Getting a nail license in New York: Can the exam be taken in Vietnamese

Yes. The written exam is offered in Vietnamese, alongside Bengali, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Russian, Spanish, Tibetan and Turkish.

Getting a nail license in New York: Required training hours

A 250-hour approved course of study. You must be 17 years old.

Getting a nail license in New York: Fees

$40 for the application, plus $15 for each exam, meaning $15 for the written and $15 for the practical. Renewal is also $40.

Getting a nail license in New York: What the exam covers

You must pass both the New York State written and practical examinations. Passed exam results are valid for five years only.

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

New York issues the Nail Specialty license by endorsement. In the Department of State's own words, an applicant who holds a Nail Specialty license in another jurisdiction may obtain one in New York "through endorsement without examination or further education". You submit an original certification, dated within 6 months, from the jurisdiction where you hold the equivalent license. A separate route exists for five years of equivalent experience, and it ends the same way, without examination or further education.

Getting a nail license in New York: Three papers, and the 30-day trap

The file is three things: the Nail Specialty Application (DOS-1322); an Affirmation of New York State Approved School signed by your school director; and the Health Certification Forms completed by a physician, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner. DOS states that you must submit your application within 30 days after the health certification is signed and dated. So get the medical done LAST, once everything else is ready, rather than first and letting it go stale. File online through BusinessExpress.ny.gov, or post it to NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, PO Box 22001, Albany NY 12201-2001. The express services counter is at 1 Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor, Albany, NY 12231.

Getting a nail license in New York: A six month temporary license, $10

Two lines on the DOS fee list are easy to miss: a six month temporary license is $10, and a six month temporary license renewal is also $10. There is a combining rule that saves a step: if you are applying for an initial application and a temporary license at the same time, you may combine the fees and remit one $50 application fee. The temporary license is what lets you work while you finish the exams and wait for the full license, so for a new graduate that combined $50 is usually the right path.

Getting a nail license in New York: Exam day: ID, time, and how the fee gets forfeited

The written test allows you 2 and a half hours. You MUST bring a government issued signature identification that is photo-bearing, and it must be current, not expired. The appointment must be made in EXACTLY the name that appears on that identification. Results are reported as passed or failed only; you will not receive a numerical score. Four ways to lose the exam fee, in the Department's own terms: to change an appointment you must reschedule at least six days before the exam date, and once you are inside that six-day window you cannot reschedule at all; if you cancel, you forfeit the fee; if for any reason you do not appear, you forfeit the fee; and if you arrive after the specified starting time you will not be admitted and you forfeit the fee.

Getting a nail license in New York

What New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services publishes about getting a nail license, checked on September 7, 2026.

Can the exam be taken in Vietnamese: Yes. The written exam is offered in Vietnamese, alongside Bengali, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Russian, Spanish, Tibetan and Turkish.; Source: New York Department of State - Get a Nail Specialty License · Checked September 7, 2026
Required training hours: A 250-hour approved course of study. You must be 17 years old.; Source: New York Department of State - Get a Nail Specialty License · Checked September 7, 2026
Fees: $40 for the application, plus $15 for each exam, meaning $15 for the written and $15 for the practical. Renewal is also $40.; Source: New York Department of State - Get a Nail Specialty License · Checked September 7, 2026
What the exam covers: You must pass both the New York State written and practical examinations. Passed exam results are valid for five years only.; Source: New York Department of State - Get a Nail Specialty License · Checked September 7, 2026
If you are licensed in another state: New York issues the Nail Specialty license by endorsement. In the Department of State's own words, an applicant who holds a Nail Specialty license in another jurisdiction may obtain one in New York "through endorsement without examination or further education". You submit an original certification, dated within 6 months, from the jurisdiction where you hold the equivalent license. A separate route exists for five years of equivalent experience, and it ends the same way, without examination or further education.; Source: New York Department of State - Get a Nail Specialty license · Checked September 12, 2026
Three papers, and the 30-day trap: The file is three things: the Nail Specialty Application (DOS-1322); an Affirmation of New York State Approved School signed by your school director; and the Health Certification Forms completed by a physician, physician's assistant or nurse practitioner. DOS states that you must submit your application within 30 days after the health certification is signed and dated. So get the medical done LAST, once everything else is ready, rather than first and letting it go stale. File online through BusinessExpress.ny.gov, or post it to NYS Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, PO Box 22001, Albany NY 12201-2001. The express services counter is at 1 Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor, Albany, NY 12231.; Source: New York Department of State - Get a Nail Specialty License · Checked September 21, 2026
A six month temporary license, $10: Two lines on the DOS fee list are easy to miss: a six month temporary license is $10, and a six month temporary license renewal is also $10. There is a combining rule that saves a step: if you are applying for an initial application and a temporary license at the same time, you may combine the fees and remit one $50 application fee. The temporary license is what lets you work while you finish the exams and wait for the full license, so for a new graduate that combined $50 is usually the right path.; Source: New York Department of State - Get a Nail Specialty License · Checked September 21, 2026
Exam day: ID, time, and how the fee gets forfeited: The written test allows you 2 and a half hours. You MUST bring a government issued signature identification that is photo-bearing, and it must be current, not expired. The appointment must be made in EXACTLY the name that appears on that identification. Results are reported as passed or failed only; you will not receive a numerical score. Four ways to lose the exam fee, in the Department's own terms: to change an appointment you must reschedule at least six days before the exam date, and once you are inside that six-day window you cannot reschedule at all; if you cancel, you forfeit the fee; if for any reason you do not appear, you forfeit the fee; and if you arrive after the specified starting time you will not be admitted and you forfeit the fee.; Source: New York Department of State - Get a Nail Specialty License · Checked September 21, 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 York

Also about New York