Nail Technician

The curriculum for students enrolled in the Nail Technician program consists of 600 clock hours of Practical Operations and Technical Instruction in the art and science of spa manicuring, which will include at a minimum the State mandated subject hours listed in the chart below. The program provides the student with the knowledge and skills needed for an entry-level spa manicurist/nail technician position in the beauty and wellness industry.

Students will learn the State Board requirements for disinfection, sanitation, and safety, as well as basic manicures, pedicures, acrylics, gels, wraps and application of nail tips. Students will learn spa consultation for nail services with an emphasis on creating a “customized spa experience”. This program of study satisfies the requirements of the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers.

Licensing. A Nail Technician license will be granted by the state of Georgia only after the student has successfully completed and graduated from the Nail Technician course and passed the licensing exam (written and practical) with an overall 70%.

This course exceeds the state requirement by 75 hours. We believe that additional hours in sanitation and disinfection practices and nail enhancements assist our graduates in passing the state exam and securing employment.

Albany Beauty Academy was founded in 2016 by owner, Takenya L. Jordan. The school is privately owned and operated. Students can expect smaller-sized classes for a personalized educational experience.

The Academy contains 1 clinic floor with 16 stations, 1 classroom with audio/visual equipment that will seat 20 students, 1 multipurpose room with 3 computers, an esthetician clinic room with 4 facial tables, the nail clinic area with 4 manicure tables and 2 plumbed pedicure spa chairs, and a dispensary for products. We also have a Chi Color Factor machine which has up to 30,000 color formulations.

When you visit Albany Beauty Academy to enroll, you will need a government picture ID; your Social Security card, valid passport, birth certificate or green card; proof of high school completion (diploma, transcript or GED transcript) or an academic transcript of at least a two-year program acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor's degree; the Admission Application; and the $50.00 nonrefundable application fee. All foreign credentials must be translated into English and verified by an outside agency as equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma.

Applicants must be 17 years of age or older and have a GED or high school diploma to attend school. Applicants must be 18 years old to take State Board Exams.

Classes begin every Tuesday and are held Tuesday through Saturday for all programs. Our academic year is 26 weeks and 900 clock hours.

Full-time students attend 30 clock hours per week; the contracted length is 5 months.

Holidays and breaks (2026). New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Day (January 19), President's Day (February 17), Spring Break (April 8–14), Memorial Day (May 26), Juneteenth (June 19) and Summer Break (June 29–July 5).

Program cost. Application fee $50.00; books/kit $1,000.00 (mandatory); tuition $11,500.00; total $12,550.00.

Additional expenses. Books, a kit, and supplies are included in the cost of program and provided by the institution. Students pay for their own uniform and footwear, transportation, school supplies, any specialty products not included in the kit, replacement of damaged or lost kit items, and the Georgia state board exam (see www.psiexams.com for cost per test). Students who do not finish within the contracted time are charged $11.00 per hour until completed, and a re-entering student pays a one-time re-entry fee of $50.00.

Payment plan. Individual financing and payment programs are available. The school offers funding options to assist students with tuition costs if available at the time. This payment program is a no interest loan in which payment arrangements are made to the school. Monthly payments vary according to down payment and amount of time (months) student agrees to finance his/her balance. The school also accepts credit cards for tuition payment.

Federal aid. Albany Beauty Academy is approved to participate in Title IV by the Department of Education. Financial aid available to those who qualify. Federal options include the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study, Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and Federal PLUS Loans. Add our school code 043062 on the FAFSA.

Other funding. Albany Beauty Academy accepts Veteran Educational Benefits, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) Vocational Rehabilitation, MyCAA (Military Spouses), VRRAP and the Path 2 College 529 Plan, and is a Ticket To Work (Social Security Administration) provider.

Refunds. The application fee is non-refundable. Tuition owed after withdrawal follows the catalog schedule based on the percentage of scheduled hours completed (20% owed at 0.01–4.9%, rising to 100% at 50% and over).

Potential occupations after completion. Manicurist, pedicurist, product representative and company demonstrator, Salon owner/manager.

Licensing. Upon completion of the course requirements, the determined graduate shall have acquired and demonstrated enough knowledge and skill to pass the Licensing Examination administered by the Georgia State Board of Cosmetology or the Board of Barbering. Albany Beauty Academy staff will assist graduates with completing the necessary paperwork to apply to take both sections of the state exam – Theory and Practical.

Placement assistance. The primary goal Albany Beauty Academy is to see all students become successfully employed in the field for which they have prepared. To achieve this, the institute provides placement assistance to students graduating. This assistance is not given as an incentive to enroll, and no guarantee or representation of placement is made or implied. (No fees are associated with the placement assistance.)

All services are performed by students under the supervision of a licensed instructor. Our Future Professionals have the opportunity to improve their training and education through guest services, all under the supervision of our expert instructors. Salon hours are Wednesdays – Saturdays from 9 am – 2 pm (excluding holidays and school breaks).

Uniform scrubs must be worn daily and must be clean and wrinkle free. All students must bring entire kit, textbook, workbook and all supplies to class everyday. Required uniform: Blue Scrubs, Black/Grey Shoes.