Nail Technician Course Information

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Nail Technician Course Descriptions

Nail Technician: Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 39-5094.00
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code 12.0410   MyCAA Course Code NAI101 
The curriculum involves 300 hours to satisfy Utah state requirements. The course includes instruction and practical experience in acrylic nails, gel nails, manicures, pedicures, massage, customer service, personal appearance & hygiene, personal motivation and development, retail skills, client record keeping, business ethics, state laws and regulations, salon-type administration, and job interviewing.

*Graduates are prepared to be an entry level nail technician.

This course is taught in English. Textbooks and course materials are only offered in the English Language.

This program is not Title IV eligible.

Nail Technician Course OVerview

Course Hours: 300 clock hours

The course is divided into pre-clinical classroom instruction and clinical service learning experiences.

  1. Pre-clinical Classroom Instruction: The first 112 hours are devoted to classroom workshops where students learn design principles, technical information, and professional practices.
  2. Clinic Classroom Learning Experience: The remaining 188 hours are spent in the clinic area where practical experience is gained.

  3. Distance Education Learning Experience: Students enrolled in the program with distance education will complete a portion of their education through online learning.

Nail Technician Course Outline

Your time at Paul Mitchell The School St. George for the nail technician program will be divided into six designations:

  1. Core Curriculum: This 112-hour time period is dedicated to exploring foundational knowledge and basic nails procedures. You will receive individual attention in practical workshops, and you will complete monthly worksheets and periodic tests throughout the course. This is an intense and exciting portion of your experience.
  2. Mentor Learning Experience: Your remaining 188 hours will be spent in a clinic classroom environment. You will dress, act, and work like a beauty industry professional. You will use your own technical and therapeutic abilities, coupled with the assistance of Learning Leaders, to provide service to guests. You will make discoveries and learn relationship-building skills that will ensure your success in this exciting, diverse field.

Nail Technician Course Subjects

The instructional program of Paul Mitchell The School St. George meets or exceeds the state requirements. The following subjects are taught within the brick & mortar program and the hybrid program:

Subject Hours of Instruction 
  1. Introduction consisting of:
    1. History of nail technology; and
    2. Overview of the nail technology
 5
  1. Personal, client, and salon safety including:
    1. Aseptic techniques and sanitary procedures
    2. Disinfection and sterilization methods and procedures
    3. Health risk to the nail technician
 41
  1. Business and salon management including:
    1. Developing clientele
    2. Professional image
    3. Professional ethics
    4. Professional associations
    5. Public relations
    6. Advertising
 5
  1. Legal issues including:
    1. Malpractice liability
    2. Regulatory agencies
    3. Tax laws
 2
  1. Human immune systems
 2
  1. Diseases and disorders of nails and skin including:
    1. Bacteriology
    2. Sanitation
    3. Sterilization
    4. Decontamination
    5. Infection control
 5
  1. Implements, tools, and equipment for nail technology:
 4
  1. First aid
 5
  1. Anatomy
 5
  1. Science of nail technology
 5
  1. Theory of basic manicuring, including hand and arm massage
 28
  1. Physiology of the skin and nails
 5
  1. Chemistry for nail technology
 5
  1. Artificial nail techniques consisting of:
    1. wraps, nail tips, gel nails, sculptured and other acrylic nails; and nail art 
 146
  1. Pedicures and massaging the lower legs and foot
 35
  1. Utah Nail Technology Examination Review
 2

TOTAL CLOCK HOURS

 300

The institution offers employment assistance to help graduates’ efforts to secure education-related employment that includes, but is not limited to training in professionalism, resume’ development, job interview preparation and job search skills.

Nail Technician Program Testing and Grading Procedure

The following tests and grading procedures are used to assess student learning and mastery of course content in the 300-hour course, which includes the hybrid distance education program:

  1. Academic theory exams: Students must receive a grade of 75% or higher on each assigned theory exam. Exams are completed at the conclusion of each online theory module. Depending on the length of the distance education module, theory exams will occur weekly or bi-monthly. The theory exams will evaluate the student’s academic performance for each subject of the distance education   curriculum.
  2. Final exam 1: This test covers an overview of all related cosmetology subjects (e.g., anatomy, chemistry, etc.). Students must receive a grade of 75% or higher on all final exams. Final Exam 1 must be completed within the school facility and cannot be taken through distance education.
  3. Clinic practical worksheets: Students must complete all clinic practical worksheets.
  4. Distance education assessments: Students must complete a distance education written assessment and practical skill assessment. These are based on performance and must be completed on-campus each month. The distance education assessment will focus on the distance education subjects covered during that time period. Students must receive a grade of 75% or higher on each distance education written assessment and each practical skill assessment. Only students enrolled in the distance education program are required to complete these assessments.

Nail Technician Instructional Techniques and Methods

The 300 clock hour education is provided through a sequential set of learning steps which address specific tasks necessary for State Board preparation, graduation and job entry level skills. Clinic equipment, implements and products are comparable to those used in the industry. Each student will receive instruction that relates to the performance of useful, creative and productive career oriented activities. The course is presented through well-developed lesson plans that reflect the latest educational methods. Subjects are presented by means of lecture, demonstration and student participation. Audio- visual aids, guest speakers, field trips, and other related learning methods are used in the course.

In order to enroll in the hybrid program of study, the Future Professional must have the following hardware, software, and network requirements:

  1. Apple iPad (Wi-Fi 32GB)
  2. High-Speed Internet minimum of 15 Mbps
  3. Milady Mindtap
  4. Google Chrome or Safari
  5. Zoom