Tennessee Nail Technician Practice Test

Thirty percent of Tennessee's nail technician theory test is the state's own law, and these 63 questions practice it.

What must a Tennessee manicurist's hands be washed with before work begins on any patron?

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners or PSI. Bank checked October 16, 2026.

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All 63 questions

Sanitation and disinfection 16

  • A cream is taken from its jar with a clean spatula. What does the Tennessee rule require of the spatula afterward? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(8)(b)
  • A manicurist dips a towel that was already used into a container of hot water to use on the next patron. What does Tennessee say? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(6)(c)
  • A manicurist's hands are exposed to a patron's blood. What does the Tennessee rule require immediately? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(9)
  • A Tennessee manicurist dries one patron's hands with a clean towel. May the same towel be used on the next patron? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(6)(a)
  • Besides EPA registration, which three claims must the disinfectant of Tennessee's wet disinfection standard carry? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(2)(a)
  • How does a Tennessee shop treat a foot bath? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(5)(a)
  • How is a lotion applied to a patron under the Tennessee rule? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(8)(a)
  • How often must work surfaces and equipment be disinfected in a Tennessee shop? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(10)
  • In a Tennessee shop, which disinfectant is required for a nipper that has touched blood? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(2)(b)
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Sanitation and disinfection, continued

  • Tennessee's sanitation rule has a paragraph on manicuring instruments alone. What must be done to them before use? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(4)
  • What does the Tennessee rule require for the filters and jets of a foot bath? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(5)(b)
  • What does the Tennessee rule require of every disinfecting solution container in a shop? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(2)(d)
  • What must a Tennessee licensee keep a supply of in case a patron's skin is accidentally broken during a service? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(2)(c)
  • What must a Tennessee manicurist's hands be washed with before work begins on any patron? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(1)
  • When must hair cuttings, nail dust and nail tips be removed from the floor of a Tennessee shop? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.06(2)
  • Where may a Tennessee operator NOT carry instruments? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.13(7)(b)

Sanitary rules: shops, equipment, diseases, products 17

  • A manicure shop sits in a mobile home and holds no mobile shop license. What must be true of the unit? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.07(7)
  • A patron has definite open sores on the hands. When may a Tennessee shop serve that patron? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.12(1)
  • A tanning bed is to share the premises of a Tennessee manicuring shop. What does the facilities rule ask for? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.06(3)
  • A Tennessee manicurist knows she has a contagious disease in a communicable stage. What does the rule say? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.12(2)
  • An inspection result is put on a form as a grade or rating. What is done with the form? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.05(2)
  • How does Tennessee's equipment rule describe a manicure shop's container for soiled towels? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.07(3)
  • How many manicure tables must a Tennessee manicure shop be equipped with? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.07(3)
  • How often must the floors of a Tennessee shop be thoroughly swept or mopped? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.06(2)
  • Tennessee bars using a product in a manner disapproved by which agency? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.17(1)
  • What kind of entrance must a Tennessee shop in a residence maintain? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.07(6)
  • What must a licensee wear while actively practicing manicuring in a Tennessee shop? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.08(1)
  • What must each table in a Tennessee manicure shop have for cotton balls and swabs? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.07(3)
  • Where does Tennessee's equipment rule put a manicure shop's one sink with hot and cold running water? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.07(3)
  • Which item must a Tennessee manicure shop have only if it offers pedicures? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.07(3)
  • Which product may not even be on the premises of a Tennessee shop or school? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.17(1)
  • Which sanitizer stands on Tennessee's equipment list for every manicure shop, beside one wet disinfectant? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.07(3)
  • Who must personally sign the inspection form in a Tennessee shop? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.05(2)

Managers, signs and posting 8

  • A Tennessee manicurist holds a personal license. Where does the posting rule have it displayed? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.04(2)
  • For how many of a shop's disciplines must its manager hold a Tennessee license? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.03(3)
  • How much time away from the premises is a Tennessee shop manager entitled to during the day? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.03(2)(a)
  • The manager answers for the shop's sanitary condition. What does that mean for an individual Tennessee licensee? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.03(1)
  • On which days must the manager or designated manager be present on the premises of a Tennessee manicure shop? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.03(2)
  • What must the sign prominently posted in every Tennessee manicure shop tell customers? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.07(3)
  • While away, a Tennessee shop manager must be reachable by phone and able to return to the shop within how long? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.03(2)(a)
  • Who is responsible for keeping all parts of a Tennessee establishment in a sanitary condition at all times? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.03(1)

Licensure requirements 22

  • A candidate is notified that she passed but does not pay the original license fee. After how long must she apply again and be retested? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.10(1)
  • A Tennessee graduate passes the initial theory examination. How long does she have to pass all examinations? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.09(3)
  • A Tennessee license has been expired for more than three years. What does the Board's renewal page say? Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, Renewal, Reciprocity, & Other Resources page
  • A Tennessee salon takes part in an apprenticeship curriculum. What must it let its customers decide? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.16
  • After how many hours of enrollment must a Tennessee manicuring student have the required kit? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.07(2)
  • The Board sends a Tennessee licensee a communication that requests a response. What does the rule require? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.17(3)
  • How does Tennessee's curriculum rule apportion the manicuring course among general, chemical and physical instruction? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.03(3)(b)
  • How does the holder of a retired Tennessee license activate it under the licensing rule? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.10(2)
  • How much experience must a supervising licensed professional have before taking charge of a Tennessee apprenticeship student? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.03(6)(c)
  • How often does a Tennessee license expire, by the Board's renewal page? Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, Renewal, Reciprocity, & Other Resources page
  • How soon must the Tennessee Board hear, in writing, of a manicurist's new mailing address? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.17(2)
  • In which part of Tennessee's manicuring curriculum is state law taught? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.03(3)(b)
  • Rule 0440-01-.14 caps a Tennessee civil penalty at what amount for each violation? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.14(1)
  • The Tennessee Board approves a manicurist licensed in another state for testing. Which tests does the Test Taker Guide name? Tennessee Nail Technology Test Taker Guide (v1.2, effective 10/1/2026)
  • The Tennessee Board's Manicurist page sets a least length for the course in the practice and theory of manicuring. How many hours? Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, Manicurist page
  • Tennessee's sanitary rules give one example of what unprofessional conduct includes. Which is it? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-02-.01(1)(f)
  • What is the youngest age at which Tennessee licenses a manicurist? Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, Manicurist page
  • What score does the licensing rule set as the minimum to pass any examination the Tennessee Board holds? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.09(1)
  • What share of the required hours may a Tennessee apprenticeship curriculum place under a supervising licensed professional? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.03(6)
  • Where does a Tennessee mobile shop receive all correspondence from the Board office? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.19(3)
  • Which protective items are on the kit list of a Tennessee manicuring student? Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0440-01-.07(2)
  • Which Tennessee nail technician test must be passed before the other may be scheduled? Tennessee Nail Technology Test Taker Guide (v1.2, effective 10/1/2026)

How this list was compiled: Outline: the Tennessee Nail Technology Test Taker Guide of the Board's test administrator (footer NAIL TECH v1.2 EFF 10/1/2026; https://test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/595): a theory test of 85 scored and 10 non-scored questions in 150 minutes, at least 70 percent to pass, seven topic areas of which Licensure Requirements (18 percent), Rights and Responsibilities (4 percent) and Sanitary Rules (8 percent) are Tennessee's own law. Facts: Rules of the Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, Chapter 0440-01 (Licensing) and Chapter 0440-02 (Sanitary Rules), each as revised December 2025, in the Secretary of State's official compilation (https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/0440/0440.htm), the Board's own Manicurist and Renewal, Reciprocity, & Other Resources pages on tn.gov, and the guide for two questions on the order of the tests. Each question names its rule or page and links to it. Read 2026-10-16. Licence: Own work. Every question, wrong choice and explanation was written for this site from the public texts named. Nothing comes from a real examination, the sample questions in a bulletin, a practice product, a textbook or a prep course.

How it works

Practice the Tennessee law part of the manicurist theory test: 63 unofficial questions from Chapters 0440-01 and 0440-02 of the Board's rules. Not affiliated with the Tennessee State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners or PSI.

Read the full guide

Where state law sits in the theory test

The Test Taker Guide (v1.2, effective October 1, 2026) lists seven topics: safety and infection control 35 percent, client consultation and nail analysis 13, skin care 7, nail care 15, licensure requirements 18, rights and responsibilities 4, sanitary rules 8.

What these 63 questions take from it

Sixteen ask the sanitation and disinfection rule, 17 the sanitary rules for shops, 8 managers, signs and posting, 22 licensure. Nail structure, disorders and service steps are in no Tennessee rule; the national manicure theory test on this site practices them.

  • Before use, manicuring instruments are cleaned with soap and water and completely immersed in disinfectant (Rule 0440-02-.13(4)).
  • Every manicure shop posts a sign: the customer has the right not to have drills used on his or her nails (Rule 0440-02-.07(3)).
  • No cosmetic product with liquid methylmethacrylate may be on the premises (Rule 0440-02-.17).

Questions and answers

How many questions are on the Tennessee nail tech theory test?

85 scored questions and 10 unscored experimental ones in 150 minutes, by the Test Taker Guide. At least 70 percent passes, the minimum Rule 0440-01-.09 sets for every examination the Board holds.

How many hours is nail tech school in Tennessee?

Not less than 600 hours in the practice and theory of manicuring at a school of cosmetology, by the Board's Manicurist page. Rule 0440-01-.03 splits them 150 general, 100 chemical, 350 physical. The license is called manicurist; the minimum age is sixteen.

What is on the Tennessee nail technician practical test?

Five topic areas in the guide: workstation preparation, a basic manicure, nail tip application, a nail enhancement using a form, and workstation preparation for the next client. It runs about 90 minutes, 70 percent passes, and theory is passed first.

Who takes the Tennessee Law test?

The guide names it, with the practical test, for reinstating a license expired three years or more, activating a retired license under age 65 and, with Board approval, licensing from another state. Graduates meet the law topics inside the theory test.

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