7.2 Practical Exam Kit, Prohibited Products & Automatic Disqualifiers
Key Takeaways
- The acrylic liquid monomer must be an odorless system, MMA-free, in the original bottle, new and unused with the manufacturer's seal intact and ingredients labeled — a candidate who does not bring it as specified will not be allowed to take the examination.
- A low-odor acrylic product is expressly not an acceptable substitute for an odorless system.
- MMA has been prohibited for nail services in New York since November 1, 2001 and will not be allowed at the examination.
- All sharp implements must be transported in a rigid container labeled 'clean', and used implements removed in a rigid container labeled 'dirty'.
- Failure to bring a compliant mannequin hand results in disqualification, and arriving after the start time means no admittance and forfeiture of the fee.
Practical Exam Kit, Prohibited Products & Automatic Disqualifiers
The point of this section: Most candidates who fail the New York practical fail on technique. A meaningful minority never get to demonstrate technique at all, because something in the kit does not meet specification. Those failures are entirely preventable and they cost the full $15 fee plus the wait for a new appointment.
The Three Failures That End the Attempt Before It Starts
| Failure | The published consequence |
|---|---|
| Acrylic monomer not as specified — not odorless, not in the original bottle, not new and unused, or seal broken | "If you do NOT bring the liquid monomer as required, you will NOT be allowed to take your scheduled examination." |
| Non-compliant or missing mannequin hand | "Failure to do so will result in your disqualification." |
| Arriving after the specified starting time | "You will not be admitted into the examination and will forfeit the examination fee." |
Cancelling, arriving late, or not appearing all forfeit the fee. Rescheduling is free but must happen at least six days before the exam date; inside six days you cannot reschedule at all.
The Acrylic Monomer Specification — Read It Twice
This is the single most exacting product requirement on the exam:
- Odorless system. "ONLY an odorless acrylic system may be used; low odor products are NOT acceptable." Odorless and low-odor are different chemistries, not marketing synonyms. Check the label wording, not the smell.
- MMA-free. "Effective November 1, 2001, the use of MMA or any products containing MMA is strictly prohibited for use in nail services in New York State and will NOT be allowed for use at this examination." This matches GBL 404-a, which bars an appearance enhancement owner or operator from knowingly selling, using, or applying monomeric methyl methacrylate.
- Original container, new and unused, seal intact. The manufacturer's seal must be unbroken. A bottle you have been practicing from is not acceptable.
- Ingredients labeled on the bottle. If the ingredient list is not printed on the bottle, the product does not qualify.
[!IMPORTANT] Buy a second sealed bottle purely for the exam. It is the cheapest insurance available: practice from one bottle, arrive with another still sealed. Odorless acrylic behaves differently from standard EMA product — it stays workable longer, is softer while it cures, and leaves a heavier inhibition layer — so practice with the same odorless system you will bring, just from a different bottle.
The Kit, Part by Part
Preparation of Work Area
EPA-approved sanitizer solution in original, labeled packaging; 10–12 paper towels or PST towels; a table towel (required); sealable plastic bags labeled "disposables"; tape to secure the trash bag to the work area; spray implement sanitizer or alcohol wipes in original packaging, in case an implement becomes contaminated.
General Supplies & First Aid
Hand sanitizer in its original bottle or packet; 2–3 pairs of protective gloves; a rigid hard container large enough for potentially contaminated implements; 2–3 sealable bags labeled "blood contamination"; 2–3 adhesive bandages in a bag labeled "First Aid"; cotton balls and gauze.
[!IMPORTANT] Clean and dirty transport is a rule, not a preference. "All sharp implements MUST be transported in a rigid container labeled 'clean'. Used implements MUST be removed in a rigid container labeled 'dirty'." This mirrors 19 NYCRR 160.17, which requires clean and used supplies to travel in covered containers kept separate and marked by status. Label both containers before you leave home.
Basic Manicure
Hand sanitizer with 60% or more alcohol; a pre-filled, clearly labeled bottle of water (bring a spare — water availability is not guaranteed); a fingerbowl — no substitute container is allowed; clean drying towel; cuticle softener; 2–5 orangewood sticks with cotton and/or a cuticle pusher; hand cream or oil for the massage; lint-free wipes; a three-way buffer or buffer block; medium and fine abrasives; nail antiseptic spray in original labeled packaging that is safe for use on skin.
Tip Application
A minimum of six nail tips; nail adhesive — no brush-on allowed; tip clippers or tip cutters; lint-free wipes; coarse, medium and fine abrasives; nail antiseptic spray.
Wrap Application
Fabric scissors; a six-inch strip of fiberglass and a six-inch strip of silk — do NOT pre-cut either to nail size before the exam; resin/adhesive plus a spray activator of the same system (no brush-on, no aerosol); optional tweezers or cellophane for placing fabric; medium and fine abrasives; three-way buffer; oil.
Acrylic Application
Acrylic primer in original labeled container only if the system requires it; acrylic powder (clear, pink, or natural); the sealed odorless monomer; two eyedroppers — one for monomer, one for oil; two dappen dishes with covers (wipes or paper towels may serve as covers when not in use); two nail forms; acrylic brush; coarse and medium abrasives; three-way buffer; oil.
Polish Application
Red crème polish; base coat and top coat (may be the same product only if it is a genuine all-in-one) — no ridge filler; an orangewood stick or cotton swab for removing polish from skin — fingers may not be used; polish remover in its original labeled container.
Appearance and Conduct
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Outer garment | A clean, washable smock or gown — aprons are not acceptable |
| Hair | Pulled back and secured if long enough to interfere |
| Footwear | Closed-toe shoes that cover the top of the foot, for safety |
| Your nails | Five natural nails free of polish and enhancements on the manicure hand |
| Hands | Washed with soap and water before arrival; 60%+ alcohol sanitizer used throughout |
| Gloves | Optional on this exam |
| Devices | No gum, no cell phone, no electronic devices |
| Anonymity | Avoid items that identify your school, salon, or affiliation |
| Identification | Current government-issued photo signature ID, matching the exact first and last name used to schedule |
| Pen | Bring your own to sign in |
| Sharing | Sharing supplies between examinees is not allowed |
[!CAUTION] Products not required to be in original containers must be labeled in English (and may additionally be labeled in another language). Decanting product into unlabeled dropper bottles is an infection-control and hazard-communication failure in the salon and a scored problem at the exam.
Packing Strategy
DOS's own recommendation: "pack your supplies in sealable plastic bags, grouped and labeled for each respective procedure," kept in the transport bag or container until needed, with a rolling travel system suggested. All implements disinfected or cleaned before packing; single-use items new and unused.
Bag 1: PREP Bag 2: MANICURE Bag 3: TIPS Bag 4: WRAPS
sanitizer fingerbowl 6+ tips silk 6" strip
towels cuticle softener adhesive fiberglass 6" strip
disposables bag orangewood/pusher clippers resin + spray activator
tape buffer, abrasives abrasives scissors, tweezers
antiseptic
Bag 5: ACRYLIC Bag 6: POLISH RIGID "CLEAN" RIGID "DIRTY"
sealed odorless red creme sharp implements used implements
monomer base + top coat
powder, primer orangewood stick FIRST AID bag BLOOD CONTAMINATION bags
2 dappen + covers remover bandages 2-3 sealable
2 forms, brush cotton/gauze
2 eyedroppers
Between parts the instruction is always the same: "Return any supplies no longer needed for the exam to your kit and set up those needed to complete" the next part. Grouping by part is what makes that transition fit inside the clock.
A candidate arrives at the New York practical with a low-odor acrylic monomer in its original bottle, sealed and fully labeled. What happens?
How must sharp implements be transported to and from the New York practical examination?
Which item on the New York practical exam supply list may NOT be substituted with an equivalent container?
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