How Do I Apply for a Nail Technologist License?

Documentation and questions may be submitted by email: plpublic@idph.iowa.gov.

The application fee for barbering & cosmetology license is $60.  An applicant may pay the fee online.  All application fees are nonrefundable.

An applicant must submit documentation of one of the following:

1. Official transcript or diploma sent directly to the Board office from a board licensed barbering and cosmetology school verifying completion of 325 hours of education; or
2. If the applicant graduated from an educational program and is not nationally accredited or board-approved, the school must provide an official transcript and curriculum showing that the course of study meets the requirements in Iowa Administrative Code 481–941.14 for review by the board prior to issuance of a license.

An applicant must submit evidence of successful completion of a board-approved exam as follows:

• Passing score of 75% or higher on the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology, Inc. (NIC) or national theory nail technology exam. 

If the exam was taken out of state, the exam administrator must send verification of the results directly to the board office.

If applicable, an applicant that has previously been licensed, registered or certified in another jurisdiction must provide a verification of license from the jurisdiction in which the applicant has most recently been licensed. 

The license verification must include the following: 

• Licensee name
• License number
• Issue date
• Expiration date
• License status including reference to any pending or past disciplinary action.

The verification may be printed from another state licensing board’s website if it contains all of the information noted above. If an online verification is not available, the verification must be sent directly from the licensing board(s).