IA Nail Technician case studies

IA Nail Technician · Put your knowledge to work in context.

The IA Nail Technician credential is a multiple-choice certification exam for candidates who want independent, third-party evidence of their nail technology knowledge. It is aimed at students finishing a nail program, licensed technicians who want a portable credential beyond their state license, and salon owners or educators who want a benchmark for staff competence. The IA Nail Technician case studies are 5 cases and about 3,564 words.

The Yellow-Brown Nail on a Full-Set Saturday

At 9:40 on a busy Saturday, a walk-in client sits at your table for a full set of acrylics. While prepping her left hand you notice the index fingernail is thickened, yellow-brown, and lifting at the free edge, with dark debris visible underneath.

775 words, about 4 min 2

Grooves Across Every Nail Before a Wedding

A 34-year-old competitive swimmer books a manicure before a wedding. On both hands, every fingernail shows a horizontal groove across the plate at roughly the same level, about 6 mm from the cuticle on nails that measure roughly 12 mm from cuticle to free edge.

686 words, about 3 min 3

Lifting Sidewalls, a Cold Room, and Recycled Monomer

Three weeks after their initial set, a client returns with lifting along the sidewalls of six nails. Two have a visible cloudy shelf at the lifted edge, and one enhancement popped off entirely, taking a thin layer of nail plate with it.

734 words, about 4 min 4

Itching, Blisters, and a Rash on the Eyelids

A 41-year-old teacher has worn UV gel overlays for eight months, rebalanced every three weeks by the same technician. Over her last three appointments she has noticed itching and tiny bumps along the nail folds and fingertips that appear 24 to 48 hours after each visit.

656 words, about 3 min 5

Chair Rent, a 1099, and an Inspector at the Door

A nail technician has worked as an employee at a six-station salon for two years, earning an hourly wage plus commission, and her license is posted at the reception desk along with the shop license. The owner now offers her a chair for 250 dollars a week: she would keep all service income, buy her own products, carry her own liability insurance, and set her own hours, but she would be paid on a 1099 and must sign a one-year agreement barring her from working within 5 miles for 12 months if she leaves.

713 words, about 4 min