Texas Manicurist State Board Official TDLR Nail Technician Written Exam
Updated 2026 | Comprehensive Study Guide, Practice Exam Questions
and Answers, Exam Prep Test Bank, Texas Licensing Requirements, Nail
Technology Theory, Sanitation and Safety Procedures, Chemical Products
and Services, Client Consultation Skills, and Certification Revision
Material for State Board Success
Question 1: Which agency regulates cosmetology in Texas?
A. FDA
B. TDLR
C. OSHA
D. EPA
CORRECT ANSWER: B. TDLR
Rationale: The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) oversees nail
technicians.
Question 2: How often must a Texas nail license be renewed?
A. Annually
B. Biennially
C. Every 3 years
D. Every 5 years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Biennially
Rationale: Texas nail licenses must be renewed every two years.
Question 3: Where must a salon license be displayed?
A. In the breakroom
B. In a conspicuous place
C. In the manager's office
D. In the restroom
CORRECT ANSWER: B. In a conspicuous place
Rationale: Licenses must be visibly displayed to the public.
Question 4: What is the minimum age for a Texas nail technician license?
A. 16
B. 17
C. 18
D. 21
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 17
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 17 years old to apply.
Question 5: How many training hours are required for a Texas nail tech license?
,A. 400
B. 500
C. 600
D. 1000
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 600
Rationale: Texas requires 600 hours of approved nail tech training.
Question 6: What two exams must be passed for licensure?
A. Written and practical
B. Oral and practical
C. Written and oral
D. Theory and essay
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Written and practical
Rationale: Both written and practical exams are required by TDLR.
Question 7: Are continuing education hours required for Texas nail techs?
A. Yes, 10 hours
B. Yes, 20 hours
C. No
D. Only for instructors
CORRECT ANSWER: C. No
Rationale: Texas does not require continuing education for nail technicians.
Question 8: Who conducts salon inspections in Texas?
A. FDA
B. TDLR
C. OSHA
D. Local health dept
CORRECT ANSWER: B. TDLR
Rationale: TDLR inspectors conduct salon compliance and safety checks.
Question 9: What is the maximum fine for a first TDLR violation?
A. $100
B. $500
C. $1000
D. $5000
CORRECT ANSWER: C. $1000
Rationale: The maximum administrative penalty per violation is $1000.
,Question 10: Where are consumer complaints against salons filed?
A. Better Business Bureau
B. TDLR
C. Local police
D. FDA
CORRECT ANSWER: B. TDLR
Rationale: TDLR handles all licensing and salon complaints.
Question 11: What agency registers all hospital-grade disinfectants?
A. FDA
B. OSHA
C. EPA
D. CDC
CORRECT ANSWER: C. EPA
Rationale: The Environmental Protection Agency registers disinfectants.
Question 12: What type of disinfectant must be used in salons?
A. Antibacterial soap
B. EPA-registered disinfectant
C. Bleach only
D. Alcohol only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. EPA-registered disinfectant
Rationale: Salons must use an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant.
Question 13: What does the acronym "QUAT" stand for?
A. Quaternary ammonium
B. Quartz ammonia
C. Quality ammonia
D. Quaternary acid
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Quaternary ammonium
Rationale: Quats are common, effective salon disinfectants.
Question 14: What is the proper bleach-to-water ratio for disinfection?
A. 1:2
B. 1:5
C. 1:10
D. 1:100
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 1:10
, Rationale: A 1:10 ratio is standard for effective bleach disinfection.
Question 15: What method uses steam and pressure for sterilization?
A. UV light
B. Autoclave
C. Quat solution
D. Bleach bath
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Autoclave
Rationale: Autoclaves use pressurized steam to sterilize tools.
Question 16: What is a UV light jar used for?
A. Disinfecting
B. Sterilizing
C. Clean storage
D. Washing
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Clean storage
Rationale: UV jars only store already disinfected tools.
Question 17: How should single-use items be disposed of?
A. Washed and reused
B. Disinfected and reused
C. Thrown in the trash
D. Given to clients
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Thrown in the trash
Rationale: Single-use items must be discarded after one use.
Question 18: How should a blood spill be cleaned?
A. Soap and water
B. EPA-registered tuberculocidal disinfectant
C. Alcohol
D. Quat solution
CORRECT ANSWER: B. EPA-registered tuberculocidal disinfectant
Rationale: Blood requires a hospital-level tuberculocidal disinfectant.
Question 19: How long must you wash your hands before a service?
A. 5 to 10 seconds
B. 10 to 15 seconds
C. 30 to 60 seconds
D. 5 minutes
Updated 2026 | Comprehensive Study Guide, Practice Exam Questions
and Answers, Exam Prep Test Bank, Texas Licensing Requirements, Nail
Technology Theory, Sanitation and Safety Procedures, Chemical Products
and Services, Client Consultation Skills, and Certification Revision
Material for State Board Success
Question 1: Which agency regulates cosmetology in Texas?
A. FDA
B. TDLR
C. OSHA
D. EPA
CORRECT ANSWER: B. TDLR
Rationale: The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) oversees nail
technicians.
Question 2: How often must a Texas nail license be renewed?
A. Annually
B. Biennially
C. Every 3 years
D. Every 5 years
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Biennially
Rationale: Texas nail licenses must be renewed every two years.
Question 3: Where must a salon license be displayed?
A. In the breakroom
B. In a conspicuous place
C. In the manager's office
D. In the restroom
CORRECT ANSWER: B. In a conspicuous place
Rationale: Licenses must be visibly displayed to the public.
Question 4: What is the minimum age for a Texas nail technician license?
A. 16
B. 17
C. 18
D. 21
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 17
Rationale: Applicants must be at least 17 years old to apply.
Question 5: How many training hours are required for a Texas nail tech license?
,A. 400
B. 500
C. 600
D. 1000
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 600
Rationale: Texas requires 600 hours of approved nail tech training.
Question 6: What two exams must be passed for licensure?
A. Written and practical
B. Oral and practical
C. Written and oral
D. Theory and essay
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Written and practical
Rationale: Both written and practical exams are required by TDLR.
Question 7: Are continuing education hours required for Texas nail techs?
A. Yes, 10 hours
B. Yes, 20 hours
C. No
D. Only for instructors
CORRECT ANSWER: C. No
Rationale: Texas does not require continuing education for nail technicians.
Question 8: Who conducts salon inspections in Texas?
A. FDA
B. TDLR
C. OSHA
D. Local health dept
CORRECT ANSWER: B. TDLR
Rationale: TDLR inspectors conduct salon compliance and safety checks.
Question 9: What is the maximum fine for a first TDLR violation?
A. $100
B. $500
C. $1000
D. $5000
CORRECT ANSWER: C. $1000
Rationale: The maximum administrative penalty per violation is $1000.
,Question 10: Where are consumer complaints against salons filed?
A. Better Business Bureau
B. TDLR
C. Local police
D. FDA
CORRECT ANSWER: B. TDLR
Rationale: TDLR handles all licensing and salon complaints.
Question 11: What agency registers all hospital-grade disinfectants?
A. FDA
B. OSHA
C. EPA
D. CDC
CORRECT ANSWER: C. EPA
Rationale: The Environmental Protection Agency registers disinfectants.
Question 12: What type of disinfectant must be used in salons?
A. Antibacterial soap
B. EPA-registered disinfectant
C. Bleach only
D. Alcohol only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. EPA-registered disinfectant
Rationale: Salons must use an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant.
Question 13: What does the acronym "QUAT" stand for?
A. Quaternary ammonium
B. Quartz ammonia
C. Quality ammonia
D. Quaternary acid
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Quaternary ammonium
Rationale: Quats are common, effective salon disinfectants.
Question 14: What is the proper bleach-to-water ratio for disinfection?
A. 1:2
B. 1:5
C. 1:10
D. 1:100
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 1:10
, Rationale: A 1:10 ratio is standard for effective bleach disinfection.
Question 15: What method uses steam and pressure for sterilization?
A. UV light
B. Autoclave
C. Quat solution
D. Bleach bath
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Autoclave
Rationale: Autoclaves use pressurized steam to sterilize tools.
Question 16: What is a UV light jar used for?
A. Disinfecting
B. Sterilizing
C. Clean storage
D. Washing
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Clean storage
Rationale: UV jars only store already disinfected tools.
Question 17: How should single-use items be disposed of?
A. Washed and reused
B. Disinfected and reused
C. Thrown in the trash
D. Given to clients
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Thrown in the trash
Rationale: Single-use items must be discarded after one use.
Question 18: How should a blood spill be cleaned?
A. Soap and water
B. EPA-registered tuberculocidal disinfectant
C. Alcohol
D. Quat solution
CORRECT ANSWER: B. EPA-registered tuberculocidal disinfectant
Rationale: Blood requires a hospital-level tuberculocidal disinfectant.
Question 19: How long must you wash your hands before a service?
A. 5 to 10 seconds
B. 10 to 15 seconds
C. 30 to 60 seconds
D. 5 minutes
