As you begin your journey to become a licensed nail technician, a lot of questions are bound to arise. Do you need to go to school to become a professional nail tech? How much does it cost, and how long does it usually take? These are just some of the questions you’ve probably asked yourself. Another major question that’s not entirely clear is what is the difference between a nail technician license and a nail technician certificate — sometimes referred to as a “nail tech degree.“
While a licensed nail technician and certified nail technician may sound the same, they are actually very different things, with the license required to work as a nail technician in your state legally. Getting the two confused could cost you future job opportunities or waste your time and money, so it’s best to understand the differences before you start your journey.
You Must Get Your License, Not Certificate, To Practice As A Nail Technician
All 50 states in the United States require some form of license to legally practice as a nail technician. The state typically gives out licenses upon the completion of an official exam in addition to the required coursework and hands-on training. On the other hand, a certificate or “degree” is an award given out by nail technician schools to students upon completion of their coursework. Just because you get a certificate does not mean that you have a license to work as a nail technician legally.
To gain your license, you’ll need to fulfill the underlying requirements and get the license directly from the state body that regulates nail technicians, which includes passing your state exam, training, and education at a licensed school. This is the reason that in addition to providing the knowledge and hands-on training required to obtain your license, a school like APlus Nail School also has test preparation for your exam.
The amount of training required for licensure will depend on the state that you live in. A state like Illinois requires students to complete 350 hours of instruction and hands-on training from a licensed nail technician school in addition to passing their exam. Previously, Connecticut was the only state that did not require a license for nail techs, but that changed in 2021, according to the Connecticut Department of Health – now all nail technicians must get a license.
How To Know Whether You’re Getting Your Nail Tech License or Certificate
When you are looking for a nail technician school, there are a few important things to look out for. One is that the state officially licenses them to provide nail technician courses, so it can count towards the requirements for your license. For a state like California, it would mean checking with the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. In Chicago, it would be the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Each of these government organizations should have a list of official schools, or you can call to double-check that they are licensed.
Secondly, make sure that the school you go to is preparing you to pass your state exam. You can finish your coursework and training, but if you fail your state exam, you won’t be able to practice as a nail technician. The best schools offer things like test prep courses regularly to get students ready for the more technical aspects of taking the state exam.
Beware of schools that offer a “nail tech certificate” or “degree” without discussing your state license exam. If the school avoids talking about your “license” or just boasts a certificate, make sure to give that school a second look. Schools that are oriented towards giving you the best skills and guiding you through the licensing process will make getting it much easier.
If you are ready to get your license and you live in Illinois, visit our schedule a tour page to learn more about classes at APlus. We provide everything budding nail technicians need to get fully licensed and prepared for a career, including regular test prep classes and school practice tests.
