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South Dakota Nail Technology — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

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Provisional Endorsement License — Nail Technology

Licensing authority: South Dakota Cosmetology Commission · Application information

Reinstatement of suspended or revoked status — written licensing compliance

All of the following:

Decision
A written application must establish compliance with the existing requirements for this licence form; the Commission decides reinstatement by majority vote and may impose individual conditions or automatic reinstatement after a fixed period. Original time limits and prerequisites remain applicant conditions for the Commission to determine.
Reinstatement of suspended or revoked status — witness testimony
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Decision
Commission majority vote upon witness testimony; the Commission may impose conditions or automatic reinstatement after a fixed period. The clause identifies no examination in this branch.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Provisional endorsement while completing remaining Board requirements

All of the following:

Application
Submit the Commission application, required fee, age/identity evidence, recent photograph and written proof of qualifications. Out-of-state education transcripts or certifications must be sent directly by the school or licensing agency.
Discretion
The Commission may issue a provisional endorsement licence while remaining Board-determined endorsement requirements are satisfied.
Duration
Practice ends on denial, Board-established expiration or failure to comply with provisional terms. Named current examinations remain involved even if issuance precedes them.
Existing License
Hold an active licence from another state, district, territory or foreign country; equivalent standards or approved work-experience credit must satisfy SDCL 36-15-19.2.
Law Examination
The state laws and rules examination remains required despite a theory waiver.
Licensing
Education must be completed and the required examinations passed before ordinary licensure; enrolled students may take theory earlier. Examinations passed before applying remain examinations involved in this route.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years, except a statutory exception.
Theory Waiver
ARSD 20:42:03:14 waives the theory examination if the applicant successfully passed a state-administered or authorized theory examination in another state. The other state examination is an applicant condition; the Commission requires its current NIC theory examination if the waiver does not apply. Certification of licensure must establish examination status.
Work Experience
Nail technicians may receive up to 200 education hours of credit at two work hours per education hour. Experience obtained more than five years before applying requires a Commission-approved safety and infection-control course; this credit provision specifies a course, not a separate examination.

Provisional Work Authorization — Nail Technology

Licensing authority: South Dakota Cosmetology Commission · Application information

Reinstatement of suspended or revoked status — written licensing compliance

All of the following:

Decision
A written application must establish compliance with the existing requirements for this licence form; the Commission decides reinstatement by majority vote and may impose individual conditions or automatic reinstatement after a fixed period. Original time limits and prerequisites remain applicant conditions for the Commission to determine.
Reinstatement of suspended or revoked status — witness testimony
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Decision
Commission majority vote upon witness testimony; the Commission may impose conditions or automatic reinstatement after a fixed period. The clause identifies no examination in this branch.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Work authorization after examination passage while licence is mailed

All of the following:

Eligibility
Only school graduates with a Student Education Record on file who have passed the required examinations may receive and post the provisional work authorization while awaiting the mailed licence. Failed applicants may not work.

Nail Technician License

Licensing authority: South Dakota Cosmetology Commission · Application information

Initial licensure by examination — licensed apprenticeship

All of the following:

Application
Submit the Commission application, required fee, age/identity evidence, recent photograph and written proof of qualifications. Out-of-state education transcripts or certifications must be sent directly by the school or licensing agency.
Education
Complete 400 consecutive hours of licensed nail technology apprenticeship in the same licensed salon; written Commission permission and good cause permit a transfer or break.
Implementation Eligibility
The Commission Education page states: "Only graduates of a school approved and licensed by the South Dakota Cosmetology Commission may sit for the state licensing examination." SDCL 36-15-17.1 expressly permits the apprenticeship pathway and controls its eligibility.
Licensing
Education must be completed and the required examinations passed before ordinary licensure; enrolled students may take theory earlier. Examinations passed before applying remain examinations involved in this route.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years, except a statutory exception.
Substitute Instruction
ARSD 20:42:08:03.02 permits an existing South Dakota nail technician to substitute-teach only nail technology for up to 80 hours per calendar year. The school must report the emergency, identity and hours to the Commission, and the substitute cannot otherwise be employed by the school. This does not issue another licence.
Licensure by endorsement under SDCL Chapter 36 1D

All of the following:

Application
Submit the Commission application, required fee, age/identity evidence, recent photograph and written proof of qualifications. Out-of-state education transcripts or certifications must be sent directly by the school or licensing agency.
Existing License
Hold an active licence from another state, district, territory or foreign country; equivalent standards or approved work-experience credit must satisfy SDCL 36-15-19.2.
Implementation Demand
The Commission Examinations page requires all applicants for examination/licensure to complete the state laws and rules examination; the nail licensing page names NIC theory and state law. Theory waivers remain applicant conditions.
Law Examination
The state laws and rules examination remains required despite a theory waiver.
Licensing
Education must be completed and the required examinations passed before ordinary licensure; enrolled students may take theory earlier. Examinations passed before applying remain examinations involved in this route.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years, except a statutory exception.
Statutory Endorsement
SDCL 36-1D-1 applies notwithstanding existing endorsement or reciprocity provisions. Hold a substantially equivalent or higher licence from another state, territory or country, demonstrate competency through Board-determined methods, satisfy disciplinary-history requirements subject to Board discretion, and pay established fees. Unnamed competency methods remain conditions.
Substitute Instruction
ARSD 20:42:08:03.02 permits an existing South Dakota nail technician to substitute-teach only nail technology for up to 80 hours per calendar year. The school must report the emergency, identity and hours to the Commission, and the substitute cannot otherwise be employed by the school. This does not issue another licence.
Theory Waiver
ARSD 20:42:03:14 waives the theory examination if the applicant successfully passed a state-administered or authorized theory examination in another state. The other state examination is an applicant condition; the Commission requires its current NIC theory examination if the waiver does not apply. Certification of licensure must establish examination status.
Work Experience
Nail technicians may receive up to 200 education hours of credit at two work hours per education hour. Experience obtained more than five years before applying requires a Commission-approved safety and infection-control course; this credit provision specifies a course, not a separate examination.
Licensure by reciprocity — equivalent existing licence

All of the following:

Application
Submit the Commission application, required fee, age/identity evidence, recent photograph and written proof of qualifications. Out-of-state education transcripts or certifications must be sent directly by the school or licensing agency.
Existing License
Hold an active licence from another state, district, territory or foreign country; equivalent standards or approved work-experience credit must satisfy SDCL 36-15-19.2.
Law Examination
The state laws and rules examination remains required despite a theory waiver.
Licensing
Education must be completed and the required examinations passed before ordinary licensure; enrolled students may take theory earlier. Examinations passed before applying remain examinations involved in this route.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years, except a statutory exception.
Substitute Instruction
ARSD 20:42:08:03.02 permits an existing South Dakota nail technician to substitute-teach only nail technology for up to 80 hours per calendar year. The school must report the emergency, identity and hours to the Commission, and the substitute cannot otherwise be employed by the school. This does not issue another licence.
Theory Waiver
ARSD 20:42:03:14 waives the theory examination if the applicant successfully passed a state-administered or authorized theory examination in another state. The other state examination is an applicant condition; the Commission requires its current NIC theory examination if the waiver does not apply. Certification of licensure must establish examination status.
Work Experience
Nail technicians may receive up to 200 education hours of credit at two work hours per education hour. Experience obtained more than five years before applying requires a Commission-approved safety and infection-control course; this credit provision specifies a course, not a separate examination.
Licensure by reciprocity — foreign country licence

All of the following:

Application
Submit the Commission application, required fee, age/identity evidence, recent photograph and written proof of qualifications. Out-of-state education transcripts or certifications must be sent directly by the school or licensing agency.
Existing License
Hold an active licence from another state, district, territory or foreign country; equivalent standards or approved work-experience credit must satisfy SDCL 36-15-19.2.
Foreign Education
A foreign-country applicant must additionally complete 60 nail technician education hours at a Commission-approved school, covering federal safety requirements, South Dakota safety and infection-control procedures, and United States cosmetic products. A foreign examination is a condition, not a United States exam leaf.
Law Examination
The state laws and rules examination remains required despite a theory waiver.
Licensing
Education must be completed and the required examinations passed before ordinary licensure; enrolled students may take theory earlier. Examinations passed before applying remain examinations involved in this route.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years, except a statutory exception.
Substitute Instruction
ARSD 20:42:08:03.02 permits an existing South Dakota nail technician to substitute-teach only nail technology for up to 80 hours per calendar year. The school must report the emergency, identity and hours to the Commission, and the substitute cannot otherwise be employed by the school. This does not issue another licence.
Theory Waiver
ARSD 20:42:03:14 waives the theory examination if the applicant successfully passed a state-administered or authorized theory examination in another state. The other state examination is an applicant condition; the Commission requires its current NIC theory examination if the waiver does not apply. Certification of licensure must establish examination status.
Work Experience
Nail technicians may receive up to 200 education hours of credit at two work hours per education hour. Experience obtained more than five years before applying requires a Commission-approved safety and infection-control course; this credit provision specifies a course, not a separate examination.
Licensure by reciprocity — non equivalent licence and work experience credit

All of the following:

Application
Submit the Commission application, required fee, age/identity evidence, recent photograph and written proof of qualifications. Out-of-state education transcripts or certifications must be sent directly by the school or licensing agency.
Existing License
Hold a non-equivalent cosmetology-related licence and sufficient relevant work-experience credit to compensate for the education deficiency; all other SDCL 36-15-19.2 requirements apply.
Law Examination
The state laws and rules examination remains required despite a theory waiver.
Licensing
Education must be completed and the required examinations passed before ordinary licensure; enrolled students may take theory earlier. Examinations passed before applying remain examinations involved in this route.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years, except a statutory exception.
Substitute Instruction
ARSD 20:42:08:03.02 permits an existing South Dakota nail technician to substitute-teach only nail technology for up to 80 hours per calendar year. The school must report the emergency, identity and hours to the Commission, and the substitute cannot otherwise be employed by the school. This does not issue another licence.
Theory Waiver
ARSD 20:42:03:14 waives the theory examination if the applicant successfully passed a state-administered or authorized theory examination in another state. The other state examination is an applicant condition; the Commission requires its current NIC theory examination if the waiver does not apply. Certification of licensure must establish examination status.
Work Experience
Nail technicians may receive up to 200 education hours of credit at two work hours per education hour. Experience obtained more than five years before applying requires a Commission-approved safety and infection-control course; this credit provision specifies a course, not a separate examination.
Reinstatement of suspended or revoked licence — proof of current licensing compliance

All of the following:

Decision
Written application establishes compliance with existing licensing requirements; reinstatement requires a majority Commission vote. The Commission may impose individual conditions or provide automatic reinstatement after a fixed period.
Examination Condition
Current licensing examinations are involved through the compliance requirement; whether the applicant must retake a previously passed examination is a Commission-imposed condition.
Substitute Instruction
ARSD 20:42:08:03.02 permits an existing South Dakota nail technician to substitute-teach only nail technology for up to 80 hours per calendar year. The school must report the emergency, identity and hours to the Commission, and the substitute cannot otherwise be employed by the school. This does not issue another licence.
Reinstatement of suspended or revoked licence — witness testimony
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Decision
Witness testimony supports majority-vote reinstatement. The Commission may impose individual conditions, including automatic reinstatement after a fixed period; this testimony branch itself identifies no examination.
Substitute Instruction
ARSD 20:42:08:03.02 permits an existing South Dakota nail technician to substitute-teach only nail technology for up to 80 hours per calendar year. The school must report the emergency, identity and hours to the Commission, and the substitute cannot otherwise be employed by the school. This does not issue another licence.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal after lapse exceeding five continuous years

At least one of the following alternatives:

Alternatives
Choose either current licensing examinations or the safety and infection-control examination after a Commission-preapproved review course of at least two hours on South Dakota cosmetology law, rules and safety procedures.
Fees
Meet renewal requirements and pay renewal and penalty fees for each lapsed year.
Implementation Demand
The Commission License Renewal page says: "If your license expired more than five years ago , you must pay the renewal and penalty fees described above and take the state board examinations (theory and state laws/rules exams)." ARSD 20:42:03:13 controls and also permits the review-course/safety-examination alternative.
Substitute Instruction
ARSD 20:42:08:03.02 permits an existing South Dakota nail technician to substitute-teach only nail technology for up to 80 hours per calendar year. The school must report the emergency, identity and hours to the Commission, and the substitute cannot otherwise be employed by the school. This does not issue another licence.
Renewal after lapse of no more than five continuous years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Education
No additional examination is specified for a lapse of no more than five continuous years.
Fees
Meet renewal requirements and pay the renewal and lapsed-license penalty fee for every lapsed year.
Substitute Instruction
ARSD 20:42:08:03.02 permits an existing South Dakota nail technician to substitute-teach only nail technology for up to 80 hours per calendar year. The school must report the emergency, identity and hours to the Commission, and the substitute cannot otherwise be employed by the school. This does not issue another licence.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Expedited issuance — active duty military member or spouse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Hold a same or similar licence in good standing issued by another state or the District of Columbia; be an active-duty member or spouse subject to military transfer to South Dakota; submit a complete application and have no disqualifying disciplinary conduct. SDCL 36-1B-1 requires issuance within 30 days notwithstanding other law.
Fees
SDCL 36-1B-4 prohibits licensing-body application or other issuance fees.
Substitute Instruction
ARSD 20:42:08:03.02 permits an existing South Dakota nail technician to substitute-teach only nail technology for up to 80 hours per calendar year. The school must report the emergency, identity and hours to the Commission, and the substitute cannot otherwise be employed by the school. This does not issue another licence.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Renewal of expedited military licence
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Maintain qualifying military status and South Dakota posting, the other-jurisdiction licence in good standing, and applicable South Dakota maintenance requirements. Instructor maintenance includes annual teaching-methods education.
Substitute Instruction
ARSD 20:42:08:03.02 permits an existing South Dakota nail technician to substitute-teach only nail technology for up to 80 hours per calendar year. The school must report the emergency, identity and hours to the Commission, and the substitute cannot otherwise be employed by the school. This does not issue another licence.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Annual renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Apply and pay the renewal fee by the birthday expiration date; legal documentation is required for a name change.
Substitute Instruction
ARSD 20:42:08:03.02 permits an existing South Dakota nail technician to substitute-teach only nail technology for up to 80 hours per calendar year. The school must report the emergency, identity and hours to the Commission, and the substitute cannot otherwise be employed by the school. This does not issue another licence.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial licensure by examination — approved school education

All of the following:

Application
Submit the Commission application, required fee, age/identity evidence, recent photograph and written proof of qualifications. Out-of-state education transcripts or certifications must be sent directly by the school or licensing agency.
Education
Complete 400 hours or equivalent credit hours at an approved and licensed cosmetology or nail school.
Implementation Eligibility
The Commission Examinations page states: "If you graduated from a cosmetology school in another state, you are not eligible to take the South Dakota theory examination." It directs applicants to obtain licensure elsewhere and apply by reciprocity or transfer education to a South Dakota school. SDCL 36-15-17.1 controls the school eligibility boundary.
Licensing
Education must be completed and the required examinations passed before ordinary licensure; enrolled students may take theory earlier. Examinations passed before applying remain examinations involved in this route.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years, except a statutory exception.
Substitute Instruction
ARSD 20:42:08:03.02 permits an existing South Dakota nail technician to substitute-teach only nail technology for up to 80 hours per calendar year. The school must report the emergency, identity and hours to the Commission, and the substitute cannot otherwise be employed by the school. This does not issue another licence.
Restoration after military service
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Previously licensed in good standing and lawfully practicing in South Dakota at entry into military service; apply within six months of separation to restore the former status. SDCL 36-1-1 expressly bars an examination and requires only fees current in the application year.
Substitute Instruction
ARSD 20:42:08:03.02 permits an existing South Dakota nail technician to substitute-teach only nail technology for up to 80 hours per calendar year. The school must report the emergency, identity and hours to the Commission, and the substitute cannot otherwise be employed by the school. This does not issue another licence.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Nail Technician License

Licensing authority: South Dakota Cosmetology Commission · Application information

Temporary nail technician licence — apprentice completion

All of the following:

Application
Submit education proof, the temporary-licence fee and the application and fee for the nail technician examination.
Duration
Valid until the next scheduled applicable examination; extended until results are mailed if the applicant sits then. Unexcused absence or failure invalidates the licence; it cannot be extended or reissued.
Education
Complete the licensed apprenticeship period and satisfy the age and qualification requirements of SDCL 36-15-15.
Implementation Demand
The Commission State Board Examination Registration Instructions state: "Plan Ahead: Temporary licenses have been discontinued." SDCL 36-15-22, 36-15-50 and 36-15-50.1 still authorize these forms and control their legal availability; the applicant must address the Commission implementation statement.
Implementation Eligibility
The Commission limits current South Dakota theory registration to South Dakota school graduates; statutory qualifying education and apprenticeship routes are retained, and the applicant must address this implementing demand with the Commission.
Reinstatement of suspended or revoked status — written licensing compliance

All of the following:

Decision
A written application must establish compliance with the existing requirements for this licence form; the Commission decides reinstatement by majority vote and may impose individual conditions or automatic reinstatement after a fixed period. Original time limits and prerequisites remain applicant conditions for the Commission to determine.
Implementation Demand
The Commission State Board Examination Registration Instructions state: "Plan Ahead: Temporary licenses have been discontinued." SDCL 36-15-22, 36-15-50 and 36-15-50.1 still authorize these forms and control their legal availability; the applicant must address the Commission implementation statement.
Reinstatement of suspended or revoked status — witness testimony
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Decision
Commission majority vote upon witness testimony; the Commission may impose conditions or automatic reinstatement after a fixed period. The clause identifies no examination in this branch.
Implementation Demand
The Commission State Board Examination Registration Instructions state: "Plan Ahead: Temporary licenses have been discontinued." SDCL 36-15-22, 36-15-50 and 36-15-50.1 still authorize these forms and control their legal availability; the applicant must address the Commission implementation statement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary nail technician licence — school completion

All of the following:

Application
Submit education proof, the temporary-licence fee and the application and fee for the nail technician examination.
Duration
Valid until the next scheduled applicable examination; extended until results are mailed if the applicant sits then. Unexcused absence or failure invalidates the licence; it cannot be extended or reissued.
Education
Complete an approved and licensed South Dakota school programme or a comparable licensed programme elsewhere.
Implementation Demand
The Commission State Board Examination Registration Instructions state: "Plan Ahead: Temporary licenses have been discontinued." SDCL 36-15-22, 36-15-50 and 36-15-50.1 still authorize these forms and control their legal availability; the applicant must address the Commission implementation statement.
Implementation Eligibility
The Commission limits current South Dakota theory registration to South Dakota school graduates; statutory qualifying education and apprenticeship routes are retained, and the applicant must address this implementing demand with the Commission.

Temporary Permit — Nail Technology

Licensing authority: South Dakota Cosmetology Commission · Application information

Reinstatement of suspended or revoked status — written licensing compliance

All of the following:

Decision
A written application must establish compliance with the existing requirements for this licence form; the Commission decides reinstatement by majority vote and may impose individual conditions or automatic reinstatement after a fixed period. Original time limits and prerequisites remain applicant conditions for the Commission to determine.
Implementation Demand
The Commission State Board Examination Registration Instructions state: "Plan Ahead: Temporary licenses have been discontinued." SDCL 36-15-22, 36-15-50 and 36-15-50.1 still authorize these forms and control their legal availability; the applicant must address the Commission implementation statement.
Reinstatement of suspended or revoked status — witness testimony
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Decision
Commission majority vote upon witness testimony; the Commission may impose conditions or automatic reinstatement after a fixed period. The clause identifies no examination in this branch.
Implementation Demand
The Commission State Board Examination Registration Instructions state: "Plan Ahead: Temporary licenses have been discontinued." SDCL 36-15-22, 36-15-50 and 36-15-50.1 still authorize these forms and control their legal availability; the applicant must address the Commission implementation statement.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary practice permit — current out of state or foreign licence

All of the following:

Application
Submit the Commission application, required fee, age/identity evidence, recent photograph and written proof of qualifications. Out-of-state education transcripts or certifications must be sent directly by the school or licensing agency.
Duration
Permit lasts until the next regular applicable examination; extends until results are mailed if the examination is taken. Commission examination excuse, absence and failure determine validity under SDCL 36-15-22.
Existing License
Hold an active licence from another state, district, territory or foreign country; equivalent standards or approved work-experience credit must satisfy SDCL 36-15-19.2.
Implementation Demand
The Commission State Board Examination Registration Instructions state: "Plan Ahead: Temporary licenses have been discontinued." SDCL 36-15-22, 36-15-50 and 36-15-50.1 still authorize these forms and control their legal availability; the applicant must address the Commission implementation statement.
Law Examination
The state laws and rules examination remains required despite a theory waiver.
Licensing
Education must be completed and the required examinations passed before ordinary licensure; enrolled students may take theory earlier. Examinations passed before applying remain examinations involved in this route.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years, except a statutory exception.
Theory Waiver
ARSD 20:42:03:14 waives the theory examination if the applicant successfully passed a state-administered or authorized theory examination in another state. The other state examination is an applicant condition; the Commission requires its current NIC theory examination if the waiver does not apply. Certification of licensure must establish examination status.
Work Experience
Nail technicians may receive up to 200 education hours of credit at two work hours per education hour. Experience obtained more than five years before applying requires a Commission-approved safety and infection-control course; this credit provision specifies a course, not a separate examination.

South Dakota Cosmetology State Laws and Rules Examination

Provider
South Dakota Cosmetology Commission
Format
Written examination on South Dakota cosmetology statutes and administrative rules
Passing score
75% or greater
Examination outline
  • SDCL Chapter 36-15 — Cosmetologists, Estheticians, Nail Technicians, and Salons
  • ARSD Chapter 20:42:01 — Definitions
  • ARSD Chapter 20:42:02 — Organization of Commission
  • ARSD Chapter 20:42:03 — Licensure and Licensure Renewal
  • ARSD Chapter 20:42:04 — Salon and Booth Requirements
  • ARSD Chapter 20:42:05 — Individual Licensee Infection Control Requirements
  • ARSD Chapter 20:42:06 — School Requirements
  • ARSD Chapter 20:42:07 — Apprentices
  • ARSD Chapter 20:42:08 — Instructor Education and License Specific Education Requirements
  • ARSD Chapter 20:42:09 — Inspections
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

Safety and infection control examination

Examination outline
  • Safety and infection control procedures
Examination sources