Spa Nail Technician

The Spa Nail Technician program is a 600-hour course of instruction designed to develop elevated technical proficiency, increased practical experience, and career-advancement skills within the nail care industry. This program includes the 400 hours required for California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology licensure, plus an additional 200 hours of expanded training emphasizing skill refinement, luxury service protocols, and professional development. The advanced training component allows students to gain greater confidence, precision, and consistency when performing professional spa nail services. The program length for the Day Schedule is approximately 20 weeks, and the Evening Schedule is approximately 24 weeks. The additional 200 instructional hours are concentrated in key spa service and professional development areas, including advanced manicuring and pedicuring techniques, specialized service enhancements, and elevated client care protocols.

Course objectives. The program is structured to ensure students gain the following competencies:

• Meet and exceed entry-level performance expectations in luxury spa and resort environments.
• Perform a higher volume of nail and spa services with increased technical confidence and efficiency.
• Expand service offerings and enhance the overall client experience through advanced spa protocols.
• Apply theoretical and technical knowledge to deliver safe, effective, and consistent nail care services.
• Practice effective business-building skills, including service delivery, product knowledge, and client education.

Our Spa Nail Technician program goes beyond the basics of manicuring by adding the spa treatment training demanded by luxury salons and spas.

While the state requires 400 hours to obtain a manicuring license, our program gives you an additional 200 hours of advanced training to go beyond the state board and learn current nail technology trends. We partner with leading industry brands, such as OPI, to bring you the latest innovations and fashion trends.

We also offer a student salon and spa, where students learn the dynamics of working with real clients under the supervision of licensed instructors. Upon completion of this program, graduates will have trained in:

Our Poway, El Cajon and Chula Vista, CA campuses are conveniently located in the San Diego area. Covering 600 hours, our Spa Nail Technician program gives students the knowledge, skill, and confidence they need as they transition into their careers.

A training program for a career like a manicurist should be as dynamic as the beauty industry. That’s why the Spa Nail Technician program at Bellus Academy includes training in various techniques alongside real-world experience in the supervised student salon and spa. Our friendly and licensed instructors are dedicated to helping students on the path toward achieving their career dreams. Some have even won awards for their exceptional instruction.

At Bellus Academy, we set students up for success. Upon enrollment, you’ll receive a student equipment kit with the tools you need to practice techniques. You also get a tablet to access materials on the digital platform.

A career as a spa manicurist is about more than staying on top of current trends in nail styling. It’s also about delivering excellent service to make an impact in clients’ lives. Bellus Academy understands this, and that’s why our program covers a range of techniques and skills to help students realize their full potential.

Program highlights.

• Manicure & Pedicure Techniques: Students gain hands-on experience with a variety of artificial nail services, including acrylics, dip powder, tips, wraps, nail shaping, repairs and water and oil manicures and pedicures.
• Spa Nail Treatments: Explore specialized spa treatments and enhance your expertise with aromatherapy, hot rock, and reflexology for both the hands and feet.
• Business & Client Relations: Develop professional skills in sales, communication, ethics, record-keeping, and client service to build a successful career.
• State Board Training: Covers health, labor laws, and safety awareness.
• Sanitation & Disinfection: Proper procedures to protect clients and technicians.
• Health & Safety: Learn industry regulations, sanitation, and chemical safety.

TikTok Shop training. Health and beauty made up 79% of all U.S. TikTok Shop sales in 2024, totaling $1.34 billion according to Capital One Shopping research. At Bellus Academy, every student learns how to build a personal brand, create content, and sell beauty retail products online, taught through a licensed course from Jenn Lyles, a Top 1% TikTok Shop creator, and included in your total program cost.

Students desiring to enroll in Bellus Academy must have reached the age of majority (i.e., 18 in California), and must provide a high school diploma, or its equivalent (i.e., a GED or a certificate demonstrating that the student has passed a state-authorized examination that the state recognizes as the equivalent of a high school diploma), a transcript showing high school completion, a transcript showing proof of attainment of an Associate’s degree or higher, or evidence of completion of home schooling that state law treats as a home or private school. Bellus Academy does not enroll students under training agreements.

The academy will verify the authenticity of the high school diploma prior to enrollment. All prospective students are encouraged to participate in a shadow day to gain more insight into the program they are considering.

Classes are conducted, in residency, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm for day students (30-hour week) and Monday through Friday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm for night students (25-hour week).

The program length for the Day Schedule is 20 weeks and the Evening Schedule is 24 weeks.

Remaining 2026 class start dates (day and evening): October 27, November 17 and December 15, 2026. All students are required to attend a mandatory Orientation session before their class start date. Management reserves the right to modify class start dates when necessary.

Cost of attendance. Tuition $8,760; kit (includes books, supplies and equipment) $1,308.74; program fees $1,159.62; STRF $0.00; total charges for the program $11,228.36. Tuition, kits and fees are charged on the first day of class. Overall kit costs and program fees may change depending on whether or not the student opts out of specific items, and prices are subject to change without notice.

Overtime. Students can attend beyond their scheduled completion date, at no additional charge, up to 7.5% of their total program hours; after that, additional tuition accrues at the hourly rate of $14.60.

Student kit. Spa Nail Technician Kit (CA) (included in the total program cost; kit items vary and are not guaranteed):

• OPI Nail package with IBD, including tools and materials
• Nail Bundle with practice hand, glue, and equipment
• Pivot Point Novice nail kit with brushes, files, etc.
• Professional nylon case
• Nail crystals

Payment. Payments are accepted by cash, check (there is a $25 fee for returned checks) or credit card; for students using financial aid, payments are due when the aid is received. In addition to Financial Aid Assistance for qualifying students, individual financing and payment programs are available, including payment plans that spread payments over a pre-set period.

Financial aid. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Programs include the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans and alternative (private) loans. Cal Grant B and Cal Grant C can be used at Bellus Academy by eligible California students. Bellus Academy is not eligible to receive funding under the California Dream Act (AB 540). The first step is to complete the FAFSA; the FAFSA school code for the Poway campus is 016644.

Military and veterans. Programs are approved for Veterans Educational Benefits (GI Bill® Chapters 30, 33 and 35). Military spouses may qualify for MyCAA, and active-duty service members may use Military Tuition Assistance.

Scholarships. Institutional scholarships are offered periodically, including the High School, Military and Alumni scholarships; amounts vary by program.

Net price calculator. A net price calculator for the Poway campus is available at https://www.bellusacademy.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/index-2.html.

Occupational titles. Licensed graduates enter the employment field as manicurists, pedicurists, nail technicians, or nail artists.

Completion, placement and licensure rates. As reported to NACCAS for 2024 (students who completed within 150% of the published program length), Spa Nail Technician at the Poway campus: 48 of 54 students scheduled to graduate completed (88.89%); 34 of 40 graduates eligible for work obtained training-related work (85% placement); 40 of 42 graduates who took the state exam passed (95.24% licensure). The school notes that Poway and its Manhattan, KS branch report combined data to NACCAS and the campus figures were extracted from it.

Graduation rate. Federal Student Right to Know: the overall graduation rate for full-time, first-time students at the Poway campus was 70% (cohort year September 1, 2024 – August 31, 2025, graduating within 150% of normal time).

Career services. Throughout your training, job search training is incorporated in your classes, and the Career Services Department offers resume preparation, mock interviews, referrals and graduate follow-up; the academies cannot guarantee employment.

Externships. Externship Programs (as available) provide students with real-life, hands-on experience at highly successful, dynamic and inspiring salons and spas. Students who have completed 60% of their program of study, and are current with their clinic operations, may participate; externships are not a requirement for graduation.

Community service and off-site learning. The academy frequently participates in community events, salon visitations, extended training sessions in product knowledge and technical instruction, and various other extra-curricular activities, and students are expected to represent the academy at these events when requested.

Student app. All students have access to the Bellus Academy Student App for progress reports, academics, attendance and job postings.