If you’ve been dazzled by the nail art you’ve seen on TikTok and are thinking about starting your journey as a nail technician, you may have wondered what it takes. You could even incorrectly believe that you can watch a few YouTube tutorial videos and start doing nails in your living room. As it turns out, this isn’t the case, with all 50 states within the United States having laws and regulations dictating most cosmetic professions, including nail technicians.
To become a professional nail technician, you need to typically attend some sort of formal training and pass an exam, though the specific requirements will vary from state to state. Some of these classes, like foundational information, can be done online, while a majority of states require a portion of the training to be hands-on and in person.
Can You Avoid School And Become A Nail Tech Anyway?
Simply put, no — taking classes and attending school to get your nail technician license is required in all 50 states to become a nail tech. Previously, the only state not to require a license was Connecticut, but the Connecticut Department of Health created regulations in 2021 for those who wish to pursue the profession. Training to become a nail tech typically includes foundational courses to educate you on common best practices, terms, and materials, with another portion of the training dedicated to hands-on instruction.
Practicing as a nail tech without a license is against the law and comes with penalties, including monetary fines or even jail time in some extreme cases. For instance, according to Section 4-20 of the Illinois Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985, “Whoever violates any of the following shall, for the first offense, be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor; for the second offense, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor; and for all subsequent offenses, shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony and be fined not less than $1,000 or more than $5,000.”
The exact penalties for practicing without getting your nail technician license will vary depending on what state you live in.
How To Tell If Your Nail Technician School Is Licensed
In order for your instruction and training to count toward obtaining your nail tech license, the school you attend needs to be licensed or certified by the state. Sometimes, the governing body that provides the license will have a list of all active and legal nail schools. For instance, the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation has a PDF list of all schools that are licensed in Illinois and Chicago. Although aggregation sites like Beauty School Directory also offer tools to find accredited schools, it’s always best practice to contact or call the government body that provides nail technician licenses to get an up-to-date list.
How Much School Do You Need To Get Your Nail Tech License?
The amount of training that you need to get depends on the state in which you live. It’s best to check in with your state’s regulatory body rather than relying on third-party sources, as these can often be outdated or have the wrong information. For instance, in a state like California, this is dictated by the California Board of Barbering & Cosmetology, and nail techs are required to get 400 hours of training as well as pass your state exam.
In New York, the process is handled by the New York State Division of Licensing and nail tech students are required to take 250 hours of classes from a certified nail school before taking the state exam for their license.
In Chicago, Illinois, schools like A Plus Nail School provide the 350 hours of instruction and hands-on training you need to take before taking the state license exam with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
To get started on your Nail Tech journey, schedule a tour to visit the school.
