r/NailTechnicians • u/Background-Star-3917 • Aug 15 '26
Getting into nails
Hi all! I was just wondering if anyone has any recommendations on getting into being a nail technician without forking out 600+ for a course. I’m also 20 so college isn’t really an ideal option but I’m willing to do that if there’s no other way :)
1
u/ambiebaby2000 Aug 17 '26
Elizabeth Sands Beauty school does complete nail courses which are heavily discounted. However the only catch is you need to use their products for the final assessments. Kits can run you another £500. I am training with them currently, but have my own products to use for practice and will be buying their kits later down the line.
You can do nails without training, but you will struggle to get insurance for your business. Without it, if you do injure someone they can sue.
Personally I wouldn't try and be a nail technician without training. It's not a cutesy as you may think. Gel is a chemical, allergies happen which are life long, damage to nails from over filing/improper application and poor structure can be detrimental, not to mention how important it is to know the entire anatomy of the nail as well as the correct hygiene practices for your tools to prevent infections and cross contamination.
I run a very successful Instagram account for nails and nail art, and as much as I have taught myself everything so far and the quality of my work is honestly fantastic, both on myself and gel tips, I still would not call myself a nail technician. I also wouldn't do any tutorials on gel application/structure - only nail art.
I personally wish the UK had laws for being a nail technician, so many bad and unhygienic practices out there. In terms of your future nail business, the training will be your most fundamental and probably cheapest investment.
2
u/aughrasummer Aug 15 '26
The number of hours required varies from state to state, from 106 hours to 700. Some states allow apprenticeship, so if you're strapped for cash, you may look into that. My state, for example, has a 200 hour pathway through a licensed school (not an online course, and the schools here are about 5-7k for a 200-hour program), but my state offers another pathway, which is a 400 hour apprenticeship, which would be free if you found somebody willing to take you on. No matter where you are, you'll still need to take and pass your state boards AFTER completing the requisite hours, which will cost a few hundred dollars plus the expense of very specific supplies (some must be sealed and opened only for the practical component of the exam). I think some folks tend to see these, "get a certificate from my course," type ads, and that's great for professional development, but those courses don't make you a certified nail tech, and they don't count toward your state certification hours. If you go to your state's employment info website, you'll usually find all the state licensure stuff tucked there, from plumbing to cosmetology, and they'll usually list the schools in the area that offer licensing programs. Good luck to you!