PA State Board Nail Tech Study Guide
Exam fully solved & updated 2025-
2026(latest version verified for
accuracy) | 2025\2026Latest!! PA state
board - nail tech
affiliation
Any person who is an owner, stockholder, member of a board of trustees, any professional employee, or
any non-professional personnel employed by a school of cosmetology
Board
State board of cosmetology
Department
Commissioner of professional and occupational affairs in the department of state
Bureau
Bureau of professional and occupational affairs in the department of state
Booth space
The area of a salon in which a licensed cosmetologist or a holder of a limited license provides to a client
a service for which a license is required.
Limited license
A license issued by the Board to an individual which permits that individual to engage in the practice of
esthetics, natural hair braiding or nail technology.
Limited practice salon
A salon licensed by the Board for the provision of esthetician services, nail technology services or natural
hair braiding services only.
Limited practice teacher
A teacher licensed by the Board for the purpose of providing instruction in the area of esthetics, nail
technology or natural hair braiding only.
13 members of the cosmetology board
,Commissioner of professional and occupational affairs
Director of bureau of consumer protection in the office of attorney general
3 public members and 8 professional members
Term of office for board members
Two professional and one public members serve one year
Two professional and one public member serve two years
Two professional and one public serve 3 years
None are allowed to serve more then two consecutive terms.
The board shall select from among their members what 3 officers?
Chairman, vice-chairman, secretary
How many board me members equal a quorum?
7
What happens in the event of a board member resigning, dies, or is removed?
A successor is appointed in the same way and with the same qualifications as prior and hold term for the
expiration of term.
Requirements to practice
File written application, pay the fee, pass exam, and completion of required hours
Eligibility requirements for exam.
16 years old, 10th grade or equivalent, completed 1250 of school hours or 200 as apprentice
How long is a Temporary license valid?
9 months
Purpose of temporary license
Allow qualified applicant to practice pending a passing grade on the exam.
A person holding a temporary license must practice under who's supervision?
Licensed cosmetology teacher, cosmetologist, limited practice teacher in field, or hold of corresponding
limited license.
Requirements for taking teaching exam?
18 years old, completed 12th grade of equivalent, current cos or limited license holder, completed 500
hours of instruction.
Students may take exam at what hour marks
Cosmetology-900
Nail technician-150
, Esthetician-250
Natural hair braider-250
Cos teacher-400
Nail technician teacher-400
Nat. Hair braiding teacher -400
How or when can the educational requirements be waived?
Over 35 years old and or a veteran
Eligibility requirements for registration as an apprentice
Good moral character,
10th grade education or equivalent
Received training from or under the bureau of rehabilitation in the department of labor and industry
First step a salon must take looking to enroll an apprentice
Application for apprentice permit sent to board
Shop requirements for a salon taking on an apprentice
Cosmetologist has to be cosmetology salon owner
At least 23 yo
12 th grade or equivalent education
5 years experience as licensed cosmetologist holder of teacher's license
No less then 2 licensed cosmetologists in addition to teacher at salon
Cannot be a school of cosmetology
How many hours of instruction required by an apprentice to be eligible to take exam
2000
Minimum hours per week for apprentice
25 hours
Name the 3 different licenses the board issues
1-esthetics
2-nail technician
3-natural hair braiding
Where can a licensed person practice cosmetology for pay?
Licensed cosmetology shop, barber shop, limited license salon
Can services be performed outside of a salon.
Yes as long as the appointment is on the appointment books of the employing salon.
How many hours would a barber receive if they enroll in cosmetology school.
Exam fully solved & updated 2025-
2026(latest version verified for
accuracy) | 2025\2026Latest!! PA state
board - nail tech
affiliation
Any person who is an owner, stockholder, member of a board of trustees, any professional employee, or
any non-professional personnel employed by a school of cosmetology
Board
State board of cosmetology
Department
Commissioner of professional and occupational affairs in the department of state
Bureau
Bureau of professional and occupational affairs in the department of state
Booth space
The area of a salon in which a licensed cosmetologist or a holder of a limited license provides to a client
a service for which a license is required.
Limited license
A license issued by the Board to an individual which permits that individual to engage in the practice of
esthetics, natural hair braiding or nail technology.
Limited practice salon
A salon licensed by the Board for the provision of esthetician services, nail technology services or natural
hair braiding services only.
Limited practice teacher
A teacher licensed by the Board for the purpose of providing instruction in the area of esthetics, nail
technology or natural hair braiding only.
13 members of the cosmetology board
,Commissioner of professional and occupational affairs
Director of bureau of consumer protection in the office of attorney general
3 public members and 8 professional members
Term of office for board members
Two professional and one public members serve one year
Two professional and one public member serve two years
Two professional and one public serve 3 years
None are allowed to serve more then two consecutive terms.
The board shall select from among their members what 3 officers?
Chairman, vice-chairman, secretary
How many board me members equal a quorum?
7
What happens in the event of a board member resigning, dies, or is removed?
A successor is appointed in the same way and with the same qualifications as prior and hold term for the
expiration of term.
Requirements to practice
File written application, pay the fee, pass exam, and completion of required hours
Eligibility requirements for exam.
16 years old, 10th grade or equivalent, completed 1250 of school hours or 200 as apprentice
How long is a Temporary license valid?
9 months
Purpose of temporary license
Allow qualified applicant to practice pending a passing grade on the exam.
A person holding a temporary license must practice under who's supervision?
Licensed cosmetology teacher, cosmetologist, limited practice teacher in field, or hold of corresponding
limited license.
Requirements for taking teaching exam?
18 years old, completed 12th grade of equivalent, current cos or limited license holder, completed 500
hours of instruction.
Students may take exam at what hour marks
Cosmetology-900
Nail technician-150
, Esthetician-250
Natural hair braider-250
Cos teacher-400
Nail technician teacher-400
Nat. Hair braiding teacher -400
How or when can the educational requirements be waived?
Over 35 years old and or a veteran
Eligibility requirements for registration as an apprentice
Good moral character,
10th grade education or equivalent
Received training from or under the bureau of rehabilitation in the department of labor and industry
First step a salon must take looking to enroll an apprentice
Application for apprentice permit sent to board
Shop requirements for a salon taking on an apprentice
Cosmetologist has to be cosmetology salon owner
At least 23 yo
12 th grade or equivalent education
5 years experience as licensed cosmetologist holder of teacher's license
No less then 2 licensed cosmetologists in addition to teacher at salon
Cannot be a school of cosmetology
How many hours of instruction required by an apprentice to be eligible to take exam
2000
Minimum hours per week for apprentice
25 hours
Name the 3 different licenses the board issues
1-esthetics
2-nail technician
3-natural hair braiding
Where can a licensed person practice cosmetology for pay?
Licensed cosmetology shop, barber shop, limited license salon
Can services be performed outside of a salon.
Yes as long as the appointment is on the appointment books of the employing salon.
How many hours would a barber receive if they enroll in cosmetology school.
