All Practice Exams

Free Practice Questions for MN Nail Technician

Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card
375+ Questions
100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Sample MN Nail Technician Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the MN Nail Technician exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 375+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1How many training hours are required to become a licensed nail technician in Minnesota?
A.100 hours
B.250 hours
C.350 hours
D.600 hours
Explanation: Minnesota Rules 2105.0145, subpart 1, item C, requires 350 hours of nail technician training at a board-licensed cosmetology school. A cosmetologist needs 1,550 hours, an esthetician 600, and an eyelash technician 14. Training more than five years old must be paired with a skills course certificate under one year old.
2What is the minimum age requirement for a Minnesota nail technician license?
A.16 years old
B.17 years old
C.18 years old
D.21 years old
Explanation: Minnesota Rules 2105.0145, subpart 1, requires a nail technician applicant to be at least 17 years old. The same minimum age applies to applicants transferring a license from another state under part 2105.0183.
3How many board-approved tests must a Minnesota nail technician applicant pass?
A.One test
B.Two tests
C.Three tests
D.Four tests
Explanation: Minnesota Rules 2105.0145, subpart 1, item B, requires three board-approved tests: the general theory test, the written practical test, and the Minnesota laws and rules test. All three results must be no more than one year old when the application is filed. All three are written tests; Minnesota gives no hands-on board practical for nail technician licensure.
4How many questions are on the Minnesota nail technician theory exam?
A.25 questions
B.50 questions
C.70 questions
D.100 questions
Explanation: PSI's Minnesota candidate information bulletin sets the nail technician general theory exam at 70 questions, of which 60 are scored and 10 are unscored experimental items. Candidates have 1.5 hours and must score 75 percent.
5What is the minimum passing score for the Minnesota nail technician theory exam?
A.60%
B.65%
C.70%
D.75%
Explanation: Candidates must score at least 75 percent on the Minnesota nail technician theory exam to pass. The exam consists of 70 questions with a 90-minute time limit.
6How often must a Minnesota nail technician license be renewed?
A.Annually
B.Every two years
C.Every three years
D.Every five years
Explanation: Minnesota Statutes 155A.27, subdivision 6, sets a three-year term for every practitioner classification, and section 155A.25, subdivision 4, expires the individual license on the last day of the licensee's birth month. Renewal costs $115 and requires eight hours of continuing education.
7How many hours of continuing education must a Minnesota nail technician complete before each license renewal?
A.Four hours
B.Six hours
C.Eight hours
D.Twelve hours
Explanation: Minnesota Rules 2105.0200, subpart 2, requires eight hours of board-approved continuing education in the three years before renewal. Four are core hours, made up of one hour on state cosmetology laws and rules plus three hours on health, safety, and infection control. The other four are professional practice hours. Only eyelash technicians stop at the four core hours.
8What is the renewal fee for a Minnesota nail technician license?
A.$45
B.$115
C.$145
D.$195
Explanation: Minnesota Statutes 155A.25, subdivision 1a, sets the three-year practitioner renewal at $115: a $100 renewal license fee plus a $15 renewal application fee. The $145 figure is the manager or instructor renewal, $195 is the initial license, and $45 is the practitioner late renewal fee.
9What is the total fee for an initial Minnesota nail technician license?
A.$115
B.$145
C.$195
D.$350
Explanation: An initial practitioner license costs $195 under Minnesota Statutes 155A.25, subdivision 1a: $155 for the license plus a $40 application fee, covering three years. Renewal is $115, manager and instructor renewal is $145, and $350 is the initial salon license. PSI exam fees are paid separately.
10Which board oversees nail technician licensing in Minnesota?
A.Minnesota Department of Health
B.Minnesota Board of Cosmetology
C.Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners
D.Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
Explanation: The Minnesota Board of Cosmetology, named the Board of Cosmetologist Examiners in statute until a 2026 law renamed it, licenses nail technicians, cosmetologists, hair technicians, estheticians, eyelash technicians, salons, and schools. Barbers answer to the separate Minnesota Board of Barber Examiners.

About the MN Nail Technician Exam

The Minnesota Nail Technician licensing exam covers state-specific regulations, nail anatomy, manicure and pedicure services, artificial nail applications, sanitation, and safety.

Exam sponsor: Minnesota Board of Cosmetology / PSI Services. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

155 questions

Time Limit

1.5 h theory + 1 h laws & rules + 1.5 h written practical

Passing Score

75% on each exam

Exam / Certification Fees

$85 combo, or $33 + $24 + $28 per exam

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published. Neither the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology nor PSI publishes nail technician pass rates Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

35% of theory (21 of 60 scored)

Safety and Infection Control (Theory)

Disinfection, sanitation, bloodborne pathogens, chemical safety and salon safety per Minn. R. 2105.0375

5% of theory (3 of 60)

Client Consultation and Professional Conduct

Client analysis, contraindications, records and professional ethics

15% of theory (9 of 60)

Nail Structure and Physiology

Nail anatomy, growth, disorders and diseases, and when to refer

25% of theory (15 of 60)

Manicure and Pedicure Services

Basic and spa manicure/pedicure procedures, tools, products and massage

20% of theory (12 of 60)

Nail Enhancements

Acrylic, gel, wraps and tips: chemistry, application, maintenance and removal

State exam: 15% / 25% / 45% / 15% of 30 scored

Minnesota Laws and Rules

General information, licensing, practice requirements and enforcement under Minn. Stat. 155A and Minn. R. 2105

Written practical: 29% / 15% / 29% / 27% of 45 scored

Written Practical

Safety and infection control, nail analysis, manicure/pedicure and enhancement procedures tested as written scenarios

Preparing for the MN Nail Technician Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75% on each exam
  • Exam length: 155 questions
  • Time limit: 1.5 h theory + 1 h laws & rules + 1.5 h written practical
  • Exam / certification fees: $85 combo, or $33 + $24 + $28 per exam Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 375 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours of training do I need?

Minnesota requires 350 hours of nail technician training at a board-licensed school (Minn. R. 2105.0145) before you can sit the three PSI exams.

What score do I need to pass?

Most states require 70-75% to pass.

Is the nail tech license separate from cosmetology?

Yes — nail technician is a separate, shorter license focused specifically on nail services.