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NYCOSH - A group of graduates in pink gowns celebrate by tossing their caps in the air while holding certificates in a brightly lit indoor setting.

Building Healthier Careers: Our Nail Salon Worker School

New York’s nail salon workers bring skill, care, and artistry to clients every day, but entering and advancing in the industry comes with real challenges.

NYCOSH’s State Certified New York Nail Salon Worker School provides workers with the education and test prep required to become a licensed manicurist in New York State. Our school also helps workers build healthier careers, gain confidence to speak up on the job, and secure their permanent Nail Specialty licenses. With accessible classes offered in Spanish and, through partner organizations, in Nepali and Vietnamese, we support students from their very first licensing steps all the way through exam preparation and beyond.

About the Nail Salon Worker School

NYCOSH operates the only certified and free Nail Salon Worker School in New York. Our program is designed to remove barriers, support workers’ rights, and help students earn the credentials needed to work safely and legally in nail salons across the state. Whether you’re just getting started or preparing for your permanent license, our courses guide you every step of the way.

Currently, our program is only for Spanish and Nepali speakers. For more information about the program, attend one of our Licensing Application Sessions (more information about this below). 
 
Requirements to begin the program:  
 
NYCOSH - Three people practice nail care techniques on a mannequin hand at a table with nail files, nail polish, and clipboards.

Licensing Application Session (LAS)

This one-day course information session is the first step for many workers who begin the program. Students learn about our nail salon worker program and receive personal assistance registering with the New York State Department of State to obtain the Nail Specialty Trainee License, the credential required to legally begin work as a trainee in a nail salon. 
 
Our team walks participants through the application process, answers questions, and helps ensure every student leaves with a clear path forward. Currently, these sessions are being provided for Spanish-speakers. If you do not fulfill the eligibility requirements for the Nail Salon Worker School listed above, you are still welcome to join the LAS to hear about our program. 

A safer, healthier beauty industry begins with educated, empowered workers.

Course Schedule

Once nail specialist trainees are eligible to take classes, they attend the seven-week Nail Specialty Trainee Course to prepare for the mandatory New York State Written Exam. These classes are in Spanish. 
 
The Nail Salon Worker School classes are primarily held on Mondays or Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Review sessions are optionally provided for workers prior to taking the exam to refresh their memory on the information learned in the Nail Specialty Trainee Course.
 
After passing the written exam, workers are also prepared to take the New York State Practical exam in a 2-session series. 

Nail Specialty Trainee Course

NYCOSH has a 27-hour course instead of traditional 250-hour courses. In the Nail Specialty course, nail technicians are prepared for the New York State Exams, which are mostly composed of Safety and Health concepts and practices in appearance enhancement workplaces. The course requires workers to conduct homework, group projects, presentations, and daily exams. Workers must pass the final exam to pass the course.  

The course covers all state-required topics, including:

  • Workplace health and safety
  • Infection control
  • Bacteria and infectious diseases
  • Nail anatomy and physiology
  • Client consultation, care, and service protocols
NYCOSH - A nail technician wearing gloves and a mask works on a customer's nails at a salon, with other clients and technicians visible in the background.

A Learning Experience Designed for Workers

Our instructors use a participatory, hands-on teaching style that keeps students engaged and supported. Training sessions include:

  • Real-world practice
  • Group discussion
  • Step-by-step demonstrations
  • Confidence-building exercises


NYCOSH has extensive experience teaching students with limited literacy, and our program is designed to meet workers where they are. With more than 1,200 graduates, we are proud to help students build skills, leadership, and long-term success in the nail salon industry.

Request Details About Our Nail Salon Training Programs

Beyond training, NYCOSH provides licensing and exam assistance to students who actively participate in our programs and in organizing efforts to improve conditions for nail salon workers across New York. Currently our program is only for Spanish and Nepali speakers. 

Students interested in organizing can learn more about improving industry standards through collective action.

Space is limited. If you’re ready to take the next step toward licensure or want more details about upcoming sessions, fill out the form. Our team will follow up with registration information and next steps.