You do not need a license to do nails or open a salon in Canada, but salon owners may not hire you if you don't have a nail technician license. The same applies for all cosmetology, aesthetics and makeup-related work. Whether you live in Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, or any other province in Canada, you can start up a shop from home and enhance your skills while doing your job. Even though there are no regulations to obtain a license to work as a nail technician, certifications boost your nail industry career.