TEXAS MANICURIST STATE BOARD
EXAM 2026/2027 | OFFICIAL TDLR NAIL
TECHNICIAN WRITTEN TEST Q&A | 200+
REAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100%
VERIFIED ANSWERS AND RATIONALE
SECTION 1: Anatomy (Questions 1-30)
SECTION 2: Sanitation (Questions 31-60)
SECTION 3: Electrical (Questions 61-90)
SECTION 4: Products & Vitamins (Questions 91-120)
SECTION 5: Texas Laws (Questions 121-150)
SECTION 6: Manicure & Pedicure (Questions 151-180)
SECTION 7: Nail Disorders (Questions 181-200)
SECTION 8: Professional Practice (Questions 201-230)
,SECTION 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (30 Questions)
QUESTION 1:
A nail is composed primarily of which protein?
A) Collagen
B) Melanin
C) Keratin
D) Elastin
CORRECT OPTION: C
RATIONALE: Keratin is the hard protein that makes up nails and hair. It provides
strength and protection to the nail plate.
QUESTION 2:
The living skin at the base of the nail plate that overlaps the lunula is called the:
A) Hyponychium
B) Eponychium
C) Matrix
D) Perionychium
CORRECT OPTION: B
RATIONALE: The eponychium is the visible proximal fold of living skin at the base
of the nail. The hyponychium is under the free edge.
QUESTION 3:
The growth of a healthy human nail plate is largely determined by proper diet and
health. The shape, width, and thickness is determined by:
A) The nail bed
B) The matrix
C) The nail plate
D) The nail folds
CORRECT OPTION: B
RATIONALE: The matrix is the growth center of the nail. Its shape and size
determine the thickness, width, and curvature of the nail plate.
QUESTION 4:
Which part of the nail forms a protective barrier that prevents bacteria from
,infecting the nail bed?
A) Eponychium
B) Matrix
C) Hyponychium
D) Lunula
CORRECT OPTION: C
RATIONALE: The hyponychium is the skin under the free edge that seals the space
between the nail plate and the nail bed, preventing infection.
QUESTION 5:
Specialized ligaments of the nail serve what function?
A) Form a protective barrier to prevent bacteria from entering the nail bed
B) Attach the nail bed to the bone
C) Attach the nail plate to the nail bed
D) Form tracks on either side of the nail for the nail to move as it grows
CORRECT OPTION: B
RATIONALE: Specialized ligaments anchor the nail bed to the underlying bone of
the fingertip.
QUESTION 6:
The pigment that determines skin color is:
A) Carotene
B) Hemoglobin
C) Melanin
D) Keratin
CORRECT OPTION: C
RATIONALE: Melanin is produced by melanocytes in the skin and determines skin,
hair, and eye color.
QUESTION 7:
Which layer of the skin is treated by salon products?
A) Stratum germinativum
B) Stratum corneum
C) Stratum lucidum
, D) Stratum mucosum
CORRECT OPTION: B
RATIONALE: The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of dead skin cells that
salon products interact with during exfoliation and moisturizing treatments.
QUESTION 8:
What is the name of the muscle that turns the palm upward?
A) Flexor
B) Supinator
C) Pronator
D) Extensor
CORRECT OPTION: B
RATIONALE: The supinator muscle allows supination - turning the palm upward or
forward.
QUESTION 9:
The largest leg bone is the:
A) Femur
B) Tibia
C) Patella
D) Fibula
CORRECT OPTION: A
RATIONALE: The femur (thigh bone) is the longest and strongest bone in the
human body.
QUESTION 10:
Thread-like fibers that extend from the nerve cell and take information away from
the cell body in the form of nerve impulses are called:
A) Axons
B) Neurons
C) Dendrites
D) Synapses
CORRECT OPTION: A
EXAM 2026/2027 | OFFICIAL TDLR NAIL
TECHNICIAN WRITTEN TEST Q&A | 200+
REAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100%
VERIFIED ANSWERS AND RATIONALE
SECTION 1: Anatomy (Questions 1-30)
SECTION 2: Sanitation (Questions 31-60)
SECTION 3: Electrical (Questions 61-90)
SECTION 4: Products & Vitamins (Questions 91-120)
SECTION 5: Texas Laws (Questions 121-150)
SECTION 6: Manicure & Pedicure (Questions 151-180)
SECTION 7: Nail Disorders (Questions 181-200)
SECTION 8: Professional Practice (Questions 201-230)
,SECTION 1: ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (30 Questions)
QUESTION 1:
A nail is composed primarily of which protein?
A) Collagen
B) Melanin
C) Keratin
D) Elastin
CORRECT OPTION: C
RATIONALE: Keratin is the hard protein that makes up nails and hair. It provides
strength and protection to the nail plate.
QUESTION 2:
The living skin at the base of the nail plate that overlaps the lunula is called the:
A) Hyponychium
B) Eponychium
C) Matrix
D) Perionychium
CORRECT OPTION: B
RATIONALE: The eponychium is the visible proximal fold of living skin at the base
of the nail. The hyponychium is under the free edge.
QUESTION 3:
The growth of a healthy human nail plate is largely determined by proper diet and
health. The shape, width, and thickness is determined by:
A) The nail bed
B) The matrix
C) The nail plate
D) The nail folds
CORRECT OPTION: B
RATIONALE: The matrix is the growth center of the nail. Its shape and size
determine the thickness, width, and curvature of the nail plate.
QUESTION 4:
Which part of the nail forms a protective barrier that prevents bacteria from
,infecting the nail bed?
A) Eponychium
B) Matrix
C) Hyponychium
D) Lunula
CORRECT OPTION: C
RATIONALE: The hyponychium is the skin under the free edge that seals the space
between the nail plate and the nail bed, preventing infection.
QUESTION 5:
Specialized ligaments of the nail serve what function?
A) Form a protective barrier to prevent bacteria from entering the nail bed
B) Attach the nail bed to the bone
C) Attach the nail plate to the nail bed
D) Form tracks on either side of the nail for the nail to move as it grows
CORRECT OPTION: B
RATIONALE: Specialized ligaments anchor the nail bed to the underlying bone of
the fingertip.
QUESTION 6:
The pigment that determines skin color is:
A) Carotene
B) Hemoglobin
C) Melanin
D) Keratin
CORRECT OPTION: C
RATIONALE: Melanin is produced by melanocytes in the skin and determines skin,
hair, and eye color.
QUESTION 7:
Which layer of the skin is treated by salon products?
A) Stratum germinativum
B) Stratum corneum
C) Stratum lucidum
, D) Stratum mucosum
CORRECT OPTION: B
RATIONALE: The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of dead skin cells that
salon products interact with during exfoliation and moisturizing treatments.
QUESTION 8:
What is the name of the muscle that turns the palm upward?
A) Flexor
B) Supinator
C) Pronator
D) Extensor
CORRECT OPTION: B
RATIONALE: The supinator muscle allows supination - turning the palm upward or
forward.
QUESTION 9:
The largest leg bone is the:
A) Femur
B) Tibia
C) Patella
D) Fibula
CORRECT OPTION: A
RATIONALE: The femur (thigh bone) is the longest and strongest bone in the
human body.
QUESTION 10:
Thread-like fibers that extend from the nerve cell and take information away from
the cell body in the form of nerve impulses are called:
A) Axons
B) Neurons
C) Dendrites
D) Synapses
CORRECT OPTION: A
