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Licensed Nail Technician
Nail technician licensing requires completing an approved training program with hours varying from 100 to 750 depending on the state, then passing both written and practical exams. Most states also require a separate salon license for nail establishments. Apprenticeship pathways and reciprocity options vary significantly by state.
51
Total States
381 hrs
Avg Training Hours
48
Practical Exam States
5.9 hrs
Avg CE Hours
Nail tech licensing involves completing an approved training program, passing written and practical exams, and meeting state-specific requirements for salon operation and sanitation.
Complete a state-approved nail technology program from a licensed cosmetology school. Required training hours range from 100 to 750 depending on the state. Some states also allow apprenticeship pathways as an alternative to formal schooling.
Most states require both a written knowledge exam and a hands-on practical exam. Exams are typically administered by NIC (National-Interstate Council) or state-specific testing providers. Passing scores generally range from 70% to 75%.
Operating a nail salon typically requires a separate establishment license, regular health inspections, and compliance with sanitation and ventilation standards. Individual nail technicians must also maintain their personal license alongside any salon license.
Click any column header to sort. Click a state to view full requirements.
| State | Title | Training Hours | Written Exam | Practical Exam | Apprenticeship | Fees | CE Hours | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | Nail Technician | 750 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $132 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | Nail Technician | 12 | Yes | No | No | $176 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | Nail Technician | 600 | Yes | Yes | No | $162 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | Nail Technician | 600 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $122 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| California(CA) | Nail Technician | 400 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $175 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | Nail Technician | 600 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $152 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | Nail Technician | 100 | Yes | Yes | No | $232 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | Nail Technician | 300 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $181 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | Nail Technician | 350 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $252 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | Nail Technician | 240 | Yes | No | No | $200 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | Nail Technician | 525 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $127 | 5 | Mar 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | Nail Technician | 350 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $132 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | Nail Technician | 400 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $132 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | Nail Technician | 350 | Yes | No | Yes | $105 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | Nail Technician | 450 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $147 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | Nail Technician | 325 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $172 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | Nail Technician | 350 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $157 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | Nail Technician | 600 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $127 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | Nail Technician | 500 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $132 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | Nail Technician | 200 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $132 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | Nail Technician | 250 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $162 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | Nail Technician | 100 | Yes | Yes | No | $184 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | Nail Technician | 400 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $101 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | Nail Technician | 350 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $217 | 4 | Mar 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | Nail Technician | 350 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $132 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | Nail Technician | 400 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $127 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | Nail Technician | 650 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $232 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | Nail Technician | 300 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $147 | 8 | Mar 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | Nail Technician | 600 | Yes | Yes | No | $182 | 4 | Mar 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | Nail Technician | 300 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $217 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | Nail Technician | 300 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $165 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | Nail Technician | 350 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $132 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| New York(NY) | Nail Technician | 250 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $95 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | Nail Technician | 300 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $138 | 8 | Mar 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | Nail Technician | 350 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $132 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | Nail Technician | 200 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $120 | 8 | Mar 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | Nail Technician | 600 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $122 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | Nail Technician | 350 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $157 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | Nail Technician | 300 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $102 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | Nail Technician | 300 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $132 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | Nail Technician | 300 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $122 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | Nail Technician | 400 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $127 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | Nail Technician | 600 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $140 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | Nail Technician | 600 | Yes | Yes | No | $130 | 4 | Mar 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | Nail Technician | 300 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $189 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | Nail Technician | 400 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $217 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | Nail Technician | 150 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $212 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | Nail Technician | 600 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $110 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | Nail Technician | 400 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $122 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | Nail Technician | 300 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $137 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | Nail Technician | 400 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $132 | 0 | Mar 2026 |
Nail technicians often work alongside other licensed beauty professionals. Explore related licensing requirements.
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