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Liam does designer nails at a trendy nail salon.
He loves the energy and excitement of the salon, and loves the chance to be creative whileworking with people.
Do you have a passion for nails? Are you creative about nail design?
Be like Liam and become a nail technician!
What Do They Do?
Nail technicians make their clients' nails look their best by bringing their nail visions to life.
The best nail technicians aren’t just technicians, they're people who really care about making their clients happy. At its core, being a nail technician is about helping someone feel better about themselves and brightening their day!
What Might A Typical Day Look Like?
Nail Care
Trim, file, and paint natural nails
Perform pedicures and manicures
Apply acrylic nails and decorations
Keep a tidy work area
Sanitize nail tools
Customer Service
Make customersfeel at ease
Schedule and manage appointments
Look for new customers
Process payment for services
Quiz
What duties would a nail technician NOT do in a typical day?
Nail technicians typically just do nails. With additional licensing and training, they may give facials and provide waxing services.
Did you know?
This Byte was created by a volunteer professional that wanted to share this insight to help you succeed - no agenda, no cost.
You'll Love It If...
You enjoy working with people.
You have a passion for nails.
You can handle a lot of responsibility.
You have the physical stamina to work on nails all day.
You enjoy helping people look their best.
You can keep a tidy and clean work area.
Look For Another Career Path If....
You don't like working with people.
You don't like touching people.
You won't like sitting all day.
You don't want to be tied to client or salon schedules.
It's hard for you to keep a clean work area and disinfect tools.
How Can I Become A Nail Technician In The United States?
Nail technicians must be licensed in order to work in the United States.
A nail technician must meet these criteria:
Apply to a state-approved nail technician program. The program requirements vary from state to state.
Complete the coursework and training hours. The majority of programs require between 300-400 hours of training.
Pass the required exam and obtain licensure. Many programs can be completed in under one year.
Quiz
Molly wants to become a nail technician. She just completed state-approved course work and training hours. What should be the next step in her mail technician journey?
Molly has completed coursework and training hours. She needs to apply for licensure before being able to work as a nail technician in the United States.
How Can I Become A Nail Technician In Canada?
While there aren't any national requirements to become a nail technician in Canada, regulations differ across provinces. Check with a beauty school program in your area for the legal requirements to practice as a nail technician.
There are also ways to stand out against other candidates:
Take a nail technician course even when it's not required.
Seek out qualification in a specialty area, such as acrylic nails. Doing so can help you land a job in a high-end salon or spa.
Take Action
Do you think you want to become a nail technician?
This Byte has been authored by
Mary Hoftiezer
Instructional Designer
MBA