Does anyone know if you have to be licenced in Mexico to be a manicurist?

I want to retire in Mexico, and I am a licenced manicurist here in the states, recently visited Mexico and see that they are greatly lacking in professional manicuring. Do they have schools for this there? Is there a cosmetology commission there like here? What kind of rules are there? I had one of thoses cheap maicures! It was worthless. I was in Playa del Carmen. So as far as I can see it, an experienced manicurist with talent and personality would be very popular with the tourist crowd.

Public Comments

1. Who knows but if you start your own business you will be the best because there is no one else to compeat.
2. Are you sure you want to do this in Mexico? - I mean I'm sure there's a reason why everyone needs manicures with all the fence climbing that goes on (I'm just kidding!). I bet they would honor your U.S. license. There might be a fee but I seriously doubt it would be a whole lot of money. Contact the University of Mexico - they have a cosmetology department there. Unfortunately, I can't read enough spanish to find out which one it is (or if they even call it the University of Mexico).
3. They´re not regulated. You can start your bussines in every state , the only rule that you must not forget is to keep legal your stay in the country and pay your taxes other than that you shouldn´t have any problems.
4. Hello, I´m Mexican from Mexico city. There are some manicuring schools here, my cousin is one. As far as I know there is no need for a license nor a comission. You just get yourself into business. I´m not sure what part of Mexico you visited, but here in Mexico city there are THOUSANDS of places where you can get professional manicuring. Maybe you should think of something else to retire here in Mexico. Good luck.
5. Well, I'm Mexican (from Puebla) and it depends, if you actually are going to be in a professional salon, yes you might need a license, but if not, I don't think so. Also, like others told you, there are lots, and I mean lots of places where you can get manicure and pedicures, and very very cheap, like for 30 or 40 pesos, that are like 3.50 dollars, so yes, you might wanna retire someplace else, or doing another thing. Greeetings!! :)
6. I would never come here to work as a manicurist, or anything for that matter, without the proper licensing or FM3. I do love it here so it's been all worth it. Just be aware, and bring lots of money. This has definitely put us in an unexpected financial bind. I have been living in Mexico for several months and have found it very difficult to be able to work here. You have got to make sure that you are legal here before you work anywhere, for if you aren't and you are caught you will be in big trouble. I have been told that people who work illegally are made to leave the country and be unable to return for 5 years! I would also suggest using an attorney for we spent a lot of time trying to do it ourself to finally be told it was wrong. Unfortunately our second go at it was with an attorney that did our paperwork incorrectly and then immigration informed us that our visa had ran out and we had to fly out of the country and re-enter and start all over! After hiring another attorney referred by a friend, we believe it has been done correctly this time for immigration approved all the paperwork. But really until they hand me my FM3 I can't be really sure. So far no FM3. Tomorrow another day at immigration!!! Fifth time we've returned for it, being told to come back again a few days later. Uggh! It really is amazingly beautiful here and I'm planning to stay here for many years, if not forever. It just took awhile to learn the ropes here. So hopefully this advice will be of some help for you and save you some costly mistakes. Good luck!