I don't think general licencing will improve standards. However, I do believe it would be more appropriate to licence educators rather than technicians. This would be easier to police, and certainly could help to raise the standarrds of those teaching nail technology to those who wish to train.
When I completed my first course, I believed that I was a good technician. I was led to believe that as I had a certificate, I was good enough to practice on paying clients and this was not true.
I was one of the lucky ones, because when I lacked confidence I completed more courses, which in turn made me realise how much there is to learn. I have the understanding that many people who teach nails have no teaching qualification, many don't have a minimum number of years in the industry either.
Also, there are many educators,especially in colleges who are 'Beauty therapists', who may in their years as therapists have dabbled in nails, but have no real talent for them. The learners who attend these colleges often believe that their lecturer is going to be excellent with nails, when they are often unable to actually produce good nails themselves.
There are even colleges locally to my area, where the lecturers encourage mixing products to save their own costs. I am an educator myself and am proud that the college where I work have very good educators, but this certainly isn't the case in many establishments.
It would be wise to licence education in nails, ensure all educators and lecturers in nails have a yearly exam, something similar to the creative masters exam!! (both practical and theory!)