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Nail Technician Cheat Sheet

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Infection + Safety

  • 15% of exam
  • Disease Spread Infection Levels Blood Exposure SDS Work Injury

Anatomy + Physiology

  • 15% of exam
  • Nail Anatomy Skin Anatomy Hand Bones Foot Muscles Disorders

Product Chemistry

  • 10% of exam
  • Ingredients Adhesion Physical Change Chemical Reaction Product Hazards

Pre-service Process

  • 5% of exam
  • Consultation Documentation Contraindications Workstation Setup Sanitation

Nail Service Tools

  • 13% of exam
  • Equipment Implements Supplies Products Safe Use

Manicure + Pedicure

  • 18% of exam
  • Trim + Shape Cuticle Care Massage Polish Add-ons

Enhancement Services

  • 20% of exam
  • Nail Tips Acrylics Gels Powder Dip Removal

Post-Service

  • 4% of exam
  • Aftercare Client Education Disinfection Documentation

Quick Facts

  • Exam Nail Technology Theory
  • Owner NIC
  • Time 90 minutes
  • Items 110 total
  • Scored 100 weighted
  • Pretest 10 unscored
  • Score State-set standard
  • Major split 40 science / 60 procedures
  • Blueprint Mar 1 2026

Clean Steps IN

  • Clean -> disinfect -> dry -> covered
  • Clean: debris Disinfect: wet time Dry: prevent growth Covered: clean storage

Sanitize vs Disinfect IN

Sanitize

  • Reduces microbes
  • Skin/surfaces
  • Lower level

Disinfect

  • Kills pathogens
  • Nonporous tools
  • Label contact
  • Reduce vs destroy

Infection Control IN

  • Sanitation Reduces microbes
  • Disinfection Kills most pathogens
  • Sterilization Destroys all life
  • Cleaning first Removes barriers
  • Contact time Surface stays wet
  • EPA disinfectant Label controls use
  • Single-use Discard after client
  • Multi-use Clean then disinfect

Safety Actions IN

  • Blood exposure Stop service
  • Gloves Barrier protection
  • Contaminated items Bag and discard
  • SDS Hazards and first aid
  • Ventilation Controls vapors
  • Ergonomics Prevents strain
  • Adverse reaction Stop and document
  • Double-dipping Contaminates product
  • Chemical splash Flush immediately

Nail Barriers AN

  • Matrix makes; bed feeds; hypo seals
  • Matrix: growth Bed: blood Hypo: seal Epo: living

Cuticle vs Eponychium AN

Cuticle

  • Dead tissue
  • On nail plate
  • Remove gently

Eponychium

  • Living skin
  • Protects matrix
  • Never cut
  • Dead vs living

Nail Anatomy AN

  • Onyx Technical nail
  • Matrix Growth center
  • Nail plate Hard keratin
  • Nail bed Nerves and blood
  • Lunula Visible matrix
  • Eponychium Living fold
  • Cuticle Dead tissue
  • Hyponychium Free-edge seal
  • Sidewall Lateral border

Skin + Body AN

  • Skin Protects and senses
  • Keratin Nail protein
  • Melanocytes Pigment cells
  • Bones Support structure
  • Muscles Move joints
  • Nerves Sense pain
  • Circulation Feeds tissues
  • Inflammation Redness swelling pain

Disorders Stop Signs AN

  • Onychomycosis Suspected fungus
  • Paronychia Nail-fold inflammation
  • Onycholysis Plate separation
  • Onychorrhexis Brittle splitting
  • Open lesion Do not serve
  • Warts Refer client
  • Pus Possible infection
  • Severe redness Stop service

Physical vs Chemical CH

Physical

  • Form changes
  • No new substance
  • Filing example

Chemical

  • New substance
  • Curing example
  • Acrylic sets
  • Shape vs reaction

Chemistry Basics CH

  • Monomer Small liquid unit
  • Polymer Linked unit chain
  • Polymerization Units form chains
  • Catalyst Speeds reaction
  • Activator Starts reaction
  • Solvent Dissolves product
  • Primer Improves adhesion
  • Dehydrator Removes moisture
  • Physical change Form changes only
  • Chemical reaction New substance forms

Product Hazards CH

  • Overexposure Repeated skin contact
  • Volatile Evaporates quickly
  • VOCs Airborne vapors
  • Heat spike Curing heat
  • Wrong ratio Weak enhancement
  • Undercured gel Reactive residue
  • MMA Avoid prohibited monomer
  • EMA Preferred acrylic monomer
  • Acetone Soak-off solvent

Contraindication vs Modification PR

Contraindication

  • Stop service
  • Refer client
  • Document reason

Modification

  • Adjust service
  • Reduce risk
  • Continue safely
  • Stop vs adjust

Service Stopper PR

  • Open wound → Refuse service ( Refer )
  • Suspected fungus → Refuse service ( Refer )
  • Allergy history → Patch test ( Modify )
  • Broken skin → Avoid area ( Document )
  • Product reaction → Stop service ( Remove product )
  • Poor circulation → Avoid heat ( Medical caution )
  • Unclear condition → Refer client ( Outside scope )
  • Healthy nails → Proceed service ( Document )

Consult + Setup PR

  • Consultation Needs and risks
  • Client card Service record
  • Allergies Screen before service
  • Contraindication Service stopper
  • Modification Safer adjustment
  • Workstation Clean setup
  • Practitioner sanitation Clean hands
  • Product layout Prevents rushing
  • Patch test Checks sensitivity

Single-use vs Multi-use TO

Single-use

  • Porous items
  • One client
  • Discard after

Multi-use

  • Nonporous implement
  • Clean disinfect
  • Store covered
  • Discard vs disinfect

Tool Picker TO

  • Porous file → Single-use ( Discard )
  • Metal pusher → Multi-use ( Disinfect )
  • Natural nail → 180-240 grit ( Gentle )
  • Enhancement bulk → Coarse file ( Not natural )
  • Pedicure basin → Clean disinfect ( State rules )
  • Dust exposure → Mask + ventilation ( PPE )
  • Loose dead tissue → Nipper ( Avoid live skin )
  • Surface shine → Buffer ( Light pressure )

Tools + Storage TO

  • Electric file Controlled removal
  • Pedicure basin High-risk water
  • Clipper Cuts free edge
  • Cuticle pusher Moves dead tissue
  • Nipper Loose tissue only
  • Buffer Smooths surface
  • Clean storage Covered dry container
  • Damaged implement Discard or repair
  • Foot file Smooths callus

Massage Four MA

  • Effleurage glide, petrissage knead, friction rub, tapotement tap
  • Effleurage: glide Petrissage: knead Friction: rub Tapotement: tap

Effleurage vs Petrissage MA

Effleurage

  • Gliding stroke
  • Begins massage
  • Soothing effect

Petrissage

  • Kneading stroke
  • Works tissue
  • Stimulating effect
  • Glide vs knead

Manicure Flow MA

  • Remove polish First manicure step
  • Shape nails Corner to center
  • Soak Softens cuticle
  • Cuticle care Remove dead tissue
  • Cleanse nails Remove debris
  • Buff Smooth lightly
  • Massage Use safe pressure
  • Base coat Improves adhesion
  • Top coat Seals color

Massage + Add-ons MA

  • Effleurage Gliding stroke
  • Petrissage Kneading stroke
  • Friction Targeted rubbing
  • Tapotement Rhythmic tapping
  • Paraffin Heat treatment
  • Exfoliation Removes dead cells
  • Thermal service Test temperature
  • Callus care Do not cut

Enhancement Safety EN

  • Prep light, cure right, remove gently
  • Prep: no thinning Cure: correct lamp Removal: no prying Skin: avoid product

Soft Gel vs Hard Gel EN

Soft gel

  • Soaks off
  • Flexible
  • Gel polish

Hard gel

  • Files off
  • Stronger overlay
  • No prying
  • Soak vs file

Enhancement Picker EN

  • Need length → Nail tip ( Size first )
  • Need overlay → Acrylic ( Ratio matters )
  • Need soak-off → Soft gel ( Acetone )
  • Need strength → Hard gel ( File removal )
  • Need dip color → Powder dip ( Separate portion )
  • Need maintenance → Fill ( Restore apex )
  • Product lifting → Remove lifted product ( No pockets )
  • Removal service → Soak or file ( Never pry )

Enhancement Systems EN

  • Nail tip Adds length
  • Acrylic Liquid powder system
  • Soft gel Soaks off
  • Hard gel Files off
  • Hybrid gel Gel acrylic blend
  • Powder dip Powder resin layers
  • Wrap Fabric reinforcement
  • Fill Restores balance
  • Removal Never pry

Acrylic vs Gel EN

Acrylic

  • Liquid + powder
  • Air sets
  • Ratio critical

Gel

  • Light cures
  • Lamp matched
  • Thin layers
  • Mix vs cure

Post-Service PO

  • Aftercare Home-care guidance
  • Client education Reduce service failure
  • Schedule Plan maintenance
  • Disposables Discard after use
  • Reusable tools Clean and disinfect
  • Surface cleanup Reset station
  • Documentation Record concerns
  • Retail Support home care

Common Traps

Sterilization assumption

  • Disinfection is salon standard ≠ Sterilization is higher level

Living skin

  • Cuticle is dead tissue ≠ Eponychium is living skin

Service refusal

  • Refer suspected infections ≠ Do not cover fungus

Product contact

  • Product stays off skin ≠ Allergy worsens with exposure

Gel removal

  • Soft gel soaks off ≠ Hard gel files off

Massage pressure

  • Massage avoids inflammation ≠ Pain changes service

Powder dip hygiene

  • Shared jar contaminates ≠ Separate portion protects

State authority

  • NIC supplies outline ≠ State controls license

Last Minute

  • 1. 110 items; 100 weighted
  • 2. Time limit: 90 minutes
  • 3. Science totals 40%
  • 4. Procedures total 60%
  • 5. Enhancements 20%; manicure 18%
  • 6. Tools now 13%
  • 7. Clean before disinfecting
  • 8. Wet time follows label
  • 9. Blood exposure: stop service
  • 10. Never cut eponychium
  • 11. Contraindications require referral
  • 12. Soft gel soaks off
  • 13. Hard gel files off
  • 14. Powder dip: no shared dipping
  • 15. Aftercare and cleanup close service
  • 16. State bulletin controls passing

Nail Technician License

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