How I Passed the SC State Board Exam – License Uniformity

Today I am celebrating 12 years of being a licensed salon professional in the nail technology industry. I was originally licensed by the New York State Board of Cosmetology in February 2012 and have since been licensed in three other states (Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina) since relocating. The journey was not easy, but I’ve documented it and have used my story as a blueprint for other nail technicians that are probably afraid to make that big move because of the uncertainty around license transfers, license uniformity, and the willingness of another state, to endorse their professional license. I talk about this at length on my podcast the #ConfessionsOfANailTech podcast and have been working with the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, in partnership with Certemy. ⁣

The nail salon Industry, in and of itself, is a ⁣$9 Billion powerhouse. I have studied nail techniques and trends in the market from the consumer facing view. However, I’ve now set my focus on the professional, and what our journeys look like. ⁣Of course, I felt discouraged when I received my pending email from the State Board of Cosmetology, however, I did not let that stop me from becoming licensed in the state.

The journey took a year to complete because I was gathering my information, study materials and researching the best contact person for the NIC Board of Directors. I frequented Amazon to search for the updated Milady course learning books (https://a.co/d/bQScFUs). I also visited the PSI exam testing website (https://www.psionlinestore.com/nail-technician-theory/?Training+Type=PSI+Practice+Tests) to purchase the practice exams to prepare me for the written portion of the State Board Exam. I also created a YouTube playlist with full-length practice State Board practical videos from Nail Tech educators to prepare me for the practical portion (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaBvIhxUfs_3SdsRCslp-k-gGsJN0XI1x&si=HUJ6FM0I07Zk6Sq_).

***A tip for preparing for the practical, purchase all supplies at least two weeks before you sit for the practical and prepare your manikin with a full well tip (https://a.co/d/50es5Bk) hand before showing up to the exam site. The proctor WILL exam your manikin hand before they permit you into the exam room.

During the holiday season of 2023, I decided to kick off the resolutions early by becoming licensed and starting the journey to advocate for license uniformity. I was interviewed twice by the NIC board and Certemy to provide my perspective about the journey of a licensed professional who has moved across state lines. During the interview I learned that the administrators are often underpaid and overworked when monitoring the application process for new applicants. While I can empathize with their circumstances, I also think it does a disservice to the professional who is making the effort to follow the laws of the land and become licensed to work. I support a national database to eliminate the elongated process for licensed nail technicians to become reinstated in another state. It is time away from other business endeavors.

We cannot make change if we are quiet about the issues. And that has been my mission as a licensed professional, advocate, and nail salon expert.

Read the full interview with Certemy and NIC by clicking the link: https://conta.cc/3SwrEF1

Continue to advocate!

Ciao,
Rah

The State Board of Cosmetology Nail Tech Practical Exam Materials

 Good news! I passed my theory exam on December 9th, 2023 for the State of South Carolina and thought I would share what’s next. Hopefully you have had a wonderful year and have begun to plan for 2024 and what it will look like for you. I am putting it in the atmosphere that you will be successful in all that you do. Continue to strive for excellence.

That being said, the next step in the licensing journey is to sit for the second, and final, half of the licensing exam. This final portion is called the “Practical.” Be certain to visit your state’s board of cosmetology to review the necessary products for this portion of the exam. It shouldn’t change much by state, however, it is helpful to review it beforehand. You’ve made it too far in the journey to make any mistakes.

I shared a video briefly discussing my journey and study tactics to pass the theory portion on the first attempt on my YouTube channel (click the link). I celebrated this journey because I am an advocate for keeping professional nail tech licenses in good standing no matter what. The road to remaining licensed has been a multiple stages of grief process because I originally pouted when I received the dreaded “status pending” email from the South Carolina Labor, Licensing and Regulation this time last year. I currently work full-time in a corporate setting with a Monday-Friday, 40hr. 9am-5pm schedule, so finding the time to sit for the state board again was something I grappled with for some time before ultimately deciding to do something about it.

My results are still pending on the state board’s website, however, I received my “Pass” notification from the exam site. I also reached out to the NIC Board of Directors to discuss ways to mitigate license barriers in the future for licensed nail technology professionals who cross state lines and wish to remain a licensed, practicing, nail technician in good standing. In the mean time, I am preparing for both my meeting with the NIC Board and the practical exam.

Below are the materials for the practical exam.

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 low-odor/less-odor and factory sealed in its original container with manufacturer’s label. Polymer must be in its original container with manufacturer’s label. (Please check State specific examination guidelines) Primer (if used) must be in original container with manufacturer’s label.
 top coat
 towel(s) 

Good luck with your journey and, as always, check with your respective state board to be for certain you have the correct materials.

Ciao,

Rah 

BTartBox Nails Nail Haul

Hey, Good People Nails By Rah here! First and foremost, I would to thank you all for rocking with me this past year! We grew our channel! And we thank you so much!

I won’t keep you too long but I received some new products that I wanted to share!

A few weeks ago, I received an e-mail inviting me to collaborate with BT Art Box. I usually don’t respond but I felt moved to respond and yesterday I received my package! I love it! It was in perfect timing too because I was just saying how much I needed to buy gel polish. My current inventory is all dip powder acrylic and little to no polish. (Ya’ gotta give the people what they want!)

Description:

Gel Polish Colors:

https://btartboxnails.com/

“Rah, what’s on your nails?”

Oh darling, this is Red by Premium Nail Design Elite Dipping Powder.

Let’s Stay Connected: IG: @nailsbyrah Podcast: anchor.fm/nails-by-rah Email: nailsbyrah@gmail.com Blog: http://www.confessionsofanailtech.wordpress.com #NailVlogger #nailtech #dippowdernails