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Maine Nail Technology — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Nail Technician

Individual license for the practice of nail technology, including manicuring and pedicuring.

Licensing authority: Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program · Application information

Licensure based on an existing foreign license

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application, applicable fee, identity and licensure history; the Director may request additional information.
Discretion
Section 14231 permits issuance based on the foreign license; Chapter 21 exercises the Program examination requirement. A comparable foreign examination remains a condition, not a shared national leaf.
Foreign education
Provide foreign education documents, translation and approved equivalency evaluation when applicable.
Foreign license
Provide a current foreign license from a jurisdiction whose professional standards the Director considers equivalent to or higher than Maine standards; no cause for denial may exist. Issuance under section 14231 is discretionary.
Law attestation
Obtain, read and abide by Maine laws and rules. The Maine Laws and Rules examination portion was discontinued effective July 1, 2012.
Other jurisdiction exam
The Director may consider a written or practical examination created and administered by another licensing jurisdiction if comparable to NIC. An examination belonging to another jurisdiction is applicant evidence, not a Maine examination leaf.
Score window
Under Chapter 21, failure to pass all required examinations within one year of the first sitting requires retaking both. Under 32 M.R.S. section 14229-A, pay the initial-license fee within one year of passing, unless the Director waives the period for extenuating circumstances.
Examination eligibility training outside Maine without a current license

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application, applicable fee, identity and licensure history; the Director may request additional information.
Foreign education
If foreign educated, provide official education documents, an English translation and an equivalency evaluation from an approved United States credentialing agency.
Law attestation
Obtain, read and abide by Maine laws and rules. The Maine Laws and Rules examination portion was discontinued effective July 1, 2012.
Other jurisdiction exam
The Director may consider a written or practical examination created and administered by another licensing jurisdiction if comparable to NIC. An examination belonging to another jurisdiction is applicant evidence, not a Maine examination leaf.
Score window
Under Chapter 21, failure to pass all required examinations within one year of the first sitting requires retaking both. Under 32 M.R.S. section 14229-A, pay the initial-license fee within one year of passing, unless the Director waives the period for extenuating circumstances.
Training equivalence
Provide evidence of licensed-school training or approved trainee experience equivalent to or higher than Maine standards; satisfy all other new-applicant requirements. Verifiable licensed work experience within the four years before application may supplement insufficient course hours under Chapter 21.
Initial licensure by examination licensed school graduate

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application, applicable fee, identity and licensure history; the Director may request additional information.
Education
Satisfactorily complete 200 hours of nail-technology instruction in not less than five weeks at a school licensed by the Director.
Law attestation
Obtain, read and abide by Maine laws and rules. The Maine Laws and Rules examination portion was discontinued effective July 1, 2012.
Other jurisdiction exam
The Director may consider a written or practical examination created and administered by another licensing jurisdiction if comparable to NIC. An examination belonging to another jurisdiction is applicant evidence, not a Maine examination leaf.
Score window
Under Chapter 21, failure to pass all required examinations within one year of the first sitting requires retaking both. Under 32 M.R.S. section 14229-A, pay the initial-license fee within one year of passing, unless the Director waives the period for extenuating circumstances.
Licensure by endorsement under sections 14231 A and 8003 H
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Good standing
No pending complaint, allegation or investigation; no suspended or restricted license; no surrendered or revoked license.
Law attestation
Obtain, read and abide by Maine laws and rules. The Maine Laws and Rules examination portion was discontinued effective July 1, 2012.
Older rule demand
The current SOS compilation retains the older 2016 Chapter 21 requirement: "An applicant applying by endorsement shall be subject to the Maine required two-part examination." The 2022 superseding statutory endorsement process controls this route; applicants should note the Program wording.
Prior license
Hold a current United States license under substantially equivalent requirements, be in good standing in every jurisdiction where licensed, have no cause for denial and pay the fee. The Director determines which licenses are appropriate for this endorsement process.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Late renewal within 90 days of expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal window
Apply no later than 90 days after expiration and pay renewal and late fees; do not practice while expired.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal after active duty separation with mandatory examination waiver
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal
Submit the renewal application and applicable fees.
Service
Apply within 90 days after separation under conditions other than dishonorable; failure to renew must have resulted from active service.
Service duration
The examination waiver does not apply to service over four years unless the applicant demonstrates legally required service.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement at least four years after expiration

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application, applicable fee, identity and licensure history; the Director may request additional information.
Boundary
Chapter 21 allows waiver up to four years; the current Program implementation demands retesting at four years and beyond. Any Director-approved waiver remains an applicant condition.
Lapse
License expired four or more years ago; submit exam-eligibility approval and training transcript or affidavit, satisfy new-applicant requirements and pay the required fees. The Program page requires retaking the exam at four years and beyond.
Law attestation
Obtain, read and abide by Maine laws and rules. The Maine Laws and Rules examination portion was discontinued effective July 1, 2012.
Other jurisdiction exam
The Director may consider a written or practical examination created and administered by another licensing jurisdiction if comparable to NIC. An examination belonging to another jurisdiction is applicant evidence, not a Maine examination leaf.
Score window
Under Chapter 21, failure to pass all required examinations within one year of the first sitting requires retaking both. Under 32 M.R.S. section 14229-A, pay the initial-license fee within one year of passing, unless the Director waives the period for extenuating circumstances.
Reinstatement more than 90 days and less than four years after expiration

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application, applicable fee, identity and licensure history; the Director may request additional information.
Exam waiver
The Director may waive examinations after considering public protection. The currently offered exams remain leaves because a waiver is discretionary.
Lapse
License expired more than 90 days but less than four years ago; new-applicant requirements and renewal and late fees apply.
Law attestation
Obtain, read and abide by Maine laws and rules. The Maine Laws and Rules examination portion was discontinued effective July 1, 2012.
Other jurisdiction exam
The Director may consider a written or practical examination created and administered by another licensing jurisdiction if comparable to NIC. An examination belonging to another jurisdiction is applicant evidence, not a Maine examination leaf.
Score window
Under Chapter 21, failure to pass all required examinations within one year of the first sitting requires retaking both. Under 32 M.R.S. section 14229-A, pay the initial-license fee within one year of passing, unless the Director waives the period for extenuating circumstances.
Ordinary renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Practice
Do not practice after expiration; a renewal reminder does not excuse late renewal.
Renewal
File a renewal application and pay the renewal fee by the stated expiration date; the Program states annual October 31 renewal.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by examination supervised trainee

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application, applicable fee, identity and licensure history; the Director may request additional information.
Law attestation
Obtain, read and abide by Maine laws and rules. The Maine Laws and Rules examination portion was discontinued effective July 1, 2012.
Other jurisdiction exam
The Director may consider a written or practical examination created and administered by another licensing jurisdiction if comparable to NIC. An examination belonging to another jurisdiction is applicant evidence, not a Maine examination leaf.
Score window
Under Chapter 21, failure to pass all required examinations within one year of the first sitting requires retaking both. Under 32 M.R.S. section 14229-A, pay the initial-license fee within one year of passing, unless the Director waives the period for extenuating circumstances.
Training
Complete 400 hours of nail-technology training over at least ten weeks. The supervisor must certify completion. Chapter 23 permits an authorized trainee to test after 88 percent of required hours, but full training must be completed before licensure.
Existing United States license discretionary section 14231 process

All of the following:

Application
Submit the prescribed application, applicable fee, identity and licensure history; the Director may request additional information.
Discretion
Section 14231 permits, but does not compel, issuance. Chapter 21 requires the two-part NIC examination for its endorsement process; comparable other-jurisdiction examinations may be accepted.
Law attestation
Obtain, read and abide by Maine laws and rules. The Maine Laws and Rules examination portion was discontinued effective July 1, 2012.
Other jurisdiction exam
The Director may consider a written or practical examination created and administered by another licensing jurisdiction if comparable to NIC. An examination belonging to another jurisdiction is applicant evidence, not a Maine examination leaf.
Prior license
Present a current license from another United States jurisdiction; no cause for denial may exist. The applicant may instead apply under the separate statutory endorsement process.
Score window
Under Chapter 21, failure to pass all required examinations within one year of the first sitting requires retaking both. Under 32 M.R.S. section 14229-A, pay the initial-license fee within one year of passing, unless the Director waives the period for extenuating circumstances.

National Nail Technology Practical Examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Provider
Developed by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC); practical examinations administered by test administration companies and states upon approval and authorization of NIC
Format
Hands-on practical examination in seven core domain sections (six timed sections and an individually examined blood exposure procedure) evaluated by examiners on specified tasks; more than one client set up is required; model or mannequin requirements follow state guidelines; NIC also offers additional practical sections that a state may require
Examination sources

National Nail Technology Theory Examination

Provider
Developed by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC); computer-based testing administered by test administration companies and states upon approval and authorization of NIC
Format
Multiple-choice theory examination; each question is followed by four answer options, only one of which is correct
Exam questions
110 items, of which 100 items are weighted and contribute to the final score
Time limit
90 minutes
Examination outline
  • I. Scientific Concepts - Infection Control and Safety Practices (15%) (15%)
    • A. Identify how disease and infection are caused and transmitted
    • B. Recognize and utilize infection control principles — 1. Levels of infection control
    • B. Recognize and utilize infection control principles — 2. Process of infection control (e.g., dispensing products, disposal of materials, use of single- or multi-use implements)
    • C. Apply blood exposure procedures
    • D. Identify adverse reactions to products or services
    • E. Recognize safe handling and storage of chemicals
    • F. Utilize Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
    • G. Identify ways to prevent work injuries (e.g., ventilation, ergonomics)
  • II. Scientific Concepts - Anatomy and Physiology (15%) (15%)
    • A. Identify functions, parts, and structure of the: 1. nails
    • A. Identify functions, parts, and structure of the: 2. skin
    • B. Identify functions and structure (e.g., bones, muscles, and joints) of the: 1. arms and hands
    • B. Identify functions and structure (e.g., bones, muscles, and joints) of the: 2. legs and feet
    • C. Recognize signs, symptoms, and cause of disorders, diseases, and conditions of the: 1. nails
    • C. Recognize signs, symptoms, and cause of disorders, diseases, and conditions of the: 2. skin
  • III. Scientific Concepts - Chemistry of Nail Products (10%) (10%)
    • A. Explain purpose and effects of product ingredients
    • B. Recognize interaction between chemicals
    • C. Recognize physical changes
    • D. Recognize chemical reactions
    • E. Identify common ingredients that may cause harm
  • IV. Nail Technology Procedures- Pre-service process (5%) (5%)
    • A. Client consultation — 1. Identify elements of a client consultation and documentation
    • A. Client consultation — 2. Analyze condition of client’s nails and skin
    • A. Client consultation — 3. Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (contraindications)
    • A. Client consultation — 4. Determine services or products
    • B. Work area preparation — 1. Perform set-up of work station service area
    • B. Work area preparation — 2. Perform client and practitioner sanitation
  • V. Nail Technology Procedures - Nail Service Tools (13%) (13%)
    • A. Identify purpose and function of: 1. Nail equipment (e.g., electric file, pedicure basin)
    • A. Identify purpose and function of: 2. Nail implements (e.g., nail clippers, cuticle pusher)
    • A. Identify purpose and function of: 3. Nail supplies and materials (e.g., cotton, buffer)
    • A. Identify purpose and function of: 4. Nail products (e.g., polish, lotion)
    • B. Follow practices for safe use of tools, supplies, and equipment
  • VI. Nail Technology Procedures - Manicure and Pedicure Services (18%) (18%)
    • A. Perform procedures for basic manicure and/or pedicure service — 1. Trim and shape nails
    • A. Perform procedures for basic manicure and/or pedicure service — 2. Soak
    • A. Perform procedures for basic manicure and/or pedicure service — 3. Cuticle maintenance
    • A. Perform procedures for basic manicure and/or pedicure service — 4. Cleanse nails
    • A. Perform procedures for basic manicure and/or pedicure service — 5. Buff nails
    • A. Perform procedures for basic manicure and/or pedicure service — 6. Demonstrate knowledge of basic massage procedures — a. Knowledge of safe application of massage manipulation
    • A. Perform procedures for basic manicure and/or pedicure service — 6. Demonstrate knowledge of basic massage procedures — b. Recognize mechanics and effects of massage types — i. Effleurage
    • A. Perform procedures for basic manicure and/or pedicure service — 6. Demonstrate knowledge of basic massage procedures — b. Recognize mechanics and effects of massage types — ii. Petrissage
    • A. Perform procedures for basic manicure and/or pedicure service — 6. Demonstrate knowledge of basic massage procedures — b. Recognize mechanics and effects of massage types — iii. Friction
    • A. Perform procedures for basic manicure and/or pedicure service — 6. Demonstrate knowledge of basic massage procedures — b. Recognize mechanics and effects of massage types — iv. Tapotement
    • A. Perform procedures for basic manicure and/or pedicure service — 7. Remove massage product
    • A. Perform procedures for basic manicure and/or pedicure service — 8. Polish nails
    • A. Perform procedures for basic manicure and/or pedicure service — 9. Completion of service
    • B. Perform procedures for add-on services — 1. Paraffin
    • B. Perform procedures for add-on services — 2. Exfoliate
    • B. Perform procedures for add-on services — 3. Thermal (e.g., stone, towel)
  • VII. Nail Technology Procedures - Perform Application Maintenance and Removal Procedures for Nail Enhancement Services (20%) (20%)
    • A. Nail tip
    • B. Acrylics
    • C. Soft, hard, hybrid gels
    • D. Powder dip
  • VIII. Nail Technology Procedures - Perform Post-Service Procedures (4%) (4%)
    • A. After care and client education
    • B. Cleaning and disinfection
Examination sources