There’s more to being a nail tech than beautifying your clients’ hands. Nail techs must also have the skills and knowledge to provide the best treatment for hands, cuticles, and nails.
The tools of the trade include several specialized implements to enhance the appearance and health of nails.
Due to these complexities, you must have a license to offer your services as a manicurist in California. You can’t achieve this license without providing proof of training from an approved school of cosmetology.
Read on to find answers to your questions, like “How long is nail tech school?” and “What does it involve?”
How Long Is Nail Tech School?
The Basic Manicuring course requires 400 clock hours of study. It includes all the required study material to assist students in passing the 90-minute examination paper offered by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
Most courses take between six and nine months to complete depending on the beauty school you choose, and how many hours a week you engage in learning.
Some schools offer full-time courses, while others provide part-time study opportunities.
If you decide to further your studies with an advanced manicuring course, you must complete 600 clock hours of study. These courses cover all aspects of nail and skincare.
Nail Technician Study Timeline
During your studies, your instructors break down the workload into manageable chunks to facilitate better learning. Methods of instruction include lectures, demonstrations, videos, teaching aids, and ongoing testing.
The first part of the course comprises five sections dedicated to the technicalities of nail technology, as follows:
- Cosmetology Act: State Rules and Regulations – 10 hours
- Manicuring Chemistry – 10 hours
- Health & Safety including Hazardous Substances – 25 hours
- Disinfection and Sanitation – 10 hours
- Bacteriology, Anatomy, and Physiology – 10 hours
The fun stuff starts once you’re familiar with all the above rules and safety measures. These sections include:
- Water and Oil Manicures – 15 hours
- Pedicuring – 10 hours
- Application of artificial nails – 30 hours
- Business skills and job search training – 20 hours
- Additional training – 30 hours
Each of these main areas is broken down into smaller more detailed sections.
You’ll also complete an extra 250 hours of practice as well as written and practical testing. Students are tested at the end of each section.
Where to Find Nail Technician Work
As a certified nail technician, you will find no shortage of work. You can find employment at a nail salon, start your own business, work from home, or become a traveling manicurist.
You may also find employment in the scientific or merchandising fields working as a buyer, sales representative, or shop assistant. Another line of employment includes working as a beauty editor or promotional writer.
Venture into the Wonderful World of Cosmetology
Many people are surprised by the answer to the question, “How long is nail tech school?” That’s because they don’t realize that nail technology goes far beyond painting attractive designs on people’s nails.
If you’d like to find out more about this interesting and rewarding field of study, get in touch to discuss our comprehensive courses, or sign up for a manicurist course today.
