How to Get a License to Do Pedicures

Pedicurists add style to the toenails.

A pedicurist is a nail technician who specializes in trimming, polishing, cleaning and decorating toenails. All 50 states and the District of Columbia require individuals who perform pedicures to hold a manicurist license as of May 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. State licensing bureaus typically require a separate license for manicurists, but some states allow individuals who hold a cosmetology license to perform pedicures.

Instructions

1. Complete your secondary school education. Candidates for a manicurist license typically hold a high school diploma or educational equivalent, according to the BLS, but educational requirements vary from state to state. Kentucky requires candidates to complete at least two years of high school, while Minnesota requires applicants to have at least a 12th grade education or equivalent. Most states have a minimum age requirement.

2. Complete courses from a barber college or school that is approved by your state board of cosmetology. Most states require formal training, although the requirements vary. The Illinois Division of Professional Regulation requires candidates for a nail technician license to complete 350 hours of instruction while the Kentucky State Board of Hairdressers & Cosmetologists requires candidates for a manicurist license to complete 600 hours of instruction.

3. Pass your state's licensure examinations. Some states, such as Tennessee, require candidates to pass both the written examination and a practical examination. Candidates for licensure must complete the proper application and pay the prescribed license fee. Manicurist licenses must typically be renewed periodically.

Tips & Warnings

• New job opportunities for manicurists and pedicurist should grow by approximately 19 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the BLS, but competition at the best paying, high-end salons is expected to be intense.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Barbers, Cosmetologists, and Other Personal Appearance Workers
• Education Portal: Nail Technician: Educational Requirements to Be a Manicurist or Pedicurist
• Manicure: Nail Technicians License By State

Resources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2010 39-5092 Manicurists and Pedicurists