Education · 1 of 4

The path

A short course, then practise until your sets are clean and fast.

1. 1

   High school

   Grade 12

   Grade 12 is expected by most schools. Some high schools offer cosmetology.

2. 2

   Nail course

   Weeks to months

   A nail-only course at a private beauty school, for example the part-time Nail Studio program at Blanche Macdonald in Vancouver, or nails as part of a full esthetics program.

3. 3

   Licence, where required

   Weeks

   Nova Scotia licenses nail technicians through its Cosmetology Association. Manitoba has a compulsory nail technician apprenticeship stream. Saskatchewan has a voluntary Esthetician-Nail Technician trade. Ontario, BC, Alberta and Quebec have no licence.

4. 4

   First salon job

   First year

   Speed comes with volume. A busy salon teaches you to do a clean set in under an hour.

5. 5

   Build regulars

   1 to 3 years

   Fills every 2 to 3 weeks mean a loyal client comes back all year. A full book takes 1 to 3 years.