Infection Control, Safety & Microbiology — Esthetician Practice Test

This Esthetician Infection Control, Safety & Microbiology practice set has 62 practice questions based on the official exam materials, each with an instant explanation. You need 75% on the real Esthetician knowledge test to pass.

Sample questions

Three questions from the Infection Control, Safety & Microbiology bank with the correct answer and an explanation. The practice quiz above draws 30 questions at random from the same bank.

1. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi are all microorganisms an esthetician must control. Which is the SMALLEST and can only be seen with an electron microscope?

   • Viruses — Correct answer
   • Bacteria
   • Fungi
   • Parasites

   Explanation: Viruses are the smallest infectious agents — far smaller than bacteria — and can only be seen with an electron microscope. They invade healthy cells and reproduce inside them (e.g., HIV, hepatitis, herpes simplex). Bacteria are larger and visible under an ordinary light microscope; fungi (molds, yeasts) are larger still; parasites (e.g., mites) are the largest of these groups.

   Handbook: Infection Control, Safety & Microbiology — Types of Microorganisms

2. Which level of decontamination is the HIGHEST, destroying all microbial life including bacterial spores?

   • Sterilization — Correct answer
   • Disinfection
   • Sanitation
   • Cleaning

   Explanation: The three levels of decontamination, from lowest to highest, are sanitation (reduces germs to a safe level), disinfection (kills most pathogens on nonporous surfaces but NOT spores), and sterilization (destroys ALL microbial life, including bacterial spores). In a skin care salon, EPA-registered disinfection is the required standard for most multi-use implements; sterilization is used for items that could puncture the skin.

   Handbook: Infection Control, Safety & Microbiology — Levels of Decontamination

3. Which federal agency registers the disinfectants used to clean implements in a skin care salon?

   • EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) — Correct answer
   • OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
   • CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
   • FDA (Food and Drug Administration)

   Explanation: The EPA registers disinfectants and assigns each an EPA registration number that must appear on the label. OSHA regulates workplace safety (including the Hazard Communication Standard), the CDC issues infection-control guidelines, and the FDA regulates cosmetics and drugs — but disinfectant efficacy claims are registered by the EPA.

   Handbook: Infection Control, Safety & Microbiology — Regulatory Agencies