New York Consolidated Laws, General Business Law - GBS § 407. Examinations

1. The examinations for the license to practice natural hair styling, esthetics, nail specialty and cosmetology shall be practical and written.  The examinations for the license to practice waxing shall be limited to a written examination only.  The secretary shall determine reasonable standards of performance for each license and shall evaluate the prospective applicants and applicants on the basis of such standards.  The objectives of the examinations shall be to insure that prospective applicants and applicants have sufficient basic skills to safeguard the health and safety of the public and to insure that prospective applicants and applicants have attained adequate levels of skill to competently engage in the activities authorized by the license.

2. The secretary shall prepare examination questions for persons to qualify for licensure under this article.  Such examination questions shall include, where applicable, questions relating to providing services to individuals with varying hair types and textures.  All such examinations shall be the same for all persons for the license sought at any given examination.  Such test shall not be limited to any specific method or system.

3. Examinations shall be in the English language and, at the discretion of the secretary, may be translated or transposed into any other language if requested by the prospective applicant and upon satisfactory proof of the need therefor provided that a request for such a translated examination is made of the secretary at the time the application for license is filed.  In the case of physically disabled persons, provision for the alternative administration of the examination may be made, provided a request for such procedure is made of the secretary a reasonable time in advance of the examination.  Examinations shall be held at least quarterly and shall be given in at least four convenient places in the state.