MN Nail Technician licensing
Minnesota nail technician license requirements and exam prep
Confirm Minnesota nail technician training hours, exam requirements, official board sources and the matching Nail Technician practice app.
At a glance
Minnesota Nail Technician facts
- License type
- Nail Technician
- School hours
- 350 hours
- Written exam
- Required
- Practical exam
- Not required
- Exam vendor
- PSI Services LLC
- Passing score
- 75%
- Exam fees
- Written $85
- Renewal cycle
- 3 years
- Minimum age
- 17
- Last verified
- 2026-08-01
Application path
What to verify before you apply
- 1Confirm the license categoryState boards may use different names for the same career path.
- 2Verify training and exam eligibilityCheck hours, application order, fees, IDs and vendor rules from official sources.
- 3Practice once your path is clearUse the state-aware course app for written-exam practice and weak-area review.
Exam details
Written and practical exam notes
Written exam
- Status
- Required
- Questions
- 135
- Time limit
- 240 minutes
- Passing score
- 75%
- Fee
- $85
- Languages
- English, Spanish, Vietnamese
Practical exam
- Status
- Not required
Minnesota does not require a hands-on practical examination for this license, so there is no practical time limit, score or fee to prepare for.
Renewal and transfer
- Renewal
- 3 years
- Reciprocity
- Case by case - the board compares your training and may require an exam
What it costs
- Written exam
- $85
- Practical exam
- included in $85 combo
The $85 PSI combo exam covers the general theory, state, and written practical exams. Separate component retake fees are listed in the PSI bulletin. Board application and renewal fees are not included because they were not verified in this record.
Study path
How to use this Minnesota nail technician guide
Verify the licensing path here, then use the course app for active recall, answer explanations, weak-area drills and timed written-exam practice.
- Confirm eligibilityFinish 350 approved training hours before relying on exam practice as your only preparation step.
- Prepare for the written examUse timed practice against the published written-exam structure: 135 scored questions, 240 minutes, passing standard 75%. The cited sources name PSI Services LLC as the exam vendor.
- Focus the exam study loopMinnesota does not require a practical exam for this license, so the course app can focus on written theory, explanations and timed drills.
- Start the matching practice appBegin with the free questions, then unlock full access when your exam date is close enough that you will use the 90-day study window.
High-yield written topics
- Sanitation and disinfectionClient safety, infection control, tool handling, SDS and prohibited practices.
- Nail structure and disordersMatrix, nail plate, disorders, diseases and when to avoid service.
- Manicure, pedicure and consultationClient intake, product choice, service order and professional conduct.
- Enhancements and chemistryTips, wraps, acrylic, gel, polymerization, primers and safe removal.
Official sources
Source links used for this guide
- Minnesota Rule 2105.0145 Applicants for Individual Licenses ↗Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes · Accessed 2026-07-30License type, Minimum age, Practical exam, Training hours, Written exam
- Testing ↗Minnesota Board of Cosmetology · Accessed 2026-07-30Exam vendor, Candidate Bulletin
- Minnesota Board of Cosmetology Candidate Information Bulletin ↗PSI Services LLC · Accessed 2026-07-30Exam vendor, Written exam, Practical exam, Passing Score, Exam Fee, Exam languages, Question Count, Time Limit
- Minnesota Rule 2105.0520 License Cycle ↗Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes · Accessed 2026-07-30Renewal cycle
- Minnesota Rule 2105.0183 Transfer of Licenses from Other States or Countries ↗Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes · Accessed 2026-07-30Transfer route
Minnesota in context
What these Minnesota nail technician rules mean for you
Minnesota requires 350 training hours for a nail technician license. Of the 51 jurisdictions tracked here, 22 ask for fewer hours and 23 ask for more, against a range of 100 to 750 hours and a median of 350. Hour requirements matter beyond school cost: a license earned in a low-hour state is often harder to transfer into a high-hour one.
Minnesota requires a written examination but no hands-on practical examination for this license, which is unusual and means your preparation is entirely theory-based. The examination is administered by PSI Services LLC. The written exam has 135 questions with 240 minutes allowed. The published passing standard is 75%.
The Minnesota written exam is offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese. If English is not your first language, confirm the language option when you book, because it is chosen at scheduling rather than on exam day.
Minnesota Nail Technician licensing questions
- How many hours do you need for a nail technician license in Minnesota?
- Minnesota requires 350 hours of approved training. That is more than 22 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 23.
- How much does a Minnesota nail technician license cost?
- Before tuition, expect $85 for the written exam and included in $85 combo for the practical exam.
- Is there a practical exam for the Minnesota nail technician license?
- No. Minnesota does not require a hands-on practical examination for this license.
- What languages is the Minnesota nail technician written exam offered in?
- It is offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese.
- How long is the Minnesota nail technician written exam?
- You are allowed 240 minutes for 135 questions.
- How old do you have to be to get a nail technician license in Minnesota?
- You must be at least 17 years old.
- How often do you renew a Minnesota nail technician license?
- The renewal cycle is 3 years.
Verify before applying. Licensing rules, fees, providers, and exam formats can change. Use the linked board source as the final authority.