Category: Nail Industry

5 Reasons Why a Career in Nail Technology is a Smart Choice – Be A Nail Technician Today

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A career in nail technology is an exciting opportunity in the beauty industry that offers a wide range of possibilities for those who are interested in working with nails. Nail technology includes creating, maintaining, and enhancing nails through various techniques and products such as manicures, pedicures, gel nails, acrylic nails, and nail art.

One of the key benefits of a career in nail technology is the flexibility it provides. Nail technicians can work in various settings such as salons, spas, and even from their own homes. They can also choose to specialize in certain areas like bridal nails, nail art, or nail care for those with medical conditions.

Another advantage of a career in nail technology is the relatively low barrier to entry. Many beauty schools offer nail technology programs that can be completed in as little as six months, and some states do not require licensing for nail technicians. However, it is important to note that some states do require licensing, so it is important to check with your state’s regulatory board before enrolling in a program.

To become a successful nail technician, it is important to have a keen attention to detail, creativity, and an ability to work with your hands. Good customer service skills are also essential, as you will be interacting with clients on a regular basis.

In terms of earning potential, the earning range can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for nail technicians in the United States is $12.97. However, some nail technicians can earn significantly more, particularly if they work in high-end salons or have a strong client base.

Overall, a career in nail technology is a great choice for those interested in the beauty industry. With the right training, skills, and attitude, it can be a fun, creative, and rewarding field with good earning potential.

5 Reasons Summary:

  1. Flexibility: Nail technicians often have the ability to set their own hours and work part-time, making it a great career choice for those who want a flexible schedule.
  2. Job security: The field of nail technology is expected to grow in the future, providing job security and opportunities for advancement.
  3. Creativity: Nail technicians have the opportunity to be creative and express their artistic abilities through nail design and art.
  4. Personal satisfaction: Helping clients improve their appearance and boost their confidence can be a fulfilling and rewarding aspect of being a nail technician.
  5. Variety of services: Nail technicians provide a variety of services, such as manicures, pedicures, and nail art, which can keep the job interesting and challenging.

What is a Nail Technician course?

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Description

A nail technician course is a program of study that teaches individuals how to provide various nail care services such as manicures, pedicures, and acrylic or gel nail extensions. The course typically covers topics such as nail anatomy and physiology, infection control, product chemistry, and proper techniques for filing, buffing, and polishing nails. It may also include instruction on how to apply and remove artificial nails, and how to design and decorate nails with nail art. Upon completion of the course, students may be required to take a certification exam to become a licensed nail technician.

Curriculum Summary

Refers to student hand-books for detail.

  1. Anatomy and Physiology of the Nail: This module will cover the structure and function of the nails and their surrounding tissue, including the skin, bones and muscles.
  2. Sanitation and Sterilization: This module will cover the importance of maintaining a clean and sanitized work environment, including the proper use of disinfectants, sterilization techniques, and infection control procedures.
  3. Nail Diseases and Disorders: This module will cover the recognition and treatment of common nail conditions, such as fungus, ingrown nails, and brittle nails.
  4. Manicuring Techniques: This module will cover the basics of providing a professional manicure, including nail shaping, buffing, and polishing, as well as the proper use of cuticle nippers and other tools.
  5. Pedicuring Techniques: This module will cover the basics of providing a professional pedicure, including foot soaking, exfoliating, and massage techniques, as well as the proper use of tools for trimming and shaping nails and calluses.
  6. Artificial Nail Techniques: This module will cover the basics of applying and maintaining artificial nails, including acrylic, gel, and silk wraps, as well as the proper use of nail forms, tips, and adhesive.
  7. Nail Art Techniques: This module will cover the basics of creating intricate designs and patterns on nails using polish, stencils, and other decorative tools.
  8. Business and Ethics: This module will cover the business aspects of being a nail technician, including client communication, appointment scheduling, and record keeping, as well as the ethical considerations involved in the profession.
  9. Safety and Chemical Procedures: This module will cover the safety precautions and proper usage of chemicals used in nail care services.
  10. Role of the Nail Technician: This module will cover the professional responsibilities and opportunities available to a licensed Nail Technician.

Nail Technician Career

Progress and Hourly Pay

A career in nail technology can be a rewarding and fulfilling profession, with opportunities for growth and advancement. Many nail technicians begin their careers working in salons or spas, providing nail care services to clients. As they gain experience and build a client base, they may move on to work in larger or more upscale salons, or even open their own salon or spa.

As for pay, the median hourly wage for nail technicians in the United States is around $11.75. However, the pay can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and the type of salon or spa where one is working. Nail technicians working in high-end salons or spas may earn higher wages, while those working in small, independent salons may earn less. Tips can also be a significant source of income for nail technicians.

Additionally, many nail technicians choose to expand their skills and knowledge by continuing their education through additional training and certifications in areas such as advanced nail art, spa treatments, or business management. This can lead to higher pay and more opportunities for advancement in their career.

It is worth noting that the pay and career progress can vary depending on the state, region and the salon/spa you work for. It’s best to research and gather information about the specific location and employer you are interested in.

Commission Based Pay

Many beauty professionals, including nail technicians, are considered independent contractors and are typically paid on a commission basis rather than an hourly basis. This means that their income is based on the services they provide and the amount they charge for those services, rather than the number of hours they work. This can be beneficial for those who are self-motivated and able to build a steady client base, as the potential for earning a higher income is greater.

However, being an independent contractor also means that they do not have the same job security or benefits as traditional employees, such as health insurance or paid time off. They are also responsible for their own taxes and expenses, such as purchasing their own supplies.

It’s also worth noting that some salons or spas may hire nail technicians as employees and pay them an hourly wage, or a combination of hourly wage and commission. It is important to carefully review the terms of employment before accepting a job as a nail technician.

It is important to research the specific salon or spa you plan to work for to understand the details of their pay structure and the responsibilities and benefits that come with it.

Kentucky Law – Requirements to be a KY licensed Nail Technician

To obtain a nail technician license in Kentucky, the following requirements must be met:

  1. Be at least 18 years old
  2. Have a 12th grade education or equivalent
  3. Complete a Kentucky Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists approved course of study in nail technology, which is 450 hours.
  4. Successfully pass a written and practical examination
  5. Submit an application for licensure and the appropriate fee to the Kentucky Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists.
  6. Receive a license verification or license prior to providing services
  7. Renew the license every year and complete continuing education requirements.
  8. If you have obtained hours or hold a license from another state, please see Out of State Info.

How to find job as a Nail Technician?

There are several ways to find a job as a nail technician:

  1. Networking: Reach out to other professionals in the industry, such as cosmetologists and estheticians, to learn about job opportunities.
  2. Online job boards: Websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor have many job listings for nail technicians.
  3. Beauty schools: Many beauty schools have job placement services that can help you find a job after you graduate.
  4. Social media: Use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase your work and connect with potential employers.
  5. Walk-ins and Resume: Some salons and spas accept walk-ins and resumes, so you can drop off your resume and speak with the manager or owner about job opportunities.
  6. Professional associations: Join professional associations such as the Nail Technicians Association of America and the Professional Beauty Association, which often have job listings and can connect you with employers.
  7. Referral: Ask your current or previous employer for referral or recommendation.
  8. Freelance: Consider working as a freelance nail technician, you can build your own clientele and set your own schedule, you can also get hired for private events or parties.

It’s important to note that some states and municipalities may have different regulations and licensing requirements for nail technicians, so be sure to check your local laws and regulations before applying for jobs.

Why Artificial Intelligent (AI) cannot replace Esthetician?

AI technology is advancing rapidly in many fields, but it is currently not advanced enough to fully replace estheticians. Here are a few reasons why:

  1. Personalized service: Estheticians provide personalized services to clients based on their individual needs and preferences. AI technology, while it can provide a general service, is not able to tailor the service to the specific needs of each client.
  2. Human touch: Estheticians rely on their sense of touch and intuition to determine the best course of treatment for a client. This includes assessing the client’s skin condition, applying products and performing treatments, and providing a relaxing and comfortable experience. AI technology is not yet advanced enough to replicate the human touch.
  3. Empathy: Estheticians often act as a confidant and provide emotional support to their clients. AI technology is not capable of providing the same level of empathy and understanding.
  4. Flexibility: Estheticians are able to adapt to the changing needs of their clients and adjust their treatments accordingly. AI technology is not yet advanced enough to be able to respond in the same way to unanticipated changes.
  5. Regulation: The beauty and esthetic industry is heavily regulated by the government and professional organizations. AI technology may not be able to adhere to the regulations and may not be allowed to provide certain services.

All in all, AI technology may be able to assist estheticians in certain tasks, but it is not advanced enough to replace them entirely. The human element of esthetician work, such as the ability to understand and empathize with clients, make personalized recommendations and adapt to changing circumstances, cannot be replicated by a machine.

MosiacAward2021-ReceivedByDiTran

Louisville Beauty Academy – Jewish Family Career Service Mosaic Award 2020-2021 and Louisville Business First – Family Business Award – Belong to Family, Business Partners, and Company Associates – Di Tran Dedication – 05-25-2021

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We, Di Tran Enterprise, and families are humbled and honored to receive these awards from Jewish Family & Career Services (Mosaic Award 2020-2021) and Louisville Business First + the University of Louisville (Family Business Rising Star Award Finalist) today. These are the recognition for our organizations of Di Tran Enterprises that includes Di Tran LLC (Business IT Consulting), Louisville Beauty Academy LLC (Beauty Licensing Talent Development), Louisville Institute of Technology (Information Technology True Work-Ready Talent Development), and US Salon Chains; specially dedicated to all the business partners, associates/staffs and family members.

Di Tran is receiving this recognition on behalf of everyone from Di Tran Enterprise. We thank the community people of Louisville Kentucky for the ongoing support. Di Tran Enterprise wishes to continue this effort to serve and add more value to our community development.

Jewish Family & Career Services Mosaic Award 2020-2021 and Louisville Business First + University of Louisville – Family Business Award Finalist

Press Release: Editor, The Louisville Courier Journal – Louisville Beauty Academy – 03-10-2021

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To:                  Editor, The Louisville Courier Journal

Date:               March 10, 2021

The leaders of Kentucky’s public community colleges raised an important and timely issue (“Will you be ready to go to work…” CJ, 3.8.2021) regarding the resources and support necessary to put Kentuckians back to work as the restrictions from the pandemic abate. The gap between available occupational, technical, and professional career opportunities and the workforce-ready talent to meet them has grown, not shrunk, in the last year. Lifting restrictions and opening in-person enterprises will unleash a tidal wave of pent-up demand that generates economic activity and wealth. The question is, who will benefit from that economic turbo-charge and for how long?

The emphasis on institutional diversity, equity and inclusion appropriately sets expectations that demand much more than status quo. Specifically, the DEI post-pandemic economy should benefit minority and low-income populations, and in a manner that is sustainable and long-term. The post-pandemic workforce and small business community in Louisville must reflect and support economic success and personal achievement by minorities, low-income individuals, immigrants, and those displaced by poor health, military service, and other social circumstances. Principles of diversity and inclusion are paramount.

Include Kentucky-based career colleges in the mix of institutions that are helping individuals re-train, re-skill and re-tool for employment and entrepreneurship post-pandemic. The Louisville Beauty Academy (www.louisvillebeautyacademy.net) and the Louisville Institute of Technology (www.louisvilleit.org) excel at providing on-time, immersive and true work-ready programs that prepare graduates for employment on day one.  Completers at LBA immediately go to work for nail and beauty salons because the training specifically ensures their success in earning Kentucky licensure. Likewise, successful apprentices at LIT can attain the Full-Stack Programmer “I Have Done It” certificate in three months. Employers in financial, healthcare, logistics and manufacturing are eager to put those IT professionals to work immediately, solving enterprise system deficiencies and delivering end-to-end interoperability that includes text-driven end user applications.

LIT and LBA programs are extremely specific to the workforce. They are typically shorter and more intense than programs offered at other institutions because they recognize the importance of timely completion and employment. They are highly hands-on, emphasizing practical real-time instruction. The programs are highly affordable and accessible in-person, on-line or in combination.

Community college leaders acknowledged that job-seekers post-pandemic are “most likely to enroll in a nondegree program or seek skills training.” That phenomenon is driven by the economic and entrepreneurial opportunities right around the corner. LBA and LIT are ideal complements to public post-secondary education. The diversity and inclusion principles apply to the academies’ ownership, staff, and student populations. It should also apply to the institutional diversity that is supported in our community to achieve the DEI economic boom that is so necessary.

Di Tran, CEO – Louisville Beauty Academy/Louisville Institute of Technology

References

Pandemic Rise Back Scholarship

Louisville Beauty Academy – $8,300 to 100% tuition Scholarship for Licensed Beauty Instructor Program – Community Rise Back Effort 2021 – Text Us Now 502-625-5531

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In the effort of grooming future beauty (cosmetology, esthetic, and nail technology) instructors, and community rise back effort from pandemic, Louisville Beauty Academy is offering 100% of tuition scholarship ($8,300) = FREE TUITION for Licensed Beauty Instructor programs, thanks to school’s partner Louisville Fund A Student Foundation.

Louisville Beauty Academy instructor program’s total package price is $11,652. With this scholarship, our students would only be accountable for the instructor program student kits, books and fees that would equals two $1800 enrollment deposit and $200/month for 5 months (small payment plan with zero interest.

What’s the Catch?

The catch is that student with this scholarship are committed to completing this program in seven months; which full time student only need 4.5 months to finish and pass the Kentucky State Board exam in 2 months after graduation. He/she is also committed to working for Louisville Beauty Academy for 2 years.

Text us today for questions at Louisville Beauty Academy enrollment 502-625-5531

Instructor Program Requirement

Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology Requirement to be Apprentice Instructor/Cosmetology Instructor
  • Must be a currently licensed cosmetologist, esthetician or nail technician, must have been licensed at least one (1) year
  • As of Dec 2021, Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology is allowing 325 hours theory study of total 750 hours for Instructor Apprentice to be studied online. This is the ONLY program that has online study options now
Louisville Beauty Academy - KY Stateboard of Cosmetology and Hairdresser - Preferred Language Translation Agency

Louisville Beauty Academy – KY State Board of Cosmetology and Hairdresser – Preferred Language Translation Agency

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As of 08-28-2020, Beauty students in Kentucky with English as a Second Language, and foreign high school graduate are receiving mails from Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology and Hairdresser after submitting his/her application for KY Beauty Licensing Examination; about his/her high school certificate/transcript/diploma translation or simply with the response as No Proof of High School Education along with a list preferred translating agencies as pictures shown here.

Have your foreign high school diploma be translated by these agencies for enrollment in Louisville Beauty Academy or before applying for the Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology and Hairdresser Examination.

Sample of Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology Response of Student Licensing Exam Application – Noting Proof of High School Education Needed, When It is About Using the Translation from the Preferred Translation Agency Only
Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology and Hairdresser – Preferred List of Language Translation Agencies

Language Unlimited
7401 Springvale Dr.
Louisville, KY 40241
502-243-5379
https://www.languagesunlimited.com

International Language Bank
P.O. Box 145
Cleveland, OH 44030
440-599-9999
http://internationallanguagebank.com/

Catholic Charities of Louisville
2911 South 4th St
Louisville, KY 40202
502-636-9263
https://cclou.org/language-services/
http://languagecclou.org/

Ameri-Lingua (Spanish)
312 Deerfield Ln
Lexington, KY 40511
859-509-4195
http://ameri-lingua.com/

Translations Unlimited
1951 Fallbrook Ln
Cincinnati, OH 45240
513-674-0716
https://www.languagesunlimited.com

Louisville Beauty Academy - Students and Graduates Transfer of Hours From and To Other States in United States

Louisville Beauty Academy – Students and Graduates Transfers of Hours Between States – Regulated By Kentucky State Board Of Cosmetology and Hairdressers

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Louisville Beauty Academy – Transfer of Credit Hour From School To School or State to State

Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided here is subject to change as per the current policies of the Kentucky State Board. Therefore, the details presented are based on the most up-to-date information available at the moment.

EXACT STEPS OF EXECUTION

Here is a step-by-step guide for transferring state certified beauty trained hours for any program (cosmetology, esthetic, nail technology, and instructor license) to or from Kentucky state:

  1. Contact the Kentucky State Board from which you are transferring. Request that they send the transfer of credit/license information via mail and email to the state board you are transferring to.
  2. Allow 15 to 30 days for the transfer process to take place. Afterward, reach out to the state board you are transferring to and inquire about the confirmation of receipt. Also, ask for further guidance on the next steps.
  3. Get in touch with the school you attended for your beauty training. Request a student transcript, as most state boards require this document for the transfer process.
  4. If the state board you are transferring to informs you that you need additional hours to qualify for the licensing exam, you can consider enrolling in a school like Louisville Beauty Academy to complete the necessary hours.

Please keep in mind that the specific requirements and procedures may vary, so it is essential to follow the instructions provided by the respective state boards and schools involved in the transfer process.

ELABORATION ON DETAIL

Objective:

Many individuals have repeatedly asked questions about transferring certified training hours for cosmetology, nail technology/manicure, and esthetic/aesthetic, as well as state licenses, both to and from Kentucky State. This section aims to provide concise answers to these common inquiries.

Short Answers:

  1. Yes, you can transfer your beauty license and certified training hours between Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology and Hairdress and other states. However, the process can be time-consuming.
  2. To transfer hours from another state to Kentucky, you need to follow the guidelines set by the Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology. It is crucial to comply with their specific requirements.
  3. While Louisville Beauty Academy can offer guidance and advice, they strictly adhere to the guidelines outlined by the Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology. They can assist you within the framework provided by the board.
  4. Whether or not you have to retake the exam depends on the destination state’s requirements. You will need to apply to the respective State Board and follow their instructions. They will guide you on whether you need to retake the exam or apply for a new license in their state.

  • The transfer of your license or certified training hours must be facilitated by the State Board, not by the applicant. You need to contact the State Board and request them to initiate the transfer on your behalf.
  • The applicant is responsible for following all the necessary steps as required by the Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology.
  • The applicant must apply to the destination State Board to have their transferred license or certified training hours accepted and processed. The State Board will provide guidance on the subsequent steps, such as retaking the exam or obtaining a new license in their state.
  • If you did not take the exam on the NIC examination system (National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology), please note that as of 2022-223, the NIC has transitioned to PSI (Psychological Services, Inc.). Therefore, it is important to be aware of this recent change.
  • PSI now provides standardized, valid, and legally defensible national theory and practical examinations for cosmetology and related fields. The administration of computer-based testing and practical examinations is handled by authorized test administration companies and states. You can find a list of states that utilize PSI Testing on their website.

Please note that the information provided here is intended to serve as a general guide, and it is important to refer to the specific instructions and guidelines provided by the respective State Boards for accurate and up-to-date information.

Long Answers:

Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology and Hairdress – Out of State Info

When it comes to transferring your certified training hours, licenses, or credentials for cosmetology, nail technology/manicure, and esthetic/aesthetic to or from the Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology and Hairdress, it’s important to be aware of the specific requirements and procedures. Here is a detailed overview to help you navigate the process:

  1. Processing Time and Verification: Please allow a minimum of 30 days for the application processing time due to the high volume of applicants. The office cannot verify the receipt of applications unless it has been more than 30 days since submission. If you require verification, it is recommended to submit your application through traceable means via the postal system.
  2. Certification of License: All out-of-state applicants must obtain a certification of license from the state board that issued the license. This certification should be requested by the applicant from the licensing agency of the state they are transferring from and must be submitted directly from that agency. Certifications cannot be accepted from the applicant directly.
  3. Specific Requirements for Each Program: Different programs have varying requirements for hours and education:
  • Cosmetologist: 1500 hours of training and a 12th-grade education.
  • Nail Technician: 450 hours of training and a 12th-grade education.
  • Esthetician: 750 hours of training and a 12th-grade education.
  • Apprentice Instructor/Instructor: 750 hours of training and a 12th-grade education.
  1. Certification of Out-of-State Hours: If you have completed hours in another state, you must provide a certification of hours and/or license from the state licensing agency where the hours were obtained. This certification should be requested by you and submitted directly from the transferring state’s licensing agency. Only hours certified by the state licensing agencies will be accepted, and school transcripts will not be accepted.
  • Equivalent Hours: If your out-of-state hours are equivalent to Kentucky’s hourly requirement for the specific license, you can apply as an Out-of-State Exam applicant.
  • Insufficient Hours: If your out-of-state hours do not meet Kentucky’s hourly requirement, you must complete the remaining hours required for that license at a school of cosmetology in Kentucky before applying for the licensing exam. Kentucky will only accept the amount of hours required for licensing by the state you are transferring from.
  1. Examinations: The specific examinations required vary for each program:
  • Cosmetology: Written and Practical examinations.
  • Nail Technician: Written and Practical examinations.
  • Esthetician: Written and Practical examinations.
  1. Licensed Out-of-State: If you hold an out-of-state license that was obtained through a nationally certified examination, you may apply for licensure in Kentucky without having to complete the NIC examination. However, if your out-of-state license was not obtained through a nationally certified examination, you will be required to successfully complete the NIC examination (both theory and practical) before licensure can be granted in Kentucky.
  2. Required Documentation for Out-of-State License Transfer Application: Along with your application, you must submit the following documents:
  • Copy of Applicant’s Driver’s License or State-Issued ID.
  • Certification of Professional License: This must be requested from the professional licensing board of the state where your license was issued. Certifications should be submitted directly to the Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology.
  • Proof of 12th Grade Education: Acceptable documentation includes college, high school, or GED transcript or diploma. If your education was obtained outside of the United States, an official translation must be provided.

Please ensure that all requested documentation (except license certification) is included with your transfer application and the corresponding fee as specified on the application form. Incomplete applications missing documentation will not be considered for approval.

Important notice:

Kindly note that the processing time for complete and accurate out-of-state transfer applications received by the Board office is approximately 30 days. We kindly ask you to plan accordingly, considering this timeframe for your application.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please feel free to reach out. We are here to help ensure a smooth and efficient transfer process.

Louisville Beauty Academy - Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology and Hairdresser - Out of State Transfer Application Instruction
Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology and Hairdresser –
Out of State Transfer Application Instruction
Louisville Beauty Academy - Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology and Hairdresser - Out of State Transfer Application Form
Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology and Hairdresser –
Out of State Transfer Application Form

References:

Kentucky State Board of Cosmetology and Hairdressers – Transfer Out of State License and Certified Training Hours https://kbc.ky.gov/Licensure/Pages/Out-of-State-Info.aspx

National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) – Course Content Focused for State Board Examination – Cosmetology & Hair Design, Barbering (Barber Styling, Barber, Barber 1), Body Piercing, Electrology, Esthetics/ Aesthetic, Esthetics-Advanced Practice (AP), Instructor, Manager, and Nail Technology

https://nictesting.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/NIC-References-3.1.2020.pdf

Louisville Beauty Academy – Nail Technology Program – ONLY REQUIRE 450 HOURS (Less than 3 month of school)

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State Board of Cosmetology in Kentucky has reduced hour of Nail Technology required hours from 600 to 450 – that is equivalent to less than 3 months of school for full-time student (30-40 hours/week school attendance). This also means that at Louisville Beauty Academy, with our school more than 50% tuition off scholarship. Please check school tuition, fee and scholarship page here. YES, THIS IS AMAZING.

Is there any more reason to delay, or wait to empower your with extra skill, and education to enable you to stable your life? LET’S START TODAY, ENROLL AT OUR SCHOOL AND ALLOW YOURSELF TO BECOME A NAIL TECHNICIAN – one of the fastest growing industry in beauty domain.

CALL US NOW FOR APPOINTMENT TO LEARN MORE OR CONTACT US THROUGH:

TEXT, EMAIL OR PHONE CALL AT 502-625-5531

OR

[email protected]

Cosmetology School – Fact and Myth – School Category + Accreditation + Quality

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Objective:

This article is a summary of higher level information about key elements of cosmetology school, a higher educational institute. The objective is to synthesize all cosmetology school information and share a more complete set knowledge to enable our community to determine his/her school need, especially beauty school or cosmetology school.

The key elements to be addressed here are:

  1. Cosmetology School (Technical, Vocational, and Trade) Vs General Education College
    • Cosmetology School Certification vs General Educational Degree
  2. Choosing School – School Evaluation
    • Quality of Education
  3. Accreditation Myth and Fact

A more important aspect is this is a collection of multiple source information summaries; NOT a single person perspective.

Motivation:

School is an important aspect of life and having a big impact in both the short term and long term need (survival needs for many) of an individual. School or cosmetology school matters are often questioned and answered in bit and piece, incomplete and in a distributed fashion;  therefore it is important for a community to have a most complete set of knowledge, as unbiased as possible,  short, simplified, summarized and easy to get a jump start in cosmetology school determination.

Cosmetology School vs. General Education College

The comparison of higher school starts with the definition and determination of school comparison variable or items to use to compare the school with. The comparison variables include:

  1. School category (Technical, Vocational or Trade Vs General Education)
  2. Certification type (Certification Vs Degree)
  3. Cost
    • Educational cost total
    • Cost Aid:
      1. Educational aid qualification
      2. Educational loan
  • Educational payment plan
  • Time
    1. Study time
    2. Time of life
  • Time of work
  1. Return on investment
    • Job Finding or Job Placement
    • Average salary

Higher School Category

According to Webster, higher education/school means education or school that is beyond secondary level education; also means above high school/12 grade or equivalent diploma such as GED (Webster, 2017). This indicates a requirement to have proof high school or equivalent at the enrollment time of higher educational institute like cosmetology school.

Higher education is broken down into 5 categories (US Gov Financial Aid, 2017):

  • Career, technical, trade or vocational courses/program
  • General Education – Associate Degree – 2 years
  • General Education – Bachelor’s degree – 4 Years
  • General Education – Master’s Degree – 6 years
  • General Education – Doctorate Degree – 8+ years

Based on the list above, education is literally broken down into 2 buckets or groups:

  • General education
    • Regulated by Board of Education – a government agency (independent board and commission)
  • Career education (or trade, vocational, technical education)
    • Regulated by different board and commission based on the area of trade, technical, vocation or career education
      1. Cosmetology Education – regulated by the Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists (KYGov-Cosmetology, 2017)
      2. Barber Education – regulated by the Board of Barbering (KYGov-Barber, 2017)
      3. Massage Therapy – regulated by the Board of Licensure for Massage Therapy (KYGov-MassageTherapy, 2017)

Cosmetology School – Career, Technical, Trade or Vocational School

Cosmetology School is a career, technical, trade or vocational school because it regulated, and defined with the following characteristic by the US government as below (US Gov Financial Aid, 2017):

  • Trade school – focus in developing the skill of a specific trade (buy or sell a good or product)
  • Technical school – focus on the application of license in an occupation
  • Vocational school – focus in the hands-on application of specific skills to do a specific job
  • Career school – focus on hands-on training, and short educational period (usually LESS THAN 2 years)
  • Certification or license granted at the completion of training
  • Public or private – majorly for-profit privately owned

Cosmetology School Vs General Education – Differences

The key difference between cosmetology school (career, technical, trade or vocational school) vs. general education school are:

  • Credit Hour
    • Cosmetology School (KYGov-Cosmetology, 2017)
      • Government agency directly regulates, monitor and log actual hours spent at school as credit hours in the government system.
        • VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:
          • Cosmetology School DOES NOT certify credit hours, but all hours are controlled, logged and certified by a government agency – in this case, the Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologist
          • Government State Board expect the actual hour spent in school as credit hour
            1. Example:
              • 600 hours for Nail Technology program is required by Government State Board of Kentucky – then it means Nail Technology student need to spend literally 600 hours in school
  • General Educational School
    • General educational is relative, NOT EXACT in term of hours spent for studying both in school/class and at home.
  • Certification vs Degree
    • Cosmetology School (KYGov-Cosmetology, 2017)
      • Certification of completion is given to the student at the completion of all government state board required hours by the school, but this is not official in term of work
      • The certification exam is conducted by the government state board, and expect students to pass (theory + practical) before a TRUE certification is given BY THE STATE BOARD, not school
    • General Education School
      • The degree is given to a student who completes all required course with required level of grade by the school
    • Cost (TheSimpleDollar, 2017)
      • Cost goes hand and hand with the time required for completion of a program
      • Cosmetology School
        • Less than 2 years and significantly a lot less in cost
        • Averagely around $33k and under
        • Roughly around $12/hour
        • Example:
          • Cosmetology Program required 1500 hours by State Board of Cosmetology in Kentucky
            • 1500 hours * $12/hour = $18,000 for tuition only
            • Another expense is around 25% of total tuition cost
              1. 18,000 * .25 = $4,500
            • Total: $22,500 – under $30K for entire cosmetology course of 1,500 hours
      • General Education
        • 4 years degree cost averagely around $120k
          • $120K / 4years = $30k/years
  • Return on Investment
    • Cosmetology Fields (PayScale, 2017, TheSimpleDollar, 2017)
      • Average income for most fields in cosmetology is roughly around $33,000/year
        • Equivalent to $15/hour – go by 40 hours a week and 52 weeks/year
      • General Education (PayScale-General Studies Degree, 2017)
        • Average income for a wide range of fields under general education with 4 year bachelor degree is $36,000-$70,000

Choosing School – School Evaluation

Evaluation of individual need for the type of education is in 2 levels (TheSimpleDollar, 2017):

  • Type of school – Trade, Technical, Vocational or Career School Vs General Education College/University
    • Based on the comparison above, general education takes longer, and cost more; then the result is the individual make more money in the end – MORE EDUCATION, MORE MONEY
    • The decision in terms of the type of school often fall in two areas:
      1. Affordability in term of monetary cost and time cost
        1. Work
        2. Life
        3. School
      2. Educational Interest
        1. General Education is not everyone
        2. Nor Technical, Vocational, Career or Trade is for everyone
  • Career field
    • Both general education and technical school require an individual to pick a field to be specialized in
    • The determining factor goes back to individual interest of specific field, cost, and return on investment (how much you make after you graduate?)

Quality of School

As part of school evaluation, quality of the school is a big bucket on your list to evaluate. Quality of school is defined in term of value of school certification or degree – and that value is relative to a general population perspective that is often measured based on a few criteria below:

  • Job market acceptance of certification or degree – especially from a specific school
  • Certification of credit to knowledge or education – especially from a specific school
  • General Education
    • For general education, popularity and highly or well-accepted school has an effect or impact the quality or value of the degree an individual accomplished
      • Degree become less important once the individual stack up his/her experience – then the general population or company often only refer to his/her accomplishment or experience
    • School matters in term of value determination of the educational degree
  • Cosmetology school or technical, career, trade or vocational education in general
    • For technical school or cosmetology school specifically, the government state board owns, control, monitor and given credit hours, as well as regulate and conduct examination before certification is given – therefore, regardless of which school an individual attend, the same level of certification or value of education is achieved.
      • An individual passes the government standard exam – it also means that he/she is qualified as much as anyone else who attends other school and passed the same exam.
    • School DOES NOT MATTER in term of value determination of education certificate – because everyone get the same certification from Government if they pass government state board standard exam

Accreditation Myth and Fact

Fact

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is the recognition that an institution maintains a certain national acceptable standard of quality in education and performance. The standard is studied, established, guided, and compliance monitored by accrediting agencies/bodies (many of them based on the type of institute/school and field or type of program/courses) (Gov-Accreditation, 2017). This process applies both to general education college/university and technical/vocation/career/trade school/institute/college.

The accreditation process includes 1-preparation, 2-application, 3-submission, 4-inspection, 5-accreditation, and 6-monitor (FactWebSite, 2017); it is INTENSIVE in both the application as well as the maintenance of the accreditation. This also means it is COSTLY in time=money for the schools (the cost eventually transfer to higher in cost for the student) and RESTRICTIVE in process and procedure for the students.

Cosmetology School Accreditation Agencies

The list of accreditation agencies for cosmetology school or beauty school is limited to less than 5 (BeautySchool, 2017), and the most notable is National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS). NACCAS is an independent accrediting commission and nonprofit organization which originates back to 1969 and account/merges with Cosmetology Accrediting Commission (CAC) in 1981 (NACCAS, 2017).

What is Accreditation good for?

Accredited schools or schools with accreditation by an acceptable agency have access to government funding, or Financial Aid (US Gov Financial Aid, 2017).

General Education School

For general education school (4 years degree or above), it is especially important to have accreditation for 2 reasons (50States, 2017)

  1. Accreditation ensures the value of student educational accomplishment or degree
    • Refers back to (Quality of School) section above, the school provides a degree to the student and the quality that include accreditation means a lot to a granted degree – as viewed by the public or employment firms
  2. Cost of 4+ years – is often NOT paid in cash most students
    • $100k+ in school cost is often required an aid – and educational aid is almost always come from Federal Financial Aid which includes 1) small grant (free money) and 2) majorly loan with low-interest rate or interest deferred until student graduation
Cosmetology School

For cosmetology school or other technical, vocational, career or trade school/college, accreditation importance is debatable and not so much required criteria for 2 reasons (50States, 2017):

  • Accreditation is NOT a measure of the value of student educational accomplishment or degree
    • Refers back to (Quality of School) section above, Cosmetology School DOES NOT provide student credit hours NOR grant student certification of accomplishment; GOV STATE BOARD OF COSMETOLOGY DOES. All students receive the same value and qualification from the gov state board of cosmetology after he/she pass the certification exam.
  • Cost of fewer than 2 years
    • $2k – $33k tuition cost, DEPENDS on school tuition chart determines how student go about paying for school
      1. A student may pay cash if the tuition is small enough
      2. A student may pay cash on a payment plan with a school if it is affordable enough
    • Financial Aid gives the student a 2nd option for paying tuition, but also increase student tuition cost because Accreditation and Financial Aid has quite a workload of paperwork that school has to pay a specialist to do – this cost is added to student tuition

Myth in Cosmetology School (Technical, Vocational, Career or Trade School)

This section addresses the myth or the wrong perception for misconstrued information about cosmetology school or technical, vocational, career and trade schools in general (MassageTherapySchool , 2017).

The following is a list of wrongful, misinformed, untrue, incomplete and misleading information:

  • “You cannot be certified in unaccredited technical school”
    • WRONG, a school can only be open when it is approved and certified by the government agency (state board of that specific field). This also means that government state board will ensure you or any student be certified and hand you the certification with the highest standard after you pass the state board certification exam
  • “You cannot pass certification exam if you go to unaccredited technical school”
    • WRONG and more specifically mislead – 1st all student go to any school (which are certified by the government) will be given credit hours and opportunities to take certification exam provided by the government state board.
      • Pass or not pass state board is upon the student study and education of the school
      • When the student evaluate the school, you evaluate the student success or pass exam rate instead of relying on the accreditation
    • “You cannot get your license if you go in unaccredited technical school”
      • WRONG, same answer as (2)
    • “You cannot get a quality education in unaccredited technical school”
      • WRONG and more specifically mislead – quality education often relies on the exam passing rate or student graduation, or student post-school employment rate – NOT SCHOOL ACCREDITATION

Accreditation is the recognition of educational standard compliance; NOT a governing agency nor a regulator of education; especially in cosmetology education or technical/vocational/trade/career education in general. Non-accreditation school can provide the same level of quality and education, while also has an extra advantage over accreditation school because of restriction of accreditation and financial aid.

The advantage of Staying Non-Accredited (MassageTherapySchool, 2017)

  • Flexibility and Less Cost for school + Different Strategy
    • “Owners of these schools possess a very strong passion for the massage profession and tend to favor quality of education over the financial upside involved in franchising, consolidations or acquisitions”
  • Government Involvement in School – Because of Accreditation – NOT necessarily a good thing
    • “It costs a good amount of money getting to that next level and the process involves a mountain of paperwork. Many also despise the fact that the Government’s finger is in it. In essence, these schools feel that more and bigger is not always better, and many of them have proven this statistically through their students’ exam pass rates, job placement rates, and just overall success and satisfaction rates.”

You DO NOT need to go to an accredited school to get the same education

  • “The choice of school you make should not be based on whether it is accredited or non-accredited, but on your specific situation and whether the school you choose fits your and only your situation best.”
  • “The crux of the matter is that you DO NOT need to go to an accredited school if you want to become a successfully licensed specialist”
  • “Many non-accredited schools can also deliver the same results and often at a less cost“

Reference