← Gel & UV Services – Nail Technician License Exam

Free Gel & UV Services – Nail Technician License Exam Practice Test (2026)

60 questions · 60 min · 70% to pass

60 Questions · 60 Minutes · 70% to Pass

Question 1 of 5

Sample Questions

Question 1

What is the primary chemical process that occurs when a UV or LED gel is exposed to curing light?

Answer: Photoinitiators in the gel absorb light energy and trigger polymerization, converting the liquid monomer into a hardened polymer network.

Question 2

What is the purpose of the inhibition layer (also called the tacky or sticky layer) left on gel after curing?

Answer: The inhibition layer is a thin, uncured surface of gel caused by oxygen interfering with polymerization; it allows subsequent gel layers to bond chemically to the previous layer.

Question 3

What is the key difference between a hard gel and a soft (soak-off) gel?

Answer: Hard gel forms a dense, cross-linked polymer network that cannot be dissolved by acetone and must be filed off, while soft gel has a less cross-linked structure that allows acetone to break it down for removal.

Question 4

What are photoinitiators in UV/LED gel products?

Answer: Photoinitiators are chemical compounds that absorb specific wavelengths of light and generate free radicals, which start the polymerization (curing) reaction in gel products.

Question 5

What is a gel polish (also called shellac or hybrid gel)?

Answer: Gel polish is a hybrid product that combines features of traditional nail polish and gel; it is applied like polish, cures under UV/LED light, and is removed by soaking in acetone.