascara” is placed in “To Be Disinfected”; Disposable mascara wand is placed in “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Scrape “Lipstick” with disposable spatula; Utilize Q-tip or disposable lip applicator to apply to mannequin 
  • “Lipstick” is placed in “To Be Disinfected”; Disposable spatula and Q-tip/disposable lip applicator  is placed in “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Throw any additional items from this section in the “Trash” or “To Be Disinfected”
  • Throw gloves in the “Trash”; Sanitize hands and step back

BLOOD EXPOSURE PROCEDURE  Step-by-Step Protocol:
  • Sanitize hands, glove up, and sanitize again
  • Pull EMPTY, CLEAN ZIPLOCK BAG from Storage Container (Only supply item needed for this section)
  • Sanitize hands
  • Remove Antiseptic Wipe + Bandaid from First Aid Kit
  • Sanitize hands
  • Open Antiseptic Wipe from satchel, wipe on chin of mannequin head; Dispose of trash in the clean Ziplock bag and CLOSE it
  • Sanitize hands
  • Open Bandaid from paper, apply on the chin of the mannequin head; Dispose of trash in the clean Ziplock bag and CLOSE it
  • Sanitize hands
  • Remove Bandaid from the chin and wrap in gloves as removed; Dispose of these items in the clean Ziplock bag and CLOSE it
  • Place closed Ziplock bag in the “Trash” (Double bagging!); Sanitize hands and step back

PARTICLE MICRODERMABRASION BAG
  • Jumprope as “Microdermabrasion Wand”
  • Goggles/Eyewear for Mannequin Head
  • Goggles/Eyewear for YOU
  • Face Mask for YOU
  • Water in a Spray Bottle - labeled “Degreaser/Prep Solution”
  • Cream in a Pump Bottle - labeled “Moisturizer”

PARTICLE MICRODERMABRASION ON THE FOREHEAD Step-by-Step Protocol:
  • Sanitize hands, glove up, and sanitize again
  • Pull Particle Microdermabrasion Supplies from Storage Container
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize a cotton round to apply “Degreaser/Prep Solution” to the mannequin’s forehead; Throw cotton round in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Apply Eyewear to Mannequin
  • Apply Eyewear + Face Mask to YOURSELF
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize “Microdermabrasion Wand” to perform particle microdermabrasion to the forehead utilizing a “hashtag” pattern; Place “Microdermabrasion Wand” in “To Be Disinfected”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize a cotton round to “wipe particles from face”; Throw cotton round in the “Trash’
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize a cotton round to apply “Moisturizer” to the mannequin’s forehead; Place “Moisturizer” in “To Be Disinfected”; Throw cotton round in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Throw any additional items from this section in the “Trash” or “To Be Disinfected”
  • Throw gloves in the “Trash”; Sanitize hands and step back

EYELASH ENHANCEMENT BAG
  • Headband/Disposable Cap for Mannequin Head
  • Eyelash Strips
  • Eyelash Adhesive
  • Scissors
  • Tweezers
  • Disposable Mascara Wand
  • Disposable Spatula x 3

EYELASH ENHANCEMENT Step-by-Step Protocol:
  • Sanitize hands, glove up, and sanitize again
  • Pull Eyelash Enhancement Supplies from Storage Container
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize spatula to apply adhesive “behind the ear” as a “patch test”; Throw spatula in the ‘Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize disposable mascara wand to “remove debris from lashes before beginning”; Throw spatula in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Measure and cut the lash bands to the appropriate length with scissors; Scissors are placed in “To Be Disinfected”; Lash Tray goes in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Apply lash adhesive to spatula; apply adhesive from spatula to the lash band; Apply to right eye; Dispose of spatula in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Apply lash adhesive to spatula; apply adhesive from spatula to the lash band; Apply to left eye; Dispose of spatula in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Throw any additional items from this section in the “Trash” or “To Be Disinfected”
  • Throw gloves in the “Trash”; Sanitize hands and step back

HAIR REMOVAL OF THE UPPER LIP USING HARD WAX BAG
  • Wax Heater with Small Amount of Hard Wax (in Universal/General Supplies)
  • Wax Applicators x 3
  • Water in a Spray Bottle - labeled “Pre-Epilation Product”
  • Water in a Spray Bottle - labeled “Post-Epilation Product”

HAIR REMOVAL OF THE UPPER LIP USING HARD WAX (UNTIMED)  Step-by-Step Protocol:
** Proctor will ask you to bring your wax pot over from the power station in the room. Make sure you have tested the correct heat for your machine prior to turning it on in the testing area. **
  • Sanitize hands, glove up, and sanitize again
  • Pull Hair Removal of the Upper Lip Supplies from Storage Container
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize wax applicator to perform test spot on the wrist; wax applicator goes in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize a cotton round to apply “Pre-Epilation Product” to the upper lip; Throw cotton round in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize wax applicator to apply hard wax to right side of the upper lip; Place wax applicator in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize wax applicator to apply hard wax to left  side of the upper lip; Place wax applicator in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Utilize a cotton round to apply “Post-Epilation Product” to the upper lip; Throw cotton round in the “Trash”
  • Sanitize hands
  • Throw any additional items from this section in the “Trash” or “To Be Disinfected”
  • Throw gloves in the “Trash”; Sanitize hands and step back