Attending nail technician schools in Houston Texas and becoming a manicurist gives you the opportunity to work in a career field that offers flexibility and the chance for an artistic expression.
Whether serving an affluent clientele in Houston, a trendy crowd in Austin, or cowgirls in Amarillo, as a licensed nail technician in Texas you will be rewarded for your creativity, expertise, and for making your clients look their best.
Previously, we have written on the 10 Best Accredited cosmetology schools in the USA & their tuition but in this article, we will talk about the Nail technician schools in Houston Texas.
How to become a Licensed nail technician in Texas
To qualify for a manicurist license through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation with approval from the Texas Advisory Board on Cosmetology, follow these four steps:
- Complete the Manicurist School Requirements in Texas
- Register for Your Exams and Licensure
- Pass the Written and Practical Manicurist Examinations
- Develop Your New Career While Maintaining Your License
Complete the Manicurist School Requirements in Texas
To legally do nails in Texas requires that you do a nail technician program in any of the nail technician schools in Houston Texas or any other of your choice that consists of at least 600 hours of coursework and training.
By law, nail technician schools must offer programs that include:
320 hours covering procedures – manicure, pedicure, oil manicure, hand/arm massage, application of polish, buffering, nail extensions, nail repair work, and removal of stains
100 hours covering bacteriology, sanitation, and safety – rules, laws, methods, hazardous chemicals, safety procedures, and ventilation
80 hours covering professional practices – professional behaviour, ethics, salon procedures, hygiene, grooming, and public relations
70 hours covering arms and hands – major bone functions, skin structure, growth, regeneration, muscles, nerves, and types of afflictions or diseases
15 hours covering manicurist orientation, laws, and rules
15 hours covering manicurist supplies, tools, and implements
Register for Your Exams and Licensure
The second step towards becoming a nail technician after going through a nail technician school which can be any of the nail technician schools in Houston Texas is to register for your exams and licensure.
To be eligible for a manicurist license, you will need to pass a written and practical examination.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has contracted the administration of these examinations to the testing company PSI.
To apply for these exams you will need to submit a Cosmetology License by Examination Application, indicating the Manicurist Specialty.
Another option is to apply for these exams online under the heading Cosmetology Manicurist.
Option for a Temporary Nail Technician Permit
To be eligible for a temporary permit, you must apply online and pay for a temporary manicurist permit.
Once you pass your manicurist practical exam you are eligible for a temporary permit to begin practising immediately.
This is valid for 21 days and will allow you to work as a manicurist while the Department processes your full two-year license.
Option for an Esthetician-Manicurist Specialty License
Texas offers a unique license for those who are interested in combining the fields of esthetics and manicuring with its Esthetician-Manicurist Specialty License.
The esthetician-manicurist job description would allow you to do your clients’ make-up and apply beauty creams while also permitting you to perform normal nail technician procedures.
You can apply for this type of license using the same forms and procedures as a normal manicurist, however, you will encounter a few additional requirements:
- You will need to complete an additional 600-750 hours of esthetician courses in addition to your original 600 hours of manicurist training
- You will need to pass a written and practical exam that includes aspects of both esthetics and manicuring
Out-of-State Manicurists
If you are already a licensed manicurist in another state you may be eligible for a Texas manicurist license based on reciprocity.
This may be the case if your home state maintains licensing requirements similar to Texas – namely at least 600 hours of manicurist curriculum and the passage of both written and practical exams.
Depending on what state you are from, you may be allowed to substitute for a lack of clock hours with work experience.
Texas does not recognize out-of-state manicurists who were trained through an apprenticeship.
If you meet these conditions, you can complete a License by Reciprocity Application and submit it to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Pass the Written and Practical Manicurist Examinations
As soon as the Department of Licensing and Regulation has determined that you meet the nail technician license requirements, an eligibility postcard with information that you can use to create an account with PSI and register for your exams will be sent to you.
You can begin preparing for the exams right now with PSI’s Manicurist License Examination Candidate Information Bulletin.
The written exam is offered in all of the following cities, with those offering the practical exam also indicated:
- Abilene
- Amarillo – also offering the practical exam
- Arlington
- Austin – also offering the practical exam
- Corpus Christi
- Dallas – also offering the practical exam
- El Paso – also offering the practical exam
- Fort Worth
- Harlingen
- Houston – also offering the practical exam
- Lubbock
- McAllen – also offering the practical exam
- Midland – also offering the practical exam
- San Antonio – also offering the practical exam
- Tyler
- Waco
Once you have passed these exams the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation will send you a license application form.
When you have returned the application along with the licensing fee to the Department you will be issued your manicurist license.
Manicurist Written Exam
You will need to take this exam first. The questions are sourced from the following six main categories. You will have 100 minutes to complete the exam:
- Sanitation, disinfection, and safety – 27 questions
- Client consultation and analysis – 8 questions
- Manicure and pedicure – 7 questions
- Nail tips and nail wraps – 7 questions
- Gel and acrylic nails – 6 questions
- Regulations and licensing – 5 questions
Manicurist Practical Exam
You will have 90 minutes to complete the practical exam, and you will need to bring your own materials as detailed in the Candidate Information Bulletin.
You will also need to bring a friend who is at least 16 years old to act as a model. You will demonstrate the following procedures to a professional evaluator:
- Disinfection and set up and disinfection – 10 minutes
- Manicure service using your model – 25 minutes
- Nail tip application on one nail of your model’s hand – 10 minutes
- Nail wrap on one nail of your model’s hand – 15 minutes
- Acrylic nail application on one nail of your model’s hand – 20 minutes
- End of exam disinfection – 10 minutes
Develop Your New Career While Maintaining Your License
Nail technician jobs can be found in so many places in Texas. However, having obtained your license, you will need to renew your manicurist license every two years which means completing continuing education.
This simply means that you will need to complete four hours of continuing education from an approved provider before the end of each two-year renewal cycle.
As you develop your career further you may be interested in renting your own space in an existing nail salon or day spa. Read on to see the nail technician schools in Houston Texas.
List of Nail Technician Schools in Houston Texas
Below are some of the top nail technician schools in Houston Texas.
- Ogle School
- Got Nails University
- BL Cosmetology School
- Sebring Career Schools
- 360 Degrees Beauty & Barber Academy
- Stay Ready Nails Academy
- Design Beauty College
- Top Beauty College
- Victoria Cosmetology School
- Houston Training Schools
- Nailology
- Vogue International Academy
- Texas Nail Educator
How much is nail tech school( nail technician schools in Houston Texas)?
According to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools(AACS), nail tech training programs in the best nail schools in Houston cost between $3,000 to $10,000.
Most times, many programs average $1,000 to $5,000 (including tuition, fees, books, and supplies).
The actual cost most times will be dependent on the number of program hours and the program curriculum.
Initial exam, application, and licensing fees might cost $100 to $200. License renewal is required every 2 years by most states and costs $25 to $100.
However, there is financial aid for students in some of these nail technician schools in Houston Texas. AACS member schools offer scholarships and grants.
Acrylic nail classes in Houston tx
The acrylic nail classes in Houston TX is an extensive course that covers all the details of being an expert or a professional in nail extension.
Through this course, you will be able to perfect and proper nail shapes and make your customers happy in the end.
In this course, you will get new and unique skills and also enhance your personal qualities. You’ll become a much more confident master. Build your future and reach perfection in the nail industry.
This course is suitable for beginners who wants to start a nail extension career. It is also for masters with nail extension experience and who are interested in improving their skills.
The acrylic nail classes in Houston tx are also for beauty salon workers and freelancers.
what will you learn in the acrylic nail classes in Houston tx?
You will be taught the following in the nail technician schools in Houston Texas, though it depends on the institution.
(1) Avoiding mistakes and work-related injuries while preparing natural nails for nail extension.
(2) Proper use of materials (liquids) in the process of nail extension.
(3) Valuable knowledge of nail structure and preparation for the nail extension.
(4) Detailed knowledge of how to refill the artificial nails.
(5) Make nails of any length and form the perfect acrylic nail shape.
(6) Advanced knowledge of correct and fast nail filing techniques. This method will save you time while you work.
(7) Proper sculpting of square and almond nail shapes.
How long does it take to become a nail tech in Texas?
It takes 600 hours of training to become a nail technician in Texas. Whichever school or nail technician schools in Houston Texas you choose must meet the following requirements:
- Classrooms must be separated from lab space by walls.
- There has to be enough space to appropriately instruct the number of students enrolled in a course and enough space for ten students at a minimum.
- They must have a sink with hot and cold water and a place to store equipment.
In your 600 hours of nail tech instruction, you can expect to take classes in:
- Bacteriology
- Sanitation
- Safety
- Supplies
- Professional Practice
How much do nail techs make in Houston?
The average salary for a nail technician is $26.53 per hour in Houston, TX.
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What do you think about these nail technician schools in Houston Texas listed above? If there are better nail technician schools in Houston Texas, do well to mention them below.