Nail tech state board written exam: what to know

Nail tech exams depend on your state, with state examples of written test topics, question counts, passing scores, and languages.

Updated October 18, 2026

What should you know?

Your nail tech state board exam depends on your state. There is no single US licensing exam shared nationwide.

California's nail tech license is called Manicurist. PSI writes its state board tests.

Texas calls its nail tech license Cosmetology Manicurist. Texas uses its own exam content.

Georgia's state board displays a question at a time. You can change answers while the test remains active.

Practice reading nail care questions on screen. Explain your choice before checking the answer.

California assigns 50% to safety and infection control. Consultation and nail analysis account for 18%.

California's skin care share is 10%. Nail care makes up 22%.

Texas assigns 20% to licensing and regulation. Infection control accounts for 34%.

Texas assigns 5% to nail structure and analysis. Nail care accounts for 41%.

Practice cleaning, disinfection, nail analysis, and enhancement questions. Match your review topics to your state's outline.

California has 65 questions: 60 scored and 5 pretest.

Texas includes 60 scored questions and 6 unscored questions.

Georgia and Michigan each include 60 scored questions and 5 experimental questions.

Georgia and Michigan each allow 90 minutes.

Texas requires 70% correct on scored questions. Georgia's written passing score is also 70%.

Michigan requires 45 points out of 60 for the written state board.

California's Manicurist passing number is not published. Its scoring uses standards for competent practice.

California's Manicurist exam offers English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese.

Texas's Cosmetology Manicurist exam offers English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Texas requires passing the written exam before taking the practical.

Georgia and Michigan also have practical state board exams.

Texas requires a 24-hour wait before scheduling after failure. Retaking that same day is not allowed.

Before another attempt, practice missed nail topics. Explain the safety step behind each answer.

The numbers on this page are read from each state's own candidate bulletin and were checked on 2026-10-18.

How many questions are on the nail tech exam in California and Texas?: California has 65 questions: 60 scored and 5 pretest. Texas includes 60 scored questions and 6 unscored questions.
What languages can I use for the nail tech exam in California and Texas?: California's Manicurist exam offers English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. Texas's Cosmetology Manicurist exam offers English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
How soon can I retake the nail tech written exam in Texas?: Texas requires a 24-hour wait before scheduling after failure. Retaking that same day is not allowed.