Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)

NCEA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM WRITTEN EXAM
 
CANDIDATE INFORMATION BULLETIN (CIB)

The NCEA Certification Candidate Information Bulletin includes the content outline covered by the NCEA Certification exam, sample questions and answers. The time allowed for the NCEA Certification Exam test is 90 minutes.

Download Candidate Information Bulletin

Skin Sciences
30 Questions

◊    Anatomy & Physiology
◊    Skin Types
◊    Skin Conditions
◊    Classification Systems
◊    Health, Lifestyle & Nutrition
◊    Skin Diseases & Disorders
◊    Autoimmune Diseases

Skin Treatments
Face & Body
25 Questions
◊    Client Consultation
◊    Client Medical & Lifestyle History 
◊    Skin typing /classification
◊    Informed Consent Documentation
◊    Precautions/Contra-indications to Treatment

Professional Treatments
◊    Exfoliation Methods
◊        Chemical
◊        Mechanical
◊    Laser & Light Therapy
◊        Resurfacing
◊        Permanent Hair Reduction
◊        Photodynamic Therapy
◊        Radiofrequency Technologies
◊    Light Emitting Diodes
◊    Ultrasound
◊    Microcurrent
◊    Body Treatments
◊    Lymphatic Drainage
◊        Manual
◊        Mechanical
◊    Water Treatments
◊    Camouflage Make-up  
   
Medical Professional Interaction
25 Questions

◊    Dermatology
◊    Plastic Surgery
◊    Medical Spas
◊    Prescription Drugs/OTCs
◊    Medical Terminology
◊    Preoperative/Postoperative Care
◊    Wound Healing
◊    Cosmetic Procedures
◊         Injectables 

      
Risk Management,
Professionalism & Business
20 Questions
Risk Management
◊    Legal Risk
◊    Client Health & Safety
◊    Personal Health & Safety
◊    First Aid
◊    CPR/AED
Professionalism
◊    Role Modeling/Ethics
◊    Professionalism
◊        Responsibilities
Business
◊    Business Plan
◊    Marketing
◊    Retailing
◊    Equipment
◊    Policies & Procedures
◊    Industry Relations 

      
SAMPLE QUESTIONS

The following sample questions are similar to those on the National NCEA Certification Written Examination. Each question is followed by four answer choices.  Only one choice is correct.  Correct answers are listed following the questions.

1. The basal layer of the skin is also known as the stratum:
    a) germinativum
    b) lucidum
    c) germination
    d) ganglion

2. Which type of cell produces histamines to reduce inflammation?
    a) leukocyte
    b) mast
    c) fibroblast
    d) elastin

3.Abscesses are caused by:
    a) bacteria
    b) viruses
    c) fungi
    d) injuries

4. How often should you review a client’s medical and lifestyle form?
    a) before each treatment
    b) once a month at the first visit
    c) when the client asks you to

5. The purpose of exfoliation is to:
    a) eliminate wrinkles
    b) cleanse the skin
    c) remove dead skin cells
    d) hydrate the skin

6. Which branch of medicine deals with diseases and disorders of the hair?
    a) dermatology
    b) cosmetology
    c) epidemiology
    d) trichology

7. What source of collagen is used in Zyderm®?
    a) cadaver
    b) porcine
    c) equine
    d) bovine

8. A rhytidectomy is removal of:
    a) skin tags
    b) comedones and pustules
    c) fat and skin
    d) melanoma

9. Formulating a marketing strategy includes:
    a) facility staffing and contracts
    b) logistics and operations
    c) risk management and insurance
    d) communication and promotion

10. Representing your state licensure and knowing your scope of practice is an example of:
    a) profitability
    b) insurance
    c) ethics 
    d) reciprocity

ANSWERS
1. a)
2. b)
3. a)
4. a)
5. c)
6. a)
7. d)
8. c)
9. d)
10. c)

REFERENCES

The references below were used to formulate the 100 questions that are found on the National NCEA Certification Exam. Thorough reviews of these texts are recommended.

NCEA Training Manual
Ed, 2007
National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors & Associations
484 Spring Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
http://www.ncea.tv

Milady’s Standard Comprehensive Training for Estheticians
Ed, 2003
Milady’s Standard Esthetics Advanced
Ed, 2009
Milady, an imprint of Thomson Delmar Learning
5 Maxwell Drive
Clifton Park, NY 12065
http://www.Milady.com

SCHEDULING YOUR NCEA CERTIFICATION EXAM

Iso-Quality Testing, Inc. (IQT) is the testing service that administers the NCEA Certification Exam to candidates. IQT offers computer based testing centers in locations in the United States and Canada. Visit www.isoqualitytesting.com to browse the location of testing centers.  Upon verification of your Candidate Application you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter at your email address of record. The ATT confirms your eligibility to take the NCEA Certification Exam, and issues you a Username and Password to enter the registration system to make your appointment. It is very important to follow these instructions:

• Visit the IQT website at http://www.isoqualitytesting.com

Click on “Take a Test” on the home page, and then click on “Exam Registration.”   If you do not have a computer with which to register, you may call to register at our toll free (866) 773-1114, and a customer service representative can register you for your appointment over the phone.

• Login to the registration system using your Username and Password.

• Select ”National NCEA Certification Exam” from the pull down menu, and then follow the on-screen instructions for finding/selecting a test center and making your appointment.

• NCEA Candidates must provide a credit card when scheduling their exam. Exam fee is $350.00.

• After completing the registration process, you will be provided with an Admission Letter for being admitted to the testing center, which contains a Username and Passcode.  The Passcode is what you will use to launch your examination at the testing center.   Please note that the Password contained in the Authorization to Test (ATT) document allowing you to enter the registration system, IS DIFFERENT than the Passcode contained in the Admission Letter you will use to launch the exam at the center.  These are two different documents – you will be unable to launch the exam at the center if you only bring the ATT document containing the registration system Password. 

• After making an appointment, candidates may change or cancel it, provided it is greater than 48 hours prior to that testing appointment, with no financial penalty. Cancellations or changes received in less than 48 hours from the testing appointment, or if the candidate "no-shows" for the appointment or cannot be admitted, will not be given a refund, nor credit toward a later appointment (unless there is a documented medical emergency).  To make such changes to your appointment, log back into the registration system using your Username and Password, and you may select the “edit appointment” or “cancel appointment” options.

IMPORTANT
• NCEA Candidates who do not test within 90 days will forfeit their exam fee.

EXAMINATION POLICIES

Read these instructions carefully to be certain you are prepared when you arrive at the IQT testing location.   NCEA does not grant exceptions to these policies:

• All NCEA Candidates will be required to present a valid (non-expired) government issued identification bearing their photo and signature, such as driver’s license, or passport for admittance to the testing facility. Failure to present appropriate ID, as stated, will result in forfeiture of their exam fee.
• All NCEA Candidates will be required to present their Admission Letter for admittance to the testing facility. Failure to present their Admission letter will result in forfeiture of their exam fee.
• NCEA Candidates will be provided a tutorial at the beginning of their examination to familiarize themselves with the testing software.
• NCEA Candidate is allotted ninety (90) minutes to complete the NCEA Certification Exam.
• NCEA Candidates will be offered an opportunity to provide feedback about the testing experience following the completion of their exam.
• NCEA Candidates are not permitted to bring any personal belongings into the testing center. This includes, but is not limited to, purses, backpacks, coats, cell phones, calculators, pagers, etc. Failure to adhere to these policies may result in the candidate’s dismissal from the testing center and forfeiture of their testing fee.
• Cheating and/or misrepresentation.   NCEA Candidates suspected of cheating or misrepresentation will have their exam session terminated, any documents found in their possession will be retained by the testing center. The candidate will be dismissed from the test center. Any disciplinary action will be at the sole discretion of NCEA.
• PASSING THE EXAMINATION & BECOMING NCEA CERTIFIED
• Upon completing the NCEA Certification Exam, the Candidate will be immediately notified of their pass/fail status. NCEA requires a scaled score of 75 to become NCEA Certified. Once NCEA is advised of your passing grade, you will receive your NCEA Certified Certificate.

Your certificate will exhibit your full name, NCEA Certified number, expiration date and the NCEA Certified logo.
Your certification is valid for three (3) years. It is your responsibility to maintain and uphold your NCEA Certified status by complying with the Responsibilities of the NCEA Certified Professional.

These include:

• Maintaining your NCEA Individual Membership
• Maintaining your CPR/AED and First Aid Certifications
• Obtaining the required 12 CEs approved the NCEA Commission on Accreditation (COA) in order to maintain your NCEA Certified status.

Most important, it is your responsibility to follow the NCEA Code of Ethics and to represent your new status as a NCEA Certified professional favorably.

NCEA CERTIFICATION CANDIDATES WITH DISABILITIES

NCEA can provide special accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. If a disability prevents you from taking the examination under normal conditions, you may request special accommodations. You must submit a written request along with your application form for special accommodations, which explains the nature of the disability, the type of accommodation you feel is appropriate, and attach supporting documentation of the diagnosis from a licensed health care professional.