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New Hampshire 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.

Manicurist License

Personal license to practice manicuring and pedicuring, including artificial nail enhancements, under RSA 313-A.

Licensing authority: New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics; Office of Professional Licensure and Certification · Application information

Licensure by endorsement under RSA 310:17
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the Universal Application, required documents, applicable foreign-credential evaluation, and fees under Plc 313.
License
Hold an active, non-temporary, unrestricted license in good standing from a qualifying jurisdiction with substantially similar requirements, and provide primary-source verification.
Lower ranked bulletin
The Prov bulletin page 1 says "BOTH a written and practical exam to become licensed." The statutory endorsement rule in RSA 310:17 issues the license on an active qualifying license; the bulletin is a general examination-candidate instruction, not an additional endorsement examination under this statute.
Qualifying examination
Plc 313.18(d)(2) requires the licensing jurisdiction to require a state-approved competency examination for manicurists or nail technicians. It does not identify a registered nationwide examination; examinations belonging to other jurisdictions are applicant evidence, not New Hampshire exam leaves.
Qualifying training
The licensing jurisdiction must require a state-approved manicurist or nail-technician education or training program, Plc 313.18(d)(1).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial application after revocation

All of the following:

Application
Submit the Universal Application for Initial Licensure and profession-specific Initial Application, required supporting documents, and applicable fees; request third-party transmission of examination results directly to OPLC.
Board decision
The Board may deny the application or impose licensing conditions under Plc 312.05.
Education
Complete high school or its equivalent and provide the diploma or equivalent, under RSA 313-A:12 and RSA 313-A:11(I)(b).
Oral administration
Bar 303.05 states: "(a) An oral exam shall be given, in English only, in place of the written examination, if the applicant requests in writing an oral exam from the testing agency or the board." This is an alternative administration of the examination, requested with name, signature, and date; the rule does not identify an independent examination or registration boundary.
Passing scores
Pass both written and practical examinations. Bar 303.04(e) and Bar 303.06(b) require 75%; the Prov bulletin describes an overall passing scaled score of 75.00.
Professional character
Be of good professional character under RSA 313-A:12 and RSA 313-A:11(I)(a); disclose matters requested by the applicant questionnaire for Board evaluation.
Retests
Under Bar 303.09, retake the failed portion of the written examination or the entire failed practical examination and pay applicable retest fees.
Revocation
Meet the revocation order, waiting period, penalties and costs; file an initial application and demonstrate required credentials and continuing competence.
Initial application after a license has expired more than one year

All of the following:

Application
Submit the Universal Application for Initial Licensure and profession-specific Initial Application, required supporting documents, and applicable fees; request third-party transmission of examination results directly to OPLC.
Board renewal text
Bar 401.02(d) says "the licensee reapplies in accordance with Bar 401.01" after expiration. Current Plc 312.03 and the Board application page use the initial application after more than one year. The examination tree retains current examinations; whether prior scores suffice or retesting is required is the applicant condition.
Education
Complete high school or its equivalent and provide the diploma or equivalent, under RSA 313-A:12 and RSA 313-A:11(I)(b).
Expiration
Former manicurist license has expired more than one year.
Initial application
Apply for initial licensure under Plc 312.03; meet applicable additional reobtaining requirements.
Oral administration
Bar 303.05 states: "(a) An oral exam shall be given, in English only, in place of the written examination, if the applicant requests in writing an oral exam from the testing agency or the board." This is an alternative administration of the examination, requested with name, signature, and date; the rule does not identify an independent examination or registration boundary.
Passing scores
Pass both written and practical examinations. Bar 303.04(e) and Bar 303.06(b) require 75%; the Prov bulletin describes an overall passing scaled score of 75.00.
Professional character
Be of good professional character under RSA 313-A:12 and RSA 313-A:11(I)(a); disclose matters requested by the applicant questionnaire for Board evaluation.
Retests
Under Bar 303.09, retake the failed portion of the written examination or the entire failed practical examination and pay applicable retest fees.
Reactivation after reserve or National Guard active duty
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Inactive status
A reserve or National Guard licensee requested inactive status while called to active duty.
Renewal
Pay the renewal fee and demonstrate the most current continuing-education requirement unless still in the renewal period, as RSA 310:8(V) states.
Timing
Request reactivation within one year of release from active duty.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the correct renewal application, disclosures, profession-specific information, and applicable renewal fee.
Continuing requirements
Meet any applicable continuing-competence and premises inspection requirements; Bar 403.01 and 403.02 are expressly repealed. This route concerns renewal rather than the examinations for initial issuance.
Current license
Apply before license or registration expiration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement not more than one year after expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Expiration
License has expired not more than one year ago.
Practice
Do not practice until reinstatement; pay applicable reinstatement fees.
Renewal process
Complete the renewal process under Plc 308; meet applicable continuing-competence requirements and retain or re-obtain credentials required for licensure.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after suspension within one year of license expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Order compliance
Pay monetary penalties and imposed costs and meet all suspension-order conditions; a case-specific unnamed examination is a condition.
Renewal process
Complete the Plc 312.02 reinstatement process and demonstrate all reinstatement requirements are met.
Timing
Request within 30 days after the suspension term ends, after license expiration but within one year of expiration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restoration after suspension before license expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Decision
The restored license may carry conditions under Plc 311.06 after notice and opportunity to be heard.
Order compliance
Demonstrate compliance with every condition of the suspension order and plan of correction, complete imposed continuing-competence activities, and pay penalties. Any case-specific unnamed examination imposed by an order remains an applicant condition; the general rule names no examination.
Timing
Request restoration within 30 days after the suspension term ends and before license expiration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial application after missing the suspension restoration period

All of the following:

Application
Plc 312.04(d) requires a new initial application; demonstrate compliance with applicable requirements and the suspension order.
Education
Complete high school or its equivalent and provide the diploma or equivalent, under RSA 313-A:12 and RSA 313-A:11(I)(b).
Oral administration
Bar 303.05 states: "(a) An oral exam shall be given, in English only, in place of the written examination, if the applicant requests in writing an oral exam from the testing agency or the board." This is an alternative administration of the examination, requested with name, signature, and date; the rule does not identify an independent examination or registration boundary.
Passing scores
Pass both written and practical examinations. Bar 303.04(e) and Bar 303.06(b) require 75%; the Prov bulletin describes an overall passing scaled score of 75.00.
Professional character
Be of good professional character under RSA 313-A:12 and RSA 313-A:11(I)(a); disclose matters requested by the applicant questionnaire for Board evaluation.
Retests
Under Bar 303.09, retake the failed portion of the written examination or the entire failed practical examination and pay applicable retest fees.
Timing
The applicant did not seek restoration within the Plc 312.04(a) period.
Initial licensure by examination — out of state school training

All of the following:

Application
Submit the Universal Application for Initial Licensure and profession-specific Initial Application, required supporting documents, and applicable fees; request third-party transmission of examination results directly to OPLC.
Education
Complete high school or its equivalent and provide the diploma or equivalent, under RSA 313-A:12 and RSA 313-A:11(I)(b).
Oral administration
Bar 303.05 states: "(a) An oral exam shall be given, in English only, in place of the written examination, if the applicant requests in writing an oral exam from the testing agency or the board." This is an alternative administration of the examination, requested with name, signature, and date; the rule does not identify an independent examination or registration boundary.
Passing scores
Pass both written and practical examinations. Bar 303.04(e) and Bar 303.06(b) require 75%; the Prov bulletin describes an overall passing scaled score of 75.00.
Professional character
Be of good professional character under RSA 313-A:12 and RSA 313-A:11(I)(a); disclose matters requested by the applicant questionnaire for Board evaluation.
Retests
Under Bar 303.09, retake the failed portion of the written examination or the entire failed practical examination and pay applicable retest fees.
Training
Complete the required 300 hours at an out-of-state school approved by that jurisdiction; under Bar 301.07(d)-(e), arrange a state-board letter verifying the school, enrollment, completion, hours, signature, title, and seal.
Initial licensure by examination — New Hampshire school training

All of the following:

Application
Submit the Universal Application for Initial Licensure and profession-specific Initial Application, required supporting documents, and applicable fees; request third-party transmission of examination results directly to OPLC.
Education
Complete high school or its equivalent and provide the diploma or equivalent, under RSA 313-A:12 and RSA 313-A:11(I)(b).
Oral administration
Bar 303.05 states: "(a) An oral exam shall be given, in English only, in place of the written examination, if the applicant requests in writing an oral exam from the testing agency or the board." This is an alternative administration of the examination, requested with name, signature, and date; the rule does not identify an independent examination or registration boundary.
Passing scores
Pass both written and practical examinations. Bar 303.04(e) and Bar 303.06(b) require 75%; the Prov bulletin describes an overall passing scaled score of 75.00.
Professional character
Be of good professional character under RSA 313-A:12 and RSA 313-A:11(I)(a); disclose matters requested by the applicant questionnaire for Board evaluation.
Retests
Under Bar 303.09, retake the failed portion of the written examination or the entire failed practical examination and pay applicable retest fees.
Training
Complete at least 300 hours of professional training in manicuring at an approved school, RSA 313-A:12(I).
Initial licensure by examination — shop apprenticeship

All of the following:

Application
Submit the Universal Application for Initial Licensure and profession-specific Initial Application, required supporting documents, and applicable fees; request third-party transmission of examination results directly to OPLC.
Education
Complete high school or its equivalent and provide the diploma or equivalent, under RSA 313-A:12 and RSA 313-A:11(I)(b).
Oral administration
Bar 303.05 states: "(a) An oral exam shall be given, in English only, in place of the written examination, if the applicant requests in writing an oral exam from the testing agency or the board." This is an alternative administration of the examination, requested with name, signature, and date; the rule does not identify an independent examination or registration boundary.
Passing scores
Pass both written and practical examinations. Bar 303.04(e) and Bar 303.06(b) require 75%; the Prov bulletin describes an overall passing scaled score of 75.00.
Professional character
Be of good professional character under RSA 313-A:12 and RSA 313-A:11(I)(a); disclose matters requested by the applicant questionnaire for Board evaluation.
Retests
Under Bar 303.09, retake the failed portion of the written examination or the entire failed practical examination and pay applicable retest fees.
Training
Complete 600 hours in a registered shop apprenticeship under Bar 301.03(b)(3), as the equivalent training under RSA 313-A:12(II).
Licensure for an individual already licensed in another jurisdiction — Board application
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Historical reference
Bar 304.01(a) still refers to RSA 313-A:14, which the official statute identifies as repealed effective July 1, 2024. The existing rule describes the Board application and approval criteria; the current OPLC reciprocity page also permits the traditional application process where endorsement is unavailable. The current statute RSA 310:17 governs the statutory endorsement route.
License
Provide the current license and a certificate from the issuing Board containing training, enrollment and completion, license dates, and examination dates, language, and scores under Bar 304.01.
Lower ranked bulletin
The general Prov bulletin says "BOTH a written and practical exam to become licensed." Bar 304.02(b) grants this credential on its enumerated application, license, documents, and character criteria; that higher-ranked rule is used for the requirement tree.
Past scores
The certificate requires examination history without naming any currently offered registered nationwide examination. Such unidentifiable or other-jurisdiction examinations are conditions.
Professional character
Application approval requires good professional character and the documents in Bar 304.02(b).
Training
Provide a transcript and high-school diploma or equivalent. If training hours are deficient, document at least 600 hours of work experience for manicuring, Bar 304.01(g)-(h).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Manicurist Permit

Supervised work pending the manicurist licensing examinations.

Licensing authority: New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology, and Esthetics; Office of Professional Licensure and Certification · Application information

Second temporary permit after an unsuccessful manicurist examination

All of the following:

Discretion
OPLC may grant a second permit under the same supervised conditions of RSA 313-A:18(II).
Duration
The second permit expires 60 days from issuance unless just cause for failure to take the examination is shown to the Board.
Examination timing
Retake the failed examination requirements under Bar 303.09.
Prior permit
Have failed the examination after a first temporary permit.
Temporary permit while awaiting manicurist examinations

All of the following:

Duration
The permit is pending examinations; failure to attend without just cause terminates it. If an examination is failed, a second permit may be issued at OPLC discretion for no more than 60 days unless the statutory just-cause exception applies.
Eligibility
Be eligible for the examinations under RSA 313-A:18; complete the apprenticeship/training and approved application under Bar 301.07(g).
Examination timing
The examinations follow permit issuance; the permit does not remove those examinations from the route.
Supervision
Practice only under the guidance of a licensed practitioner in a registered shop; have immediate access to a licensee while providing services.

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