# How to Get a Nail Technician License in Texas (Manicurist, 2026)

> Source: PermitPulled, https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/nail-technician-license-texas
> Compiled from the public TDLR license file. Published under CC BY 4.0; attribution to PermitPulled required.
> For an individual license record, use the official TDLR search: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/

[Texas license lookup](</>) / [Get licensed](</get-licensed>) / Manicurist (nail technician)

# How to get a nail technician license in Texas

Texas does not issue a license called "nail technician". The license is **Manicurist** , and it is the second largest beauty license in the state after cosmetology operator.

Reviewed 8 October 2026 against TDLR's application page

## At a glance

Training| 600 hours at a barbering or cosmetology school licensed in Texas  
---|---  
Minimum age| 17  
Exams| Written and practical, through PSI  
Application fee| $50, non-refundable  
License term| 2 years  
  
[Official TDLR application page](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/barbering-and-cosmetology/individuals/apply-manicurist.htm>) [Exam guide and pass rates](</exams/manicurist-exam-texas>)

## Step by step

  1. **Complete the 600-hour course.** Train in a Manicurist course at a licensed school, holding a student permit while you train.
  2. **Apply once you are eligible for the written exam.** TDLR verifies your eligibility after your training requirements are complete. Apply and pay the $50 fee after you receive the written exam eligibility notice and before you sit the written exam.
  3. **Pass the written exam.** PSI emails you scheduling instructions.
  4. **Clear the background check.** Your hours must be complete and the background check cleared before TDLR sends practical exam eligibility to PSI.
  5. **Pass the practical exam.** A temporary license prints with your score report, valid for 60 days while the two-year license is mailed.

## Adding esthetics

If you also want to do skin care, there is a combined **Manicurist/Esthetician** license. You qualify either with an 800-hour combination course or by completing both the 600-hour manicurist course and the 750-hour esthetician course. The combined course is the shorter path by a wide margin.

## Working in a salon

Your license lets you practice; the place you work needs its own establishment license. Nail salons are licensed as establishments by TDLR too. See [how to get a salon license](</get-licensed/salon-license-texas>).

## How many people hold this license

The public TDLR license file dated 20 September 2026 shows **63,279 active manicurist (nail technician) licenses** , of which 30,455 come up for renewal in the next twelve months.

Where they are: Harris County (12,770), Dallas County (7,572), Tarrant County (6,049), Bexar County (3,914), Travis County (2,614).

[See the full county breakdown and renewal calendar](</trade/cosmetology-manicurist>)

## After you are licensed

  * **Renewal:** every two years, judging by the expiration dates in the license file.
  * **Continuing education:** 4 hours every 2 years: 1 sanitation, 2 related content, 1 human trafficking. Licensed 15+ years: 2 hours. [TDLR CE rules](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/barbering-and-cosmetology/individuals/continuing-education.htm>)
  * [Full renewal guide for this trade](</guides/cosmetology-license-renewal-texas>)

## Before you apply

  * **Criminal history.** TDLR runs a background check on every applicant. With any conviction other than a minor traffic offence, or a guilty or no-contest plea with deferred adjudication, include the Criminal History Questionnaire. Reviews take one to six weeks. You can ask TDLR in advance whether a conviction would bar you, through a [criminal history evaluation letter](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/crimHistoryEval.htm>).
  * **Lawful presence.** TDLR may ask for proof of lawful presence in the United States. Send documents only if it asks. [What TDLR accepts](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/lawful-presence.htm>).
  * **Trained outside Texas?** Use TDLR's [out-of-state equivalence](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/barbering-and-cosmetology/individuals/out-of-state/>) process instead of the standard application.
  * **Military.** Service members, veterans and spouses may qualify for [fee waivers and other provisions](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/military/>).

## Questions

### Do you need a license to do nails in Texas?

Yes. Manicuring for compensation requires a TDLR Manicurist license (or a cosmetology operator license, which also covers it).

### How many hours is nail tech school in Texas?

The Manicurist course is 600 hours. A combined Manicurist/Esthetician course is 800 hours.

### How many people hold this license in Texas?

The public TDLR license file dated 20 September 2026 shows 63,279 active manicurist (nail technician) licenses.

## Related licenses

  * [How to get an esthetician license in Texas](</get-licensed/esthetician-license-texas>)
  * [How to get a cosmetology license in Texas](</get-licensed/cosmetology-license-texas>)
  * [How to get an eyelash extension license in Texas](</get-licensed/eyelash-extension-license-texas>)
  * [How to get a salon license in Texas](</get-licensed/salon-license-texas>)
  * [All license guides](</get-licensed>)

## Sources

[TDLR: Apply for a Manicurist license](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/barbering-and-cosmetology/individuals/apply-manicurist.htm>). License counts compiled from the public [TDLR license file](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/licensesearch/licfile.asp>) dated 20 September 2026.

Reviewed 8 October 2026. Written by an independent site; not an official TDLR publication and not legal advice. Fees and requirements change: confirm them on the TDLR page before you apply.

**Cite this page**

PermitPulled (2026). _How to get a nail technician license in Texas._ Retrieved from `https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/nail-technician-license-texas`

Figures compiled from the public TDLR license file and published under [CC BY 4.0](<https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/>). Attribution required.