Nail Technician Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

As a nail technician, your work would normally include:

• doing basic treatments, such as manicures and pedicures
• cleaning and filing nails
• applying false nails or extensions
• decorating nails with coloured varnish, transfers, gems or glitter
• painting designs onto nails with an airbrush (by hand or using a stencil)
• repairing, looking after and removing false nails and extensions
• checking for any signs of skin or nail problems before treatment.

You would also give clients advice about looking after their nails, and recommend nail care products.

Health and safety is an extremely important part of the work. You would need to make sure that you use and store chemicals and varnishes correctly. You would also need to use tools carefully and follow strict hygiene procedures. This is to prevent damage or infection to your clients' natural nails.

Hours

You would normally work around 37 hours a week, often including weekends and evenings. You could work alone, or in a salon with other technicians, beauticians, hairdressers or therapists.

Another option is to be self-employed. You could work from home or visit clients in their own homes.

Income

Nail technicians can earn from £12,000 to around £16,000 a year.

Experienced nail technicians can earn up to £25,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

Employers may expect you to have the following qualifications:

• Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services
• Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services.

Other nationally recognised qualifications include:

• CIBTAC Nail Technician Diploma
• ITEC Level 2 Certificate and Level 3 Diploma in Nail Technology
• VCTC Level 2 Certificate Level 3 Diploma in Nail Technology.

You can train at colleges and with private training providers. Some colleges may expect you to have completed a course in manicure before you move on to advanced nail techniques.

If you want to set up your own business, you may need a licence from the environmental health department at your local council. Councils will want you to have qualifications in order to give you a licence. You will need to check what your local council requires, as some will accept any nationally recognised qualification and some will want you to have an NVQ.

You may be able to start in this job through an Apprenticeship scheme. You will need to check which schemes are available in your area. To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships website.

• Apprenticeships

For general information on careers, NVQs and Apprenticeships in the hair and beauty industry, see the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA) website.

• Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA)

Training and development

Short City & Guilds vocational qualifications are available in various aspects of nail technology, such as wraps, acrylics and UV gels.

You can keep up to date with new products and techniques by doing short courses run by manufacturers of nail products. The suppliers that you work with or your employer may be able to give you information about these courses.

You can also find out about new developments and courses by reading trade magazines and newsletters, and by going to trade shows and exhibitions.

If you are self-employed, you could take additional qualifications so that you can offer services such as massage, ear piercing or beauty therapy.

Skills and knowledge

To become a nail technician, you will need to have:

• creativity
• patience
• an organised approach
• awareness of the need to keep to health and safety procedures
• up to date knowledge of fashion trends
• customer service and 'people' skills.

More information

International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC)
4 Heathfield Terrace
Chiswick
London
W4 4JE
Tel: 020 8994 4141
www.itecworld.co.uk

Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT)
3rd Floor
Eastleigh House
Upper Market Street
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO50 9FD
Tel: 023 8068 4500
www.vtct.org.uk

Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority lls (HABIA)
www.habia.org

CIBTAC
www.cibtac.com/

City & Guilds
1 Giltspur Street
London
EC1A 9DD
Tel: 0844 543 0000
www.cityandguilds.com

Opportunities

You could find work at specialist nail salons and nail bars, at beauty and hairdressing salons, at spas and health clubs, and on cruise ships.

With experience, you may be able to progress to salon management or start your own business. You could open your own salon, rent space in a salon, or run a mobile business visiting different salons or visiting clients in their homes.

There may sometimes be opportunities to work with photographers, fashion designers or TV companies, preparing nails for photo shoots or fashion shows.

With further training you could move into teaching in colleges, doing training for nail product manufacturers, or assessing NVQs.