California Cosmetology Written ExamSafety and Infection ControlMedium
A nail salon advertises that it uses a UV light cabinet to disinfect its metal implements between clients. Under California Title 16 regulations, is this practice acceptable?
- AYes, UV cabinets are an approved standalone disinfection method
- BYes, but only for implements used on clients with no cuts or infections
- CNo, UV cabinets may only be used to store implements after proper wet disinfection
- DNo, UV cabinets are banned entirely from California salons
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. No, UV cabinets may only be used to store implements after proper wet disinfection
UV light cabinets are not recognized as an approved method of disinfection in California; they may only be used as a dry storage unit for implements that have already been properly disinfected using an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. UV cabinets alone do not meet Title 16's disinfection standard.
- B. There is no exception based on client skin condition; UV alone never counts as disinfection.
- D. UV cabinets aren't banned, they're just limited to storage use, not disinfection.
UV Cabinet Limitation
UV light cabinets are permitted in CA salons only for dry storage of already-disinfected implements, not as a disinfection method itself.
- Immersion in EPA-registered disinfectant is still required first.
- UV alone does not satisfy Title 16 disinfection standards.
- Mislabeling UV storage as 'disinfection' is a common inspection violation.
Memory trick: 'UV keeps it dry, disinfectant keeps it clean' — two separate jobs.