The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (CBB) is responsible for issuing and regulating licenses for manicurists and other beauty professionals in the state of California. To obtain a license to perform manicures in California, you will need to meet the following requirements as set by the CBB:
Be at least 17 years of age.
Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Complete a certain number of hours of education and training in a licensed school or apprenticeship program. The exact number of hours required is 400 hours of training in a licensed school or 600 hours of apprenticeship training.
Pass the California state board exam for manicurists. The exam consists of a written and practical portion.
Renew your license every two years by completing continuing education requirements, which include at least 16 hours of continuing education.
Note: The specific requirements for obtaining a manicurist license in California may change over time, so it’s important to check with the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology for the most up-to-date information and to confirm the requirements for the specific type of license you are seeking.
Curriculum for Nail Care Course
Core Domain Sections are based on the national job analysis.
1. Work Area Preparation, Client Preparation, and Set Up of Supplies (15 minutes)
2. Manicure and Polish Application (20 minutes)
3. Work Area and New Client Preparation, and Set Up of Supplies (10 minutes)
4. Nail Tip Application and Blending (20 minutes)
5. Sculptured Nail (20 minutes)
6. Removal of Sculptured Nail (20 minutes)
7. Blood Exposure Procedure (Individually Timed, 5 minutes per candidate)CONTENT DOMAINS
1. WORK AREA PREPARATION, CLIENT PREPARATION, AND SET UP OF
SUPPLIES (15 minutes)
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read to all candidates:
“You will prepare your work area for your client.”
“You will set up the universal supplies you will use throughout the examination.”
“You will also set up the supplies for the manicure and polish application.”
“You will prepare your client for the services.”
“You will be expected to follow all client protection, safety and infection control procedures.”
“You will have 15 minutes to complete this section.”
“You will be informed when you have 8 minutes remaining.”
“Do not demonstrate any procedures until the verbal instructions are given and you are instructed
to begin.”
“Turn the hand toward the examiner to indicate you have finished.”
(1) “The instructions will be repeated.”
(2) “You may begin.”
Candidates will be evaluated on the following tasks:
1.1 Disinfects all work areas completely with product labeled in English as EPA-registered
bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal disinfectant
1.2 Sanitizes hands with product labeled in English
1.3 Universal supplies are labeled in English
1.4 Items to be disinfected, soiled linens, and trash are disposed of in a correct manner throughout
section
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read if all candidates have turned the hand to indicate they have completed the
section before the timing has elapsed:
“All candidates have indicated they have completed this section of the examination, we will now
proceed.”
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read if the timer goes off before all candidates have turned the hand:
“Please stop working.”2. MANICURE AND POLISH APPLICATION (20 minutes)
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read to all candidates:
“You will perform a manicure and polish application.”
“You will be expected to follow all client protection, safety and infection control procedures.”
“You will have 20 minutes to complete this section.”
“You will be informed when you have 10 minutes remaining.”
“Turn the hand toward the examiner to indicate you have finished.”
(1) “The instructions will be repeated.”
(2) “You may begin.”
Candidates will be evaluated on the following tasks:
2.1 Manicure supplies are labeled in English
2.2 Implements and supplies are visibly clean
2.3 Performs a basic manicure
2.4 Prepares nails and applies RED nail polish
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read if all candidates have turned the hand to indicate they have completed the
section before the timing has elapsed:
“All candidates have indicated they have completed this section of the examination. Please do nothing
until the next verbal instructions are given.”
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read if the timer goes off before all candidates have turned the hand:
“Please stop working. Please do nothing until the next verbal instructions are given.”
2.5 Final appearance of the manicure
2.6 Final appearance of polish application
Examiner – Verbal Instructions: Read to each candidate individually after the final appearance of nails have
been examined:
“Please do nothing until the next verbal instructions are given.”
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read to all candidates once examiners have completed assessment for this
section:
“All examiners have indicated they are ready to proceed.”
“You will remove the polish from the nails and properly dispose of supplies used in the previous section of the
examination.”
“You will be expected to follow all client protection, safety and infection control procedures.”
“You will have 5 minutes to complete this section.”
“You will be informed when you have 2 minutes remaining.”
“Turn the hand toward the examiner to indicate you have finished.”
(1) “The instructions will be repeated.”
(2) “You may begin.”Candidates will be evaluated on the following tasks:
2.7 Items to be disinfected, soiled linens, and trash are disposed of in a correct manner throughout
section
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read if all candidates have turned the hand to indicate they have completed the
section before the timing has elapsed:
“All candidates have indicated they have completed this section of the examination, we will now
proceed.”
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read if the timer goes off before all candidates have turned the hand:
“Please stop working.”
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read when all examiners have indicated they have completed their assessment.
“Examiners please rotate at this time.”
3. WORK AREA AND NEW CLIENT PREPARATION, AND
SET UP OF SUPPLIES (10 minutes)
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read to all candidates:
“You will prepare your work area for a NEW client.”
“You will set up the universal supplies you will use for the remainder of the examination.”
“You will also set up for the following sections of the examination:
Nail Tip Application and Blending
Sculptured Nail Service
Removal of Sculptured Nail”
“You will prepare your client for the services.”
“You will be expected to follow all client protection, safety and infection control procedures.”
“You will have 10 minutes to complete this section.”
“You will be informed when you have 5 minutes remaining.”
“Do not demonstrate any procedures until the verbal instructions are given and you are instructed to
begin.”
“Turn the hand toward the examiner to indicate you have finished.”
(1) “The instructions will be repeated.”
(2) “You may begin.”
Candidates will be evaluated on the following tasks:
3.1 Disinfects all work areas completely with product labeled in English as EPA-registered
bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal disinfectant
3.2 Sanitizes hands with product labeled in English
3.3 Universal supplies are labeled in English
3.4 Items to be disinfected, soiled linens, and trash are disposed of in a correct manner throughout
section
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read if all candidates have turned the hand to indicate they have completed the
section before the timing has elapsed:
“All candidates have indicated they have completed this section of the examination, we will now
proceed.”
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read if the timer goes off before all candidates have turned the hand:
“Please stop working.”
4. NAIL TIP APPLICATION AND BLENDING (20 minutes)
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read to all candidates:
(Note to Proctor – Choose any finger)
“You will perform nail tip application and blending.”
“You will apply the nail tip to the __________ finger.”
“You will be expected to follow all client protection, safety and infection control procedures.”
“You will have 20 minutes to complete this section.”
“You will be informed when you have 10 minutes remaining.”
“Turn the hand toward the examiner to indicate you have finished.”
(1) “The instructions will be repeated.”
(2) “You may begin.”
Candidates will be evaluated on the following tasks:
4.1 Nail tip application and blending supplies are labeled in English
4.2 Implements and supplies are visibly clean
4.3 Prepares for nail tip application
4.4 Selects full-well tip and attaches to nail plate of assigned finger
4.5 Trims, shapes, and blends nail tip
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read if all candidates have turned the hand to indicate they have completed the
section before the timing has elapsed:
“All candidates have indicated they have completed this section of the examination. Please do nothing
until the next verbal instructions are given.”
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read if the timer goes off before all candidates have turned the hand:
“Please stop working. Please do nothing until the next verbal instructions are given.”
4.6 Final appearance of finished nail tip
Examiner – Verbal Instructions: Read to each candidate individually after the final appearance of nails have
been examined:
“Please do nothing until the next verbal instructions are given.”
4.7 Items to be disinfected, soiled linens, and trash are disposed of in a correct manner
throughout section
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read to all candidates once examiners have completed assessment for this
section:
“All examiners have indicated they are ready to proceed.”
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read to all candidates:
(Note to Proctor – Choose any finger)
“You will sculpt a nail on the __________ finger.”
“You must use an odorless product.”
“You will be expected to follow all client protection, safety and infection control procedures.”
“You will have 20 minutes to complete this section.”
“You will be informed when you have 10 minutes remaining.”
“Turn the hand toward the examiner to indicate you have finished.”
(1) “The instructions will be repeated.”
(2) “You may begin.”
Candidates will be evaluated on the following tasks:
5.1 Sets up sculptured nail supplies. Products MUST be in original container and have
manufacturer’s label in English
5.2 Implements and supplies are visibly clean
5.3 Prepares nail plate for sculptured nail
5.4 Sculpts a nail to extend the free edge of assigned finger
5.5 Shapes, contours, and finishes sculptured nail
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read if all candidates have turned the hand to indicate they have completed the
section before the timing has elapsed:
“All candidates have indicated they have completed this section of the examination. Please do nothing
until the next verbal instructions are given.”
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read if the timer goes off before all candidates have turned the hand:
“Please stop working. Please do nothing until the next verbal instructions are given.”
5.6 Final appearance of sculptured nail
Examiner – Verbal Instructions: Read to each candidate individually after the final appearance of nails have
been examined:
“Please do nothing until the next verbal instructions are given.”
5.7 Items to be disinfected, soiled linens, and trash are disposed of in a correct manner throughout
section
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read to all candidates once examiners have completed assessment for this
section:
“All examiners have indicated they are ready to proceed.”
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read to all candidates:
“You will perform a removal of the sculptured nail.”
“You will be expected to follow all client protection, safety and infection control procedures.”
“You will have 20 minutes to complete this section.”
“You will be informed when you have 10 minutes remaining.”
“Turn the hand toward the examiner to indicate you have finished.”
(1) “The instructions will be repeated.”
(2) “You may begin.”
Candidates will be evaluated on the following tasks:
6.1 Sculptured nail removal supplies are labeled in English
6.2 Implements and supplies are visibly clean
6.3 Removes sculptured nail
6.4 Smooths and finishes the natural nail
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read if all candidates have turned the hand to indicate they have completed the
section before the timing has elapsed:
“All candidates have indicated they have completed this section of the examination. Please do nothing
until the next verbal instructions are given.”
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read if the timer goes off before all candidates have turned the hand:
“Please stop working. Please do nothing until the next verbal instructions are given.”
6.5 Final assessment of sculptured nail removal
Examiner – Verbal Instructions: Read to each candidate individually after the final appearance of nails have
been examined:
“Please do nothing until the next verbal instructions are given.”
6.6 Items to be disinfected, soiled linens, and trash are disposed of in a correct manner throughout
section
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read to all candidates once examiners have completed assessment for this
section:
“All examiners have indicated they are ready to proceed.”
(Individually Timed, 5 minutes per candidate)
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read to all candidates:
“You will demonstrate the blood exposure procedure.”
“You will imagine the following scenario: During a service, you have sustained a minor cut to
your index finger. The injury is such that you can continue with the service. The injury has not yet contaminated
your work area or the client. You are expected to demonstrate the proper procedure for a blood exposure.”
“You are expected to follow all client protection, safety and infection control procedures.”
“You will be instructed individually by the examiner to demonstrate the Blood Exposure Procedure.”
“You will have 5 minutes to complete this section.”
“You will be informed when you have 2 minutes remaining.”
“Do not begin to demonstrate the Blood Exposure Procedure until instructed individually by the examiner to do
so.”
“Turn the hand toward the examiner to indicate you have finished.”
(1) “The instructions will be repeated.”
Examiner – Verbal Instructions: Read to each candidate individually:
“Please demonstrate the Blood Exposure Procedure.”
Candidates will be evaluated on the following tasks:
7.1 First aid supplies and materials are labeled in English
7.2 Removes materials from first aid kit
7.3 Supplies and materials are visibly clean
7.4 Cleans injured area with antiseptic
7.5 Covers injury with dressing that is absorbent and secured
7.6 Disposes of all contaminated supplies
7.7 Candidate protects injury with glove or finger cot
Examiner – Verbal Instructions: Read to each candidate individually:
“Please do nothing until the next verbal instructions are given.”
CANDIDATE SUMMARY AND FINAL CLEANUP
Proctor – Verbal Instructions: Read at the conclusion of the examination:
“All examiners have indicated they have completed their assessment.”
“Make sure that all kit supplies and disposable materials are taken with you.”
“This concludes the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, National Nail
Technology Practical Examination.”“Thank you for your participation. “SUGGESTED EXAMINATION SUPPLIES
Information related to labeling of supplies:
ALL supplies must be labeled in English
Original manufacturers’ labels MUST have English and may be multi-language
All other created labels must be only English
SUGGESTED SUPPLIES
- acetone/polish remover
- adhesive
- base coat
- buffer(s)
- candidate supply kit to serve as dry storage area (must be closeable)
- container labeled “items to be disinfected”
- container labeled “soiled linens”
- container labeled “trash”
- cotton
- cuticle pusher
- cuticle softener
- dappen dish(es)
- EPA-registered disinfectant wipes with manufacturer’s label that demonstrate bactericidal, fungicidal, and
virucidal properties must be used (must be actual disinfectant wipes) - finger bowl with water
- first aid kit
- foil removal wraps
- gloves
- hand sanitizer with manufacturer’s label (must be real product)
- mannequin hand(s) with artificial nails attached (must be entire hand; cannot have removable digits.)
- massage product
- nail brush
- nail cleanser
- nail clipper and/or tip trimmer
- nail file(s)
- nail form(s)
- nail tips
- oil
- paper towels
- red polish
- sculptured nail brush
- sculptured nail products – monomer, polymer
- Monomer must be odorless in its original container with manufacturer’s label.
- Polymer must be in its original container with manufacturer’s label.
- Primer (if used) must be in original container with manufacturer’s label.
- top coat
- towel(s)