Direct answer: To become a nail technician in Texas you must complete 600 hours of training at a licensed school, pass the written (theory) exam, then pass the practical exam, and apply for your manicurist license with TDLR. At William Edge Institute in New Braunfels, the Manicure program takes about 5 months of full-time attendance and tuition is $6,200 plus $1,200 (plus tax) for your supply kit.
You’ll need a high school diploma or GED. You can enroll as young as 16 — you just have to turn 17 before you can apply for your license. Bring your ID and documentation when you come in for enrollment.
Texas requires 600 hours of manicurist training. Those hours cover nail anatomy, sanitation and infection control, manicures and pedicures, gel application, acrylic and dip work, nail art, product chemistry, and the Texas laws and rules you’ll be tested on.
At William Edge Institute, students perform gel services on real salon guests, and practice acrylic and dip systems on mannequin hands. That distinction matters: you graduate with real guest experience and real speed, which is what a salon owner is actually hiring for.
Classes run Tuesday through Saturday. Mornings tend to be theory and demonstration; afternoons are hands-on. Saturday is usually the busiest guest day, which is excellent practice for the reality of salon life.
Once your hours are complete you’ll apply for and take the written theory exam ($55). In Texas you must pass theory before you’re eligible to take the practical exam — so don’t plan them back to back without a study plan.
The practical exam is a timed, proctored demonstration of the services and sanitation procedures you’ve practiced all program long ($76). Your instructors will run you through mock practicals before you go.
Submit your license application ($50) to TDLR. Once it’s issued, you can legally take clients as a manicurist anywhere in Texas.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,200 |
| Supply kit | $1,200 + tax |
| TDLR permit (first day of school) | $25 |
| Theory exam | $55 |
| Practical exam | $76 |
| License | $50 |
Financial aid is available to students who qualify, including Pell Grants and Texas Workforce Commission funding. Our federal school code is 015119. William Edge Institute intentionally does not participate in student loan programs — we’d rather you graduate without debt.
How long is nail tech school in Texas? 600 hours, which is roughly 5 months of full-time attendance.
Do I need a license to do nails in Texas? Yes. Manicurists must hold a current TDLR license.
Can I do nails and hair with a manicurist license? No — hair services require a cosmetology license (1,000 hours). Many students start with manicuring and add cosmetology later.
Is nail tech a good career in Texas? Nail services are one of the most flexible, in-demand areas of the industry, especially in the growing New Braunfels–San Antonio–Austin corridor. Many nail techs build a booth-rental or independent business within a few years.
Where can I go to nail school near San Antonio or Austin? William Edge Institute is in New Braunfels, right on the I-35 corridor between the two.
Call 830-387-4094 or email admissions@wmedge.com to schedule an in-person tour. Upcoming start date: October 13, 2026.