Nail Technician License Requirements by State
Nail technicians provide manicure, pedicure, and artificial-nail services in salons and spas. Licensure requires completing a state-approved nail technology program — typically 150 to 600 hours depending on the state — and passing a written and practical exam, usually administered through PSI Services or the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC), with training-hour requirements and renewal cycles set independently by each board.
- States verified
- 51
- Median wage (BLS 2024)
- $34,660/yr
- Employment (BLS 2024)
- 210,100
- Outlook (10-yr)
- +7%
Pick your state
Requirements at a glance
| State | Training hours | Upfront cost | Renewal cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 750 hrs | $255 | Every 2 years |
| Alaska | 12 hrs | $390 | Every 2 years |
| Arizona | 600 hrs | $237 | Every 2 years |
| Arkansas | 480 hrs | $125 | Every 2 years |
| California | 400 hrs | $110 | Every 2 years |
| Colorado | 600 hrs | $163 | Every 2 years |
| Connecticut | 100 hrs | $100 | Every 2 years |
| Delaware | 300 hrs | — | Every 2 years |
| District of Columbia | 350 hrs | $267 | Every 2 years |
| Florida | 180 hrs | $70 | Every 2 years |
| Georgia | 525 hrs | $139 | Every 2 years |
| Hawaii | 350 hrs | $125 | Every 2 years |
| Idaho | 400 hrs | $298 | Every 2 years |
| Illinois | 350 hrs | $215 | Every 2 years |
| Indiana | 450 hrs | $80 | Every 4 years |
| Iowa | 325 hrs | $143 | Every 2 years |
| Kansas | 350 hrs | $210 | Every 2 years |
| Kentucky | 450 hrs | $220 | Every 2 years |
| Louisiana | 500 hrs | $168 | Every 1 year |
| Maine | 200 hrs | $289 | Every 1 year |
| Maryland | 250 hrs | $122 | Every 2 years |
| Massachusetts | 100 hrs | $223 | Every 2 years |
| Michigan | 600 hrs | $245 | Every 2 years |
| Minnesota | 350 hrs | $280 | Every 3 years |
| Mississippi | 350 hrs | $75 | Every 2 years |
| Missouri | 400 hrs | $150 | Every 2 years |
| Montana | 400 hrs | $359 | Every 2 years |
| Nebraska | 300 hrs | $95 | Every 2 years |
| Nevada | 600 hrs | $195 | Every 2 years |
| New Hampshire | 300 hrs | $242 | Every 2 years |
| New Jersey | 300 hrs | $140 | Every 2 years |
| New Mexico | 400 hrs | $313 | Every 1 year |
| New York | 250 hrs | $70 | Every 4 years |
| North Carolina | 300 hrs | $188 | Every 1 year |
| North Dakota | 350 hrs | $225 | Every 1 year |
| Ohio | 200 hrs | $85 | Every 2 years |
| Oklahoma | 600 hrs | $130 | Every 1 year |
| Oregon | 241 hrs | $155 | Every 2 years |
| Pennsylvania | 200 hrs | $119 | Every 2 years |
| Rhode Island | 300 hrs | $100 | Every 2 years |
| South Carolina | 300 hrs | $212 | Every 2 years |
| South Dakota | 400 hrs | $120 | Every 1 year |
| Tennessee | 600 hrs | $200 | Every 2 years |
| Texas | 600 hrs | $181 | Every 2 years |
| Utah | 300 hrs | $270 | Every 2 years |
| Vermont | 200 hrs | $345 | Every 2 years |
| Virginia | 150 hrs | $314 | Every 2 years |
| Washington | 600 hrs | $323 | Every 2 years |
| West Virginia | 400 hrs | $263 | Every 1 year |
| Wisconsin | 300 hrs | — | Every 2 years |
| Wyoming | 400 hrs | $224 | Every 2 years |
Upfront cost = application fee + license fee + exam fees, from each state's verified fee schedule. States marked "coming soon" are being verified against their issuing board and will be published shortly.