The nail trade is how hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese people in the US make a living. This page gathers the rights that come with the work, the jobs open now, and the people looking for work in the trade.
Four guides built on federal rules, each citing .gov sources. Anything that could not be verified is marked as something to check for your own state.
Worker rights
Getting a 1099 does not make you an independent contractor. The three groups of questions the IRS uses, and the two forms to file if you were misclassified.
About 5 min read · Updated September 1, 2026
Worker rights
The federal minimum wage, the time-and-a-half rule after 40 hours in a week, and the rule that owners and managers may never keep a worker's tips.
About 4 min read · Updated September 1, 2026
Worker rights
The chemicals OSHA names, why a surgical mask does not protect you, how much ventilation matters, and the safety data sheet your employer must let you see.
About 4 min read · Updated September 1, 2026
Worker rights
Workers' compensation is a state system, not a federal one. Six things to do in the first week, and why being misclassified as a contractor costs you cover.
About 4 min read · Updated September 1, 2026
Every state requires a license to do nails, and the hours, fees and exam languages differ in each one. California, Texas, New York and Oregon give the exam in Vietnamese.
See the nail license, state by state →The shop needs a license of its own, separate from yours. The fee, what the premises must have, and whether you can open before the inspection differ by state. In New Jersey a salon must employ a manager with three years of licensed experience; in Pennsylvania it cannot open before the inspection; in North Carolina it opens first and is inspected after.
See the salon license, state by state →The license you worked for expires, and in most states it can be lost for good if it stays lapsed long enough. What renewal costs, whether classes are required, and how long the door stays open are all per-state.
Renewing the license, state by state →OSHA, the federal workplace safety agency, publishes its nail salon worker safety guide in Vietnamese as OSHA 3558. It is official, free and downloadable.
Open OSHA 3558 (PDF, Vietnamese)No nail listings yet. If you own a salon, posting is free.
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