Hi there.

As a hobby I do my own nails. I have been asked many times if someone could pay me to do their nails. This has made me think. I could make some extra money this way.

The issue lies here... I'm not a nail technician. I have no associated license for this. Is this something that I can charge for without a license? Just painting designs on people's nails? No fake nail application or anything.

If it matters at all, I'm in Oregon.

Thank you for all info.

I am not sure if Oregon requires a certification for doing this. However, you will need a business license if they don't require certification.

My suggestion is to do some for the people you know, charging less than the norm, at your home. If there really does seem to be a market for your work, then look into opening a salon. The leap into real business is enormous. Even to operate out of your home requires permission from zoning, plus a town business permit, plus a state license. You need insurance, because even nails can get infected or people can blame you for problems unfairly. You need to pay taxes at a higher rate than wages (employers pay half of SS). And finally, you are in competition with full service hair and nail salons, and the 'many times' you have been asked could be the limit of your business. Stay under the radar for now!

Um I'm just looking to make a few extra bucks. Not open a business. I'm just wondering if I have to be licensed to paint nails. I don't want to get fined or in trouble.

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Originally Posted by ChihuahuaMomma

Um I'm just looking to make a few extra bucks. Not open a business. I'm just wondering if I have to be licensed to paint nails. I don't want to get fined or in trouble.

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If you do it out of your home, chi, no one knows the difference. If you get asked questions, say it is your hobby with friends. People do portraiture out of there homes and don't call it a business. I do stained glass out if my home, and don't call it a business and have never been challenged about it.

Um indeed.
What I was saying was that whether nail painting requires a license or not in Oregon isn't the point. A business is an all or nothing operation in any state in the US, requiring all the things I mentioned. That's why so many little home operations work under the radar to start (or forever, as tickle does with her stained glass, even though she is in Canada).

Yes, sometimes people do get turned in by neighbors or competing businesses. You might get a warning or a fine.

License Directory - Oregon Licenses, Permits and Registrations
Look over on the right under Cosmetology.

My GUESS without doing detailed research is that just painting doesn't require a cosmetology license. Which is different, as said, from a business license, both state and local.

Oh, and chi, nice to see you knocking around again even if its asking a question.

Tick

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Originally Posted by tickle

Oh, and chi, nice to see you knocking around again even if its asking a question.

tick

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Thanks

Sorry I sounded kind of high-handed.

no you don't have to have a license unless you do it in a legit shop

I asked my friend who is licensed and yes you do indeed need to licensed to charge.