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State Board Nail Technician Practice
Exam 2026/2027: 130+ Questions
and Verified Answers
All of the following are products used to perform a basic manicure EXCEPT A) nail oil B) primer C) remover D) top coat B) primer Which is an example of a parasite A) Mildew B) Scabies C) Tinea Barbae D) Tinea Capitis B) Scabies Which is the ONLY way to remove excess cuticle around the nail with a nipper? A) Cut B) Rip C) Tear D) Trim D) Trim Which is a place used for storing disinfected tools and implements in the salon? A) Utility Cart B) Covered Container C) Laundry Facility D) Back Bar B) Covered Container All of the following purposes of having a SDS available apply EXCEPT A) The knowledge of safety in handling supplies B) To have quick access to medical and first aid information
C) Knowing what supplies are in stock D) To keep from being fined C) Knowing what supplies are in stock Which is the best filing technique to use on a natural fingernail A) Side to center B)Center to side C) Back and forth D) Into the corners A) Side to center Which type of nail wrap is considered to be the strongest wrap fabric? A) silk B) linen C) paper D) fiberglass B) linen Which of the following is a chemical germicide formulated for use on the skin A) Antiseptic B) Bleach C) Disinfectant D) Quat Solution A) Antiseptic All of the following are types of basic nail shapes EXCEPT A) Cone B) Pointed C) Round D) Squoval A) Cone All of the following are examples of single-use materials used in nail services EXCEPT A) paraffin mitts B) pedicure slippers C) plastic spatulas D) two-way buffers A) paraffin mitts All of the following are steps involved in the removal of fabric wraps EXCEPT A) gently buff with 240 grit buffer B) re-hydrate nail after removal C) soak in non-acetone polish remover D) slide off softened material with wooden pusher
All of the following are characteristics of odorless acrylic products EXCEPT A) slight smell B) harden quickly C) top tacky layer D) dryer mix ratio used B) harden quickly Which of the following is an example of two primary colors based on the color wheel A) black and white B) green and brown C) red and yellow D) violet and purple C) red and yellow Which of the following is a sterilizer approved for salon use A) ozone steamer B) UV light C) autoclave D) quaternary ammonium C) autoclave Which of the following techniques will reduce tip blending time A) Apply a narrower tip B) Bevel well area C) Hold file at an angle D) Use a coarse grit file B) Bevel well area For which purpose would the use of hospital grade disinfectants be appropriate A) to remove color from the skin B) to clean manicure and pedicure files C) to clean blood and bodily fluids off surfaces D) to remove internal parasites C) to clean blood and bodily fluids off surfaces All of the following are benefits of a paraffin wax treatment EXCEPT A) opens pores B) eases eczema C) traps moisture in skin D) increases blood circulation B) eases eczema Which of the following supplies would be used in the application of nail tips A) fiberglass
B) fingernail clippers C) nail dehydrator D) primer C) nail dehydrator All of the following are examples of an add-on service to a basic pedicure EXCEPT A) foot soak B) airbrushing C) paraffin wax D) embellishments A) foot soak All of the following procedures are performed during a nail tip removal service EXCEPT A) buffing off any residue B) covering nails in acetone C) nipping off the nail tip D) re-soaking when necessary C) nipping off the nail tip Which is the highest level of decontamination used for implements in salons A) EPA disinfectants B) Formaldehyde C) sanitizing D) Sterilization D) Sterilization All of the following procedures are done when polishing the fingernails EXCEPT A) client pre-pays B) thick coats applied C) pull in even strokes. D) brush towards eponychium B) thick coats applied All of the following are types of potentially harmful organisms which may cause infectious disease EXCEPT A) fungi B) bacteria C) parasites D) lactobacillus D) lactobacillus Which of the following should be used to treat an allergy of the skin? A) antiseptic
C) lubrication. D) maturation D) maturation All of the following require the use of gloves EXCEPT A) virgin lightener. B) plain manicure C) chemical relaxer. D) eyebrow hair removal B) plain manicure Which is the FIRST step when handling broken skin or exposure to blood? A) Stop performing service. B) Clean work area and implements. C) Apply bandage to exposed area. D) Wash exposed area with anti-bacterial soap A) Stop performing service. All of the following are properties of acetone EXCEPT A) flammable. B) odorless. C) solvent. D) vaporous B) odorless. All of the following are classified as equipment used in nail services EXCEPT A) abrasive board. B) pedicure chair. C) service cushion D) trash container. A) abrasive board. Which company certifies the safety of pedicure chairs and hiar dryers? A) Intertek Testing Services B) Underwriters Laboratories C) National Standards Institute D) General Electric Corporation B) Underwriters Laboratories All of the following can be used to clean the toenail plate EXCEPT A) paraffin B) soaking bath C) cuticle remover D) polish remover A) paraffin
The cosmetic products in the salon are of concern to the FDA EXCEPT A) how long the product would have contact on the skin. B) to legally require companies to share information on their products C) the frequency of product use. D) the effects on different types of immune systems. B) to legally require companies to share information on their products Which best describes the stimulation of pressure points on the feet? A) Reiki B) Aryuvedic C) Reflexology D) Tapotement C) Reflexology Which of the following is TRUE of a product's EPA registration? A) It explains the EPA grade level. B) It gives instructions how to dispose of product. C) It is against Federal law to use the product contrary to label D) It lets the user know where its manufactured C) It is against Federal law to use the product contrary to label Which is the lowest level of decontamination? A) Sterilizing a surface B) Disinfecting a surface C) Sanitizing surface D) Removing hair from a surface C) Sanitizing surface Goggles should be worn during all of the following EXCEPT A) using phenol. B) sanitizing hands. C) mixing disinfectants. D) use of ultraviolet rays. B) sanitizing hands. Which ingredient should never be added to the water basin during a pedicure service? A) Aromatic oil B) Disinfectant C) Emollients D) Flower petals B) Disinfectant Which of the following is the bonding agent used to secure the nail tip to the natural nail? A) Accelerator
C) polish remover D) soak-off solution D) soak-off solution Which is the most common cause of joint pain among salon service providers A) immobility B) dehydration C) inflammation D) lack of calcium C) inflammation Which is the desired amount of space a fabric wrap should be from the eponychium A) 1/12" B) 1/16" C) 1/20" D) 1/24" B) 1/16" Which of the following BEST describes an effleurage movement on the hand A) lift and press B) strike and tap C) smooth and gentle D) vacillate and shake C) smooth and gentle Which is the first step a client MUST do prior to any fingernail service A) use hand sanitizer B) pay for procedure C) remove their polish D) wash with soap and water D) wash with soap and water How often should capes and linens be laundered A) once daily B) weekly C) after each use D) when visibly soiled C) after each use Which area of the nail does an acrylic overlay get its strength from? A) apex B) sidewall C) stress area D) underside
A) apex What is the most common human bacteria that 1/3 of the population carries A) Flagella B) Bacilli C) Staphylococci D) Spirilla C) Staphylococci Which of the following massage movement is a rapid tapping or striking motion of the hands against the skin A) effleurage B) friction C) tapotement D) vibration C) tapotement The UV gel should AVOID contact with all the following EXCEPT A) matrix B) cuticle B) sidewalls D) eponychium A) matrix Which is the FIRST step if you get blood or other potentially infectious materials in your eyes, nose, mouth, or on broken skin? A) use skin disinfectants B) clean wound with soap and water C) seek immediate attention D) immediately flood the exposed area with water D) immediately flood the exposed area with water Which of the following massage movements should EVERY massage begin and end with A) effleurage B) friction C) fulling D) rolling A) effleurage All of the following are important actions to prevent the spread of infection EXCEPT A) wear gloves B) hand washing C) use bar soaps D) brush under nails
B) wearing gloves Which is the FIRST step in disinfecting implements? A) place in bleach solution B) put clutter away C) place in dry area D) scrub with soap and water D) scrub with soap and water All of the following are characteristics of odorless monomer products EXCEPT A) dry mix ratio used B) emits a slight odor C) forms inhibition layer D) hardens quickly D) hardens quickly Which of the following is BEST to consult when in doubt about how to use a product? A) Manufacturer's instructions B) MSDS C) The CDC website D) A colleague in your shop A. Manufacturer's instructions All of the following can be used to remove a callus from the foot EXCEPT A) Files B) Blades C) Paddles D) Softeners B. Blades Which of the following is necessary for maintaining a two-color acrylic enhancement? A) adhere wrap B) Backfill C) Nip loose product D) Soak off B. Backfill What MUST a new client do before their first service is performed? A) Pay for service B) Schedule next appointment C) Compete a consultation card D) Fill out an emergency contact card C. Complete a consultation card
Which is the following would most benefit a client with brittle nails? A( Nail bleach B) dry manicure C) nail hardeners D) hot oil treatment D. Hot oil treatment All of the following supplies are recommended for a UV gel nail service EXCEPT A) bonding agent B. Lint-free cleansing wipes C. Medium grit abrasive D. Sable brush D. Sable brush Which of the following is the BEST way to remove traditional UV gel nails? A) file them off B) peel them off C) remove with alcohol D) remove with an additive A. File them off Which of the following supplies are necessary in a wrap maintenance procedure? A) Course grit board B) Non-aid remover C) Non-acetone remover. D) Nail tip cutter. C. Non-acetone remover. Which is the BEST thing to do FIRST in the event of a minor burn? A) Wrap it with gauze B) Apply burn ointment C) Immerse in cold water. D) Seek medical attention C. Immerse in cold water Which of the following is an example of a catalyst used in gel nail enhancements? A) Bonding gel B) Isopropyl alcohol C) Oligomer D) Ultraviolet Light D. Ultraviolet light
Which of the following describes the use of acetone when removing nail enhancements? A) Accelerator B) Catalyst C) Inhibitor D) Solvent D. Solvent All of the following are effective prior to caring for a new nail client EXCEPT A) Listening reflectively B) Listing outdoor activities C) Evaluating income level D) Recognizing any disorders C. Evaluating income level All of the following are functions of the nail EXCEPT A) Improves dexterity B) Reflects body health C) Protects surrounding tissues D) Decreases sensitivity in fingertips D. Decreases sensitivity in fingertips. Which of the following type of UV lamps are most common for nails? A. Sun lamp B. Table lamp C. 9 watt lamp D. 2 watt lamp C. 9 watt lamp What disorder is associated with dark purplish spots, usually due to a small injury to the nail bed A) tinea pedis B) bruised nailbed C) discolored nail D) melanonychia B) bruised nailbed Which information should you add to the client's appointment card for the next visit? A) Service time B) Client's birthdate C) Directions to salon D) Suggested retail products A. Service time
Which of the following is the FIRST step in properly cleaning a footbath tub? A_ Drain and rinse with clean water. B) Drain the water from a footbath and remove any visible debris. C) Disinfect the surfaces with an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant. D) Clean the surfaces of the footbath with soap or detergent, rinse with clean water, and drain B. Drain the water from a footbath and remove any visible debris Which procedure MUST be performed for nail polish to adhere well? A) Add thinner to polish B) Omit the cuticle remover C) Soak fingers in manicure bowl D) Remove all traces of lotion or oil D. Remove all traces of lotion or oil All of the following can be done to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens EXCEPT A) Disposing into the trash B) Disinfecting surfaces. C) Sterilizing implements D) Wearing protective clothing A. Disposing into the trash Which is the position a cuticle pusher should be held at from the nail plate? A) 20-30 degree angle B) 30-45 degree angle C) 45-70 degree angle D) 70-90 degree angle A. 20-30 degree angle All of the following are examples of antimicrobial pesticides EXCEPT A) Barbicide. B) Fungicide C) Allgaecide D) Germicide C. Algaecide Which precaution MUST be taken when applying exfoliating foot scrubs? A) Put on gloves B) Wear eye protection C) Small massage strokes D) Use small amounts of product A. Put on gloves Which of the following should be used to treat an allergy of the skin? A) Antiseptic.
C) Ligament D) Ridged nail A) Hangnail What is the largest organ of the body A) heart B) brain C) skin D) lungs C) skin A person whose internal temperature is about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit has what proper skin function A) Absorption B) Secretion C) Excretion D) Heat regulation D) Heat regulation Which of the following refers to the methods used to eliminate or reduce the transmission of infectious organisms from person to another A) infection control B) standard precautions C) sterilization D) sanitization A) infection control What disorder is associated with noticeably thin, white nail plate is more flexible than normal; this is usually caused by improper diet, heredity, internal disease, medication, or by over filing with an abrasive A) onychorrhexis B) onychophagy C) eggshell nail D) hangnail C) eggshell nail Which of the following allows for slip during a massage service A) foot soak B) mask C) foot lotion D) exfoliating scrub C) foot lotion Salons must always use a(n) _______-registered hospital disinfectant. A) NMC B) USDA
C) FDA
D) EPA
D) EPA
What is also known as ringworm of the hand A) herpes simplex B) verruca C) tinea manus D) tinea pedis C) tinea manus Which of the following would the EPA most likely be involved in regulating? A) the safe manufacture of chemical products used in the workplace B) the safe use of chemical products used in the work place C) the safe mixing of chemical products used in the workplace D) the safe storing of chemical products used in the workplace A) the safe manufacture of chemical products used in the workplace What are extensors and what do they do? A) extensors are muscles of the forearm that rotate the radius(forearm) outward and the palm upward B) extensors are muscles that straighten the wrist, hand, and fingers to form a straight line C) extensors are muscles that turn the hand inward so that the palm faces downward D) extensors are extensor muscles of the wrist, involved in bending the wrist B) extensors are muscles that straighten the wrist, hand, and fingers to form a straight line What is the hard protective plate that protects the tips of the finger or toes A) nail plate B) nail cuticle C) matrix D) natural nail A) nail plate Which type of disorder has depressions running across the width of the nail plate due to a slowing production of matrix cells, which causes the nail plate to grow thinner, usually result of serious illness or injury A) bruised nail bed B) beau's lines C) eggshell nail D) discolored nail
