Nail Technician
Certificate of Performance Cosmetology · San Diego City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Summary
The Nail Technician Certificate of Performance prepares students for the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Nail Technician exam and employment in a nail salon, nail salon management, and/or ownership of a nail salon.
The goal of the Nail Technician Certificate of Performance is to prepare students for success as an employee, manager, and/or owner of a nail salon. The curriculum emphasizes sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization of the nail salon and nail technician tools and health and safety in the nail salon, as well as the basic anatomy of the hand and foot, nail diseases and disorders, manicuring, pedicuring, massage, reflexology, nail wraps, nail tips, nail design, chemistry for the nail technicians, and salon management.
Award Notes: A Certificate of Performance is a departmental award that does not appear on the student’s transcript. All courses must be completed within the San Diego Community College District. This program is not eligible for federal financial aid in accordance with Federal regulations.
Learning Outcome(s): Students who complete the Nail Technician Program will be able to:
- Apply barbering and/or cosmetology concepts, procedures and practices to successfully pass the State Board Examination.
- Practice safety, health, and sanitation procedures as set forth by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
- Utilize professional practice terminology and techniques as required by the California Board of Barbering andCosmetology examination.
- Perform all practical applications required for the State board examination-State licensure.
- Explain basic barbering and/or cosmetology concepts, terms and definitions.
- Apply barbering and/or cosmetology products and procedures in providing services to clients.
- Pass the written license examinations administered by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
Admission Criteria
The San Diego City College’s Cosmetology Program offers courses during the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Spring and fall semester daytime programs begin at every eight-week session. Spring and fall semester evening programs begin at every twelve-week session. Prospective students must be admitted to the program in order to register for cosmetology courses. Admitted students must attend an orientation to receive important information, program rules and regulations, and program expectations. Students transferring into the San Diego City College’s Cosmetology Program cannot apply previous coursework towards the college’s cosmetology degrees and certificates. Permission numbers are required to register for cosmetology courses.
Orientation
Orientation is mandatory prior to registration. Contact the Cosmetology Department Chair for a schedule of days and times.
State Board Verification
Students with previous course hours in cosmetology from another community college program or private institution must provide written State Board documentation. The California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology requires:
- Cosmetology: 1000 hours of instruction
- Esthetics: 600 hours of instruction
- Nail Technician: 400 hours of instruction
- Barber Crossover: 100 hours of instruction
All careers require a passing score on the State Board examination to become licensed and eligible for employment.
This program is approved by: Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, 2420 Del Paseo Road Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 94244-2260.