Arguing with the state board

Hi all,

I attended nail tech school sometime back in 2001, completed the course but never sat for my exam. Now 20+ years later I am trying to get the board to look up my records so I can just go take the exam (the school I attended has since closed so I can’t ask them). Does anyone have any insight into how long they keep records? Seems to me like they should have these records but they are telling me they don’t have mine. I’ve paid for a search, I spoken to numerous people via phone and email and get a different story each time. I’ve been overly nice and patient because I know what I am asking for is a pain and ultimately they are the ones who (should) have what I need, but I’m at an impasse with them and getting frustrated. I’m afraid if I get “Karen” on them they will refuse to help me going forward. I’m also not convinced that the search they did do was done using my maiden name (that’s a whole other debacle I’ve had with my esti license and them). If they can’t give me my info I’m going to have to do school again which I would really like to avoid for both money and time reasons. Any suggestions on how to proceed? I’m in Pennsylvania just in case that matters.

Thank you!!