1.3 Manicurist Scope of Practice, License Display, Renewal & Fees
Key Takeaways
K.S.A. 65-1901(f) limits a manicurist to nail technology and to cleansing, stimulating or similar work on the arms, hands, ankles and feet, without electric needles.
K.A.R. 28-24-1(l) defines noninvasive services as confined to the nonliving cells of the stratum corneum. Nail services may never alter, cut or damage living cells.
A manicurist license expires two years from the last day of the month it was issued (K.A.R. 69-11-2). It is not tied to the licensee's birth month.
Renewal requires the Board's written renewal exam (75% or better) plus $50, rising to $75 after expiration and $125 when more than six months late. Kansas requires no CE hours for practitioners.
Services outside a licensed establishment need an affidavit on file with the Board and at least 51% of weekly hours worked in a licensed salon or licensed home salon (K.S.A. 65-1904a).
Quick Answer: Under K.S.A. 65-1901(f), a manicurist practises nail technology (manicuring, pedicuring and sculpturing nails). A manicurist may also cleanse, stimulate or do similar work on the arms, hands, ankles and feet, but never with electric needles. All work must be noninvasive, which means limited to the dead cells of the stratum corneum. The license must be displayed where you work. It expires two years from the last day of the month it was issued. You renew by passing the Board's written renewal exam (75% or better) and paying $50, or $75 after expiration and $125 when more than six months late. Kansas has no CE-hour requirement for practitioners.
The Statutory Definition of a Manicurist
The definitions in K.S.A. 65-1901 decide what your license allows:
- (f) Manicurist: a person who, for compensation, practises cosmetology only to the extent of:
- nail technology;
- cleansing, stimulating or performing similar work on the arms, hands or ankles and feet by means of hands or mechanical or electrical appliances, other than electric needles; or
- using cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, lotions, creams or other preparations for the work in item 2.
- (g) Nail technology: "manicuring, pedicuring and sculpturing nails."
- (c) Cosmetologist: a person, other than a manicurist or esthetician, who practises the full profession of cosmetology. The full profession includes hair services, skin care, temporary hair removal and nail services.
A manicurist license therefore covers natural nail care, polish, pedicures, tips, wraps, acrylics, gels and dip systems. It also covers hand, arm, ankle and foot care such as massage, exfoliation and paraffin. Hair services, facials, waxing and eyelash services are cosmetologist or esthetician work. The Board's FAQ says all eyelash services for pay require a cosmetologist or esthetician license.
The Noninvasive Boundary
The infection-control regulations turn "noninvasive" into a hard legal line:
- K.A.R. 28-24-1(l): noninvasive procedures are "confined to the nonliving cells of the epidermis found in the stratum corneum layer of the skin." Cosmetology, nail technology or esthetics "shall not alter, cut, or damage any living cells."
- K.A.R. 28-24-14(a)(4) and (5) prohibit razor-type devices that remove calluses or skin blemishes. They also prohibit invasive techniques that remove viable cells deeper than the stratum corneum.
- K.S.A. 65-1902(a)(12) bars providing cosmetology services with an FDA-registered medical device, or one available only on a physician's order. The exception is services performed on a physician's order, under the physician's supervision, in a location the physician maintains.
On the exam, the correct answer never involves cutting living tissue. Do not cut the living eponychium, dig out an ingrown nail, lance a blister or shave a callus with a blade. Kansas nail technicians also may not diagnose, treat or prescribe for disease. Chapter 7 covers when to refuse service and refer a client to a physician.
Important
The Board does not issue rulings on whether a specific service or device is within your scope. Its FAQ says determining that is the sole responsibility of the licensee and establishment owner, with their own legal counsel if needed. Buying a course or device does not add anything to your license.
Where a Manicurist May Work
- In a licensed establishment. K.S.A. 65-1902(a)(11) forbids practising in a salon unless the salon holds a Board license. K.A.R. 69-6-3 says a manicurist license shall be used only in a licensed shop.
- In your own home salon, if it is licensed and meets the regulations (K.S.A. 65-1904a(b); facility rules in section 2.1).
- At a client's home or office. A licensee may serve a person at their own home or office only after filing the Board's Affidavit of Cosmetology Services. The licensee must be employed in a licensed establishment, or their own licensed home salon, for at least 51% of total weekly hours. A new affidavit is needed if that employment changes.
- No affidavit is needed for services in a health care facility, hospital or nursing home, or in the home of a person who needs home care because of a physical or mental disability (K.S.A. 65-1904a(b)).
Displaying Your License
K.S.A. 65-1906(a) requires each licensed manicurist to display the license "in a conspicuous place" in the salon, clinic or school where they work. A temporary permit must also be posted conspicuously. The establishment separately displays its own license, its most recent inspection report and the sanitation standards (section 2.1).
The Board's fine schedule starts with a warning letter for failing to post a valid practitioner or establishment license. A $250 fine applies to consecutive later offenses.
Renewal: Every Two Years, by Exam
| Rule | Source |
|---|---|
| A manicurist license expires two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued | K.A.R. 69-11-2 |
| The Board sends notice at least 30 days before expiration | K.S.A. 65-1904(a) |
| Renewals may be submitted no sooner than six weeks before expiration. Earlier submissions are returned | Practitioner Renewal Form |
| Renewal requires a written renewal examination on the laws, health and sanitation, and safety for your license | K.S.A. 65-1904(a) |
| The renewal exam must be completed at 75% or better. The form directs you to the laws and regulations on the Board website | Practitioner Renewal Form |
| Fee: $50 if submitted by the expiration date, $75 after expiration, $125 more than six months after expiration | Renewal form; K.A.R. 69-11-1 |
| A license expired more than six months is reinstated with the renewal exam, the delinquent renewal fee and a $100 renewal penalty fee | K.S.A. 65-1904(b)(2) |
| No continuing-education clock hours are required of practitioners. Board CE policies apply to instructors | K.S.A. 65-1904; Board Policy 001-15 |
Practising on an expired license is unlicensed practice (K.S.A. 65-1902(a)(1)). The fine schedule sets $250 for a first offense and $500 for consecutive later offenses. An incomplete renewal is returned. Examples are an unanswered felony question, a missing signature, an unpaid fee or an unfinished renewal exam. If a corrected renewal arrives after expiration, the delinquent fee applies.
Other Fees and Status Options (K.A.R. 69-11-1)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Manicurist examination (each exam, set by NTN) | $75 |
| Manicurist license application | $60 |
| Manicurist license renewal / delinquent renewal fee | $50 / $25 |
| Apprentice license application | $15 |
| Temporary permit | $15 |
| Duplicate license | $25 |
| Verification of licensure | $20 |
| Reciprocity application | $75 |
- Senior status (K.S.A. 65-1904(f)): a person licensed for at least 10 years, aged 60 or older and not regularly practising in Kansas may pay a one-time fee for a senior status license. It never needs renewal but does not permit practice.
- Armed forces (K.S.A. 65-1904(g)): a person who could not renew while serving is entitled to renew after discharge. They pay the current renewal fee and pass the renewal exam.
- Felony convictions may disqualify an applicant (K.A.R. 69-1-10). Applicants and renewing licensees must disclose convictions. A $50 petition gets an advisory opinion before you apply.
A manicurist's license was issued on March 12, 2025. Under K.A.R. 69-11-2, when does it expire?
March 12, 2027, exactly two years after issue
The last day of the licensee's birth month in 2027
March 31, 2027, two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued
December 31, 2026, because all Kansas licenses expire at the end of an odd-numbered year
What must a Kansas manicurist complete to renew on time?
The Board's written renewal examination at 75% or better, the felony question, the signed attestation and the $50 renewal fee
Eight hours of Board-approved continuing education in infection control and the $50 fee
A new Written Practical exam through NTN every other renewal cycle
A physician's health statement and proof of 1,000 hours worked in the last two years
Which service falls within the scope of a Kansas manicurist license?
Removing unwanted hair on the forearm with an electric needle
A foot and ankle massage with lotion as part of a pedicure
Applying eyelash extensions for a bridal client
Trimming a client's living eponychium to make the nail look longer
A licensed manicurist wants to do nails for clients at their offices on Fridays. What does Kansas law require?
Nothing, because a practitioner license lets the holder work anywhere in Kansas
A separate mobile establishment license for each office visited
A signed consent form from each client, kept for three years
An Affidavit of Cosmetology Services on file with the Board, with at least 51% of weekly hours worked in a licensed establishment or licensed home salon
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.