Education · 1 of 4
The path
A short course, then practise until your sets are clean and fast.
- 1
High school
Grade 12
Grade 12 is expected by most schools. Some high schools offer cosmetology.
- 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
Licence, where required
Weeks
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick license nail technicians through their cosmetology associations. Manitoba has a compulsory nail technician apprenticeship stream. Saskatchewan has a voluntary Esthetician-Nail Technician trade. Ontario, BC (British Columbia), Alberta, Quebec and the other provinces and territories have no licence.
- 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
Build regulars
Ongoing
Fills every 2 to 3 weeks mean a loyal client comes back all year. A full book takes time to build.