StateLicensed

Nail Technician License Requirements in Colorado

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
600 hrs
Upfront cost
$163
Exam
Manicurist Practical Examination, Manicurist Written (Theory) Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations, Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 16 years old, Proof of graduation from an approved barber school or beauty school. Applicants must be at least 16 years old per C.R.S. § 12-105-111(1). No fingerprint-based criminal background check is required; applicants must answer background screening questions regarding criminal history on the application. Proof of lawful presence in the United States is required. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 600 hours of training at a state-approved program. Candidates must complete 20 credit hours or 600 contact/clock hours of training in a program approved by the Colorado Division of Private Occupational Schools or the Colorado Community College System, per 4 CCR 731-1 Rule 2.1. In-person training is required. Colorado does not offer an apprenticeship pathway for nail technicians. [1]

  3. 3

    Manicurist Practical Examination

    Pass the Manicurist Practical Examination (fee: $69). 1 hour and 45 minutes practical exam Candidates must pass the practical exam with a score of 70% or higher before scheduling the theory exam. The exam is administered by PSI Services LLC under contract with DORA. [2]

  4. 4

    Manicurist Written (Theory) Examination

    Pass the Manicurist Written (Theory) Examination (fee: $62). Computer-based written test Includes 60 scored questions and 5 pretest/unscored questions, with a 90-minute time limit. Passing score is 75% or higher. Administered by PSI Services LLC under contract with DORA. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations, Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure with the $32 application fee. [3]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Division of Professions and Occupations, Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure issues your Nail Technician License for Colorado.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $32
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] None specified
Manicurist Practical Examination [2] $69
Manicurist Written (Theory) Examination [2] $62
Manicurist Written Exam [3] $62
Manicurist Practical Exam [3] $69

The $32 application fee is paid directly to PSI when submitting the initial application. The Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensure does not charge a separate initial license-issuance fee. Renewal and endorsement fees are set administratively each cycle and are not published on static public pages; they are calculated inside the DPO Online Services portal at the time of transaction.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

Nail Technician (Manicurist) licenses expire on March 31 of even-numbered years (a 2-year cycle). Colorado does not require continuing education for standard, on-time renewals. Continuing education is required only for reinstatement of a license that has been expired for 2 or more years.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Colorado offers licensure by endorsement for applicants holding an active, unrestricted license in good standing from another jurisdiction, provided their state's training requirements are substantially equivalent to Colorado's (600 hours) and they passed a written exam. The Cosmetology Licensure Compact has been enacted by Colorado, but it does not cover specialized nail technician or manicurist licenses.

8 state-approved training providers in Colorado — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $32
  • $69
  • $62
Total$163

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does Colorado require for a Nail Technician license?

Colorado requires completion of 20 credit hours or 600 contact/clock hours of training in a program approved by the Colorado Division of Private Occupational Schools or the Colorado Community College System.

Who administers the nail technician licensing exams in Colorado?

PSI Services LLC administers both the Manicurist Written (Theory) Examination ($62) and the Manicurist Practical Examination ($69).

How often do Colorado Nail Technician licenses need to be renewed?

Licenses must be renewed every two years, expiring on March 31 of even-numbered years. Colorado does not require continuing education for routine license renewal.

Can I transfer an out-of-state manicurist license to Colorado?

Yes. You can apply for licensure by endorsement if you hold a current, unrestricted license in good standing from another jurisdiction, met similar training requirements (at least 600 hours), and passed a written exam.

What is the minimum age to get a nail technician license in Colorado?

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, per Colorado Revised Statutes § 12-105-111(1).

Sources

  1. [1] sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do — accessed 2026-07-11
  2. [2] test-takers.psiexams.com/cocos — accessed 2026-07-11
  3. [3] dpo.colorado.gov/BarberCosmetology/Applications — accessed 2026-07-11
  4. [4] dpo.colorado.gov/BarberCosmetology — accessed 2026-07-11