Arizona Cosmetology State Board Exam: Free Practice Test, and Everything you Need to Know

Arizona Cosmetology State Board Exam

Are you planning on taking the State Board exam for cosmetology in Arizona? Planning to open or practice cosmetology with your license? On this page, you will find everything you need to know about the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology exam. From the application process, scheduling exams, and practice questions, this article will walk you through all the crucial details you’ll need to know to get your license.

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The Start of the Registration Process

Congratulations! You’ve made it this far and your time and hard work are beginning to realize your goals. You have entered your cosmetology school and have done all the hard work till now. The Cosmetology state board exam is the only thing standing between you and your cosmetology license. Now I know that the application and exam scheduling processes are a little intimidating at first. But to make things easier, allow me to share, point-by-point, all you need to complete the process with confidence.

Check your Eligibility

Before starting with the application process, the first thing you have to do is check your eligibility. Because you’re reading this article, it’s likely that you know you are already eligible. But since there is no harm in being extra cautious, let us check the eligibility for appearing in the Arizona State Cosmetology Board Exam.

By Universal Recognition

  • For appearing in the Cosmetology Board Exam, applicants need to prove residency in Arizona.
  • All applicants must have a license or have one year of certification from another US state.
  • The candidate must meet the same standard of performance as is necessary and recognized in Arizona.
  • Applicants should have proven citizenship or alien status for State public benefits.

Licensure by Reciprocity

  • Applicants must fill out an application for a cosmetologist, or any other license provided by the board.
  • With the application, applicants must submit all the documents such as Proof of Residence, Proof of Identity, etc. To prove their license from any other U. S. state this is necessary.
  • Applicants also have to complete classes related to law review, and infection protection. The classes arranged by the state board are mandatory. The fee is not set, and the applicant must pay it directly to the board.
  • After completion of the fee payment, apply online.

Apart from the above points, you should have completed a set number of practical hours.

  • 1600 hours for a cosmetology license
  • 600 hours for esthetician license
  • 600 hours for nail technology license
  • 1500 hours for barber license

Register yourself

After determining your eligibility, the first step is to register for a test. You must register with Professional Credential Services (PCS) to take the licensing test. Visit their official site https://www.pcshq.com/.

Let’s break down the steps of the registration:

  • First, you have to visit the https://www.pcshq.com/ website.
  • Click the option, Applicants & Candidates to proceed further.
  • Now click on Cosmetology & Barbering.
  • For this, choose Arizona as your state.
  • Then click on On the type of Examination, and create an account.

After you have registered, you must apply to the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology. A quick reminder. You must submit the documents before uploading the application to the PCS website.

  • 2×2  passport photos
  • Your school graduation certificate (It should be present on school letterhead).
  • Age proof documentation and high school education (16 years old and above) or age proof document(18 years old and above).
  • Proof of papers showing legal presence in the United States under federal law (like a passport, US birth certificate issued by a state, etc).

Scheduling of your Exam

After the Cosmetology Board receives your complete application, they will notify PCS. PCS thereafter is responsible to notify you.

You will get an email with your practical exam date. The e-mail will also contain scheduling instructions for the written exam. You cannot reschedule your practical exam unless you are paying the rescheduling fees separately.

Usually, confirmation emails come within 5 working days. If you miss the email, immediately contact Virtual incorporated to check with them.

On the Day of the Exam

On the day of the exam, it is best advised to visit the examination center 1 hour to 30 minutes prior to avoid the last-minute rush.

As a part of the examination you have to carry a few documents:

  • Theory authorization letter issued from the PCS. For practical exams, PCS will notify you 10 days prior with the practical notice letter.
  • Supplies and equipment are those stated in the Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB).
  • Proof of identity with a photograph such as a US naturalization citizenship certificate, US permanent resident card, etc.

You can take the written exam in English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese language. The practical exams are only available in English.

Get your Results

Once you appear in your Cosmetology Board exam, you do not have to wait long for results. PCS will email you the score within 10 days of your examination.

PCS will inform the Arizona State Cosmetology Board once you qualify for the exam. Once you qualify for both the practical and written exam, the Arizona Cosmetology Board will grant you a license.

If you do not pass your exam, worry not! It is not the end of the world. You can always re-apply for the exam. However, it will cost you again.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Arizona Cosmetology Exams

HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE ARIZONA BOARD OF COSMETOLOGY EXAMINATIONS?

To apply for the Arizona Cosmetology Board exams you’ll need to complete the application form. Before filling out the exam application form, you should have these documents ready:

  • A 2X2 recent passport photo
  • Graduation certificate for proof of hours (the certificate should be on school’s letterhead)
  • Proof of residency authorized under Federal Law.
  • High school education certificate such as a diploma or GED.

A successful application submission takes a minimum of 3 to 4 weeks to process. The Arizona Cosmetology Board after receiving a successful application will notify PCS with practical dates and written exams.

I CAN’T MAKE THE DATE/TIME OF MY EXAMINATION. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Once you successfully submit your application form, you are not allowed to change your practical date of the examination. You can only change the exam date once you pay a rescheduling fee.

You can visit this page for further information regarding rescheduling your exam.

The other option is to reschedule your test without losing your application money if you inform the PSI at least two days before the exam date.

The following contact information could be helpful: Here’s the PSI Customer Service Number (800) 733‐9267 or fax (702) 932‐2666.

WHICH EXAMINATION PROGRAM DOES THE ARIZONA BOARD OF BARBERING AND COSMETOLOGY USE?

The Arizona Cosmetology Board uses Professional Credential Services (PCS) to handle all administrative aspects of cosmetology and barbering exams. The Arizona Cosmetology Board uses the National-Interstate Council (NIC) of State Boards of Cosmetology examinations.

WHERE DO THE EXAMINATIONS TAKE PLACE?

There are four examinations centers in Arizona:

  • Flagstaff
  • Glendale
  • Phoenix
  • TucsonTempe

You can select any of the above centers for your practical and written examination.

HOW MANY HOURS OF PRACTICAL WORK DO I NEED TO QUALIFY FOR THE ARIZONA STATE BOARD EXAMINATIONS?

To qualify for the Cosmetology license examination for Arizona State Board Examination, you need to complete the following hours.

  • 1600 hours for a cosmetology license
  • 600 hours for esthetician license
  • 600 hours for nail technology license
  • 1500 hours for barber license

CAN I TAKE THE STATE BOARD EXAMINATIONS BEFORE I’VE COMPLETED THE REQUIRED HOURS?

No, you must finish the required number of practical practice hours before taking the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology test.

HOW LONG IS THE COSMETOLOGY WRITTEN EXAMINATION?

The National Cosmetology written examination is for 90 minutes. They broke the written exam into the following sections:

  • Scientific Concepts- 30%
  • Hair Care and Services- 40%
  • Nail Care and Services- 15%
  • Skin Care and Services- 15%

WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION?

The written examination format for the Arizona Cosmetology Board is a computer-based Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) (90 mins). Do note, this would not be an open-book exam.

HOW LONG IS THE COSMETOLOGY PRACTICAL EXAMINATION?

The practical examination time varies based on different factors. The average time for the practical exam for a cosmetologist is 4 hours. For a barber, it can be 3hours. For estheticians, the time can vary between 1 ½ hour to 2 hours.

WHAT’S THE FORMAT OF THE PRACTICAL EXAMINATION?

For practical examination, you get a unique set of tasks to be completed in time. You will be provided a 10-minute window to set up the client prep.

For more, you can read the instructions for the practical examination here.

WHAT SCORES DO I NEED TO PASS BOTH PORTIONS OF THE COSMETOLOGY EXAM?

They set the scaling for passing criteria after every new examination. The raw score will calculate the scaled score. The scaled scores range from 1 to 100.

The minimum passing score for both written and practical exams is 75 each.

HOW MANY TIMES CAN I RETAKE THE STATE BOARD COSMETOLOGY EXAMINATIONS IF I FAIL?

In Arizona, you can take the cosmetology test, written and practical, as many times as you need within a year. To re-apply for your examination, you have to pay rescheduling fees.

HOW LONG DOES COSMETOLOGY SCHOOL TAKE IN ARIZONA?

In Arizona, for being eligible in the Cosmetology Board exam you must have completed 40 weeks of class and around 1600 hours of training.

HOW DO I TRANSFER MY COSMETOLOGY LICENSE TO ARIZONA?

If you started your cosmetology practice in another US state and wish to move it to one of the following, you can do so.

  • You can choose to transfer your license through a reciprocity program
  • You must pass the Cosmetology Board licensure test.

HOW DO I GET MY COSMETOLOGY LICENSE IN ARIZONA?

To get your license in Arizona, you will require completing all the prerequisites of the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology Examination. You can get your license after completing the required training hours from a Cosmetology school.

If you have your cosmetology license from a different US state, you can opt for the reciprocity program to get your license in Arizona.

HOW DO I RENEW MY COSMETOLOGY LICENSE IN ARIZONA?

The renewal process of your cosmetology license in Arizona is not a complex process (if done at the right time!). You have to keep in mind a few things:

  • You have to renew your license before your annual deadline. There are no reminders as such to keep you reminded.

The easiest way to renew your license is by applying online. The application form will be available at the official website of the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology www.azboc.gov.

HOW SHOULD I STUDY FOR THE ARIZONA COSMETOLOGY WRITTEN EXAM?

The best way to start your exam preparation is by following our ultimate cosmetology exam cheat sheet. Our exam package has been prepared to give the candidates complete preparation for the upcoming exam.

Arizona Cosmetology State Board Exam Practice Test

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At which two reference points does the comb leave the head?*
How can split ends be repaired?*
It is safe to perform a service on clients who have...*
For which techniques should razors be used on curly hair?*
What is the most appropriate hairstyle for round facial types?*
What purpose do humectants serve in conditioners?*
Which type of shear is best for cutting large sections of hair?*
What purpose does silicone serve in conditioners?*
Which pair includes the two basic requirements for a healthy scalp?*
Which elevation angle could be used to add weight to a haircut?*
Which of the following is not a type of conditioner?*
Which of the following is not a function of brushing?*
Which type of shampoo should be used to remove build-up?*
What is the difference between treatment massages and relaxation massages?*
How does shampoo draping differ from chemical draping?*
Which of the following is not one of the natural wave patterns of hair?*
What should be done for patients who have been treated with conditioner that must be left in for more than one minute?*
What are the two types of asymmetrical balance?*
Which of the following is not a layered haircut?*
Moisturizing conditioners allow the _____ to absorb moisture from the air.*

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