StateLicensed

Nail Technician License Requirements in Wisconsin

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
300 hrs
Upfront cost
—
Exam
NIC Written Examination, NIC Practical Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Cosmetology Examining Board

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    High school diploma, graduation equivalency (GED/HSED), or meet the federal 'ability to benefit' criteria.. No routine background check or fingerprinting is required. However, applicants must self-report felony/drug/alcohol convictions on Form 2253. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 300 hours of training at a state-approved program. Requires completion of at least 300 training hours in a manicuring course from an approved school of manicuring or school of cosmetology, completed in no less than 7 weeks and no more than 20 weeks under Wis. Stat. § 454.06(6). [1]

  3. 3

    NIC Written Examination

    Pass the NIC Written Examination. Written Exam fees are paid directly to the contracted vendor (DL Roope Administrations) and are not published on the Wisconsin DSPS website. [2]

  4. 4

    NIC Practical Examination

    Pass the NIC Practical Examination. Practical Exam fees are paid directly to the contracted vendor (DL Roope Administrations) and are not published on the Wisconsin DSPS website. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Cosmetology Examining Board. [3]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Cosmetology Examining Board issues your Manicurist for Wisconsin.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] None specified
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $11
NIC Written Examination [2] None specified
NIC Practical Examination [2] None specified
Temporary practitioner permit [3] $10

Wisconsin DSPS renewal fee is $11. Initial application and license fees are not published as a fixed flat rate on the official pages and must be verified through the online LicensE portal at the time of application. A 10% fee reduction is available for qualifying low-income applicants under Wis. Stat. § 440.052(2).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 0 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Licenses must be renewed by March 31 of odd-numbered years. Continuing education has been eliminated as a condition of renewal for manicurists in Wisconsin under Wis. Stat. § 454.12, but licensees must review a digest of changes to statutes and rules at the time of renewal.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Licensure by endorsement is available to applicants licensed in another jurisdiction with substantially the same requirements. Endorsement applicants must submit verification of licensure and complete a one-hour course on Wisconsin statutes and rules.

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

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours are required to obtain a manicurist license in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin requires completion of at least 300 hours of training in an approved manicuring course from a licensed school of manicuring or school of cosmetology, completed in no less than 7 weeks and no more than 20 weeks.

Who administers the examinations for a Wisconsin manicurist license?

The licensing examinations (both written and practical components) are administered by DL Roope Administrations Inc., the state's contracted testing vendor.

What is the renewal cycle and fee for a Wisconsin manicurist license?

Manicurist licenses in Wisconsin are renewed biennially by March 31 of each odd-numbered year. The standard renewal fee is $11.00.

Is continuing education required to renew a manicurist license in Wisconsin?

No, Wisconsin has eliminated the continuing education requirement for manicurists. However, licensees must review a digest of changes to statutes and rules at the time of renewal.

Sources

  1. [1] docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/454 — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Manicurist/Default.aspx — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] dsps.wi.gov/Credentialing/Renewal/RenewalDatesFees.pdf — accessed 2026-07-12