The road to building your successful career as a nail tech doesn’t stop after you complete school and obtain your license. That license needs to be routinely renewed to ensure that you can continue your passion legally. By renewing your license in a timely manner, you’re able to advance your career while prioritizing client safety and demonstrating your ability to stay on top of industry trends. Failing to do so can result in the license you’ve worked so hard for going inactive, followed by a challenging reinstatement process.
Although renewing your nail tech license may seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of the process so you know what to expect and can ensure that, when the time comes, your license renewal goes smoothly.
Manicurist License Renewal Process
Every state has its own license renewal requirements, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with yours, but in general, renewing your license is simpler than obtaining it. You won’t need nearly as many training hours — if any — nor do you need to take another exam. And, renewals can typically be taken care of online, speeding up the process.
Keep in mind, state renewal requirements can change at any time, so you will want to check your state’s licensing agency’s website as your renewal date nears. In Illinois, this is the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation. In Indiana, this is the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. And in Wisconsin, this is the Department of Safety and Professional Services.
Nail Tech License Renewal Requirements
As is the case with most things concerning the renewal of a nail tech license, renewal timing will vary per state. In Illinois and Wisconsin, for example, licenses expire on a specific date every two years, whereas in Indiana, licenses expire every four years.
In order to avoid the penalties of a late renewal or inactive license, you’ll want to begin your license renewal process well before its expiration date. Yes, online renewals are meant to make the process go faster, but waiting until the last minute might result in you realizing you’re missing a key requirement, impacting your ability to practice. Renewal windows typically open up at least a month before the specified expiration date, giving you plenty of time to complete the process.
License Documentation for Nail Techs
Key documentation you’ll need to renew your nail tech license includes up-to-date personal information, like your address and residency status, as well as certificates of completion for your continuing education hours.
Continuing education hours are earned by taking state-approved courses designed to keep beauty industry professionals up to date on relevant laws, health and safety procedures, trends, and more. Continuing education hours can’t be obtained overnight, so it’s important to know how many hours your state requires for license renewal well before your license is set to expire.
Keep in mind that some states, like Indiana, do not require continuing education for license renewal, although it’s always encouraged. States like Illinois and Wisconsin, however, do. In Illinois, you’ll need 10 continuing education hours, whereas Wisconsin only requires four.
Manicurist License Renewal Costs
Renewing your manicurist license typically comes with a small renewal fee. As you can probably guess by now, this varies by state too. Certain states’ renewal fees can be as low as $10, but they require licenses to be renewed more frequently. In Indiana, where you only need to renew every four years, the current renewal fee (if done on time) is $40. However, renewing after your license’s expiration date will add a $50 late fee to that amount.
In some states, like Wisconsin, you can pay to make your license inactive instead of renewing, which is helpful if you plan to take a break from practicing but wish to maintain your credentials. Before you make this decision, make sure you’re aware of any additional requirements needed to reactivate your license when that time comes.
Repercussions of Not Renewing Your Nail Tech License
Life can get pretty busy, making it hard to prioritize license renewal, but not doing so can result in consequences that range from a pesky late fee to career-ending legal ramifications, should something go wrong while practicing with an inactive or expired license.
Moreover, in states where CE hours are required for renewal, not renewing your license means missing out on key learning that can further your career, such as the latest laws and safety procedures, as well as new and trending techniques. Should you wish to start practicing as a licensed nail technician again, not only will you face a lengthy license reinstatement process, you’ll have a lot of catching up to do knowledge-wise.
Set Up for Career Success Every Step of the Way
At Tricoci, our goal is to set you up for success as a nail tech by providing you with high-quality training, real-world experience, and comprehensive knowledge of what to expect in your career, and license renewal is a seemingly small but highly important part of the job. With a better awareness and understanding of the process, you can ensure it won’t prevent you from thriving as a nail technician.
If you’re ready to get your nail tech career started, contact us now!
