Beauty & Personal Care

How to become a Nail Technician

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

3–9 months

Typical pay

$28k–$45k

Starting from

No experience

The steps

1. 1

   Complete a nail technology program

   Typically 250–600 hours — the fastest licensed route in this field.

   3–6 months

   Course that covers thisMilady Cosmetology Exam Questions Practice TestUdemy · around $19.99 →
2. 2

   Pass the state board

   Written and practical, with sanitation weighted heavily.

   State nail technician licence

3. 3

   Build a specialism

   Gel extensions or nail art. Specialists set their own prices.

   6–18 months

Course links are Udemy affiliate links — we earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Licences and exams named above are issued by state boards and certifying bodies we have no relationship with; we list them because they are what the job actually requires.