IA Nail Technician study plan

Define each link in the infection chain and match at least six salon-specific examples to the correct link

Compare hospital-grade disinfectants, EPA-registered low-level products, and antiseptics, then state which tools and surfaces each is legal for

Demonstrate the full implement sequence from cleaning to disinfection to storage, writing out contact times and dilution ratios from product labels

Label a blank hand and arm diagram with bones, major muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, scoring at least 90 percent

Describe nail plate layers, matrix, lunula, cuticle, and hyponychium and explain how damage to each affects growth

Identify at least eight client conditions that require referral or service refusal and write the exact words to say for each

Sequence a hand-washing and glove routine that meets state board expectations, timed and self-recorded

Explain contraindications for massage and enhancement services based on anatomy, such as cuts, fungal infection, and diabetes-related risk

List the growth cycle stages and typical growth rate of the nail plate and relate them to service intervals

Summarize safety rules for electric files, including bit selection, speed, and dust control

Perform a complete basic manicure on a model in 45 minutes or less without breaking sanitation sequence

Execute a pedicure including soak, exfoliation, callus care, and massage while keeping all tools within legal scope

List the steps of a paraffin and hot-oil treatment and state which client conditions rule them out

Demonstrate correct nipping and filing technique on practice tips and explain why each step protects the nail plate

Compare polish application steps and diagnose at least four common polish failures by cause

Apply nail tips with correct sizing, blending, and stress-area placement on at least five practice hands

Demonstrate fabric wrap and silk wrap application and state when each is preferred over tips

Explain the difference between a wrap, an overlay, and a full enhancement and match each to client needs

Identify causes of tip lifting, wrap bubbling, and overlay cracking and describe the fix

Review manicure and pedicure content from week 3 and correct the weakest two steps identified in your self-evaluation

Mix liquid and powder at correct ratio and demonstrate bead control, including wet, medium, and dry beads

Sculpt a full set of acrylic enhancements with proper apex, sidewalls, and smile line on a practice hand

Perform a safe fill and rebalance, identifying and correcting lifting, shadowing, and product breakdown

Describe removal methods and explain why improper removal damages the nail plate

List acrylic-specific safety points, including monomer handling, ventilation, and allergy warning signs

Apply a UV gel polish manicure with correct base, color, and top coat curing times on a model

Build a hard gel overlay and demonstrate proper curing and inhibition layer removal

Diagnose gel service failures such as shrinking, wrinkling, and lifting and name the cause of each

Compare UV gel and acrylic in chemistry, removal, and client suitability and write a short recommendation guide

Re-run one acrylic service from week 5 to fix the top two defects from your rubric

Conduct a full client consultation covering health history, lifestyle, nail condition, and service expectations, role-played with a partner

Write open-ended questions that uncover contraindications without sounding like an interrogation

Apply a nail art design using at least two techniques, such as hand painting and stamping, and finish with proper top coat

Explain informed consent, confidentiality, and scope-of-practice limits in plain language a client would understand

Identify at least five unprofessional or unethical behaviors in salon scenarios and state the correct response

Summarize state licensing, sanitation, and record-keeping requirements for nail technicians and cite where each rule is found

List the business basics of pricing, retail markup, and client retention and calculate a sample service price

Review all domains using a practice test and score at least 85 percent on each domain

Re-drill the two weakest domains from practice results until errors are corrected

Assemble a final one-page quick-reference sheet covering sanitation, anatomy landmarks, and service steps