How to reinstate your Nevada nail technician license
To reinstate a Nevada nail technician license, you contact the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology, submit a reinstatement request form, pay the required fee, and meet any continuing education requirements that have accumulated since your license expired. The process takes roughly two to four weeks from the time the Board receives your complete request. You do not need to retake the full licensing exam unless your license has been expired for more than five years or the Board has specific grounds to require it.
The exact steps depend on how long your license has been inactive and whether it expired or was voluntarily surrendered. A license that lapsed recently is faster to restore than one inactive for several years, because the Board may require additional training hours to bring you current with rule changes.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology directly to request a reinstatement form and confirm the current fee, which varies based on how long your license has been inactive.
- You will need to pay any accumulated continuing education hours that were required during the years your license was not active.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, the Board may require you to retake the practical and written exams rather than straightforward reinstate.
- Submit your completed reinstatement request, proof of continuing education completion, and payment to the Board's office in Carson City.
- Once approved, the Board will issue a new license card, which typically arrives within one to two weeks after reinstatement is granted.
Gather your personal information and license history
Before contacting the Board, collect your Social Security number, Nevada driver's license number, and your original license number if you still have it. If you do not have your original license number, the Board can look it up using your name and date of birth, but having it ready speeds the process.
Write down the date your license expired or was surrendered. This date determines which reinstatement path applies to you and what continuing education you owe. If you are unsure of the expiration date, the Board's staff can confirm it when you call.
Contact the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology
Call the Board at 775-688-1911 or visit their office at 1755 E. Plumb Lane, Suite 135, Reno, Nevada 89502. You can also mail a request to that address or email through their website at cosmetology.nv.gov. When you contact them, ask for a reinstatement request form and confirm the current reinstatement fee.
The Board's staff will tell you whether your license qualifies for standard reinstatement or whether additional requirements explore. They will also provide a list of the continuing education hours you must complete before submitting your reinstatement request. Keep this list — you will need to show proof of completion when you submit your form.
Complete any required continuing education hours
Nevada requires nail technicians to complete continuing education during each license renewal period. If your license has been inactive for multiple years, those hours accumulate. The Board will specify exactly how many hours you owe and in which subject areas.
You must take these courses through a Board-approved provider before you submit your reinstatement request. Courses taken after you submit your request will not count toward reinstatement. Once you complete the hours, request a certificate of completion from the course provider and keep it with your reinstatement paperwork.
Fill out and submit the reinstatement request form
The reinstatement form asks for your personal details, license number, the reason for the lapse, and confirmation that you have completed all required continuing education. Answer each question completely and sign the form. Incomplete forms delay processing.
Attach copies of your certificates of continuing education completion, your payment for the reinstatement fee, and any other documents the Board requested when you called. Mail everything to the Board's Carson City office or deliver it in person to their Reno location. The Board does not currently accept online submission of reinstatement requests, so you must mail or hand-deliver your packet.
What happens if your license expired more than five years ago
If your license has been inactive for longer than five years, the Board may require you to retake the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology written exam and practical exam instead of straightforward reinstating. This is not automatic — the Board reviews each case individually — but it is common for licenses inactive that long.
If the Board determines that retesting is required, they will notify you in writing and provide exam dates and registration information. You will pay separate exam fees in addition to the reinstatement fee. This path takes longer than standard reinstatement, typically six to eight weeks total.
Track your reinstatement status and receive your new license
After you submit your reinstatement request, the Board processes it in the order received. You can call the Board to ask whether your request has been received and is being processed, but do not expect a status update until at least one week has passed.
Once the Board approves your reinstatement, they will mail your new license card to the address you provided on the form. The card typically arrives within one to two weeks. Your license becomes active on the date the Board approves your reinstatement, not on the date you receive the card, so you can legally work as a nail technician once you receive written approval from the Board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a nail technician while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. You cannot legally work until the Board approves your reinstatement and your license is active again. Working without an active license violates Nevada law and can result in fines or other penalties. Wait for written approval from the Board before returning to work.
What if I cannot complete the continuing education hours before I submit my reinstatement request?
You must complete all required continuing education before submitting your reinstatement request. The Board will not process a reinstatement process without proof that you have finished the hours. Contact the Board to confirm the important date and course options if you are running short on time.
Do I have to retake the exam if my license expired during the pandemic?
The Board may have issued temporary waivers or extensions during the pandemic, but those are no longer in effect. Your reinstatement follows the standard rules based on how long your license has been inactive. Contact the Board directly if you believe pandemic-related circumstances should affect your reinstatement.
What is the reinstatement fee, and does it change?
The reinstatement fee varies depending on how long your license has been inactive. Call the Board at 775-688-1911 to confirm the current fee before you submit your request, as fees are set by the Board and may change. You must include payment with your reinstatement form.
Can I reinstate my license by mail, or do I have to go in person?
You can reinstate by mail. Send your completed reinstatement form, continuing education certificates, and payment to the Board's Carson City mailing address. You do not need to visit in person, though you can if you prefer to hand-deliver your paperwork.