Search Programs
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Step 1: Education Requirements
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Step 2: Internship or Apprentice
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Step 3: Licensing & Certifications
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Step 4: Continuing Education and License Maintenance
Step 1: Education Requirements
To enroll in most cosmetology programs for manicurists, you need to be 16 years old, have a GED or high school diploma, and pay the program’s dues (usually at a reasonable price). Additionally, some programs will ask applicants to conduct an entrance interview with school representatives to evaluate how ready applicants may be for the program.
To become a nail technician, you will need a GED or high school diplomas are required for every program nation-wide. If you find yourself lacking the appropriate credentials, there are resources out there that will allow you to quickly gain a GED with the guidance of nationally-certified pros.
The path to becoming a licensed manicurist or nail technician is paved with excellent resources and easy-to-understand professional requirements. Ultimately, the amount of time it takes to acquire a license depends on your state and program. Most nail technician programs require around 300 hours of training, which applicants spread out over several weeks (15 or so).
For clarity, manicurists and nail technicians have to complete equivalent training and testing/apprenticeships to be licensed to practice in their respective states. The good news is that training is quick, and licenses are relatively straightforward to acquire! Every state except Connecticut requires licenses. Generally, students go through about 300 hours of training, complete a written exam and a final practical exam (done in-person with live models). It’s that simple! Now let’s get into more of the details.
Step 2: Internship or Apprentice
Most nail technician programs offer hands-on training as part of the curriculum. Also, as a part of training, a nail technician is often required to complete an internship at a local salon. Some schools even have a built-in salon for their students. The internships are often completed during the final term of the student’s education and lead directly to board exams and licensure exams. These internships are a practical way or students to get in actual working hours as a nail technician, which is invaluable when it’s time for the practicum exam. Another perk of internships is that, in the case of an external internship with a local business, a job offer can often follow once the student completes their education and attains a license.
Step 3: Licensing & Certifications
The best resource to check out before you go off investigating the programs available to you in your state is the National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC). Their site offers exam prep tips, resources for state-to-state certification issues, as well as ways to stay up to date with current cosmetology news.
For most prospective cosmetology graduates, the training program will consist of three distinct phases: a lengthy training session, a written exam demonstrating technical expertise of proper rules and standards, and a practical exam performed in person with a live model. A small number of programs operate with an apprenticeship system, as well.
As stated before, the prerequisites to join a licensing program are being over the age of 16, possession of a GED or high school diploma, and the appropriate fees. Some competitive schools demand a short in-person interview to limit entry to the best students.
Most programs have price tags above $1,000. In Utah, the Paul Mitchell school asks for $1,818, a $100 application fee, $2,400 in tuition fees, and around $2,000 in equipment. Students should be aware that these rates fall on the low end when compared to nationwide polls.
Most nail technician programs will ask for between 300 to 600 hours of training before the testing component. While some applicants can surpass the average completion time depending on the amount of training each program permits students to accomplish, the majority of nail technicians gain their certificate in three to nine months.
Go to your state-approved local program for more information. Each state requires a different amount of training and testing. Inquiring with instructors in your state will help narrow down the time commitments and exam requirements you’ll have to fulfill on the way to gaining your well-deserved license!
Step 4: Continuing Education and License Maintenance
Armed with a state-certified cosmetology license, the future is open for almost unlimited movement into other industries or upward toward self-ownership of your own salon or spa.
About 50% of US states demand technicians keep up to date with current best practices, industry news, and regulations by taking periodic CE (or continuing education) classes. This is a great opportunity to grow your professional development with more extensive training.
The necessary time commitments change from state to state, and some states only demand CE credits from instructors, like Oklahoma and Virginia. The requirements vary. In Vermont, a nail technician must take renewal CE courses every two years while Wyoming works under a different calendar.
The point is, people invested in developing their education as a nail technician or manicurist have lots of opportunities to expand their skill sets to adjacent industries. Ever thought about checking out hair or massage therapy to supplement your existing techniques? There is lots of space available to move horizontally from one specialty to another, all while maintaining your license as a licensed cosmetologist.