Getting a nail license in New Jersey: Required training hours

300 hours of instruction in manicuring at an approved school in New Jersey, another state or a foreign country. Training completed elsewhere must, in the Board's opinion, be substantially similar to that offered at licensed schools within New Jersey.

Getting a nail license in New Jersey: Age and schooling

At least 17 years old, with proof of successful completion of high school or its equivalent.

Getting a nail license in New Jersey: How the exam works

Take and pass an examination administered by the Board. Prometric has administered the written licensing examinations since August 3, 2020: the school uploads your eligibility when you complete the course, you receive an email confirmation, then you pay and schedule the exam with Prometric. The Board's page does not say whether the exam is offered in Vietnamese.

Getting a nail license in New Jersey: If you are licensed in another state

The Board's FAQ answers this one directly, and the answer is that an out-of-state license does not let you work here: you must submit an "out-of-state" application with the required documentation and pass the Board's examination. That application cannot be downloaded, it must be requested in writing and is then mailed to you, so ask early. SAID PLAINLY: the Licensing Requirements page does carry an Endorsement paragraph, but it names only cosmetologist-hairstylist applicants and says nothing about manicurists, so do not assume a nail license can take that route.

Getting a nail license in New Jersey

What New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling publishes about getting a nail license, checked on September 7, 2026.

Required training hours: 300 hours of instruction in manicuring at an approved school in New Jersey, another state or a foreign country. Training completed elsewhere must, in the Board's opinion, be substantially similar to that offered at licensed schools within New Jersey.; Source: New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling - Licensing requirements · Checked September 7, 2026
Age and schooling: At least 17 years old, with proof of successful completion of high school or its equivalent.; Source: New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling - Licensing requirements · Checked September 7, 2026
How the exam works: Take and pass an examination administered by the Board. Prometric has administered the written licensing examinations since August 3, 2020: the school uploads your eligibility when you complete the course, you receive an email confirmation, then you pay and schedule the exam with Prometric. The Board's page does not say whether the exam is offered in Vietnamese.; Source: New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling - Applications and forms · Checked September 7, 2026
If you are licensed in another state: The Board's FAQ answers this one directly, and the answer is that an out-of-state license does not let you work here: you must submit an "out-of-state" application with the required documentation and pass the Board's examination. That application cannot be downloaded, it must be requested in writing and is then mailed to you, so ask early. SAID PLAINLY: the Licensing Requirements page does carry an Endorsement paragraph, but it names only cosmetologist-hairstylist applicants and says nothing about manicurists, so do not assume a nail license can take that route.; Source: New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling - Frequently Asked Questions · Checked September 14, 2026

Every line carries its own check date, because a page is only as trustworthy as its oldest line.

The oldest line on this page was checked September 7, 2026

Read the general guide to the nail license

Nail license, state by state

Getting a nail license in New Jersey

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