Nail Tech Schools in The State of Arkansas

If you have a flair for artistry and love to make the world a more beautiful place, becoming a nail technician can be your avenue to a successful new career.

This is also one of the fastest ways to enter the beauty industry, with some licensing courses being as short as 5 months. Many new students keep their current jobs as they attend school so that they can pay for the tuition without taking on additional student loan debt. Some students also choose to work as nail technicians while pursuing additional education as a stylist or cosmetologist.

Licensing Requirements

Nail Technicians in Arkansas have to apply for a license after completing 600 hours of professional schooling. Before they can be granted their license, they must also pass their state licensing exam. Licenses must be renewed every two years at a cost of $100. Out of state applications can receive reciprocity for their current state license along with a $150 license. These are some of the lowest licensing fees in the United States, and since reciprocity is so simple, it’s a snap to transfer to the state.

Typical Training

There are varied advanced techniques taught at each nail school in Arkansas, but every school has basic curriculum that must be learned in order to pass the state licensing test. These areas of study include:

  • cutting and shaping nails,
  • nail art and polishing,
  • buffing,
  • filing,
  • cleaning,
  • wraps and extensions,
  • safe use of electrical appliances,
  • safe use of chemicals,
  • cleansing,
  • massage of hands, arms, feet and legs, and
  • basic sanitation.

Since the state requires a full 600 hours of clock study, most schools divide these skills into several courses covering 50 to 200 clock hours. All schools will include experience with real clients as well, often through discounted services offered to the public.

Some of The Best Nail Tech Schools in Arkansas

Arkansas Beauty School Little Rock

Students at Arkansas Beauty School can expect to pay about $7,850 for their nail technician license training. The courses take roughly six months to complete and include:

  • nail care,
  • the art and science of professional nails,
  • nail beauty technique, and
  • how to use professional products.

Hand and arm massage are also included in the curriculum, along with nail wraps and repairs and various extension techniques. Foot care and pedicure techniques are included as well, with a special focus on ankle and foot massage. The school also has courses in general cosmetology, barber/styling and aesthetician/esthetician and skin care specialist.

Pulaski Technical College

Pulaski Technical College has designed a program that can be completed in just two semesters–fall and spring. They hold their classes at the Saline County Career Center, located in Bauxite, Arkansas. Classes take place Monday through Friday, 4:30 to 9:00 pm. Students can only enroll to begin the program once a year, in the Fall, so timing is important for applications. Depending on high school credit and previous coursework, some classes may need to be taken before entering the program, such as; College Reading, English Comp Fundamentals and Intermediate Algebra. The prerequisite courses are designed to ensure that a student will be prepared to manage their own business matters as well as perform the fundamentals of nail technology.

Searcy Beauty College

Searcy Beauty College has a very fast track course that can be finished in as little as five months. The program’s courses include:

  • Nail Technology Curriculum (75 hours)
  • Manicuring and Pedicuring (200 hours)
  • Career Development (50 hours)
  • Related Science (75 hours)
  • Advanced Nail Technology (200 hours)

The program has rolling start dates every month except December, so it’s very easy to get started any time you want. The school has been around since 1983, and is well-established in the Searcy area.

Economic Outlook

Becoming a nail technician in Arkansas can be a fairly profitable career move. While base salary is only between $22,000 and $23,000 per year, nail technicians with satisfied customers often make sizable tips as well. Growth in the industry is projected to be around 10% for the next 7 years. This is faster than the national average, so job security is likely to be high. Additionally, nail technicians have the opportunity to work for themselves, with 3 out of 10 people currently working in this field being self employed. Since income is often highest for those who manage their own salons, being a nail technician can be a decently lucrative career choice.

Other Nail Tech Schools in Arkansas

Here are a couple more schools in the state of Arkansas that offer nail programs or comprehensive cosmetology programs as well:

Career Academy of Hair Design

Arkansas Beauty School

Now that you can see how easy it is to start your training as a nail technician in Arkansas, you can try out a few of the schools we listed above by scheduling a tour.

Almost all cosmetology schools and nail tech schools in Arkansas offer free tours at certain times with options to speak to intake officers or financial aid officers once the tour is complete. Since some of the schools in Arkansas even offer rolling start dates, you could be as little as six months away from a lucrative new career.

Whether you decide to work at a local salon or run your own business, you future is in your hands (and the hands of your customers as well!)

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