Pedicure, manicure

Pedicure, manicure is a craft trade covering the treatment and care of the nails and skin of the hands and feet. To carry it on you must meet the general conditions under Section 6 and demonstrate professional qualification under Section 21, or alternatively Section 22, of the Trade Licensing Act.

Examples of activities

• Treatment and care of the nails on the hands (manicure)
• Treatment and care of the nails on the feet and care of the soles (pedicure)
• Nail modelling and decoration (gel and acrylic nails, nail art)
• Nail varnishing, including gel polish
• Removal of hardened skin, corns and calluses
• Paraffin and moisturising wraps for hands and feet
• P-shine and Japanese manicure
• Advice on nail, hand and foot care

What this trade is and what it is for

The "Pedicure, manicure" trade is a craft trade listed in Annex 1 to the Trade Licensing Act. It entitles you to provide, on a business basis, services connected with the treatment, care and aesthetic finishing of the nails and skin of the hands and feet. It is a classic customer service performed by professionals in nail studios, beauty salons and spas, as well as by self-employed practitioners visiting their clients.

Because this is a craft trade, in addition to meeting the general conditions you must demonstrate professional qualification. This is what distinguishes the trade from unqualified (free) trades, for which no professional qualification is documented.

What this trade covers (and what it does not)

The trade covers in particular:

• manicure - treatment and care of the nails on the hands, pushing back and tidying the cuticle;
• pedicure - care of the nails on the feet, removal of hardened skin, corns and calluses;
• nail modelling (gel, acrylic), nail decoration and nail art;
• nail varnishing including gel polish, paraffin and moisturising wraps, P-shine.

The boundary with neighbouring trades: This trade focuses on the nails and the skin of the hands and feet. Comprehensive skin and body care, make-up or epilation fall under the craft trade Cosmetic services. Barbering and hairdressing form a separate craft trade. If you were to perform massages (beyond ordinary cosmetic care), this falls under the regulated trade "Masseur, reconditioning and regeneration services". Medical or podiatric procedures do not belong to trade-based business at all.

Conditions for obtaining the trade under the law

You must meet the general conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act, namely full legal capacity and a clean criminal record (the clean criminal record is verified; medical fitness is not required for this trade). At the same time, no obstacle to carrying on a trade under Section 8 may exist (for example ongoing insolvency under the conditions laid down by law, or an imposed prohibition of activity).

You must also demonstrate professional qualification. Under Section 21 you prove it with one of the following documents:

1. an apprenticeship certificate in the relevant field of study, or
2. a school-leaving certificate in the relevant field, possibly with vocational-training subjects in the relevant field, or
3. a diploma of higher vocational education in the relevant field, or
4. a university diploma in the relevant area of study programmes and fields, or
5. a certificate of recognition of professional qualification issued by the recognising authority, or
6. a document on the verification or recognition of attainment of a full qualification.

If you do not have education directly in the field, you may use the alternative qualification under Section 22: education (an apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving examination, higher vocational education, university education) in a related field supplemented by 1 year of practice in the field; a retraining course supplemented by 1 year of practice; or 6 years of practice in the field without any document on education.

You do not have to hold the qualification in person - it can be demonstrated through a responsible representative under Section 11, who is liable for the proper operation of the trade. One person may act as responsible representative for no more than 4 entrepreneurs.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

1. Prepare your documents proving professional qualification and identity.
2. Complete the Unified Registration Form (JRF) - with a single application you notify the start of business to the Trade Licensing Office, the tax office, the social security administration and your health insurer.
3. Submit the notification at any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT branch.
4. Pay the administrative fee - CZK 1,000 on notification (CZK 800 for electronic submission via the portal).
5. Await the entry - the Trade Licensing Office will make the entry in the Trade Register within 5 working days of delivery of the notification.

The trade licence arises on the day of notification. You will find the detailed procedure in the guide /jak-zalozit-zivnost.

Documents and fees

• Proof of identity (identity card or passport).
• Proof of professional qualification under Section 21 or Section 22 (apprenticeship certificate, school-leaving examination, diploma, retraining course, proof of practice, etc.).
• A completed JRF (trade notification).
• Where qualification is demonstrated through a responsible representative, the declaration of the responsible representative.
• Administrative fee: CZK 1,000 on notification / CZK 800 electronically via rzp.gov.cz.
• Entry period: within 5 working days.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a pedicure or manicure retraining course?

A retraining course is only one of the options. If you have an apprenticeship certificate, a school-leaving examination or a diploma in the relevant field, you document qualification under Section 21 without a course. A retraining course under Section 22 must additionally be supplemented by 1 year of practice in the field.

Can I run the business without my own education in the field?

Yes, provided you appoint a responsible representative under Section 11 who meets the professional qualification. Alternatively, qualification can be proven by 6 years of practice in the field under Section 22.

Must I have a health certificate?

For this trade the law does not require medical fitness as a condition. However, hygiene requirements for operation are governed by special regulations and checked by the regional public health authority; enquire with the relevant authority about specific obligations.

How long does processing take?

The Trade Licensing Office enters the trade in the register within 5 working days of notification. Your right to do business, however, arises as early as the day of notification.

How much will I pay to set it up?

The administrative fee is CZK 1,000, or only CZK 800 for electronic submission via the rzp.gov.cz portal.

Sources

• MEYS - database of regulated activities, trade detail
• Trade Licensing Act No 455/1991 Coll. (Zakony pro lidi)
• Ministry of Industry and Trade