Nail salons are everywhere — in nearly every city and state across the US. You’ll find them in shopping malls, corner stores, and plazas and they’re almost always abuzz with activity. Though hit hard by the pandemic, the resurgence of the industry is a testament to the need for nail technicians. Along with the need for skincare and haircare, nail care is high on the list of priorities for socialites and the everyday consumer. If you’re creative and have a passion for nail art, enrolling in a nail technology school will help you to prepare for licensure in California. accredited programs are mostly hands-on and include extensive preparation for the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology exam.
Santa Clara Beauty College
The nail care course at Santa Clara Beauty College prepares students to take and pass the California licensing exam. The curriculum consists of 400 hours of technical instruction and practice of the operations performed by a licensed manicurist. Course topics include Cosmetology Act/Board Rules and Regulations, health and safety, chemistry for manicurists, pedicuring, acrylic nails, nail tips and overlays, disinfection and sanitation, nail wraps and repairs, manicures – plain and oil, and anatomy and physiology. Day, evening, and weekend schedules are available.
Program overview:
Nail Care – Certificate
Duration: 7 weeks (full-time) 25 weeks (part-time)
Contact hours: 400
Prerequisites:
- Must complete an application for enrollment
- Must be at least 17 years of age
- Must be able to comprehend and read at least the 10th grade level of English language
- Must have a valid high school diploma or GED certificate
- Submit official transcript of secondary school completion
- Applicants without a high school diploma may take and pass an approved ability to benefit test and achieve or exceed the required scores on the Wonderlic SLE – Verbal 200 – Quantitative 210
Program cost:
The total program cost of $4,950 includes tuition, supplies, registration fee, and textbook. Students have the option to pay monthly with no interest charges.
- Website: https://santaclarabeautycollege.com/
- Address: 2630 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95051
- Phone: (408) 249-2622
- Alt: (408) 249-6066
- Email: admin@santaclarabeautycollege.com
KZ Academy
The nail technician program at KZ Academy consists of 400 clock hours to prepare students for the state board licensing exam. The curriculum will cover all aspects of manicuring and pedicuring. Students will learn in the classroom via demonstration, lectures, classroom participating, and studying of the textbook. The practical sessions will give students the opportunity to develop skills as they work on a mannequin or another person. Course topics include disinfection and sanitation, complete pedicures, nail tips, water and oil manicures, acrylic, nail wraps and repairs, health and safety, cosmetology chemistry, complete pedicure, and hazardous substances. Students must complete the required hours with a GPA of 70% or better to graduate from the program.
Program overview:
Nail Technician – Certificate
Duration: 15 weeks (full-time) 22 weeks (part-time)
Contact hours: 400
Prerequisites:
- Must complete an application for enrollment
- Must pay applicable fees according to the current published fee schedule at the time of signing or entering into an enrollment contract or make other arrangements acceptable to the school
- Must have graduated from high school or have the GED equivalent
- Applicants without a high school diploma or GED certificate must take the Combined English Language Skills Assessment (CELSA)
- Must be at least 17 years of age
Program cost:
The total program cost of $4,672 includes tuition, textbook, registration fee, and supplies. Funding is available through flexible monthly installments.
- Website: https://kzacademy.com/
- Address: 1221 E Calaveras Blvd, Milpitas, CA 95035
- Phone: (408) 520-253
San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology
The nail technician program at SFIEC includes practical training and technical instruction to prepare students for state licensure and a successful career as a nail technician. Students will learn basic nails skills, health and safety judgment, sanitation habits, business skills, communication skills, and professionalism. The practical sessions will help students present a positive attitude and self-confidence, perform basic manipulative skills, practice effective communication skills, perform basic analytical skills, and use sound judgment, decisions, and procedures in practice. The class size is limited to 14 students with each cycle. Full-time and part-time schedules are available. Full time classes meet Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Part-time classes meet Tuesday through Friday from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Program overview:
Nail Technician
Duration: 11 weeks (full-time) 17 weeks (part time)
Contact hours: 400
Prerequisites:
- Complete and submit an application form to the school prior to registration
- Must take an English and Math proficiency exam before the start of class and pass with a minimum score of 15 or higher to demonstrate English language proficiency
- Provide copies of the applicant’s high school diploma, high school transcripts demonstrating high school completion
- Provide passport, government-issued identification or driver license
- Must be at least 17 years of age
Program cost:
The total program cost of $6,078 includes tuition, registration fee, STRF, and student kit fee.
Website: https://sfiec.edu/
Address: 1067 Folsom Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-230-7416
Cosmotek College
The manicuring program at Cosmotek College provides students with a comprehensive understanding of manicuring techniques to include nail art, artificial nail applications, equipment, products, and the laws of disinfection and sanitation. Frequent updates to the curriculum help to maintain inclusion of current trends in nail technology. Practical activities include the application of artificial nail enhancements, manicures, pedicures and nail extensions, disinfection procedures, rules and regulations, consumer safety, application of dip powder nails, operating electrical nail files, and customizing acrylic pigments. Graduates will be prepared to pass both written and practical exams governed by the California State Barbering and Cosmetology Bureau. New classes begin every Monday.
Program overview:
Manicuring
Duration: 10 months (full-time) 16 months (part-time)
Contact hours: 400
Prerequisites:
- Complete and submit an application for admission
- Provide copies of the applicant’s high school diploma, high school transcripts or GED
- Provide a form of ID issued by the US Government Agencies
- passport, government-issued identification or driver’s license
- Must be at least 17 years of age – students under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign the enrollment agreement
- Students lacking a high school diploma or equivalent must have completed the 10th grade level of education or its equivalent
Program cost:
The total program cost of $5,250 includes tuition, textbook, application fee, and equipment/supplies kit.
- Website: https://www.cosmotekcollege.com
- Address: 2188-B Del Franco St. San Jose, CA 95131
- Phone: (408) 802-3680
International College of Cosmetology
The nail technician program at the International College of Cosmetology includes technical classroom instruction and practical operations to prepare students for a career in nail technology. The training will be conducted in the classroom, but the majority of the instruction will be delivered through real life experiences with clients. Course topics will include nail technology supplies, basic manicures, professional nail cosmetic products, basic pedicures, nail shapes, safety and sanitation, sculpted nails, chemistry and safety for artificial nail enhancements, nail wrap application and techniques, anatomy and physiology, nail disorders and diseases, business management and success skills, and mock board practical and technical exams. Graduates will be eligible to apply for the licensure exam. Part-time and full-time schedules are available.
Program overview:
Manicure
Duration: 2.5 months (full-time) 6 months (part-time)
Contact hours: 400
Prerequisites:
- Attend an orientation session
- Apply for admission to ICOC
- Must be at least 17 years old
- Provide proof of age through driver’s license, birth certificate, or passport
- Must have social security card
- Must sign the Enrollment Agreement – applicants under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian sign the enrollment agreement
- Provide copies of the applicant’s high school diploma, high school transcripts or GED
Program cost:
The program cost of $3,300 includes tuition, books, supplies, and application fees.
- Website: https://www.icoc.edu/
- Address: 3701 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94601
- Phone: 510-261-8256
Diva Beauty School
Students enrolled in the manicuring program at Diva Beauty School will acquire knowledge and skills to provide services related to the beautifying of hands through manicuring, application of artificial nails, nail wrapping, and massaging. Course topics include manicures and pedicures, nail wraps and repairs, application of artificial nails, laws and regulations including Board rules and regulations, health and safety considerations, hazardous substances, communicable diseases, disinfection and sanitation, communication skills, record keeping, business planning, and salon management. Full-time classes meet Tuesdays through Saturdays from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. Part-time classes meet Monday through Friday from 4:45 pm to 9:00 pm.
Program overview:
Manicuring
Duration: 10 weeks (full-time) 20 weeks (part-time)
Contact hours: 400
Prerequisites:
- Must visit and tour the campus and complete an interview with school personnel before registration
- Review the school’s catalog and submit any questions before signing the enrollment agreement
- Complete the enrollment application form
- Pay the non-refundable application fee of $100
- Must be at least 17 years old
- Provide copy of high school diploma, high school transcript, equivalent or GED
- Provide a valid unexpired driver’s license, government-issued ID, or a passport
- Provide social security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number Card
Program cost:
The program cost of $5,149.98 includes tuition, kit supplies, and registration fee. A flexible payment plan that starts with a tuition deposit of 25% is available for all students.
- Website: http://divabeautyschool.com/
- Address: 2298-A Quimby Road, San Jose, CA 95122
- Phone: (408) 622-8180
Hilltop Beauty School
The manicuring/nail care program at Hilltop Beauty Schools covers all the areas of manicuring, nailcare and pedicuring. Students will learn disinfection and sanitation, rules and regulations of the field, terminology and procedures, bacteriology, anatomy and physiology, health and safety standards, proper use of implements used in manicuring, communication and salesmanship, analysis of hands and feet, desk and reception, and State Board Training. Completion of all required hours and operations with a GPA of 70% or better is required for graduation. HBS will assist students with the necessary papers needed to file to take the State Board Exam.
Program overview:
Manicuring
Duration: 10 weeks (full-time) 20 weeks (part-time)
Contact hours: 400
Prerequisites:
- Must be 17 years of age or older
- Provide a copy of high school diploma, a transcript showing high school completion or GED
- Take and pass the admissions test – Wonderlic SLE with a score of 15 or above
- Sign the enrollment contract
- Attend a campus tour and personal interview
- Attend an orientation class
- Must be in good physical health
Program cost:
The program cost of $3,150.50 includes tuition, kit, STRF, and registration fee. A flexible payment plan is available for all students.
- Website: https://www.hilltopbeautyschool.com/
- Address: 6317 Mission St. Daly, City, CA 94014
- Phone: (650) 756-2720 or (650) 992-4949
- Fax: (650) 756-0236