How to Become a Certified Nail Technician
Nail technicians are very popular professionals who are in demand with businesswomen, teenagers and housewives. Learning how to become a certified nail technician will enable you to enter a profession in high demand and give customers a positive image of themselves by making them look and feel good.
- Earn a high school diploma or a GED.
- Determine if you have the qualities needed to be a professional nail technician. These qualities may include a fine detail for work, communication skills and the ability to sit for long periods of time.
- Search for an accredited cosmetology school in your area. Other institutions that may offer a nail technician program include vocational schools and community colleges.
- Check with your state to find out how many hours is required to graduate from a nail technician program. The average number of hours is around 350-600.
- Apply to a school and wait for acceptance. Once accepted, educational classes you may take will include nail composition, procedure methods for manicures and pedicures, how to operate tools safely, basic cosmetology as well as health and safety procedures. Classes will involve a lot of hands-on experience.
- Pass a state board examination. The exam consists of two parts, a written portion and clinical portion. It is required that this exam be passed before a nail technician can start working.
- Find employment related to your nail technician certificate. Careers may include those of a manicurist, a pedicurist or a nail art technician. Employment can commonly be found in salons, health clubs, resorts or spas.
- Further your education by taking continuing educational classes to learn new developments and nail applications. Certified nail technicians can also further their education by continuing on with an associate’s degree in cosmetology.