The National Interstate Council for State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) exams available are:

  • Barber
  • Barber 1 (no chemical)
  • Barber Styling
  • Body Piercing
  • Cosmetology
  • Natural Hair Styling
  • Hair Design
  • Esthetics
  • Advanced Esthetics
  • Electrology
  • Hair Removal
  • Nail Technology
  • Permanent Cosmetics
  • Tattooing
  • Micropigmentation
  • Advanced Micropigmentation
  • Wax Technology
  • Instructor
  • National Manager

The written CBT exams currently available are:

  • English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean

New languages are in the process of being translated. Watch our website for additional languages when they are available.

Candidate Information Bulletins (CIB) contain information regarding the NIC Written, Practical and Written Practical examinations, including content outline covered by the examination and sample questions and answers. NIC maintains a master repository of all CIBs that are currently utilized in states and jurisdictions that use the NIC examinations. Check with your state or its test administration vendor for the specific CIB utilized in the location you are testing.

 

Written Examinations

Candidate Information Bulletins (CIB) contain information regarding the NIC National Written Examination, including content and outline, sample questions and answers, and references. For each NIC National Written Examination, there are TWO (2) parts to every CIB stored as separate documents:

  • Examination Content and Instructions – Information about the scope of content covered in the written examination, and information and guidelines related to administration of the written examination.
  • References – List of references used to develop and support the content covered in the NIC examinations. The references are the same for both Written and Practical examinations.

 

Practical Examinations

Candidate Information Bulletins (CIB) contain information regarding the NIC National Practical Examination content and administration for core services and additional sections. For each NIC National Practical Examination, there are multiple parts to every CIB stored as separate documents:

  • Instructions and Examination Core Domain Content– Information and guidelines related to the administration and scope of content covered in the core sections of the practical examination.
  • Additional Services – Information about available additional sections offered by NIC for practical examinations. Check with your state regulatory agency or its examination administration vendor to determine if your state requires additional services as part of the state practical examination.
  • References – List of references used to develop and support the content covered in the NIC examinations. The references are the same for both Written and Practical examinations.

Written Practical Examinations

Candidate Information Bulletins (CIB) contain information regarding the NIC National Written Practical Examination, including content and outline, sample questions and answers, and references.  For each NIC National Written Practical Examination, there are TWO (2) parts to every CIB stored as separate documents:

  • Examination Content and Instructions – Information about the scope of content covered in the written practical examination, and information and guidelines related to administration of the written practical examination.
  • References – List of references used to develop and support the content covered in the NIC examinations. The references are the same for the Theory, the Practical, and the Written Practical examination.

There is a practice test available on our website under the Testing tab Exam Tools drop down.  You can also review the Candidate Information Bulletin CIB to prepare for the examinations.