TEXAS MANICURIST STATE BOARD EXAM
2026/2027 | TDLR NAIL TECHNICIAN WRITTEN
TEST PREP | 200+ VERIFIED QUESTIONS &
DETAILED ANSWERS | GUARANTEED PASS
STUDY GUIDE
TEXAS MANICURIST STATE BOARD EXAM 2026/2027
TDLR NAIL TECHNICIAN WRITTEN TEST PREP | 300 VERIFIED QUESTIONS
This study guide contains 300 multiple-choice questions designed to mirror the actual
TDLR Nail Technician Written Exam. Read each question carefully, attempt an answer
before checking the highlighted correct option, and study the RATIONALE to reinforce
why it is correct — consistent daily review of this material is your guaranteed path to
passing.
QUESTIONS
1. What is the primary purpose of the Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation (TDLR)?
A. To train cosmetology students
B. To manufacture beauty products
C. To license and regulate professionals in various industries, including nail technicians
D. To operate beauty schools
E. To sell salon equipment
C. To license and regulate professionals in various industries, including nail
technicians
RATIONALE: TDLR is the state agency responsible for issuing licenses and enforcing
standards for nail technicians and other professionals in Texas.
2. How old must you be to apply for a Texas Manicurist license?
A. 16 years old
,B. 21 years old
C. 14 years old
D. 25 years old
E. 17 years old
A. 16 years old
RATIONALE: Texas law requires applicants for a manicurist license to be at least 16
years of age.
3. How many training hours are required to obtain a manicurist license in Texas?
A. 600 hours
B. 1000 hours
C. 200 hours
D. 500 hours
E. 750 hours
C. 200 hours
RATIONALE: Texas requires a minimum of 600 hours — wait, TDLR mandates 200
clock hours of approved training for a manicurist license.
4. Which of the following is NOT a service a licensed manicurist in Texas is
allowed to perform?
A. Nail wraps
B. Gel nail application
C. Eyebrow waxing
D. Cuticle care
E. Acrylic nail application
C. Eyebrow waxing
RATIONALE: A manicurist license in Texas only permits nail-related services.
Eyebrow waxing requires a separate esthetician or cosmetology license.
,5. What does the term "sanitation" mean in a nail salon setting?
A. Sterilizing all tools with an autoclave
B. Reducing the number of pathogens on a surface to a safe level
C. Completely destroying all microorganisms
D. Washing hands with soap and water only
E. Applying disinfectant to walls
B. Reducing the number of pathogens on a surface to a safe level
RATIONALE: Sanitation lowers the number of harmful microorganisms to a safe public
health level. It does not completely eliminate all organisms, which is sterilization.
6. What is sterilization?
A. Removing visible dirt from tools
B. Reducing bacteria to a safe level
C. The complete destruction of all microbial life including spores
D. Washing instruments in hot water
E. Applying antiseptic to the skin
C. The complete destruction of all microbial life including spores
RATIONALE: Sterilization eliminates all forms of microbial life, including bacterial
spores, making it the highest level of decontamination.
7. Which of the following is an example of a disinfectant used in nail salons?
A. Acetone
B. Hydrogen peroxide 3%
C. Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)
D. Rubbing alcohol 50%
E. Baby oil
, C. Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)
RATIONALE: Quats are EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants commonly used
in nail salons to disinfect non-porous tools and surfaces.
8. How long must tools be submerged in an approved disinfectant solution?
A. 1 minute
B. 5 minutes
C. The time specified by the manufacturer's instructions
D. 30 seconds
E. 1 hour
C. The time specified by the manufacturer's instructions
RATIONALE: Tools must remain in disinfectant solution for the contact time stated on
the manufacturer's label to ensure effective disinfection.
9. What should you do before placing tools into a disinfectant solution?
A. Dry them completely
B. Apply nail polish remover
C. Clean them to remove all visible debris
D. Soak them in water overnight
E. Spray with bleach
C. Clean them to remove all visible debris
RATIONALE: Tools must be cleaned of all visible debris first because organic matter
such as skin or product residue can inhibit the effectiveness of the disinfectant.
10. What is the correct term for organisms that cause disease?
A. Saprophytes
B. Nonpathogens
2026/2027 | TDLR NAIL TECHNICIAN WRITTEN
TEST PREP | 200+ VERIFIED QUESTIONS &
DETAILED ANSWERS | GUARANTEED PASS
STUDY GUIDE
TEXAS MANICURIST STATE BOARD EXAM 2026/2027
TDLR NAIL TECHNICIAN WRITTEN TEST PREP | 300 VERIFIED QUESTIONS
This study guide contains 300 multiple-choice questions designed to mirror the actual
TDLR Nail Technician Written Exam. Read each question carefully, attempt an answer
before checking the highlighted correct option, and study the RATIONALE to reinforce
why it is correct — consistent daily review of this material is your guaranteed path to
passing.
QUESTIONS
1. What is the primary purpose of the Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation (TDLR)?
A. To train cosmetology students
B. To manufacture beauty products
C. To license and regulate professionals in various industries, including nail technicians
D. To operate beauty schools
E. To sell salon equipment
C. To license and regulate professionals in various industries, including nail
technicians
RATIONALE: TDLR is the state agency responsible for issuing licenses and enforcing
standards for nail technicians and other professionals in Texas.
2. How old must you be to apply for a Texas Manicurist license?
A. 16 years old
,B. 21 years old
C. 14 years old
D. 25 years old
E. 17 years old
A. 16 years old
RATIONALE: Texas law requires applicants for a manicurist license to be at least 16
years of age.
3. How many training hours are required to obtain a manicurist license in Texas?
A. 600 hours
B. 1000 hours
C. 200 hours
D. 500 hours
E. 750 hours
C. 200 hours
RATIONALE: Texas requires a minimum of 600 hours — wait, TDLR mandates 200
clock hours of approved training for a manicurist license.
4. Which of the following is NOT a service a licensed manicurist in Texas is
allowed to perform?
A. Nail wraps
B. Gel nail application
C. Eyebrow waxing
D. Cuticle care
E. Acrylic nail application
C. Eyebrow waxing
RATIONALE: A manicurist license in Texas only permits nail-related services.
Eyebrow waxing requires a separate esthetician or cosmetology license.
,5. What does the term "sanitation" mean in a nail salon setting?
A. Sterilizing all tools with an autoclave
B. Reducing the number of pathogens on a surface to a safe level
C. Completely destroying all microorganisms
D. Washing hands with soap and water only
E. Applying disinfectant to walls
B. Reducing the number of pathogens on a surface to a safe level
RATIONALE: Sanitation lowers the number of harmful microorganisms to a safe public
health level. It does not completely eliminate all organisms, which is sterilization.
6. What is sterilization?
A. Removing visible dirt from tools
B. Reducing bacteria to a safe level
C. The complete destruction of all microbial life including spores
D. Washing instruments in hot water
E. Applying antiseptic to the skin
C. The complete destruction of all microbial life including spores
RATIONALE: Sterilization eliminates all forms of microbial life, including bacterial
spores, making it the highest level of decontamination.
7. Which of the following is an example of a disinfectant used in nail salons?
A. Acetone
B. Hydrogen peroxide 3%
C. Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)
D. Rubbing alcohol 50%
E. Baby oil
, C. Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)
RATIONALE: Quats are EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants commonly used
in nail salons to disinfect non-porous tools and surfaces.
8. How long must tools be submerged in an approved disinfectant solution?
A. 1 minute
B. 5 minutes
C. The time specified by the manufacturer's instructions
D. 30 seconds
E. 1 hour
C. The time specified by the manufacturer's instructions
RATIONALE: Tools must remain in disinfectant solution for the contact time stated on
the manufacturer's label to ensure effective disinfection.
9. What should you do before placing tools into a disinfectant solution?
A. Dry them completely
B. Apply nail polish remover
C. Clean them to remove all visible debris
D. Soak them in water overnight
E. Spray with bleach
C. Clean them to remove all visible debris
RATIONALE: Tools must be cleaned of all visible debris first because organic matter
such as skin or product residue can inhibit the effectiveness of the disinfectant.
10. What is the correct term for organisms that cause disease?
A. Saprophytes
B. Nonpathogens
