Nail Technology

The Nail Technology certificate program is approved by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and it is subject to the rules and regulations regarding the education and training of manicurists and pedicurists in the state of California.  The program is designed to prepare students for the Barbering and Cosmetology state board licensing examination.  Students will take units covering both theoretical and practical concepts associated with all aspects of the skin care industry.  Students will also complete a minimum of 400 hours of clinical laboratory hours and practical operations as required by the California state board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

Program Learning Outcomes:

- Meet minimum requirements to sit for the California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology manicurist license.

- Demonstrate entry level skills to begin work in a spa or salon as a nail technician, implementing measures to ensure public safety and disease prevention.

- Demonstrate critical thinking skills as related to decision making and problem solving in the workplace.

Students are required to complete all technical, practical, and program requirements at Solano Community College. Upon completion of this program and passing the California state board examination students may find career placement as a manicurist or pedicurist  The certificate of achievement can be obtained by completing the 13-unit program.  All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C, or a P if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis. 

Eligibility for sitting the California state board examination requires the following:

- Completing 10th grade or its equivalent

- Being at least 17 years of age

- Having a valid government issued photographic identification.

At this time we estimate enrolling cohorts of 20 students based on program resources, available space, and health and safety considerations.  This 1-semester certificate program can be completed in a single academic semester, which is an attractive option for students.  We anticipate an average of 18 student completers for each admitted cohort of 20 students.  This is based on completion rates for our existing Cosmetology program over the past several years.  We anticipate starting a new cohort of 20 students each semester.

The program goals and objectives for this program are clearly occupational.  With increased interest in our Cosmetology programs, including growing waitlists of students each year, guidance from our CTE advisory committee about the need for a nail technology program, we believe this is timely program that will draw students from a variety of backgrounds and prepare them to take the state licensing exam after one semester of study.  This enables students to jump-start their careers in less time than the existing Cosmetology program, and gain the specific skills and knowledge to enter the workplace.

The certificate program consists of three courses: Nail Technology (COSM 131), Occupational Soft Skills (OCED 070), and Occupational Portfolio Development (OCED 071).  COSM 131 is 13 units and each OCED course is 1.5 units.  All three courses can be taken in a single semester.  Students must complete a minimum of 400 clinical laboratory and practical operation hours to be eligible for the State Board Barbering and Cosmetology licensing exam.  We plan to start a cohort each semester based on space requirements as well as health and safety considerations.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
COSM 131	Nail Technology	13	Semester 1
OCED 070	Occupational Soft Skills	1.5	Semester 1
OCED 071	Occupational Portfolio Development	1.5	Semester 1

We recently surveyed our current student cohort and Advisory Committee members about new programs in esthetics and nail technology. The student survey (Fall 2021) revealed that 75% of student respondents who were enrolled in the program would like to see a nail technology program added to the Cosmetology department’s offerings. Similarly, there was 95% support from advisory committee members for a nail technology certificate program.

In the past two years we have seen at least 3 private Cosmetology schools in the Bay region close, thus reducing the number of available programs and graduates in our region.