Nail Technician License Requirements by State
Every state licenses nail technicians through its cosmetology board, each with its own training hours, exams, and fees. Compare nail tech license requirements for the states covered below, with links to each state's full guide.
Jump to your state ↓What You Need to Get a Nail Technician License
Every state requires nail technicians to meet education, examination, and application requirements before practicing professionally. While specifics vary, the core process is consistent across the states covered below.
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1
Complete Nail Technician Training
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2
Pass the State Exam
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3
Submit Your Application
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4
Renew on Schedule
Complete Nail Technician Training
Training hour requirements vary by state, ranging from 12–750 hrs at a state-approved school.
Pass the State Exam
Most states require a written exam, and many also require a hands-on practical exam, administered by providers such as PSI, NIC-affiliated testing services, or a state-specific provider.
Submit Your Application
Apply to your state board with proof of training completion, exam results, and applicable fees. Processing times vary by state.
Renew on Schedule
Most Nail Technician licenses renew every 1–4 years, and some states require continuing education hours before each cycle.
What to Expect Across the States Covered
12–750 hrs
Required Training Hours
State requirements for Nail Technician licensure vary widely, from 12–750 hrs at a Board-approved school.
19/51 States
Require a Practical Exam
Alongside a written exam, 19 of the states covered below also require a hands-on practical component.
1–4 Years
Typical Renewal Cycle
Most Nail Technician licenses renew every 1–4 years, though the exact cycle and fees vary by state.
Nail Technician Requirements — State by State
| State | Training Hours | Application Fee | Renewal Fee | Renewal Period | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 750 hrs | $50 | $100 | 2 years | View → |
| Alaska | 12 hrs | $330 | $180 | 2 years | View → |
| Arizona | 600 hrs | $60 | $60 | 2 years | View → |
| Arkansas | 600 hrs | $125 | $50 | 2 years | View → |
| California | 400 hrs | $110 | $50 | 2 years | View → |
| Colorado | 600 hrs | $32 | $26 | 2 years | View → |
| Connecticut | 100 hrs | $100 | $100 | 2 years | View → |
| Delaware | 300 hrs | $103 | $101 | 2 years | View → |
| District of Columbia | 350 hrs | $175 | $110 | 2 years | View → |
| Florida | 180 hrs | $70 | $40 | 2 years | View → |
| Georgia | 525 hrs | $30 | $45 | 2 years | View → |
| Hawaii | 350 hrs | $92 | $146 | 2 years | View → |
| Idaho | 400 hrs | $90 | $60 | 2 years | View → |
| Illinois | 350 hrs | $30 | $50 | 2 years | View → |
| Indiana | 450 hrs | $40 | $40 | 2 years | View → |
| Iowa | 325 hrs | $60 | $60 | 2 years | View → |
| Kansas | 350 hrs | $60 | $50 | 2 years | View → |
| Kentucky | 450 hrs | $50 | $100 | 2 years | View → |
| Louisiana | 500 hrs | $35 | $35 | 1 year | View → |
| Maine | 200 hrs | $20 | $20 | 1 year | View → |
| Maryland | 250 hrs | $28 | $28 | 2 years | View → |
| Massachusetts | 100 hrs | $68 | $68 | 2 years | View → |
| Michigan | 600 hrs | $63 | $48 | 2 years | View → |
| Minnesota | 350 hrs | $195 | $115 | 3 years | View → |
| Mississippi | 350 hrs | $50 | $50 | 2 years | View → |
| Missouri | 400 hrs | $25 | $30 | 2 years | View → |
| Montana | 400 hrs | $80 | $80 | 2 years | View → |
| Nebraska | 300 hrs | $95 | $118 | 2 years | View → |
| Nevada | 600 hrs | $15 | $70 | 2 years | View → |
| New Hampshire | 300 hrs | $82 | $82 | 2 years | View → |
| New Jersey | 300 hrs | $50 | $90 | 2 years | View → |
| New Mexico | 400 hrs | $100 | $100 | 1 year | View → |
| New York | 250 hrs | $40 | $40 | 4 years | View → |
| North Carolina | 300 hrs | $20 | $10 | 1 year | View → |
| North Dakota | 350 hrs | $50 | $50 | 1 year | View → |
| Ohio | 200 hrs | $45 | $65 | 2 years | View → |
| Oklahoma | 600 hrs | $40 | $40 | 1 year (2-year renewal also available) | View → |
| Oregon | 241 hrs | $30 | $65 | 2 years | View → |
| Pennsylvania | 200 hrs | $26 | $97 | 2 years | View → |
| Rhode Island | 300 hrs | $25 | $25 | 2 years | View → |
| South Carolina | 300 hrs | $45 | $52 | 2 years | View → |
| South Dakota | 400 hrs | $120 | $45 | 1 year | View → |
| Tennessee | 600 hrs | $60 | $60 | 2 years | View → |
| Texas | 600 hrs | $50 | $50 | 2 years | View → |
| Utah | 300 hrs | $60 | $52 | 2 years | View → |
| Vermont | 200 hrs | $120 | $155 | 2 years | View → |
| Virginia | 150 hrs | $120 | $120 | 2 years | View → |
| Washington | 600 hrs | $35 | $66 | 2 years | View → |
| West Virginia | 400 hrs | $35 | $35 | 1 year | View → |
| Wisconsin | 300 hrs | $11 | $11 | 2 years | View → |
| Wyoming | 400 hrs | $48 | $96 | 2 years | View → |
Alabama
- Training Hours
- 750 hrs
- Application Fee
- $50
- Renewal Fee
- $100
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Alaska
- Training Hours
- 12 hrs
- Application Fee
- $330
- Renewal Fee
- $180
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Arizona
- Training Hours
- 600 hrs
- Application Fee
- $60
- Renewal Fee
- $60
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Arkansas
- Training Hours
- 600 hrs
- Application Fee
- $125
- Renewal Fee
- $50
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
California
- Training Hours
- 400 hrs
- Application Fee
- $110
- Renewal Fee
- $50
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Colorado
- Training Hours
- 600 hrs
- Application Fee
- $32
- Renewal Fee
- $26
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Connecticut
- Training Hours
- 100 hrs
- Application Fee
- $100
- Renewal Fee
- $100
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Delaware
- Training Hours
- 300 hrs
- Application Fee
- $103
- Renewal Fee
- $101
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
District of Columbia
- Training Hours
- 350 hrs
- Application Fee
- $175
- Renewal Fee
- $110
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Florida
- Training Hours
- 180 hrs
- Application Fee
- $70
- Renewal Fee
- $40
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Georgia
- Training Hours
- 525 hrs
- Application Fee
- $30
- Renewal Fee
- $45
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Hawaii
- Training Hours
- 350 hrs
- Application Fee
- $92
- Renewal Fee
- $146
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Idaho
- Training Hours
- 400 hrs
- Application Fee
- $90
- Renewal Fee
- $60
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Illinois
- Training Hours
- 350 hrs
- Application Fee
- $30
- Renewal Fee
- $50
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Indiana
- Training Hours
- 450 hrs
- Application Fee
- $40
- Renewal Fee
- $40
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Iowa
- Training Hours
- 325 hrs
- Application Fee
- $60
- Renewal Fee
- $60
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Kansas
- Training Hours
- 350 hrs
- Application Fee
- $60
- Renewal Fee
- $50
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Kentucky
- Training Hours
- 450 hrs
- Application Fee
- $50
- Renewal Fee
- $100
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Louisiana
- Training Hours
- 500 hrs
- Application Fee
- $35
- Renewal Fee
- $35
- Renewal Period
- 1 year
Maine
- Training Hours
- 200 hrs
- Application Fee
- $20
- Renewal Fee
- $20
- Renewal Period
- 1 year
Maryland
- Training Hours
- 250 hrs
- Application Fee
- $28
- Renewal Fee
- $28
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Massachusetts
- Training Hours
- 100 hrs
- Application Fee
- $68
- Renewal Fee
- $68
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Michigan
- Training Hours
- 600 hrs
- Application Fee
- $63
- Renewal Fee
- $48
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Minnesota
- Training Hours
- 350 hrs
- Application Fee
- $195
- Renewal Fee
- $115
- Renewal Period
- 3 years
Mississippi
- Training Hours
- 350 hrs
- Application Fee
- $50
- Renewal Fee
- $50
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Missouri
- Training Hours
- 400 hrs
- Application Fee
- $25
- Renewal Fee
- $30
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Montana
- Training Hours
- 400 hrs
- Application Fee
- $80
- Renewal Fee
- $80
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Nebraska
- Training Hours
- 300 hrs
- Application Fee
- $95
- Renewal Fee
- $118
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Nevada
- Training Hours
- 600 hrs
- Application Fee
- $15
- Renewal Fee
- $70
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
New Hampshire
- Training Hours
- 300 hrs
- Application Fee
- $82
- Renewal Fee
- $82
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
New Jersey
- Training Hours
- 300 hrs
- Application Fee
- $50
- Renewal Fee
- $90
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
New Mexico
- Training Hours
- 400 hrs
- Application Fee
- $100
- Renewal Fee
- $100
- Renewal Period
- 1 year
New York
- Training Hours
- 250 hrs
- Application Fee
- $40
- Renewal Fee
- $40
- Renewal Period
- 4 years
North Carolina
- Training Hours
- 300 hrs
- Application Fee
- $20
- Renewal Fee
- $10
- Renewal Period
- 1 year
North Dakota
- Training Hours
- 350 hrs
- Application Fee
- $50
- Renewal Fee
- $50
- Renewal Period
- 1 year
Ohio
- Training Hours
- 200 hrs
- Application Fee
- $45
- Renewal Fee
- $65
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Oklahoma
- Training Hours
- 600 hrs
- Application Fee
- $40
- Renewal Fee
- $40
- Renewal Period
- 1 year (2-year renewal also available)
Oregon
- Training Hours
- 241 hrs
- Application Fee
- $30
- Renewal Fee
- $65
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Pennsylvania
- Training Hours
- 200 hrs
- Application Fee
- $26
- Renewal Fee
- $97
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Rhode Island
- Training Hours
- 300 hrs
- Application Fee
- $25
- Renewal Fee
- $25
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
South Carolina
- Training Hours
- 300 hrs
- Application Fee
- $45
- Renewal Fee
- $52
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
South Dakota
- Training Hours
- 400 hrs
- Application Fee
- $120
- Renewal Fee
- $45
- Renewal Period
- 1 year
Tennessee
- Training Hours
- 600 hrs
- Application Fee
- $60
- Renewal Fee
- $60
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Texas
- Training Hours
- 600 hrs
- Application Fee
- $50
- Renewal Fee
- $50
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Utah
- Training Hours
- 300 hrs
- Application Fee
- $60
- Renewal Fee
- $52
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Vermont
- Training Hours
- 200 hrs
- Application Fee
- $120
- Renewal Fee
- $155
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Virginia
- Training Hours
- 150 hrs
- Application Fee
- $120
- Renewal Fee
- $120
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Washington
- Training Hours
- 600 hrs
- Application Fee
- $35
- Renewal Fee
- $66
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
West Virginia
- Training Hours
- 400 hrs
- Application Fee
- $35
- Renewal Fee
- $35
- Renewal Period
- 1 year
Wisconsin
- Training Hours
- 300 hrs
- Application Fee
- $11
- Renewal Fee
- $11
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
Wyoming
- Training Hours
- 400 hrs
- Application Fee
- $48
- Renewal Fee
- $96
- Renewal Period
- 2 years
No states match your search.
Helpful Resources
Cosmetology License Requirements
Training hours, exam providers, fees, and renewal periods for cosmetology licenses in every state.
Learn more →License Lookup
Verify any license using the official state board lookup tools.
Learn more →License Reciprocity
Moving states? See how endorsement and reciprocity work and what documents you need.
Learn more →License Renewal
Renewal fees, deadlines, and CE requirements for every state.
Learn more →Getting licensed is only the first step
Meeting the requirements above gets you licensed as a nail technician, but it doesn't keep you licensed. Many states require continuing education before every renewal, and a lapsed license can mean starting the process over. If you already hold a license and are relocating, reciprocity or endorsement rules — not the requirements above — determine what you'll need to practice in your new state.