← Gel & UV Systems – Nail Technician License Exam Flashcards

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

60 questions · 60 min · Varies by State

60 Questions · 60 Minutes · Varies by State

Question 1 of 5

Sample Questions

Question 1

What is the term for the thin, sticky layer that remains on the surface of a cured gel nail?

Answer: It is called the inhibition layer (also known as the dispersion layer or tacky layer), caused by oxygen inhibiting the top layer of gel from fully polymerizing.

Question 2

What chemical process causes gel nail products to harden when exposed to UV or LED light?

Answer: Photoinitiators in the gel absorb light energy and trigger polymerization, cross-linking the monomers into a hard polymer network.

Question 3

What is a gel polish (also called shellac-type or soak-off gel)?

Answer: Gel polish is a hybrid product combining aspects of traditional nail polish and gel technology; it applies like polish, cures under UV/LED light, and is removed by soaking in acetone.

Question 4

What is a builder gel, and what is its primary purpose?

Answer: A builder gel is a thick, viscous hard or soak-off gel used to create structure, length, and strength on the nail. It can sculpt extensions or add an apex for support.

Question 5

What distinguishes a hard (non-soak-off) gel from a soft (soak-off) gel in terms of removal?

Answer: Hard gels have a tighter cross-linked polymer structure and cannot be dissolved by acetone; they must be filed off. Soft gels (soak-off/BIAB) have a looser structure that acetone can penetrate and dissolve.