TEXAS MANICURIST STATE BOARD
EXAM 202 200 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS DETAILED RATIONALES
AND TDLR SAFETY STANDARDS
Texas Manicurist State Board Practice Exam
1. According to TDLR rules, how often must an individual’s
license be renewed?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Only when moving to a new salon
Rationale: In Texas, manicurist and cosmetology licenses expire every
two years on the anniversary of the date they were originally issued.
2. Which of the following is an example of a "single-use" item
that must be discarded after every client?
A. Metal cuticle nippers
B. Glass dappen dish
C. Wooden pusher (orange wood stick)
D. Plastic nail brush
Rationale: Porous items or items that cannot be properly disinfected
according to TDLR guidelines must be thrown away after one use.
3. What is the first step a manicurist should take if a blood
spill occurs during a service?
A. Apply styptic powder immediately
B. Stop the service and put on gloves
C. Clean the wound with a paper towel
D. Call the salon manager
Rationale: Safety and infection control protocols require stopping the
service and protecting yourself with gloves before addressing a blood
exposure.
4. To be effective in a salon, an EPA-registered disinfectant
must be:
A. Used only once a week
,B. Mixed with hot water only
C. Bactericidal, Virucidal, and Fungicidal
D. Stored in an open container for easy access
Rationale: State Board standards require "hospital-grade"
disinfectants that are effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
5. The technical term for the nail plate is the:
A. Onyx
B. Hyponychium
C. Lunula
D. Mantle
Rationale: Onyx is the medical/technical term for the natural nail.
6. Which part of the nail contains the nerves, lymph, and
blood vessels that nourish the nail?
A. Nail plate
B. Free edge
C. Matrix
D. Cuticle
Rationale: The matrix is where the nail is formed; damage to this area
can result in permanent nail deformity.
7. A client comes in with "Onychophagy." What does this
mean?
A. The client has a fungal infection
B. The client has bitten nails
C. The client has white spots on the nails
D. The client has ingrown nails
Rationale: Onychophagy is the technical term for the habit of biting the
nails.
8. What is the relationship between the eponychium and the
cuticle?
A. They are the exact same tissue.
B. The eponychium is living skin at the base, while the cuticle
is dead tissue on the plate.
C. The cuticle is living skin, while the eponychium is dead.
D. Both are part of the free edge.
Rationale: Manicurists are permitted to push back the cuticle but must
never cut the living skin of the eponychium.
9. When performing a pedicure, which of the following should
never be used to remove calluses?
,A. Foot file
B. Pumice stone
C. Credo blade (razor-type calluses shaver)
D. Exfoliating scrub
Rationale: In Texas, the use of blades or razors to remove calluses is
prohibited as it falls under the scope of medical practice (podiatry).
10. What is the primary purpose of a "Nail Primer" in acrylic
applications?
B. To assist in adhesion by dehydrating and etching the nail
surface.
A. To make the acrylic dry faster.
C. To add a high-gloss shine.
D. To prevent the polish from chipping.
Rationale: Primer creates a chemical bond between the natural nail
and the enhancement product.
11. Which of the following is a contagious condition that would
require a manicurist to refuse service?
A. Leuconychia
B. Beau’s lines
C. Tinea Unguium (Onychomycosis)
D. Hangnails
Rationale: Tinea Unguium is a fungal infection of the nail and is highly
contagious.
12. When mixing a disinfectant solution, you should always:
A. Add the water to the disinfectant.
B. Add the disinfectant to the water.
C. Mix different brands of disinfectant together.
D. Use a metal spoon for stirring.
Rationale: Adding the chemical to the water prevents splashing and
ensures the correct concentration (following the "Add Chemical to
Water" safety rule).
13. The "C-Curve" of a nail enhancement helps provide:
A. Better color saturation
B. Faster drying time
C. Structural strength and durability
D. A flatter surface for nail art
Rationale: The C-curve acts like an architectural arch, distributing
pressure and preventing the nail from snapping.
, 14. What is the microscopic organism that can cause "Green"
spots (often incorrectly called mold) under an artificial nail?
A. Mold spores
B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a bacteria)
C. Yeast
D. Mildew
Rationale: This bacteria thrives in moist environments trapped
between an enhancement and the natural nail.
15. How should a manicurist shape the toenails to prevent
ingrown nails?
A. Very short and rounded at the corners
B. Straight across with slightly rounded corners
C. Pointed like a stiletto
D. Deeply curved into the sidewalls
Rationale: Cutting too deep into the corners of toenails is the leading
cause of painful ingrown nails (Onychocryptosis).
16. What is the most common cause of "lifting" in nail
enhancements?
A. Using too much polish
B. The client drinking too much water
C. Improper nail preparation (leaving oil or cuticle on the
plate)
D. Using a file that is too soft
Rationale: If the nail plate is not clean, dry, and free of cuticle, the
product cannot bond correctly.
17. A "Catalyst" is an ingredient that:
A. Slows down a chemical reaction
B. Speeds up a chemical reaction
C. Changes the color of the acrylic
D. Dissolves the product
Rationale: Catalysts are used to control the curing time of monomers
and resins.
18. Which muscle is responsible for separating the fingers?
A. Adductor
B. Abductor
C. Extensor
D. Flexor
EXAM 202 200 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS DETAILED RATIONALES
AND TDLR SAFETY STANDARDS
Texas Manicurist State Board Practice Exam
1. According to TDLR rules, how often must an individual’s
license be renewed?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Only when moving to a new salon
Rationale: In Texas, manicurist and cosmetology licenses expire every
two years on the anniversary of the date they were originally issued.
2. Which of the following is an example of a "single-use" item
that must be discarded after every client?
A. Metal cuticle nippers
B. Glass dappen dish
C. Wooden pusher (orange wood stick)
D. Plastic nail brush
Rationale: Porous items or items that cannot be properly disinfected
according to TDLR guidelines must be thrown away after one use.
3. What is the first step a manicurist should take if a blood
spill occurs during a service?
A. Apply styptic powder immediately
B. Stop the service and put on gloves
C. Clean the wound with a paper towel
D. Call the salon manager
Rationale: Safety and infection control protocols require stopping the
service and protecting yourself with gloves before addressing a blood
exposure.
4. To be effective in a salon, an EPA-registered disinfectant
must be:
A. Used only once a week
,B. Mixed with hot water only
C. Bactericidal, Virucidal, and Fungicidal
D. Stored in an open container for easy access
Rationale: State Board standards require "hospital-grade"
disinfectants that are effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
5. The technical term for the nail plate is the:
A. Onyx
B. Hyponychium
C. Lunula
D. Mantle
Rationale: Onyx is the medical/technical term for the natural nail.
6. Which part of the nail contains the nerves, lymph, and
blood vessels that nourish the nail?
A. Nail plate
B. Free edge
C. Matrix
D. Cuticle
Rationale: The matrix is where the nail is formed; damage to this area
can result in permanent nail deformity.
7. A client comes in with "Onychophagy." What does this
mean?
A. The client has a fungal infection
B. The client has bitten nails
C. The client has white spots on the nails
D. The client has ingrown nails
Rationale: Onychophagy is the technical term for the habit of biting the
nails.
8. What is the relationship between the eponychium and the
cuticle?
A. They are the exact same tissue.
B. The eponychium is living skin at the base, while the cuticle
is dead tissue on the plate.
C. The cuticle is living skin, while the eponychium is dead.
D. Both are part of the free edge.
Rationale: Manicurists are permitted to push back the cuticle but must
never cut the living skin of the eponychium.
9. When performing a pedicure, which of the following should
never be used to remove calluses?
,A. Foot file
B. Pumice stone
C. Credo blade (razor-type calluses shaver)
D. Exfoliating scrub
Rationale: In Texas, the use of blades or razors to remove calluses is
prohibited as it falls under the scope of medical practice (podiatry).
10. What is the primary purpose of a "Nail Primer" in acrylic
applications?
B. To assist in adhesion by dehydrating and etching the nail
surface.
A. To make the acrylic dry faster.
C. To add a high-gloss shine.
D. To prevent the polish from chipping.
Rationale: Primer creates a chemical bond between the natural nail
and the enhancement product.
11. Which of the following is a contagious condition that would
require a manicurist to refuse service?
A. Leuconychia
B. Beau’s lines
C. Tinea Unguium (Onychomycosis)
D. Hangnails
Rationale: Tinea Unguium is a fungal infection of the nail and is highly
contagious.
12. When mixing a disinfectant solution, you should always:
A. Add the water to the disinfectant.
B. Add the disinfectant to the water.
C. Mix different brands of disinfectant together.
D. Use a metal spoon for stirring.
Rationale: Adding the chemical to the water prevents splashing and
ensures the correct concentration (following the "Add Chemical to
Water" safety rule).
13. The "C-Curve" of a nail enhancement helps provide:
A. Better color saturation
B. Faster drying time
C. Structural strength and durability
D. A flatter surface for nail art
Rationale: The C-curve acts like an architectural arch, distributing
pressure and preventing the nail from snapping.
, 14. What is the microscopic organism that can cause "Green"
spots (often incorrectly called mold) under an artificial nail?
A. Mold spores
B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (a bacteria)
C. Yeast
D. Mildew
Rationale: This bacteria thrives in moist environments trapped
between an enhancement and the natural nail.
15. How should a manicurist shape the toenails to prevent
ingrown nails?
A. Very short and rounded at the corners
B. Straight across with slightly rounded corners
C. Pointed like a stiletto
D. Deeply curved into the sidewalls
Rationale: Cutting too deep into the corners of toenails is the leading
cause of painful ingrown nails (Onychocryptosis).
16. What is the most common cause of "lifting" in nail
enhancements?
A. Using too much polish
B. The client drinking too much water
C. Improper nail preparation (leaving oil or cuticle on the
plate)
D. Using a file that is too soft
Rationale: If the nail plate is not clean, dry, and free of cuticle, the
product cannot bond correctly.
17. A "Catalyst" is an ingredient that:
A. Slows down a chemical reaction
B. Speeds up a chemical reaction
C. Changes the color of the acrylic
D. Dissolves the product
Rationale: Catalysts are used to control the curing time of monomers
and resins.
18. Which muscle is responsible for separating the fingers?
A. Adductor
B. Abductor
C. Extensor
D. Flexor
