Texas Manicurist State Board Exam (TDLR Nail)
| Comprehensive Study Guide, Practice Exam,
Exam Questions & Answers, Exam Prep Test
Bank, Nail Technician License, Manicure &
Pedicure Procedures, Nail Anatomy, Infection
Control, Sanitation & Disinfection, TDLR Rules &
Regulations, Salon Safety, Professional Ethics,
Detailed Rationales, Licensing Success
Question 1: According to TDLR rules for nail salon establishments, which of
the following is a mandatory piece of equipment that must be provided for
each practitioner present and providing manicure services?
A. An autoclave for sterilizing all metal implements
B. One client chair for each manicure station
C. A UV sanitizer for each manicure station
D. A foot basin with a circulating pump system
CORRECT ANSWER: B. One client chair for each manicure station
Rationale:Under Texas Administrative Code §83.71, establishments providing manicure
services must provide specific equipment for each practitioner, which includes one
manicure station with sufficient lighting, one manicure chair or stool, and one client
chair for each manicure station. While an autoclave or UV sanitizer is required for
establishments providing nail services, it is not required per practitioner.
Question 2: What is the technical term for the main visible part of the nail?
A. Onyx
B. Lunula
C. Nail matrix
D. Nail plate
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Nail plate
Rationale:The nail plate is the main, visible part of the nail that rests on the nail bed. It
is composed of keratin and extends from the nail root to the free edge. While "onyx" is
the technical term for the entire nail, the nail plate is the specific visible portion.
Question 3: Which part of the nail anatomy is responsible for controlling the
rate of nail growth?
A. Nail bed
B. Cuticle
C. Matrix
D. Hyponychium
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Matrix
,Rationale:The nail matrix, located under the proximal nail fold, is responsible for
producing the cells that become the nail plate. The matrix controls how fast the nail
grows. It is the living tissue at the base of the nail that generates new nail cells.
Question 4: What is the proper term for an ingrown nail?
A. Onychomycosis
B. Onychocryptosis
C. Onycholysis
D. Onychauxis
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Onychocryptosis
Rationale:Onychocryptosis is the medical term for an ingrown nail, a condition where
the nail grows into the surrounding tissue. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection,
onycholysis is separation of the nail from the bed, and onychauxis is overgrowth of the
nail.
Question 5: What should a nail technician do if a client presents with athletes
foot (tinea pedis)?
A. Perform the service with extra sanitation precautions
B. Refer the client to a physician and refuse the service
C. Apply an over-the-counter antifungal cream and proceed
D. Perform the service but use disposable implements only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Refer the client to a physician and refuse the service
Rationale:A licensed nail technician must refuse service to a client with a contagious
condition like tinea pedis (athlete's foot). The technician should refer the client to a
physician for proper medical treatment. Performing a service on an infected client could
spread the infection to others.
Question 6: According to TDLR regulations, what must be done with a porous
instrument that comes into contact with blood?
A. Disinfected with an EPA-registered disinfectant
B. Sterilized in an autoclave
C. Discarded in a closed trash can after double-bagging
D. Cleaned with soap and water
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Discarded in a closed trash can after double-bagging
Rationale:According to TDLR guidelines, porous instruments that come into contact
with blood cannot be properly disinfected and must be discarded. They should be
double-bagged and placed in a closed trash container to ensure safety and prevent
contamination.
Question 7: When disinfecting dirty implements, what time standard should be
used with disinfecting solutions?
,A. The salon's standard protocol
B. The manufacturer's directions
C. At least 10 minutes for all disinfectants
D. Until the visible debris is removed
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The manufacturer's directions
Rationale:Disinfectants must be used according to the manufacturer's directions,
including the required contact time for effective disinfection. The manufacturer's
instructions specify the proper dilution ratio and contact time needed to destroy
microorganisms on implements.
Question 8: What is the process called when a liquid monomer and polymer
powder are combined to create an artificial nail enhancement?
A. Curing
B. Polymerization
C. Oxidation
D. Catalyzation
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Polymerization
Rationale:Polymerization is the chemical process that occurs when acrylic liquid
(monomer) and powder (polymer) are mixed together to form a hard, durable artificial
nail. A catalyst may be used to speed up this chemical reaction.
Question 9: What is the golden rule for dealing with nail disorders in a salon
setting?
A. Treat the disorder with salon products
B. Refer the client to a dermatologist only
C. Refuse the service if the nail is infected or swollen
D. Cover the disorder with nail polish
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Refuse the service if the nail is infected or swollen
Rationale:The golden rule for dealing with nail disorders is to refuse service if the nail
shows signs of infection or swelling. A nail technician is not qualified to diagnose or treat
medical conditions, and performing services on infected nails could worsen the
condition.
Question 10: According to TDLR, what must a new owner do after a change in
ownership of an establishment?
A. Keep the existing license under the previous owner's name
B. Apply for a new license within 30 days
C. Notify TDLR within 60 days
D. Operate under the old license until renewal
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Apply for a new license within 30 days
, Rationale:TDLR requires that after a change in ownership of an establishment, the new
owner must apply for a new license within 30 days. The establishment license is specific
to the owner, and it cannot be transferred to a new owner.
Question 11: Where should the first bead of monomer and polymer be placed
when applying acrylic nails?
A. The nail matrix area
B. The center of the nail plate
C. The free edge
D. The cuticle area
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The free edge
Rationale:For proper acrylic application and to avoid product contacting the cuticle, the
first bead should be placed on the free edge. This helps build the apex and ensures
proper thickness distribution, creating a stronger nail.
Question 12: What does the client consultation help to determine?
A. The price of the service
B. Contraindications
C. The salon's schedule
D. The brands of products to use
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Contraindications
Rationale:A client consultation helps determine contraindications, which are conditions
that make a service inadvisable or potentially harmful. This includes identifying medical
conditions, nail disorders, allergies, or other factors that could prevent the service.
Question 13: Which of the following is a contagious disease that requires
refusing service to the client?
A. Leukonychia
B. Onychauxis
C. Impetigo
D. Onychorrhexis
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Impetigo
Rationale:Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection that can be spread through
direct contact. A nail technician must refuse service to any client with impetigo and refer
them to a physician. The other conditions are not contagious.
Question 14: What is the proper way to remove gloves after a blood exposure
incident?
A. Pull them off quickly
B. Turn them inside out by the cuff
| Comprehensive Study Guide, Practice Exam,
Exam Questions & Answers, Exam Prep Test
Bank, Nail Technician License, Manicure &
Pedicure Procedures, Nail Anatomy, Infection
Control, Sanitation & Disinfection, TDLR Rules &
Regulations, Salon Safety, Professional Ethics,
Detailed Rationales, Licensing Success
Question 1: According to TDLR rules for nail salon establishments, which of
the following is a mandatory piece of equipment that must be provided for
each practitioner present and providing manicure services?
A. An autoclave for sterilizing all metal implements
B. One client chair for each manicure station
C. A UV sanitizer for each manicure station
D. A foot basin with a circulating pump system
CORRECT ANSWER: B. One client chair for each manicure station
Rationale:Under Texas Administrative Code §83.71, establishments providing manicure
services must provide specific equipment for each practitioner, which includes one
manicure station with sufficient lighting, one manicure chair or stool, and one client
chair for each manicure station. While an autoclave or UV sanitizer is required for
establishments providing nail services, it is not required per practitioner.
Question 2: What is the technical term for the main visible part of the nail?
A. Onyx
B. Lunula
C. Nail matrix
D. Nail plate
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Nail plate
Rationale:The nail plate is the main, visible part of the nail that rests on the nail bed. It
is composed of keratin and extends from the nail root to the free edge. While "onyx" is
the technical term for the entire nail, the nail plate is the specific visible portion.
Question 3: Which part of the nail anatomy is responsible for controlling the
rate of nail growth?
A. Nail bed
B. Cuticle
C. Matrix
D. Hyponychium
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Matrix
,Rationale:The nail matrix, located under the proximal nail fold, is responsible for
producing the cells that become the nail plate. The matrix controls how fast the nail
grows. It is the living tissue at the base of the nail that generates new nail cells.
Question 4: What is the proper term for an ingrown nail?
A. Onychomycosis
B. Onychocryptosis
C. Onycholysis
D. Onychauxis
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Onychocryptosis
Rationale:Onychocryptosis is the medical term for an ingrown nail, a condition where
the nail grows into the surrounding tissue. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection,
onycholysis is separation of the nail from the bed, and onychauxis is overgrowth of the
nail.
Question 5: What should a nail technician do if a client presents with athletes
foot (tinea pedis)?
A. Perform the service with extra sanitation precautions
B. Refer the client to a physician and refuse the service
C. Apply an over-the-counter antifungal cream and proceed
D. Perform the service but use disposable implements only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Refer the client to a physician and refuse the service
Rationale:A licensed nail technician must refuse service to a client with a contagious
condition like tinea pedis (athlete's foot). The technician should refer the client to a
physician for proper medical treatment. Performing a service on an infected client could
spread the infection to others.
Question 6: According to TDLR regulations, what must be done with a porous
instrument that comes into contact with blood?
A. Disinfected with an EPA-registered disinfectant
B. Sterilized in an autoclave
C. Discarded in a closed trash can after double-bagging
D. Cleaned with soap and water
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Discarded in a closed trash can after double-bagging
Rationale:According to TDLR guidelines, porous instruments that come into contact
with blood cannot be properly disinfected and must be discarded. They should be
double-bagged and placed in a closed trash container to ensure safety and prevent
contamination.
Question 7: When disinfecting dirty implements, what time standard should be
used with disinfecting solutions?
,A. The salon's standard protocol
B. The manufacturer's directions
C. At least 10 minutes for all disinfectants
D. Until the visible debris is removed
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The manufacturer's directions
Rationale:Disinfectants must be used according to the manufacturer's directions,
including the required contact time for effective disinfection. The manufacturer's
instructions specify the proper dilution ratio and contact time needed to destroy
microorganisms on implements.
Question 8: What is the process called when a liquid monomer and polymer
powder are combined to create an artificial nail enhancement?
A. Curing
B. Polymerization
C. Oxidation
D. Catalyzation
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Polymerization
Rationale:Polymerization is the chemical process that occurs when acrylic liquid
(monomer) and powder (polymer) are mixed together to form a hard, durable artificial
nail. A catalyst may be used to speed up this chemical reaction.
Question 9: What is the golden rule for dealing with nail disorders in a salon
setting?
A. Treat the disorder with salon products
B. Refer the client to a dermatologist only
C. Refuse the service if the nail is infected or swollen
D. Cover the disorder with nail polish
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Refuse the service if the nail is infected or swollen
Rationale:The golden rule for dealing with nail disorders is to refuse service if the nail
shows signs of infection or swelling. A nail technician is not qualified to diagnose or treat
medical conditions, and performing services on infected nails could worsen the
condition.
Question 10: According to TDLR, what must a new owner do after a change in
ownership of an establishment?
A. Keep the existing license under the previous owner's name
B. Apply for a new license within 30 days
C. Notify TDLR within 60 days
D. Operate under the old license until renewal
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Apply for a new license within 30 days
, Rationale:TDLR requires that after a change in ownership of an establishment, the new
owner must apply for a new license within 30 days. The establishment license is specific
to the owner, and it cannot be transferred to a new owner.
Question 11: Where should the first bead of monomer and polymer be placed
when applying acrylic nails?
A. The nail matrix area
B. The center of the nail plate
C. The free edge
D. The cuticle area
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The free edge
Rationale:For proper acrylic application and to avoid product contacting the cuticle, the
first bead should be placed on the free edge. This helps build the apex and ensures
proper thickness distribution, creating a stronger nail.
Question 12: What does the client consultation help to determine?
A. The price of the service
B. Contraindications
C. The salon's schedule
D. The brands of products to use
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Contraindications
Rationale:A client consultation helps determine contraindications, which are conditions
that make a service inadvisable or potentially harmful. This includes identifying medical
conditions, nail disorders, allergies, or other factors that could prevent the service.
Question 13: Which of the following is a contagious disease that requires
refusing service to the client?
A. Leukonychia
B. Onychauxis
C. Impetigo
D. Onychorrhexis
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Impetigo
Rationale:Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection that can be spread through
direct contact. A nail technician must refuse service to any client with impetigo and refer
them to a physician. The other conditions are not contagious.
Question 14: What is the proper way to remove gloves after a blood exposure
incident?
A. Pull them off quickly
B. Turn them inside out by the cuff
