How Do I Become a Nail Technician?
So you’ve decided to become a nail technician, what an amazing choice! Whether you decide to work for yourself or within a team, or perhaps pursue a side hustle or balance life with childcare or caring commitments, nails can open many doors and possibilities. I’m going to guide you through this journey from start to finish and help you get started.
What Does a Nail Technician Do?
The common misconception is that as nail technicians, we just sit and paint nails… While this is part of what we do, it only scratches the surface.
In reality, our daily work involves so much more, such as:
-
Advising, guiding, and caring for our clients nails
-
Making decisions based on each individual client’s nails to give them the best tailored service
-
Ensuring the safety of both the client and ourselves when using nail products
-
Forming strong relationships with clients, often being a counsellor, a friend, a confidant, and more
-
Building a portfolio of nail qualifications to meet all clients needs
-
Being creative with nail designs
-
Building strong, solid relationships with clients to create a long lasting career
-
And if self employed, wearing many hats! You’ll also be the accountant, social media guru, stock buyer, cleaner, and everything in between
The Reality of Being Self-Employed as a Nail Technician
If you decide to go self employed as a nail technician, your role goes far beyond nails. You’ll find yourself wearing many hats to keep your business running smoothly, including:
-
Accountant – keeping on top of your income, expenses, and taxes
-
Social Media Guru – creating content, engaging with clients, and showcasing your work online
-
Stock Buyer – making sure you always have the right products and tools in place
-
Cleaner – keeping your workspace professional, hygienic, and client ready
-
Customer Service Manager – handling bookings, enquiries, and building relationships with your clients
It’s a lot to juggle, but it also gives you the freedom to be your own boss and shape a business that fits around your life. Many nail techs love this balance of creativity, independence, and entrepreneurship.
Do I Need Qualifications to Be a Nail Technician?
Shockingly, no, you don’t need any formal qualifications in the UK to become a nail technician. However, professional training is essential if you want to build a successful career. The right nail course will teach you everything you need to know about your products, alongside the theory and practical application skills required to achieve consistent results.
Most importantly, accredited training allows you to gain nail technician insurance in the UK, which is required for anyone working with the public. Without it, you’re putting both yourself and your clients at risk.
The good news is there’s never been more choice when it comes to training. As well as traditional classroom education, you can now study through online nail courses that let you learn from home at your own pace. (I should know, my own award-winning online nail academy has helped students across the UK and beyond!) Both routes will ensure you’re fully qualified, insurable, and confident in welcoming clients into your business.
Types of Education Available for Nail Technicians
There are a few different ways you can train as a nail technician, and the route you choose will depend on your lifestyle, budget, and learning style.
College Courses (NVQ / VTCT Levels 2 and 3)
-
Usually run in further education colleges or training centres
-
Structured days with theory, practical, and assessments
-
Recognised nationwide and often a requirement if you want to work in larger salons or spas
Private Accredited Training Courses
-
Shorter, more intensive courses available with independent academies like mine
-
Can be taken in-person or online (with case studies and tutor support)
-
Ideal for those who want to focus on specific nail systems such as gel polish, acrylic, BIAB or nail art
- You can choose your learning path and pick individual elements
Online Nail Courses
-
Learn from home, at your own pace, with tutor support
-
Great for fitting training around childcare, work, or other commitments
-
You’ll usually need to submit case studies and complete assessments to receive certification and get insured
Apprenticeships
-
Work in a salon while completing your training
-
Earn a wage while learning on the job
-
Take longer (usually around a year), but provide valuable real work experience
Workshops & CPD (Continued Professional Development)
-
Short courses designed to add new techniques or update your knowledge
-
Ideal once you’re already qualified and want to keep up with industry trends
Types of Nail Technician Training
It’s hard to know where to start! Nowadays, you can hand-pick individual courses and build your skills as you go along.
Among the courses on offer are:
-
Beginner courses – manicure, pedicure, gel polish (a great place to start, as it contains all your fundamental skills)
-
Builder in a Bottle (BIAB) & Hard Gel – perfect for stronger overlays and enhancements. These are the most popular nail treatments in salons across the UK
-
Acrylic / Acrygel / Dual Forms / Full Cover Tips – a great addition if you really want to push your skills to the limit and become the ultimate in your field
-
Nail Art – from simple designs to advanced techniques, clients are demanding something different
Many nail techs choose to train across different systems so they can offer a variety of services to their clients.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Nail Tech?
This is very individual to you. If you pick an in-person nail course, these are usually structured days followed by case studies or an assessment at the end. They can range from 1 week to over a year, it all depends on your education provider.
Online nail courses are more flexible and allow you to work around your commitments. Some companies will give you a time limit to complete, so always make sure you check this. My courses are lifetime, so you can complete them in your own time and pace. I’d always advise not hanging onto skills for too long, put the time in and get qualified so you can start your journey.
There should always be case studies to complete, and how long this takes is up to you as a student. It really depends on how dedicated you are and how quickly you want to get started! You will potentially need models for your case studies. However, if your educator only asks you for one nail, or does not provide proper feedback, I would advise finding a new course. You need feedback that is constructive and developmental.
There will be learning opportunities throughout your career and I’d advise you to grab them all!
Are You Ready to Start Your Nail Technician Journey?
Becoming a nail technician is one of the most rewarding career paths you can take. It offers flexibility, creativity, and the chance to build a business that fits around your life. Whether you dream of working in a salon, setting up from home, or creating a side hustle that grows into something bigger, the right nail training is the key to success.
At Melanie Lewendon Academy, I offer a wide range of accredited online nail courses and in-person training in Derbyshire. From beginner nail tech courses covering manicure, pedicure and gel polish, to advanced systems like acrylic, BIAB, and nail art, you’ll find everything you need to become fully qualified, insured, and confident.
With my training you will:
-
Learn at your own pace through my award-winning online learning platform, with full tutor support before, during and after your course
-
Gain recognised qualifications that allow you to get insured and start building your client base
-
Join a supportive community of learners and access ongoing resources to keep your skills up to date
Explore all my nail technician courses here: www.melanielewendonacademy.co.uk
Your journey as a nail technician starts with the right training. Invest in your future today, and let’s get you started on building the career you’ve been dreaming of.