Nail Care: Certificate Course

The Nail Care Certificate course equips students with the skills and knowledge to take care of body nails. You can use the skills that you will have gained to look for employment opportunities or start your own business.

Nail Care Certificate Course

Nail Care Certificate Course - Subjects

These are the subjects that you will study for the Nail Care Certificate course: 

  1. Introduction to Business English
  2. Anatomy and Physiology
  3. Professional Salon Skills
  4. Nail  Technology
  5. Excellence in Service: Basic
  6. UV Gel Nails and Decoration

Career Opportunities

Here are your career options when you study the Beauty Therapy Course:

  • Manicurist
  • Pedicurist
  • Mobile Nail Technician
  • Professional Nail Consultant
  • Nail Educator

What Will I Learn?

Here is what you will learn in the following subjects: 

  • Introduction to Business English
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Professional Salon Skills
  • Nail  Technology
  • Excellence in Service: Basic
  • UV Gel Nails and Decoration
  • Fibreglass

Introduction To Business English

Here is what you will learn in this module:

  • Non-verbal communication
  • Business communication
  • Communication skills
  • Meetings and presentations

Anatomy and Physiology

Here is what you will learn:

  • Human body anatomy
  • Body systems
  • Functions of the body system

Professional Salon Skills

Here is what you will learn in this module:

  • Introduction to the beauty industry
  • Professional conduct in a salon
  • Client liaison
  • Beauty Therapist behaviour

Nail Technology

Here is what you will learn:

  • The history of nail care
  • The anatomy of the hand and foot
  • The skin
  • The structure of the nail
  • Tools, equipment, materials and products
  • Manicures
  • Pedicure

Excellence in Service: Basic

Here is what you will learn:

  • Customer satisfaction
  • Professionalism

UV Gel Nails, Acrylic Nails, Fibreglass Nails and Decoration

Here is what you will learn:

  • UV gel nails
  • Nail decoration
  • Acrylic nails
  • Acrylic nails – reversed method
  • Fibreglass

Nail Care Certificate Course - Assessments

There are no assessments in the Nail Care Certificate course. You do not write formal exams. Your performance is assessed by the assignments that you complete. Provider programmes are created for self-development and skill-building.

Assignments

You have to complete three assignments for each subject. Each subject should be passed with at least 50%. There are no due dates for your assignments. This means that you can complete and submit your assignments whenever you are ready, as long as it is within your duration date.

Exams

There are no exams for this course. You will only submit your assignments through email. After you have passed all the assignments with 50% and more, you will receive your Certificate.

To study the Nail Care Short Course, here are the minimum qualifications that you need:

  • Be at least 16 years or older 
  • Be able to read, write and understand English 
  • Be able to study through distance learning

To find out the cost of a Short Nail Care Course, contact one of our course experts.

You can study Nail Care Short Courses at Matric College. Matric College is a distance learning institution. This means that you do not attend any classes. You study at home. When you study at home you study at your own pace and time.

Here is the recommended duration of Nail Care Short courses:

SHORT COURSERECOMMENDED DURATION
Nail Care – Short Course9 months
Nail Care – Certificate Course15 months
Nail Care – Comprehensive Course19 months

Yes, you can learn Nail Care Short Courses online. Distance learning is a form of online learning. Here is why you should study through distance learning:

  • You can study and learn at the same time 
  • You can save money
  • There is flexibility
  • COVID-19 free

You Can Study And Learn At The Same Time 

With distance learning, you can study and learn at the same time. This is because you can set your own study timetable. You can study when you are free from your work as there are no classes to attend.  

You Can Save Money

Since you will not be travelling to classes, you will cut costs on transport. Other associated costs that you will cut are teas and lunches. In addition, tuition fees for distance learning are competitive. 

There Is Flexibility

Distance learning offers you flexibility in the way that you study. You can study at times that suit you. This means that you will set up your own study timetable. You will also study where it is more convenient for you. Just make sure that there are no distractions at the place that you choose to study.  

Covid-19 Free

You can be free from COVID-19 when you study through distance learning. Since there are no classes to attend, there is no mingling either at school or in public spaces. When you stay home, you stay safe.

No, Short Courses are not accredited. This means that they are not listed on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). They do not have any credits.  Our Short Courses are designed by Skills Academy, our sister college. Here is why you should study Short Courses:

  • Short Courses teach you skills in a particular field
  • Short Courses have a shorter duration of study
  • You can seek entry-level job opportunities
  • You can start your own small business

Here are the duties of a Nail Technician:

  • Paint fingernails and toenails
  • Clean, cut and shape nails
  • Recommend nail colours and designs 
  • Remove previously applied polish
  • Prepares and clean workspace

Your Next Step Is To Get Your Nail Care Comprehensive Course

Upon completion of your Nail Care certificate course, you can study for the Nail Care Comprehensive course certificate. More subjects to study will be added to this course.

Why Choose To Study With Matric College?

Here is why you should study at Matric College: 

  • You will study from home – There will be no classes to attend
  • You save time and money – No need to travel and meet other associated costs 
  • You set your study schedule and study at your own pace – You will study at a pace that suits you
  • You can work while you study – Work while studying and fund your tuition fees 
  • Tutor assistance – We have tutors available to assist you with your course assessments every Monday to Friday, 08:00 am to 05:00 pm.

Here are some of the qualities that you must have as a Nail Technician:

  • You must be creative
  • You have to have a passion for nail care
  • You must be patient
  • You must have customer service skills
  • You must have good interpersonal skills
  • You need good organisational skills
  • You must have a long span of attention
  • Good leadership skills
  • Keep up to date with the new trends

According to za.talent.com, here are the average salaries of Nail Technicians in South Africa:

NAIL TECHNICIAN LEVELSALARY PER MONTH
Entry level (0 – 4 years of experience)R 12 000.00
Middle level (4 – 9 years of experience)R 13 000.00
Senior Level (10 + years of experience)R 470 275.00

Yes, to become a Nail Technician in South Africa, you will need to obtain a licence. The practical examination is administered in such a way that you can demonstrate the skills and knowledge that you will have acquired when you studied this course.

To become an Aesthetician in South Africa, you must have a medical background. This means that you must have a university degree in nursing, dentistry or medicine. You can also be considered if you have a Beauty Therapy qualification from approved awarding bodies.

Opening a salon can be profitable in South Africa. Like everything else, you need to be strategic in your business decision. Here are the things that you will need to consider:

  • The location of your business
  • Business plan
  • staffing solutions
  • Target market
  • Products and services
  • Marketing strategy

The English word manicure was taken from the French with manicure, which means the care of the hands. The French word manicure itself originates from the Latin word manus which, means hand and cura which means cure. By the same token, the English word pedicure was also taken from the Latin words pes, which means for foot and cura, which means for care.

Here are the dos and do not dos of a successful manicure service:

Dos 

  1. Keep nails shaped and trimmed
  2. Keep nails dry and clean
  3. Moisturise the cuticle area
  4. Sterilise nail tools
  5. Disinfect tears or cuts on the cuticle. 
  6. Treat ingrown and torn nails as soon as possible
  7. Take zinc and biotin supplements
  8. Wear gloves 
  9. Coat outside of nails with polish. 
  10. Always clean your salon 

Do Not Dos

  1. Use nails as tools
  2. Bite nails
  3. Pull off hangnails.
  4. Push the cuticle back too far
  5. Overuse polish remover. 
  6. Peel off your polish 
  7. Soak nails for long periods
  8. Share your nail file 
  9. Ignore inflammation, a strange growth, colour or texture
  10. Go barefoot

Application Process

At Matric College, we have a simple application process that you can follow. You can do this online or through the phone. Here is how you can apply: 

  • Click here to apply for the Nail Care Certificate Course or fill in the form below
  • Our course experts will contact you and register you for the Nail Care Certificate course

How Do I Study Nail Care Certificate Course?

Upon successful completion of your registration and you receive your study material, here is what you need to do:

  • Study with the help of our tutors and online resources
  • Interact with your tutors 
  • Prepare and write your assignments
  • Get help in areas you are struggling with
  • Get your Nail Care Short Course Certificate

Where Can I Study Nail Care Certificate Course?

You can study the Nail Care Certificate Course at Matric College. We are a distance learning college, and this means you study from home. You communicate with your tutors through email, calls, and WhatsApp.

When Can I Start Studying Nail Care Certificate Course?

You can start studying a Nail Care Certificate Course at any time. There is no specific registration time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few tips on how you can become successful as a Nail Technician:

  • Have patience with your customers – Your patience in your work will demonstrate your dedication
  • Have the passion – Love what you do. If you love what you do, this means that you will never work on any day, but you will be doing what you love.
  • Be creative – Nail care is an art. Be as creative when styling your client’s nails
  • Are you up to date with modern trends? – When you are up-to-date with modern trends, this means that tour clients will always be on top of the game

Customer service – Quality should be your buzzword. In addition, show them that you care for them by, for example, paying half on special occasions

Here are the steps that you can take to start a salon at home:

  • Get experience
  • Register your business
  • Decide on the services that you want to offer
  • Obtain the necessary permits
  • Build your capital
  • Do a start-up budget
  • Acquire the necessary equipment
  • Market your services to the local community

Here are the 6 parts of a nail

Nail root – It is also known as the germinal matrix 

Nail bed – The nail bed extends from the edge of the nail to the root or lunula to the hyponychium

Nail plate – This is the actual fingernail. It is made of translucent keratin. The pinkish appearance of the nail comes from the blood vessels and is underneath them.

Eponychium – It is most commonly known as the cuticle. The cuticle is between the skin of the  finger and the nail plate

Perionychium – This is the skin that overlaps onto the sides of the nail plate. This is the site of hangnails. 

Hyponichium -This is the area between the free edge of the nail plate and the skin of the fingertip

To do acrylic nails, you need to work under a trained person. Acrylic nails are not recommended as a do-it-yourself activity, here is why:

  • There is the use of chemicals
  • The removal of acrylics can be painful if done by an untrained person
  • There is a need for sterilisation
  • Acrylic material is expensive

Biotin is an important type of B vitamin that allows the body to turn food into energy. It is also highly recommended as a supplement to help boost the strength of hair and nails. Several human studies suggest that taking a biotin supplement daily can help strengthen and grow nails.

Manicure is nail care of the hands, while pedicure is nail care of the feet. A pedicure is suitable for both men and women. It involves cutting, trimming and shaping your toenails, tending to your cuticles, exfoliating, hydrating and massaging your feet. Manicure is mainly done on women.

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Author: Collin Wilbesi
Date Published: May 11, 2022
Editor: Amy Venter