From Las Vegas and Reno to Henderson and Sparks, Nevada is a gem of the West. Nevada is one of the only places in the world where people can do everything from taking in scenic sandstone formations, to doubling down on a great hand of poker. Because Nevada is such a popular destination for snowboarders, golfers, gamblers and more, your career as a nail technician in the state may very well benefit from the 3 million visitors that flock here every year.
You must complete a number of steps to achieve state licensure as a nail technician through the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology:
Step 1. Complete a Nail Technician Program in Nevada
The Board requires that you complete a nail technician program of at least 600 hours as the first step toward licensure as a nail technician in Nevada. The Board maintains a current list of approved nail technician schools that you can view here.
The Board recognizes nail technologists as beauty professionals permitted to:
- Care for a client’s fingernails and toenails
- Beautify a client’s nails
- Extend a client’s nails (artificial nail extensions)
- Massage a client’s hands, feet, forearms, and lower legs
If you completed a nail technician program outside of Nevada, you must provide the Board with your original school hours, which must include a breakdown of the hours and a list of all subjects taken (and the number of hours per subject). This is to ensure the program meets the minimum requirements for licensure as a nail technician in Nevada. You must have your program and hours approved by the Board before you can apply for a nail technician license.
Step 2. Complete and Submit an Application for Licensure
You must request an application for licensure from the Board upon the completion of a nail technology program by completing and submitting an Application Request Form, along with a cashier’s check for $15. The Board will then send you an application packet for a nail technician license, along with all necessary forms.
Once you have received the application packet, you must complete it and all required forms and send them back to the Board, along with the written and practical examination fee of $110 and an initial license fee, which will vary depending on your birthdate.
You must be at least 18 years old and have completed at least the 10th grade to qualify for licensure in Nevada. Therefore, the Board will require that you submit proof of both.
Once the Board has approved your application, you will receive an acceptance letter regarding the designated day and time of your written and practical examinations. You must present your acceptance letter and picture identification when appearing for your examinations.
Step 3. Take and Pass the Written and Practical Examinations
You will be required to complete both a written and practical examination in nail technology to qualify for a nail technologist license in Nevada.
The written and oral tests will assess your knowledge in:
- Antisepsis, sterilization, and sanitation
- The use of mechanical devices and electricity when caring for the nails
- The laws of Nevada and the regulations of the Board relating to cosmetology
You will be notified within 3 weeks of taking your written examination whether you have passed.
The practical examination requires you to complete a number of practical demonstrations in nail technology, pedicuring, and/or wrapping or extending nails. You must bring all the required equipment to your examination.
You must pass all examinations with a 75 percent or better to qualify for a license as a nail technologist in Nevada.
Step 4. Start your Career and Maintain your Nail Technologist License
Your Nevada nail technologist license will expire every 2 years on your birthday. You must pay the renewal fee of $70 and complete at least 4 hours in infection control courses every two-year period to renew your license. You can take the infection control course here, free of charge. You must print the certificate of completion and include it with your renewal.
There is a wide array of professional opportunities for nail technologists in Nevada. You can begin your career working as an employee for a mobile salon or in a popular nail salon, full-service salon, or spa, or you may choose to take your manicurist career into your own hands and rent space in a nail salon and work as an independent contractor. Nevada may also be the ideal location in which to open up your own nail salon!
The following is just a small sampling of the many popular salons in Nevada that support nail technician jobs:
- Pink Nails, Las Vegas
- Luxy Nail Salon, Las Vegas
- SOAK Lounge, Reno
- Diamond Nails and Spa, Las Vegas
- Future Nail Salon, Henderson
- Modern Nails, Fernley
- Royal Nails and Spa, Las Vegas
There are also many upscale nail salons found within some of Las Vegas’ most popular casinos/resorts:
- Canyon Ranch Spa Club, Venetian Resort Hotel Casino
- Drift Spa, Palms Place Hotel and Spa
- Four Seasons Spa, Four Seasons Hotel
- Glow, Tropicana
- Golden Nugget Spa, Golden Nugget
- The Spa at Bally’s Las Vegas
- The Spa at ARIA, ARIA Resort & Casino