© 6/20 Paul Mitchell Schools
PAGE 1 OF 8
In the manicuring profession, each state establishes licensure requirements for being able to practice in their
state. Programs of study in manicuring can range anywhere from 100 clock hours to 600 clock hours, and as such,
states develop specic requirements for individuals who graduated from manicuring school in another state to be
able to become licensed in their state. This process is considered reciprocity or endorsement. We have listed the
requirements for an individual who graduates from a manicuring program in the United States and who wants to
become licensed in another state.
Please note that the school you are planning on attending has only had their curriculum evaluated by their state
to meet requirements for licensure and practice. In the eld of manicuring, each state board reviews the number
of clock hours you attended in your home state, the subject areas, and the practical experiences you completed
as a part of the process of determining what, if any, additional requirements you may have to meet in order to be
licensed in their state. We encourage all graduates who are considering becoming licensed in another state to rst
take the licensure exam in their home state, which will make it easier to transfer into another state. If you are not
licensed by your home state, the state you are considering getting licensed in may require you to take additional
training to meet their state minimum hour requirements and/or take their state licensure exam. State boards of
manicuring do not evaluate the curriculum of schools located in other states, but do, in most cases, recognize
training from other states. Please refer to the requirements below.
STATE ACCEPTS CURRICULUM RECIPROCITY REQUIREMENTS
Alabama The state allows anyone who
completed a program in another
state to request licensure.
The state reviews each request after receiving a copy of
the license from the transferring state. The individual is
required to pay a fee to apply and may be required to
take any exams based on the state they are transferring
from.
Alaska Must be licensed in a state with
equal or greater requirements (250
hours).
Verication of training, examination, and licensure from
the state board where the individual is currently licensed
as a manicurist is required. An out-of-state license must
be current when an Alaska license is issued. The
individual must have passed a state written examination
in another state where he or she is currently licensed.
If the individual did not pass a written examination, it
will be necessary to do so in Alaska before receiving a
license. An individual who has less than 250 hours of
training will be required to attend school to obtain the
additional hours required. Work experience does not
count toward licensure.
Arizona The state allows anyone who
completed a program in another
state to request licensure.
The applicant must provide a statement regarding
whether or not the applicant’s license has been
suspended or revoked, and he/she must provide proof
of training hours and graduation. If no license was
obtained, the applicant may still qualify through
meeting education and examination requirements.
Arkansas The state allows anyone who
completed a program in another
state to request licensure.
A copy of the certication of licensure must be sent to
the cosmetology board. The applicant must provide
certication of his/her exam record, which must show
the applicant has passed a written and practical national
or department-approved examination; provide proof of
training; take a state law exam; and pay a fee.
List of State Reciprocity Requirements —
Nail Technician
© 6/20 Paul Mitchell Schools
PAGE 2 OF 8
STATE ACCEPTS CURRICULUM RECIPROCITY REQUIREMENTS
California The state allows anyone who
completed a program in another
state to request licensure.
The board will grant out-of-state licensees a California
license through reciprocity without having to take the
California written and practical exam, if they meet the
following requirements:
(a) A completed application form and all fees required by
the California board.
(b) Proof of a current license issued by another state to
practice that meets all of the following requirements:
(1) It is not revoked, suspended, or otherwise restricted.
(2) It is in good standing.
(3) It has been active for three of the last ve years,
during which time the applicant has not been subject to
disciplinary action or a criminal conviction.
Colorado Must be licensed in a state with
equal or greater requirements (600
hours).
The state will issue a license by endorsement to practice
manicuring in another state to an individual who
possesses an active license in good standing if the
applicant presents proof of a valid license from another
state that is substantially equivalent to the requirements
in Colorado for licensure (600 hours). If not, the
individual may be required to take additional training
prior to becoming licensed. In order to qualify for
licensure by endorsement, an individual must have
passed a practical and/or written examination. If the
applicant only passed one examination, he/she will be
referred to PSI for completion of the other examination.
Connecticut The state allows anyone who
completed a program in another
state to request licensure.
As of January 1, 2021, a person must provide a copy of
a current license in good standing to practice as a nail
technician and a form documenting that the applicant
has two years of experience as a licensed nail technician
in another state. If the state did not have a licensing
program at the time the experience occurred, please
provide a statement indicating the same.
Delaware Must be licensed in a state with
equal or greater requirements (300
hours).
Must be licensed in a state with equal or greater
requirements (300 hours). Notarization and testing are
not required. For applicants whose home state training
and testing requirements are not equivalent to those
of DE, the applicant’s employer will need to provide a
notarized statement verifying the applicant’s license and
work experience for at least 5 years.
District of
Columbia
The district allows anyone who
completed a program and
licensure in another state to
request licensure by reciprocity.
If applying for licensure by reciprocity, the applicant must
provide a letter of good standing from a jurisdiction with
requirements which were substantially equivalent at the
time of the applicant’s licensure to those of the District
of Columbia; have passed an examination acceptable to
the board; have an active certication from a recognized
national certifying organization; and has not been
disciplined or otherwise disqualied by the national
certifying organization relied upon for the application for
licensure by endorsement.
© 6/20 Paul Mitchell Schools
PAGE 3 OF 8
STATE ACCEPTS CURRICULUM RECIPROCITY REQUIREMENTS
Florida Hold an active license in another
state with equal or greater
requirements (240).
Hold an active license in another state with equal or
greater requirements (240 hours) and have taken and
passed a written exam, or complete additional training
hours to qualify.
Georgia Must be licensed in a state that has
similar requirements (525 hours).
The state will accept licensees from other states with
similar licensure requirements (525 hours) who apply;
pay a fee; and have no disciplinary action against their
license. States not eligible for reciprocity with GA:
AK, PA, MD, MA, ME, and VA.
Hawaii Must be licensed in a state that has
similar requirements (350 hours).
Must show proof of similar/equivalent testing and
education requirements (350 hours) to those of Hawaii,
and may be required to take the written and practical
state board exam.
Idaho Must be licensed in a state that has
similar requirements (400 hours).
Must be currently licensed by another state. The
certication of licensure must show that the individual’s
training was substantially equivalent to or higher than
those required in Idaho (400 hours). Must provide proof
of having taken and passed a practical and written exam.
Illinois Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 350 hours of
training.
Must be currently licensed by another state. The
certication of licensure must show that the individual’s
training was substantially equivalent to or higher than
those required in Illinois (350 hours). Must have proof of
having taken and passed a practical and written exam.
Indiana Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 450 hours of
training.
Current license must meet the same standards that
Indiana requires, which is a minimum of 450 hours of
training. If not, one of the following would also qualify:
licensed for less than 20 years; one (1) year of licensed
experience is equal to one hundred (100) hours of
education to an applicant who has completed a
minimum of 300 hours of education. The state must also
require a passing score of at least 70% on the written
and practical exams. If the applicant has a conviction
record, include a copy of the conviction record that
indicates the disposition of the conviction.
Iowa Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 325 hours of
training.
Ocial transcript or diploma that meets the
requirements of Iowa Administrative Code (325 hours),
OR ocial verication of licensure verifying the
applicant has held an active license in another state for
at least 12 of the last 24 months directly preceding the
submission of the application. Board sta will determine
whether the previous exam meets Iowa requirements; if
it does not, the applicant will be required to take the NIC
(National Interstate Council of State Boards of
Cosmetology) exam before he/she can be licensed in the
state of Iowa.
Kansas The state allows anyone who
completed a program in
another state that has reciprocity
to request licensure.
Hold a current license in good standing; pass the Kansas
state written exam; and board may require applicant to
take a practical exam, based on experience.
© 6/20 Paul Mitchell Schools
PAGE 4 OF 8
STATE ACCEPTS CURRICULUM RECIPROCITY REQUIREMENTS
Kentucky Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 450 hours of
training.
Must provide a certication of hours and/or license from
the state licensing agency where the hours were
obtained. If the applicant’s hours obtained out of state
are equivalent to Kentucky’s hour requirement (450
hours), then the applicant will apply as an out-of-state
exam applicant. If the applicant does not have enough
hours, he/she must complete the remaining hours
required for licensure in a school of cosmetology in
Kentucky before applying for the licensing exam.
Louisiana Accepts the training provided in
other states.
A person currently holding a license in manicuring may
be licensed; if the applicant took the NIC (National
Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology)
exam, he/she only needs to take the state law test. If the
applicant did not take the NIC exam, he/she would be
required to take the NIC exam and the state law test.
Maine Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 200 hours of
training
Licensure by endorsement is available if the individual’s
home state has similar training hour requirements (200
hours) and board exams. An individual may be required
to take Maine’s exam if his or her state doesn’t have
similar licensing requirements.
Maryland Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 250 hours of
training.
The applicant must possess a current license in another
state and provide certication that the license is in good
standing and was obtained under the same standards
and testing as required in Maryland (250 hours).
Massachusetts Does not recognize licenses from
other states.
Massachusetts does not provide for reciprocity from
other states. An individual must take the state’s written
and practical board exams, apply, and pay a fee.
Michigan Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 400 hours of
training.
Training and testing requirements in the home state
must be substantially equal to Michigan’s requirements
(400 hours). If the home state’s requirements aren’t
similar, the licensee may be required to take additional
training hours and take the written and practical exams.
Minnesota Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 350 hours of
training.
Must hold a current license (current state must have
equal or greater license requirements); have passed
board-approved theory and practice-based exam; and
pass the Minnesota written operator examination. If
an individual doesn’t meet the requirements, he/she
must have held an active license for at least 3 years and
passed the board-approved theory and practice-based
exam or Minnesota written operator examination.
Mississippi Accepts the training provided in
other states.
Applicants must provide a certication of hours and/or
license from the state licensing agency where the hours
were obtained. All out-of-state hours must be certied
by the state board or ocial licensing agency of the state
where the hours were obtained. Only hours certied by
the state licensing agency will be accepted. All applicants
licensed less than three (3) years will be required to
complete the theory and practical examination.
© 6/20 Paul Mitchell Schools
PAGE 5 OF 8
STATE ACCEPTS CURRICULUM RECIPROCITY REQUIREMENTS
Missouri Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 400 hours of
training.
Hold a current license in a state with substantially similar
or superior requirements (400 hours). If the individual
has less hours than Missouri, he/she will need to take
additional training. NIC (National Interstate Council of
State Boards of Cosmetology) testing is required for all
transfers.
Montana Accepts the training provided in
other states.
Hold a current license; and proof of passing both the
written and practical NIC (National Interstate Council of
State Boards of Cosmetology) manicuring exam.
Nebraska Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 300 hours of
training.
Must hold a current license in another jurisdiction; have
completed at least 300 hours of nail technology studies;
take the Nebraska written exam if a written exam wasn’t
required by current jurisdiction; and have practiced nail
technology for at least 12 months.
Nevada Accepts the training provided in
other states except Florida, and
only accepts the Advance
Manicurist License in Alaska.
In order to be eligible for reciprocity in the state of
Nevada, your license must be active and in good
standing in another state. Applicants must complete an
application, submit the required information, and pass a
25-question Nevada State Law Test with a score of 75%
or higher to become licensed.
New Hampshire Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 300 hours of
training.
Must have an equivalent or higher number of training
hours from home state (300 hours) and have passed a
written and practical national exam. If the individual
does not have enough training hours, he/she may have
to take additional training.
New Jersey Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 300 hours of
training.
Applicants who obtained training in another state must
demonstrate with certication from the licensing
authority in the home state that the training is
substantially equivalent to the training oered in New
Jersey (300 hours), or the individual may be required to
take more training. An applicant must also have taken
and passed a practical examination in his/her state of
licensure.
New Mexico Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 350 hours of
training.
Provide an adavit from the home state’s regulatory
agency where currently licensed; hold a current license
in good standing with the individual’s home state; and
have completed equal or comparable training hours
(350 hours). If lacking hours, the licensee may substitute
up to 150 hours of veried work experience in lieu of the
minimum hours; any remaining hours would need to be
taken in school.
New York Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 250 hours of
training.
The state may waive the New York state schooling
requirement if an individual can document an
equivalent level of schooling from another state (250
hours). The individual must also provide: a school
certicate; a school transcript listing subjects and hours
completed; and a current, original certication of
licensure from the individual’s home state board.
© 6/20 Paul Mitchell Schools
PAGE 6 OF 8
STATE ACCEPTS CURRICULUM RECIPROCITY REQUIREMENTS
North Carolina Accepts the training provided in
other states except Florida, and
only accepts the Advance
Manicurist License in Alaska.
The state accepts licenses from other states that oer
reciprocity and will only have to apply. Here is a list:
https://www.nccosmeticarts.com/initiallicensing/
licinanotherstate.aspx. If reciprocity is not oered, then
you have to submit a certication of training and
licensure.
North Dakota Accepts the training provided in
other states.
Hold a current license as a manicurist from another state
and provide proof of training hours received in a school.
May be required to take the state exam for sanitary
practices and the state law.
Ohio Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 200 hours of
training.
Any person who holds a current license as a manicurist
in another state whose requirements for licensure are
substantially equivalent (200 hours) may apply to the
board for a license. A year of licensed experience may be
substituted for one hundred hours of training, up to a
maximum of two hundred hours in total. Must take and
pass Ohio’s practical and theoretical examination.
Oklahoma Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 600 hours of
training.
Education and work experience must be equal to or
greater than Oklahoma’s requirements (600 hours) and
3 years of currently licensed work experience. If both
requirements aren’t met, licensees may be required to
take Oklahoma board exams. If an individual does not
meet the education requirements or work requirements,
the licensee may be required to take additional training
hours.
Oregon Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 350 hours of
training.
To obtain an Oregon practitioner certication in
manicuring by reciprocity, a person will have to provide
proof of licensure in another state and pass all relevant
Oregon written examinations. Proof of licensure in
another state must show that the education received is
substantially equivalent to Oregon certication
requirements (350 hours).
Pennsylvania Accepts the training provided in
other states.
Reciprocity can be granted to individuals licensed in those
states with which Pennsylvania has reciprocity. To qualify
for licensure by reciprocity, an individual must have a
current license and two (2) years of working experience
from the original licensure date. If the applicant does not
meet the requirements for reciprocity, the Pennsylvania
examination (theory and practical) must be successfully
completed. The state board of cosmetology has a
reciprocal agreement with every state except
Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, New
Mexico, Rhode Island, and Utah.
Rhode Island Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 300 hours of
training.
Rhode Island does not oer reciprocity; it oers licensure
by endorsement. The applicant must meet Rhode Island
requirements (300 hours). If the licensee does not meet
criteria, he or she must get additional training hours at
school and take the state exam.
© 6/20 Paul Mitchell Schools
PAGE 7 OF 8
STATE ACCEPTS CURRICULUM RECIPROCITY REQUIREMENTS
South Carolina Accepts the training provided in
other states.
Applicant must hold a current license in good standing
in another state, and must have passed the NIC
(National Interstate Council of State Boards of
Cosmetology) examination (theory and practical). If the
individual did not take and pass the NIC examination,
he/she will be required to take the exam before a license
can be issued.
South Dakota Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 400 hours of
training.
Applicant must hold a current license in good standing
in another state; must take and pass the South Dakota
state laws and rules exam; and must have taken a course
of at least 400 hours of training in another state. If the
applicant does not meet the 400 education hours, work
hours may be added, with a maximum of 200 hours
allowed. He/she must take the South Dakota written
laws and rules test; take the NIC (National Interstate
Council of State Boards of Cosmetology) theory exam;
and take the NIC hands-on practical exam.
Tennessee Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 600 hours of
training.
Proof of meeting Tennessee’s minimum required training
hours (600 hours) and/or proof of a 5-year work history.
If the licensee is unable to meet these requirements, he
or she must submit an application to the board and may
be required to take additional training hours to meet
requirements.
Texas Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 600 hours of
training.
License holders from other states may be eligible for a
Texas license if their state has education and
examination requirements that are substantially
equivalent to Texas (600 hours).
Utah Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 600 hours of
training.
Submit verication of current license; must meet
educational (600 hours) and exam requirements.
Vermont Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 400 hours of
training.
Hold a license in a state whose requirements are equal
or superior (400 hours), and pass a state law exam.
Virginia Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 150 hours of
training.
Hold a license in a state whose requirements are equal
or superior (150 hours), and pass a practical and written
exam.
Washington Accepts the training provided in
other states.
Have a current license in good standing in another state
and have taken and passed a written and practical exam
in their state of licensure.
West Virginia Accepts the training provided in
other states.
Submit a current license from another state, and take
and pass the West Virginia state law exam.
Wisconsin Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 300 hours of
training.
Upon application and payment of the fee, the
department may grant a license to practice
manicuring to an applicant who is licensed in another
state to perform services that are substantially the same
as those performed by a licensed manicurist in
Wisconsin. The applicant completes a one-hour course
educating the applicant on statutes and rules that apply
to the practice, has never been disciplined by the l
icensing authority that issued the license, and is not a
party to a proceeding before the licensing agency.
© 6/20 Paul Mitchell Schools
PAGE 8 OF 8
STATE ACCEPTS CURRICULUM RECIPROCITY REQUIREMENTS
Wyoming Must be licensed in a state that
requires at least 400 hours of
training.
Must have a current license from another state; have
graduated from a licensed manicuring school; have
taken a written and practical exam given by the board or
testing company; and meet or exceed the 400-hour
requirements to receive a Wyoming license. If the
individual does not have 400 hours of training, one year
of work experience can lower the training hour
requirement.
