Nail Technician License Vocabulary Game
Exam terms with clues and explanations by OpenExamPrep.
About the Nail Technician License Vocabulary Game
A free word game for the Nail Technician License exam. Each round shows a clue for one of 20 exam terms across 8 topics. Recall the term, spell it out, then read a short explanation. Rounds pick a random term, so you can keep playing as long as you like.
How to Play
- 1Read the clue and type a term with the right number of letters (3 to 6). Abbreviations count: type the letters only.
- 2Press Check Answer or Enter. Each letter changes color to show how close you are.
- 3You have 6 tries. Stuck? Need a hint? asks the AI tutor for a nudge without giving the term away, and Skip moves to a new term.
- 4After the round, read the explanation, ask the AI to explain it, share your result, or press Next.
- ARight letter, right spot
- AIn the term, wrong spot
- ANot in the term
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Topics in the Nail Technician License Vocabulary Game
Infection Control
Anatomy and Physiology
Chemistry of Products
Pre-service Process
Nail Service Tools
Manicure and Pedicure
Enhancement Services
Post-service Procedures
Sources for these terms (11)
- Health Hazards in Nail Salons - Biological Hazards · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Stay Healthy and Safe While Giving Manicures and Pedicures: A Guide for Nail Salon Workers (OSHA 3542-09 R 2025) · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Glossary | Infection Control | CDC · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Nail anatomy: Parts, structures, functions, and more · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Nail Care Products · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Ringworm Basics · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Artificial Nails (California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology fact sheet, revised 03/2024) · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Barbering & Cosmetology Health & Safety Rules, 16 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 83 · Source checked 2026-11-03
- How to treat corns and calluses · Source checked 2026-11-03
- Evaluation of Ergonomics, Chemical Exposures, and Ventilation at Four Nail Salons (HHE Report No. 2015-0139-3338) · Source checked 2026-11-03
- National Nail Technology Practical Examination CIB (Effective September 01, 2025) · Source checked 2026-11-03
About the Nail Technician Exam
The NIC National Nail Technology Theory Examination is the standard licensing exam for nail technicians across most US states. It tests knowledge of scientific concepts and nail technology procedures required to safely perform manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancement services.
Exam sponsor: NIC theory content; state-contracted vendor (commonly PSI, Prov, or Pearson VUE) and the state board of cosmetology administer it. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
110 questions
Time Limit
90 minutes
Passing Score
Set by each state board from NIC scaled results (often around 70-75%); NIC publishes no single national passing percentage
Reported exam pass rate: NIC does not publish a national first-time pass rate for nail technology theory. Exam sponsor website
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Nail Tech vocabulary game free?
Yes. The game is free to play with no sign-up. Signing in adds AI explanations for any term.
How does the Nail Tech vocabulary game work?
Each round shows a clue for one of 20 Nail Tech terms. Guess the term in six tries: green means the right letter in the right spot, yellow means the letter is in the term but in another spot, and gray means it is not in the term. After the round, read the explanation and play the next term.
Where do the Nail Tech terms come from?
OpenExamPrep researched each term from the NIC theory content; state-contracted vendor (commonly PSI, Prov, or Pearson VUE) and the state board of cosmetology administer it content outline and primary sources, listed under Sources on this page. The game is independent study material, not an official exam resource.
What is the Nail Technician License Exam?
The Nail Technician License Exam, officially the NIC National Nail Technology Theory Examination, is the standardized written theory exam developed by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology and delivered by state-contracted vendors such as PSI, Prov, or Pearson VUE. It tests two major areas, Scientific Concepts (40%) and Nail Technology Procedures (60%), across an 8-domain blueprint. Most US states use this exam or a similar state-specific version for nail technician licensure.
What is the passing score for the Nail Technician exam?
There is no single national passing percentage. The NIC theory exam has 110 items (100 weighted/scored plus 10 unscored pretest) and a 90-minute time limit, but each state board sets the cut score from the NIC scaled results, often around 70-75%. Confirm the exact passing standard with your state board or testing vendor, and note that some states add a separate practical exam beyond the written theory exam.