IN Nail Technician licensing
Indiana nail technician license requirements and exam prep
Confirm Indiana nail technician training hours, exam requirements, official board sources and the matching Nail Technician practice app.
At a glance
Indiana Nail Technician facts
- License type
- Manicurist
- School hours
- 450 hours
- Written exam
- Required
- Practical exam
- Required
- Exam vendor
- PSI Services LLC
- Passing score
- 75%
- Exam fees
- Written $49
- Renewal cycle
- 4 years
- Minimum age
- 18
- Education
- Completion of the eighth grade or the equivalent
- Last verified
- 2026-07-30
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
- 60
- Time limit
- 90 minutes
- Passing score
- 75%
- Fee
- $49
Practical exam
- Status
- Required
- Passing score
- 75%
Renewal and transfer
- Renewal
- 4 years
- Reciprocity
- Case by case - the board compares your training and may require an exam
What it costs
- License application
- $40
- Written exam
- $49
Fees are set by the state and the exam vendor and exclude school tuition.
Study path
How to use this Indiana 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 450 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: 60 scored questions, 90 minutes, passing standard 75%. The cited sources name PSI Services LLC as the exam vendor.
- Plan hands-on practiceIndiana requires a practical exam for this license, so do not let written-question practice replace service practice and kit/exam-day preparation.
- 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
- Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners law and rules, 7/1/2024 edition (IC 25-8 and 820 IAC) ↗Indiana Professional Licensing Agency · Accessed 2026-07-30License type, Training hours, Minimum age, Education, Written exam, Practical exam, Renewal cycle, Transfer route
- Cosmetology and Barber Licensing Information ↗Indiana Professional Licensing Agency · Accessed 2026-07-30Exam vendor, Application fee
- Indiana State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners Candidate Information Bulletin ↗PSI Services LLC · Accessed 2026-08-06Candidate Bulletin, Exam vendor, Question Count, Time Limit, Written exam fee, Passing Score
Indiana in context
What these Indiana nail technician rules mean for you
Indiana requires 450 training hours for a nail technician license. Of the 51 jurisdictions tracked here, 38 ask for fewer hours and 11 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.
Indiana requires both a written examination and a hands-on practical examination, so you need bench skills as well as theory. The examination is administered by PSI Services LLC. The written exam has 60 questions with 90 minutes allowed. The published passing standard is 75%.
Indiana Nail Technician licensing questions
- How many hours do you need for a nail technician license in Indiana?
- Indiana requires 450 hours of approved training. That is more than 38 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 11.
- How much does a Indiana nail technician license cost?
- Before tuition, expect $40 for the license application and $49 for the written exam. That is $89 in state and vendor fees to get licensed.
- Is there a practical exam for the Indiana nail technician license?
- Yes. Indiana requires a hands-on practical examination in addition to the written examination.
- How long is the Indiana nail technician written exam?
- You are allowed 90 minutes for 60 questions.
- How old do you have to be to get a nail technician license in Indiana?
- You must be at least 18 years old. The education requirement is Completion of the eighth grade or the equivalent.
- How often do you renew a Indiana nail technician license?
- The renewal cycle is 4 years.
Verify before applying. Licensing rules, fees, providers, and exam formats can change. Use the linked board source as the final authority.