1.2 What the Written Theory and Written Practical Exams Cover

Quick Answer: The Kansas manicurist license takes two written, computer-based exams, each 2 hours and each needing a 75. The Written Theory exam (100 questions) weights Kansas law at 25% and safety, sanitation and infection control at 40%. Nail care and services is 21%, and implements, product chemistry and anatomy share the last 14%. The Written Practical exam (125 questions) is still multiple choice. It weights nail enhancements at 32%, safety and sanitation at 30%, pedicure at 16%, manicure at 12% and blood exposure at 10%.

Written Theory Exam: 100 Questions

The CIB says every topic area "was rated as important to successful job performance." The item counts below are the percentages applied to 100 questions.

Law is a quarter of the Theory exam. Many candidates spend most of their time on nail techniques and neglect the Kansas-specific rules. Twenty-five questions draw on the statutes and regulations in the Board's law book, and the 40-point infection-control domain leans heavily on K.A.R. 28-24 as well.

Written Practical Exam: 125 Questions

For manicurists, the "practical" is not a hands-on exam. The CIB describes Written Practical items as "applied knowledge" that "focus on procedural understanding and the safe handling and application of tools."

What the Questions Look Like

NTN says each question has four answer choices with only one correct answer. There are no drag-and-drop, photo-hotspot or live-model tasks for this license. The published samples show the style:

• Theory samples test definitions and rules. Examples: what a product labeled "sanitizer" is (a cleaner, not a disinfectant); what makes an antiseptic different (safe for skin, not strong enough for implements); what reusable metal implements are called (multi-use); and how often to clean work surfaces (before every client).
• Practical samples test the correct next step. Examples: what must happen to a dirty implement before disinfection (clean it with soap or detergent and water); where to store laundered towels (a clean, closed container); what to do after wetting a surface with disinfectant (keep it moist for the label's contact time); and what to do first with a new product (read the whole label).

In practical questions, the right answer is usually the one that is safest, most sanitary and follows the manufacturer's instructions or Kansas regulation, even when a shortcut would look faster.

Reference Materials Named by NTN

The KBOC law book is free on the Board's website at kansas.gov/kboc (Resources → Statutes and Regulations). Read K.S.A. 65-1901 to 65-1912, K.A.R. 69-1, 69-4, 69-6, 69-11, 69-13 and K.A.R. 28-24 at least twice before the exam.

A Study Plan That Follows the Weights

1. Kansas law and K.A.R. 28-24 first. Learn the numbers that recur in questions: 17 years, 350 hours, 70 hours before public services, $75 exam, $60 application, $50 renewal, 10-minute pedicure circulation, 75 to pass. Chapters 1, 2 and 4 of this guide cover them.
2. Infection-control science next. Know bacteria types, viruses, immunity, parasites, the levels of decontamination, and the Kansas blood exposure steps in order (Chapters 3–5).
3. Procedures third. For each service, know the sequence and the safe handling of each tool: manicure, pedicure, tips, wraps, acrylic, sculpting, gel polish, e-file and removal (Chapters 8–9).
4. Science last. Anatomy and physiology is only 2% of Theory, but disorders and diseases drive refuse-or-proceed decisions, so learn the key conditions (Chapter 7).

Time Management

• Theory: 120 minutes for 100 questions is about 72 seconds per question.
• Practical: 120 minutes for 125 questions is about 58 seconds per question. Practical items are short scenarios, so read the last line first to see whether it asks what you do first, next or after.
• Answer every question. The CIB advises ruling out wrong choices and choosing the best remaining one. Mark hard items and come back, since you can change answers before submitting.