Guides / Nail tech state board written exam: what to know
What score do you need to pass the nail tech state board exam?
Texas requires 70% correct on the nail tech written exam, while Michigan, Georgia, and California set their own passing scores.
Updated October 18, 2026
What score do you need to pass the nail tech state board exam?
For Texas nail techs, 70% of scored answers must be correct. The state calls this license Cosmetology Manicurist.
What counts toward your Texas score?
Texas scores 60 questions and includes 6 questions that do not count. Scored questions have 90 minutes; unscored questions add 10 minutes.
In Texas, you must pass the written state board before taking the practical.
The Texas practical requires 36 points out of 51, listed as 70%.
After failing in Texas, wait 24 hours before scheduling again. A same-day retake is not allowed.
What score does Michigan require?
Michigan nail techs need 45 of 60 scored points, or 75%. Michigan names the license Manicurist.
Michigan's practical requires 33 points out of 42.
What score does Georgia require?
Georgia calls its nail tech license Nail Technician. Its written state board requires at least 70%.
Georgia's written test has 60 scored questions and 5 unscored questions. You have 90 minutes.
Georgia also requires at least 70% on the practical state board.
Why is California different?
California calls its nail tech license Manicurist. Its passing score is criterion-referenced; the number is not published.
California's failure notice gives the correct-answer count needed to pass. It also shows your score and subject breakdown.
California gives nail techs 90 minutes for 65 questions. Of those, 60 are scored and 5 are pretest questions.
For nail tech practice, work through contamination and nail-service safety questions. Explain your answer before checking it, then revisit choices you confused.
The numbers on this page are read from each state's own candidate bulletin and were checked on 2026-10-18.
Common questions
- Do all questions count toward the Texas nail tech exam score?
- Texas scores 60 questions and includes 6 questions that do not count. Scored questions have 90 minutes; unscored questions add 10 minutes.
- Must nail techs pass the written exam before taking the practical in Texas?
- In Texas, you must pass the written state board before taking the practical.
- What does a California nail tech exam failure notice show?
- California's failure notice gives the correct-answer count needed to pass. It also shows your score and subject breakdown.