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Beauty & Personal Care
How to become a Nail Technician
From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.
- Time to get there
- 3–9 months
- Typical pay
- $28k–$45k
- Starting from
- No experience
Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.
See nail technician jobs open nowThe route
Complete a nail technology program
Typically 250–600 hours — the fastest licensed route in this field.
Course that covers thisMilady Cosmetology Exam Questions Practice TestUdemy · around $19.99Pass the state board
Written and practical, with sanitation weighted heavily.
State nail technician licence
Build a specialism
Gel extensions or nail art. Specialists set their own prices.
- Browse jobs now
Destination
Nail Technician
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