NH Nail Technician cheat sheet

Nail plate is ~0.1 mm thick at the free edge and grows forward from the matrix at roughly 3.5 mm (about 0.1 inch) per month; toenails grow about 1 mm per month, roughly one-third the fingernail rate.

Full nail replacement takes 4–6 months for fingernails and 9–12 months for toenails; growth slows with age, poor circulation, and cold weather, and speeds up in summer and during pregnancy.

Nail plate composition is approximately 80% keratin protein, 15–16% water, and 3–5% lipids; a dry, brittle plate reflects low moisture, while a flexible plate reflects higher moisture content.

Nail shapes: square (strongest stress tolerance at the sides), squoval, oval, round, and pointed/stiletto (least durable, most prone to breakage at the free edge).

Cuticle vs. eponychium: the cuticle is the thin dead skin layer on the nail plate at the base; the eponychium is the living skin fold at the proximal nail wall. Only the cuticle may be softened and pushed back - never cut living eponychium.

The hyponychium seals the free edge; the lateral nail folds cradle the sides; the nail bed (under the plate) carries blood vessels and nerves and appears pink through the translucent plate.

Nail disorder vs. disease: a disorder (e.g., hangnail, split, ridge) may be serviced by a licensed technician; a disease (e.g., onychomycosis, paronychia, psoriasis) requires referral to a physician before any service.

Massage movements used in manicure/pedicure: effleurage (gliding, light pressure), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rapid tapping), and friction (small circular pressure); always stroke toward the heart on limbs.

Acrylic liquid-to-powder ratio: a properly formed bead is smooth and creamy, not runny or dry; too wet causes shrinkage and lifting, too dry causes brittle, cloudy product with air pockets.

Hierarchy of control: cleaning (removes debris) → disinfection (kills most pathogens on surfaces/implements) → sterilization (destroys all microorganisms including spores); sanitizing alone is not sufficient for implements that contact skin.

EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant with a tuberculocidal claim is the benchmark for implements; follow the label's contact time exactly (commonly 10 minutes) - a shorter soak does not meet the standard.

Porous items (emery boards, nail files, buffer blocks, orange wood sticks, cotton) cannot be reliably disinfected and must be discarded after a single client or given to the client.

Nonporous implements (metal nippers, cuticle pushers, metal files) must be cleaned of debris, then disinfected or sterilized between every client; store disinfected tools in a covered, labeled container.

Single-use items (disposable files, toe separators, gloves) are used once and discarded; gloves are changed between clients and whenever torn or soiled.

Hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is required before and after each client; an alcohol-based sanitizer is an adjunct, not a substitute for visible soil.

Bloodborne pathogen exposure: stop the service, put on gloves, clean the wound, apply pressure, disinfect the work area, and report per facility policy; hepatitis B and C and HIV are the primary bloodborne risks in nail settings.

Client screening: refuse service for open lesions, redness, swelling, pus, fungal discoloration, or unexplained nail separation, and refer to a physician; document the refusal.

State boards typically prohibit using the same disinfectant jar for multiple clients without changing solution; disinfectant solutions must be replaced per manufacturer's instructions or when visibly soiled.

Nail unit structures: nail plate, nail bed, matrix, cuticle, eponychium, hyponychium, lateral nail folds, and free edge; the matrix is the growth center that produces the plate.

The matrix extends from the proximal nail wall to the lunula; damage to the matrix produces permanent ridges, grooves, or a split nail.

The lunula is the visible, whitish half-moon of the matrix; it is most prominent on the thumb and least visible on the little finger.

Fingernails grow ~3.5 mm per month and toenails ~1 mm per month; growth is fastest in youth and slows with age and poor circulation.

Skin layers: epidermis (outer, avascular), dermis (contains blood vessels, nerves, glands, hair follicles), and subcutaneous layer (fat and connective tissue).

Bones of the hand: carpals (8), metacarpals (5), phalanges (14 - 3 per finger, 2 in the thumb); the wrist joint is the radiocarpal joint.

Muscles of the hand include flexors (close the fingers) and extensors (open them); the thenar eminence is the fleshy pad at the thumb base.

Lymph and blood: arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart, veins return deoxygenated blood, and lymph nodes filter pathogens; swollen glands near a nail infection signal possible spread.

Nervous system: sensory receptors in the nail bed and skin detect pressure, temperature, and pain; motor nerves control hand and finger movement.

Licensing is state-specific: a candidate must complete the state-required training hours (commonly 300–600 for nail technician), pass the practical and written exams, and renew the license on the state's cycle (often every 2 years).

Scope of practice: nail technicians may perform manicures, pedicures, artificial nail applications, and nail art; they may not diagnose or treat disease, perform medical pedicures, or use medical-grade tools reserved for podiatrists.

Continuing education: many states require a set number of CE hours per renewal cycle, often including infection control and sanitation; failure to complete CE can result in license lapse.

Sanitation rules are codified: states specify approved disinfectants (often EPA-registered hospital-grade), required contact times, and record-keeping for disinfection logs.

Client records: states may require retaining client intake forms, service records, and consent for artificial nail services for a defined period.

Advertising and title use: licensees must display their license and may not use the title 'nail technician' or 'manicurist' without a valid license; unlicensed practice is a violation.

Reciprocity and endorsement: license transfer between states depends on that state's rules - some accept endorsement, others require additional hours or examination.

Prohibited practices commonly include cutting living tissue (eponychium), using a credo blade or sharp tool on the nail plate, and reusing single-use items.

Reporting and inspection: state boards conduct inspections; violations such as unsanitized implements, expired disinfectant, or unlicensed staff can lead to fines, suspension, or revocation.