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Free NY Nail Specialty Exam Practice Questions

Ten questions from our nail specialty practice exams, which are weighted by the 250-hour state curriculum, from liquid and powder enhancements and wraps to infection control and nail disorders.

Take these as an interactive quiz The full NY Nail Specialty exams

Question 1 · Nail Specialty

In a liquid and powder system, which product is the monomer?
  1. A. The powder in the jar beside the dish
  2. B. The primer brushed onto the natural nail
  3. C. The liquid in the dappen dish
  4. D. The finished, hardened enhancement
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The answer is C. The liquid is the monomer; it reacts with the polymer powder to form the enhancement.

  • A is wrong: The powder is the polymer.
  • B is wrong: Primer prepares the nail; it is not the building liquid.
  • D is wrong: The hardened enhancement is the polymer formed by the reaction.

Question 2 · Nail Specialty

Which wrap fabric is thick and strong and stays visible unless it is covered with color?
  1. A. Silk
  2. B. Fiberglass
  3. C. A paper wrap made from mulberry fibers
  4. D. Linen
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The answer is D. Linen is a heavy, durable wrap fabric that remains visible, so it is covered with polish.

  • A is wrong: Silk is thin and turns nearly clear under resin.
  • B is wrong: Fiberglass is a loose weave that becomes nearly invisible.
  • C is wrong: Paper wraps are temporary and weak.

Question 3 · Nail Specialty

What makes UV or LED gel harden?
  1. A. Air drying for several minutes at room temperature
  2. B. Heat from the client's hand as she rests it
  3. C. Mixing with a liquid activator sprayed over each layer
  4. D. Light-activated photoinitiators
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The answer is D. Photoinitiators in the gel react to the lamp's light and start the curing reaction.

  • A is wrong: Gel does not harden by drying in air.
  • B is wrong: Body heat does not cure gel.
  • C is wrong: Spray activators are used with wraps, not gel.

Question 4 · Nail Specialty

In which direction should a natural nail be filed?
  1. A. Back and forth in a sawing motion
  2. B. From each side toward the center, in one direction
  3. C. Toward the cuticle, pressing hard
  4. D. Straight down only
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The answer is B. Filing from the corner to the center in one direction keeps the free edge from splitting.

  • A is wrong: Sawing can split and weaken the free edge.
  • C is wrong: Filing toward the cuticle and pressing hard damages the nail.
  • D is wrong: Filing straight down does not shape the sides.

Question 5 · Nail Specialty

How should toenails be shaped during a pedicure?
  1. A. Rounded deeply into the corners
  2. B. Straight across
  3. C. To a point
  4. D. In an oval that follows the toe, filed low at the sides
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The answer is B. Toenails are filed straight across, level with the end of the toe, to help prevent ingrown nails.

  • A is wrong: Rounding into the corners encourages ingrown nails.
  • C is wrong: A pointed toenail is uncomfortable and can break.
  • D is wrong: Filing low at the sides invites the nail to grow into the skin.

Question 6 · Nail Specialty

On a nail tip, which area is called the well?
  1. A. The free edge of the tip
  2. B. The hole in a nail form
  3. C. The tip's side curve that matches the client's nail grooves
  4. D. The area that bonds to the natural nail
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The answer is D. The well is the thinner area of the tip that is glued to the natural nail.

  • A is wrong: The free edge is the part extending beyond the finger.
  • B is wrong: Forms are used for sculpting, not tips.
  • C is wrong: That describes curvature fit, not the well.

Question 7 · Nail Specialty

Which part of the nail produces the cells that form the nail plate?
  1. A. The hyponychium, the skin beneath the free edge
  2. B. The free edge of the plate
  3. C. The nail bed under the plate
  4. D. The matrix
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The answer is D. The matrix, under the skin at the base of the nail, produces the cells that harden into the nail plate.

  • A is wrong: The hyponychium seals the area under the free edge; it does not make nail cells.
  • B is wrong: The free edge is the oldest part of the plate, not its source.
  • C is wrong: The nail bed supports the plate but does not generate it.

Question 8 · Nail Specialty

A client's toenail is thick, yellowed and crumbling at the free edge. What should the technician do?
  1. A. File the nail thin and apply dark polish to hide it
  2. B. Soak it in implement disinfectant before the pedicure
  3. C. Decline to work on it and suggest the client see a physician
  4. D. Cut it back to the skin
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The answer is C. These signs suggest a fungal infection. Licensees may not diagnose or treat nail diseases, so the client is referred to a physician.

  • A is wrong: Disguising a possible infection is not within the license and may spread it.
  • B is wrong: Implement disinfectant is not for skin or nails and does not treat disease.
  • D is wrong: Cutting does not address a possible infection and may injure the client.

Question 9 · Nail Specialty

A metal cuticle nipper has just been used on a client. What must happen before it is used again?
  1. A. Wipe it with a dry towel
  2. B. Spray it with alcohol and use it right away
  3. C. Clean it with soap and water, rinse, dry, then fully immerse it in an EPA hospital grade disinfectant for at least 10 minutes
  4. D. Soak it in disinfectant for 10 minutes without washing it first
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The answer is C. Implements that can clip skin are cleaned, rinsed, dried, and completely immersed in an EPA hospital grade disinfectant for no less than 10 minutes, then stored covered.

  • A is wrong: Wiping neither cleans nor disinfects the implement.
  • B is wrong: The rule requires full immersion for at least 10 minutes after cleaning.
  • D is wrong: Cleaning must come before disinfection.

Question 10 · Nail Specialty

An owner employs the equivalent of eight full-time nail technicians. What minimum bond or insurance for wages must the owner keep?
  1. A. $25,000
  2. B. $75,000
  3. C. $40,000
  4. D. $125,000
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The answer is C. For six to ten full-time nail specialty workers the wage security is at least $40,000, or another amount the Secretary directs.

  • A is wrong: $25,000 applies to two to five full-time nail workers.
  • B is wrong: $75,000 applies to 11 to 25 full-time nail workers.
  • D is wrong: $125,000 applies to 26 or more full-time nail workers.
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