TEXAS MANICURIST STATE BOARD EXAM (TDLR
NAIL) PRACTICE QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH
100% CORRECT ANSWERS COMPLETE TEXAS NAIL
TECHNICIAN LICENSING STUDY GUIDE WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS, DETAILED RATIONALES,
NAIL CARE PROCEDURES, SANITATION &
DISINFECTION, TDLR REGULATION
1 Which of the following is the correct order for cleaning a non-electrical metal
nail file between clients
A Wash with soap and water then spray with EPA-registered disinfectant then
rinse
B Immerse in 70% alcohol for 5 minutes then air dry
C Wipe with a dry paper towel then store in a closed container
D Spray with bleach then immediately wipe off
[CORRECT] A
Rationale: The TDLR requires cleaning with soap and water to remove debris
before applying an EPA-registered disinfectant according to manufacturer’s
contact time; rinsing removes residue.
2 What is the minimum required concentration of sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
solution for disinfecting non-porous surfaces in a Texas nail salon
A 1 part bleach to 100 parts water
B 1 part bleach to 10 parts water
C 1 part bleach to 9 parts water
D 1 part bleach to 50 parts water
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: TDLR rules specify 1:10 dilution of household bleach (5.25–6.25%
sodium hypochlorite) for environmental disinfection; stronger concentrations can
damage surfaces and require proper ventilation.
,3 A client presents with redness swelling and yellow crusting around the proximal
nail fold What should the technician do
A Proceed with a full manicure but avoid the cuticle area
B Apply a topical antibiotic and continue
C Refuse service and refer the client to a physician
D Wear gloves and perform a dry manicure only
[CORRECT] C
Rationale: These signs indicate possible paronychia or bacterial infection; TDLR
prohibits performing services on infected or inflamed skin to prevent cross-
contamination.
4 Under TDLR rules how often must a foot spa be cleaned and disinfected
A After each client
B Once daily at closing time
C Every 3 clients
D Once weekly with a bleach soak
[CORRECT] A
Rationale: Texas administrative code requires disinfection of foot spa basins and
non-porous surfaces after each client, including a low-level disinfectant or EPA-
registered tuberculocidal agent.
5 Which of the following implements is considered single-use only and cannot be
reused under any circumstances
A Stainless steel cuticle pusher
B Nail file with paper backing
C Glass nail buffer
D Metal hoof stick
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: Paper-backed nail files, buffers with foam or paper layers, and wooden
sticks are porous and cannot be adequately disinfected; TDLR classifies them as
single-use.
6 When performing a basic manicure the correct direction for filing natural nails is
A Back and forth sawing motion
,B From side to center in one direction
C In small circular motions starting at the free edge
D From cuticle to free edge only
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: Filing from side to center in one direction prevents splitting, peeling,
and trauma to the nail plate; sawing generates heat and weakens layers.
7 What is the minimum contact time for a tuberculocidal disinfectant on non-
porous surfaces in a TDLR-licensed nail salon
A 30 seconds
B 2 minutes
C 10 minutes
D As stated on the EPA label
[CORRECT] D
Rationale: Texas law requires following the manufacturer’s EPA-registered label
instructions for contact time; common times range 5–10 minutes but label
dictates legal use.
8 A client has greenish-black discoloration under a nail plate The most likely cause
is
A Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial infection
B Onychomycosis
C Trauma-induced hematoma
D Allergic reaction to polish
[CORRECT] A
Rationale: Pseudomonas (green nail syndrome) produces green-black
pigmentation; it is bacterial not fungal and requires a physician diagnosis before
service.
9 Which TDLR rule applies to the storage of used metal implements before
cleaning
A Store dry in a closed container labeled contaminated
B Soak immediately in 70% alcohol
C Place in a clean dry drawer
, D Keep in an open basket with no lid
[CORRECT] A
Rationale: Used implements must be stored in a closed, labeled container
separate from clean tools to prevent accidental exposure and cross-contamination
before disinfection.
10 How often must a nail technician renew their TDLR manicurist license in Texas
A Every year
B Every two years
C Every three years
D Every five years
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: Texas manicurist licenses expire biennially (every two years) on the last
day of the birth month, with renewal requiring continuing education in some
cases.
11 When using a UV/LED gel polish system what is the most critical safety step
before curing
A Apply cuticle oil to the nail plate
B Remove all tacky inhibition layer
C Ensure no product touches the skin to prevent allergic reaction
D Shake the base coat vigorously
[CORRECT] C
Rationale: Uncured gel on skin increases risk of contact dermatitis and
photoallergic reactions; TDLR requires proper application to nail plate only.
12 Disinfectants used in a Texas nail salon must be registered with which federal
agency
A FDA
B OSHA
C EPA
D CDC
[CORRECT] C
NAIL) PRACTICE QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH
100% CORRECT ANSWERS COMPLETE TEXAS NAIL
TECHNICIAN LICENSING STUDY GUIDE WITH
VERIFIED QUESTIONS, DETAILED RATIONALES,
NAIL CARE PROCEDURES, SANITATION &
DISINFECTION, TDLR REGULATION
1 Which of the following is the correct order for cleaning a non-electrical metal
nail file between clients
A Wash with soap and water then spray with EPA-registered disinfectant then
rinse
B Immerse in 70% alcohol for 5 minutes then air dry
C Wipe with a dry paper towel then store in a closed container
D Spray with bleach then immediately wipe off
[CORRECT] A
Rationale: The TDLR requires cleaning with soap and water to remove debris
before applying an EPA-registered disinfectant according to manufacturer’s
contact time; rinsing removes residue.
2 What is the minimum required concentration of sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
solution for disinfecting non-porous surfaces in a Texas nail salon
A 1 part bleach to 100 parts water
B 1 part bleach to 10 parts water
C 1 part bleach to 9 parts water
D 1 part bleach to 50 parts water
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: TDLR rules specify 1:10 dilution of household bleach (5.25–6.25%
sodium hypochlorite) for environmental disinfection; stronger concentrations can
damage surfaces and require proper ventilation.
,3 A client presents with redness swelling and yellow crusting around the proximal
nail fold What should the technician do
A Proceed with a full manicure but avoid the cuticle area
B Apply a topical antibiotic and continue
C Refuse service and refer the client to a physician
D Wear gloves and perform a dry manicure only
[CORRECT] C
Rationale: These signs indicate possible paronychia or bacterial infection; TDLR
prohibits performing services on infected or inflamed skin to prevent cross-
contamination.
4 Under TDLR rules how often must a foot spa be cleaned and disinfected
A After each client
B Once daily at closing time
C Every 3 clients
D Once weekly with a bleach soak
[CORRECT] A
Rationale: Texas administrative code requires disinfection of foot spa basins and
non-porous surfaces after each client, including a low-level disinfectant or EPA-
registered tuberculocidal agent.
5 Which of the following implements is considered single-use only and cannot be
reused under any circumstances
A Stainless steel cuticle pusher
B Nail file with paper backing
C Glass nail buffer
D Metal hoof stick
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: Paper-backed nail files, buffers with foam or paper layers, and wooden
sticks are porous and cannot be adequately disinfected; TDLR classifies them as
single-use.
6 When performing a basic manicure the correct direction for filing natural nails is
A Back and forth sawing motion
,B From side to center in one direction
C In small circular motions starting at the free edge
D From cuticle to free edge only
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: Filing from side to center in one direction prevents splitting, peeling,
and trauma to the nail plate; sawing generates heat and weakens layers.
7 What is the minimum contact time for a tuberculocidal disinfectant on non-
porous surfaces in a TDLR-licensed nail salon
A 30 seconds
B 2 minutes
C 10 minutes
D As stated on the EPA label
[CORRECT] D
Rationale: Texas law requires following the manufacturer’s EPA-registered label
instructions for contact time; common times range 5–10 minutes but label
dictates legal use.
8 A client has greenish-black discoloration under a nail plate The most likely cause
is
A Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial infection
B Onychomycosis
C Trauma-induced hematoma
D Allergic reaction to polish
[CORRECT] A
Rationale: Pseudomonas (green nail syndrome) produces green-black
pigmentation; it is bacterial not fungal and requires a physician diagnosis before
service.
9 Which TDLR rule applies to the storage of used metal implements before
cleaning
A Store dry in a closed container labeled contaminated
B Soak immediately in 70% alcohol
C Place in a clean dry drawer
, D Keep in an open basket with no lid
[CORRECT] A
Rationale: Used implements must be stored in a closed, labeled container
separate from clean tools to prevent accidental exposure and cross-contamination
before disinfection.
10 How often must a nail technician renew their TDLR manicurist license in Texas
A Every year
B Every two years
C Every three years
D Every five years
[CORRECT] B
Rationale: Texas manicurist licenses expire biennially (every two years) on the last
day of the birth month, with renewal requiring continuing education in some
cases.
11 When using a UV/LED gel polish system what is the most critical safety step
before curing
A Apply cuticle oil to the nail plate
B Remove all tacky inhibition layer
C Ensure no product touches the skin to prevent allergic reaction
D Shake the base coat vigorously
[CORRECT] C
Rationale: Uncured gel on skin increases risk of contact dermatitis and
photoallergic reactions; TDLR requires proper application to nail plate only.
12 Disinfectants used in a Texas nail salon must be registered with which federal
agency
A FDA
B OSHA
C EPA
D CDC
[CORRECT] C
