MILADY NAIL TECHNOLOGY EXAM (PDF) | 2026
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS + RATIONALES | STUDY GUIDE
1. What is the primary role of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
in the nail technology industry?
A) To register disinfectants used in salons for public safety
B) To protect employees by enforcing workplace safety standards and regulations
C) To determine the scope of practice for nail technicians in each state
D) To certify the safety of electrical appliances used in salons
Correct Answer: To protect employees by enforcing workplace safety standards and regulations
Rationale: OSHA was created as part of the U.S. Department of Labor to protect employees in
the workplace . This is distinct from the EPA, which registers disinfectants, and state boards,
which determine scope of practice .
2. According to Milady's curriculum and the Oregon exam bulletin, which domain
represents the largest percentage of the nail technology written exam?
A) Safety and Infection Control
B) Product Knowledge and Chemistry
C) Nail Services
D) Implements, Tools and Equipment
Correct Answer: Nail Services
Rationale: The Oregon exam bulletin shows Nail Services accounts for 27% of the exam, making
it the largest domain . This includes Treatment of Nails (6%), Nail Care Procedures (8%), and
Artificial Nail Procedures (13%). Implements, Tools and Equipment is 17%, Product Knowledge
is 18%, and Safety is 8%.
3. Which of the following best describes the function of the matrix in the nail unit?
A) It is the visible part of the nail plate that extends past the fingertip
B) It is the living tissue that produces the nail plate cells
C) It is the layer of skin under the free edge of the nail
D) It is the dead tissue that protects the matrix from infection
Correct Answer: It is the living tissue that produces the nail plate cells
Rationale: The matrix is the living tissue located at the base of the nail that produces cells that
become the nail plate . The lunula is the visible part of the matrix . The hyponychium is the skin
under the free edge, and the cuticle is the dead tissue protecting the matrix.
4. What is the difference between a law and a regulation (or rule) in the context of salon
practice?
A) Laws are written by state boards; regulations are written by federal agencies
B) Laws determine the scope of practice and are written by legislatures; regulations
specify how the law will be applied and are written by regulatory agencies
, C) Regulations are more general than laws and apply to all professionals
D) Laws are optional guidelines; regulations are mandatory requirements
Correct Answer: Laws determine the scope of practice and are written by legislatures;
regulations specify how the law will be applied and are written by regulatory agencies
Rationale: Laws, also called statutes, are written by federal and state legislatures and determine
the scope of practice . Regulations are more specific than laws and are written by regulatory
agencies or state boards to determine how the law will be applied .
5. What is the life cycle of bacteria?
A) Spore-forming stage only
B) Active stage and inactive or spore-forming stage
C) Binary fission stage and multiplication stage
D) Vegetative stage and toxin-producing stage
Correct Answer: Active stage and inactive or spore-forming stage
Rationale: The life cycle of bacteria consists of two distinct phases: the active stage where
bacteria grow and reproduce, and the inactive or spore-forming stage where they become
dormant to survive harsh conditions . This is a fundamental concept in infection control.
6. Mycobacterium fortuitum is a microorganism of particular concern in nail salons because
it:
A) Causes the common cold and is easily transmitted through the air
B) Normally exists in low concentrations in tap water and can cause infections
C) Is the primary cause of fungal nail infections
D) Is killed by all standard salon disinfectants within 60 seconds
Correct Answer: Normally exists in low concentrations in tap water and can cause infections
Rationale: Mycobacterium fortuitum is a microscopic organism that normally exists in low
concentrations in tap water . It can cause infections, particularly when contaminated water is
used in pedicure equipment. This is why proper cleaning and disinfection of foot spas is
essential.
7. Pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters and cause abscesses, pustules, and boils are
known as:
A) Streptococci
B) Diplococci
C) Bacilli
D) Staphylococci
Correct Answer: Staphylococci
Rationale: Staphylococci are pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters and cause abscesses,
pustules, and boils . They are among the most common human bacteria and are normally carried
by about one-third of the population. Streptococci grow in chains and cause strep throat.
, 8. Which of the following disinfectant efficacy claims is required for a product to be used
on surfaces that may have come into contact with blood or body fluids?
A) Bactericidal claim
B) Virucidal claim only
C) Hospital disinfectant claim
D) Tuberculocidal claim
Correct Answer: Hospital disinfectant claim
Rationale: EPA-registered disinfectants must have efficacy claims, which is the effectiveness
with which a disinfecting solution kills specific organisms when used according to label
instructions . Hospital disinfectants are safe for cleaning blood and body fluids in hospitals and
are the appropriate choice for salon surfaces that may become contaminated.
9. According to the Oregon nail technology exam bulletin, what is the minimum passing
score required for the written examination?
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 85%
Correct Answer: 75%
Rationale: The Oregon Candidate Information Bulletin specifies that passing the written
examination requires a score of at least 75% . This is a common passing threshold for state
licensing exams.
10. Which of the following is an example of a multi-use (reusable) item that must be properly
cleaned and disinfected between clients?
A) Gauze
B) Cotton balls
C) Emery boards
D) Metal pushers and nippers
Correct Answer: Metal pushers and nippers
Rationale: Multi-use items are implements that can be used on more than one client and must be
properly cleaned and disinfected between uses . Gauze and cotton balls are single-use items, and
while emery boards are often considered single-use, metal implements like pushers and nippers
are definitively multi-use.
11. A rapid tapping or striking motion of the hands against the skin during a massage is
known as:
A) Effleurage
B) Petrissage
C) Tapotement
D) Vibration
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS + RATIONALES | STUDY GUIDE
1. What is the primary role of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
in the nail technology industry?
A) To register disinfectants used in salons for public safety
B) To protect employees by enforcing workplace safety standards and regulations
C) To determine the scope of practice for nail technicians in each state
D) To certify the safety of electrical appliances used in salons
Correct Answer: To protect employees by enforcing workplace safety standards and regulations
Rationale: OSHA was created as part of the U.S. Department of Labor to protect employees in
the workplace . This is distinct from the EPA, which registers disinfectants, and state boards,
which determine scope of practice .
2. According to Milady's curriculum and the Oregon exam bulletin, which domain
represents the largest percentage of the nail technology written exam?
A) Safety and Infection Control
B) Product Knowledge and Chemistry
C) Nail Services
D) Implements, Tools and Equipment
Correct Answer: Nail Services
Rationale: The Oregon exam bulletin shows Nail Services accounts for 27% of the exam, making
it the largest domain . This includes Treatment of Nails (6%), Nail Care Procedures (8%), and
Artificial Nail Procedures (13%). Implements, Tools and Equipment is 17%, Product Knowledge
is 18%, and Safety is 8%.
3. Which of the following best describes the function of the matrix in the nail unit?
A) It is the visible part of the nail plate that extends past the fingertip
B) It is the living tissue that produces the nail plate cells
C) It is the layer of skin under the free edge of the nail
D) It is the dead tissue that protects the matrix from infection
Correct Answer: It is the living tissue that produces the nail plate cells
Rationale: The matrix is the living tissue located at the base of the nail that produces cells that
become the nail plate . The lunula is the visible part of the matrix . The hyponychium is the skin
under the free edge, and the cuticle is the dead tissue protecting the matrix.
4. What is the difference between a law and a regulation (or rule) in the context of salon
practice?
A) Laws are written by state boards; regulations are written by federal agencies
B) Laws determine the scope of practice and are written by legislatures; regulations
specify how the law will be applied and are written by regulatory agencies
, C) Regulations are more general than laws and apply to all professionals
D) Laws are optional guidelines; regulations are mandatory requirements
Correct Answer: Laws determine the scope of practice and are written by legislatures;
regulations specify how the law will be applied and are written by regulatory agencies
Rationale: Laws, also called statutes, are written by federal and state legislatures and determine
the scope of practice . Regulations are more specific than laws and are written by regulatory
agencies or state boards to determine how the law will be applied .
5. What is the life cycle of bacteria?
A) Spore-forming stage only
B) Active stage and inactive or spore-forming stage
C) Binary fission stage and multiplication stage
D) Vegetative stage and toxin-producing stage
Correct Answer: Active stage and inactive or spore-forming stage
Rationale: The life cycle of bacteria consists of two distinct phases: the active stage where
bacteria grow and reproduce, and the inactive or spore-forming stage where they become
dormant to survive harsh conditions . This is a fundamental concept in infection control.
6. Mycobacterium fortuitum is a microorganism of particular concern in nail salons because
it:
A) Causes the common cold and is easily transmitted through the air
B) Normally exists in low concentrations in tap water and can cause infections
C) Is the primary cause of fungal nail infections
D) Is killed by all standard salon disinfectants within 60 seconds
Correct Answer: Normally exists in low concentrations in tap water and can cause infections
Rationale: Mycobacterium fortuitum is a microscopic organism that normally exists in low
concentrations in tap water . It can cause infections, particularly when contaminated water is
used in pedicure equipment. This is why proper cleaning and disinfection of foot spas is
essential.
7. Pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters and cause abscesses, pustules, and boils are
known as:
A) Streptococci
B) Diplococci
C) Bacilli
D) Staphylococci
Correct Answer: Staphylococci
Rationale: Staphylococci are pus-forming bacteria that grow in clusters and cause abscesses,
pustules, and boils . They are among the most common human bacteria and are normally carried
by about one-third of the population. Streptococci grow in chains and cause strep throat.
, 8. Which of the following disinfectant efficacy claims is required for a product to be used
on surfaces that may have come into contact with blood or body fluids?
A) Bactericidal claim
B) Virucidal claim only
C) Hospital disinfectant claim
D) Tuberculocidal claim
Correct Answer: Hospital disinfectant claim
Rationale: EPA-registered disinfectants must have efficacy claims, which is the effectiveness
with which a disinfecting solution kills specific organisms when used according to label
instructions . Hospital disinfectants are safe for cleaning blood and body fluids in hospitals and
are the appropriate choice for salon surfaces that may become contaminated.
9. According to the Oregon nail technology exam bulletin, what is the minimum passing
score required for the written examination?
A) 70%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 85%
Correct Answer: 75%
Rationale: The Oregon Candidate Information Bulletin specifies that passing the written
examination requires a score of at least 75% . This is a common passing threshold for state
licensing exams.
10. Which of the following is an example of a multi-use (reusable) item that must be properly
cleaned and disinfected between clients?
A) Gauze
B) Cotton balls
C) Emery boards
D) Metal pushers and nippers
Correct Answer: Metal pushers and nippers
Rationale: Multi-use items are implements that can be used on more than one client and must be
properly cleaned and disinfected between uses . Gauze and cotton balls are single-use items, and
while emery boards are often considered single-use, metal implements like pushers and nippers
are definitively multi-use.
11. A rapid tapping or striking motion of the hands against the skin during a massage is
known as:
A) Effleurage
B) Petrissage
C) Tapotement
D) Vibration
