WHEN CAN I ENROLL?
Enrollment is open to start anytime 24/7. After paying you can start immediately or within a few hours. Students can start their online study to attend later by appointment.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO ENROLL?
Students must be able to read/speak english at a 10th grade level and must be at least 16 years old within 60 days of paying to enroll in Module 1. Valid ID's are required by the first class day. See REQUIREMENTS
I WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE
Please contact us by email, phone message or text anytime. You can request an appointment for a video chat or visit. We do not take walk in visits. Please make an appointment first. Visits may even be available during posted closed google hours. TEXTING is available 24/7
Reach out to us by call, text or email to visit or pay at the school by appointment.
WHEN DO CLASSES START?
There is no start date. Students can start their online study in the same day after paying in full or making a down payment. After they finish the 35hr Module 1 online study they can book their first class day to test at the school and learn hands on safety/skills. Students book their classes online or with the instructor by text/email. This continues until all Modules are done (and tests are passed here) to then finish the course and take the state exams to get their license. Attendance is VERY flexible to attend when they want Mon-Sun and they will pick the hours that they want to attend between 10am-9pm (students do not attend more than 3 hours per day).
DO YOU HAVE FINANCIAL AID?
No. Virginia does not offer financial aid for nail education. Some states can offer financial aid for nail school like in Tennessee with longer course hours but not MD, NC, SC or VA. APPLY for a Scholarship from us
CAN I DO THE COURSE ALL ONLINE?
No. Virginia does NOT accept a 100% online course for licensure. Anyone that offers a 100% online course is only offering training that can't get you licensed in Virginia. You must come in to prove your identity and take tests under security cameras to prove your online study work. Specific hands on skill hours must be learned inside a licensed school under the supervision of a licensed instructor for hours that lead to licensure. Practice of skill at home is important to build confidence and build questions in class to learn the most.
WHAT IF I DON'T FINISH THE MODULE IN 60 DAYS?
Students that do not finish each module within 60 days will have to pay to re-access and restart that module again but all 5 tests/modules must be passed here within 1 year to be ready for the most current state nail exam. Most successful grads here finished all 5 modules within 4-5 months by studying 30 hour per month.
Students should also make a budget to avoid excuses on not being able to pay for other modules (to finish all 5 within one year). After 1 year of paying for module 1 if the student has not passed the 5 modules/tests then they have failed the course and must pay to start a new course for the new updated exams in the upcoming year.
HOW FAST CAN I FINISH A NAIL COURE HERE?
This is our #1 question but we don't know what kind of student you are to answer that. Our course is extremely flexible to finish and attend when you want. Students should study at least 15 hours a month online to finish the course within one year. Studying more online each month will help students finish faster. The students that make excuses, study less than 15 hours per month or don't make their study a priority will usually have issues completing the course on time and may fail. We have serious students that are focused and dedicated with 30-40 hours per month of study to be able to finish in 3-4 months. It is TOTALLY up to the student but the students must be ruse their online study regularly to PASS 5 tests here to be able to take/pass the exams for licensure.
WHEN ARE CLASSES?
Classes are available to book Weekdays between 10am-9pm or Weekends at 10:30, 2:30 or 5:30. Students will book classes themselves online or with the instructor by text or email. Students MUST complete about 50 hours of study before they can attend the first day. Students usually attend 1-2 classes each month. Students can not attend more than 2 days per month or more than 1 day per week to offer available openings for everyone to attend. We are closed on most major holidays.
HOW DO I ATTEND CLASSES?
Our ONLY location is in Central Virginia for now. Students book their class times. Almost ALL of our students drive 1-2 hours to attend. Almost half drive 2-3 hours. Some students even drive from other states to become dual licensed. Students can book their class days online through a booking system and by text or email to the instructor. Classes are be private to each student or at a max group of 2-4 signed together (if on the same level day) to ensure focus on a successful preparation for licensure and knowledge to provide safe nail care services.
CAN I DO THE PREVIOUS 2024 DOWN PAYMENT?
We are no longer offering the in-house payment plan option but students can save to pay for modules as they study. Students can apply with Klarna or Affirm to get payment plans with a pay in full or per module. LENDER LINK
We are no longer offering the 2024 course.
IS THERE ANOTHER LOCATION IN VIRGINIA?
At this time this is our only location in Palmyra Virginia (between Richmond and Charlottesville). Our current Palmyra, VA location in a safe rural area that allows us to keep a low overhead to care more about our students than bills and payroll goals each month. By staying small we can offer more attention per student and a lower cost course. Since all classes are private we can also keep a learning environment that is more comforting to those with social anxieties. We like our small space to offer this caring attention to focus more on assisting every student to licensure and not just handing them a certificate to focus on the next group of students to maintain a high overhead cost. We have the ability to pay attention to each student by keeping our enrollment numbers low each year.
WHY DO I NEED TO GET A LICENSE TO SELL NAIL SERVICES?
It is a class 1 misdemeanor to sell nail services in Virginia without a nail license posted issued from DPOR. Getting caught can cause a lot of serious issues especially when an injury occured for a lawsuit. A licensed Tech can provide safe services from their training to avoid causing allergies, infections and injury. Techs with a license will become a master at their skill and with a license they can move on to other careers in the nail industry that pay more with less physical work as they get older. Licensed Nail Techs can open salons to become self employed, work with nail companies, become teachers and work at top quality resort spas that offer amazing pay with benefits.
WHAT IF I LIVE IN ANOTHER STATE?
If you want a license for your state we first suggest that you find a beauty school in your state instead of coming here. If you live in another state and plan to live in virginia within the next few months you can start a course now to attend your first class day when you move into the state and continue your study to get your Virginia Nail License. There are three online study sections to finish and test here within 6 months. It usually takes students 1-3 months to finish the first online study section.
I LIVE IN MD, NC or WV or another US State
Students can be multi-state licensed especially if they live near state borders and want to work on both sides. Check your cosmetogy board to see their requirements to transfer through reciprocity or endorsement. Call to confirm requirements to transfer to your state BEFORE ENROLLING HERE in case there are updates in testing/work requirements or increased fees for your state. MOVING
One TRANSCRIPT from us is $75 notarized (if needed)
MARYLAND: proof of nail work for 6 months (or 100 hours of paystubs) on the VA side after getting licensed in VA to transfer to MD with a fee and certificate of licensure from VA 410-230-6320
NORTH CAROLINA-EASY: online form and pay the $35 fee to instantly transfer your VA license into NC 919-733-6123
WEST VA-EASY: reciprocity form and $100 fee to instantly transfer your VA license into WV 855-965-2800
WASHINGTON DC-EASY: reciprocity form and $99 fee to instantly transfer your VA license with a VA certificate of licensure. There will be 6 CEUs required at renewal every 2 years. 202-442-4400
WHAT IF I DO NOT WANT TO CONTINUE AFTER A MODULE?
Students can quit during a module to stop their training. Previously paid costs are not refunded here, so if you are not serious about taking this course the we suggest that you start with paying for module 1. You do not have to pay for other modules but you do have to pay to start at Module 1 if you want to come back (unless you can test out of a previous paid module(s) for $50 within 120 days of paying for that module).
WHAT OTHER COSTS DO I PAY OTHER THAN THE COURSE COST?
Students will pay their course cost here to obtain the education to have an understanding of how to perform safe nail services. Supplies to practice manicure, pedicure and acrylic supplies will be needed at home (acrylic after the first day of class). Items are not specific, a recommended list is provided online and an optional kit can be purchased here if desired. Supplies are not provided in the course cost. Students only need a acrylic nail brush for classes.
After the course is completed students will pay the exam testing center with Visa, MC or Amex $194 to take their exams. Any failed exam is $95-99 to retake. The supplies to take the state exam is about $100 with a list provided or option to purchase a pre-prepared state kit here. After passing both exams, students will pay the state $105 to get their license and renew it every 2 years for $105 to stay licensed with no CEUs required.
HOW HARD IS THE COURSE TO FINISH?
Students must study at least 15 hours online per month for 12 months. Studying more per month will help students finish faster. Not studying regularly could cause students to fail this course. Students are taking this course to learn safe nail skills to keep the public safe and to prepare students for regularly updated exams (done at a very secure testing facility that specialize in catching people cheating). Try a sample practice test. Bottom line=no it is not easy, but the course is design to help you get there as long as you stay dedicated to study at least 30 hours month for six months. Our students ages range from 16 to 60 years old.
WILL I BE AMAZING AT DOING ACRYLIC NAILS WHEN I GRADUATE?
Unless you have already been doing them then the answer is most likely no. Just because you got your driver's license today-it doesn't mean you are ready to drive in NASCAR (unless you had the experience already).
Beauty Schools teach about safe and effective application to earn a license. Acrylic skill is an art form and can take about 1 year of constant practice to master before top notch quality results are provided to customers. Starting with Manicure and Pedicure services in a Spa or Salon while doing acrylics at home is a great way to start the first year if you are not established already. Many spas, resorts and salons are desperately looking for only mani/pedi service employees. On the side you can provide acrylic nails for a year or two then you could move on to working in your own business or in a full service salon.
It can be hard to venture out into the real world after any kind of education. Success comes later for those that step over that scary speed bump with a positive attitude that welcomes criticism and learn from mistakes to make them amazing in the future. Working on a dummy hand and a real person are two different things. It's those that stick with it that become amazing at any kind of training.
Not all nail techs specialize in everything. If you hate acrylic odors then you don't need to do them with your license. Nail Techs can choose to avoid dealing with acrylics in their career. Most spas only offer natural care services without odors to make an amazing income and some of these spas even offer great benefits. Various gel services can offer low to no odor nail care. If you don't like feet then you can just perform fingernail services in your career.
Some students here have even taken a path beyond providing nail services after learning about the nail industry by venturing into careers like retail sales, salon/spa owners, salon owners, inspiring social media techs, beauty supplier rep with commission in sales/earning six figure salaries, product educators for nail manufacturer companies and so much more after a start in providing nail services. The nail industry is growing and the businesses that service nail techs is growing too. There is income past providing nail services as you learn the trade.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T FINISH ALL 5 MODULES WITHIN 12 MONTHS?
The state exam updates regularly so you can't take a course 2 years ago and expect to pass the state exam. If you don't finish all 5 modules within 1 year then you have failed the course. To restart you have to pay to begin at Module 1 to restart your one year date. Test out for a previous paid module is $50 per try with a 78% score required.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I QUIT?
Students that choose to quit anytime during any modules are not required to continue. No paid costs are refunded. If you applied with Klarna or Affirm you will still have to make your payments with them.
Sadly we have had some students fail the course from cheating, going past their expiration time without completing the work in time, not budgeting to pay for their course or by just giving up.
CAN I GET TAX EDUCATION CREDIT PAYING FOR NAIL SCHOOL?
No. Virginia is not a state that offers financial aid for nail education so there is no tax education credit for nail school because it is only a 150 hour program. You will not get a 1098 form from this school for a course payment. Keep your receipts for equipment, supply, travel, uniform and books when you attend as they could tax deductable if you are a business. Talk to your accountant about this. Consider this when using things like a retirement withdrawal or consider going into a 1,000 hour cosmetology program instead to get tax credits.
WHAT DO I DO WHEN I AM DONE WITH COURSE HERE?
This course is about preparing you to become a LICENSED nail tech with the basics of nail care to provide a safe and sanitary nail service to the public. After students have passed and paid for the course they are released/prepared to take their state exams.
Students with a license should be attending beauty trade shows, advance nail classes and seminars just like hair dressers/cosmetologists do to stay up to date on new techniques and skill. Advance nail skills are not taught in this licensing course but questions about any advance skill is answered to those that have them during class.
WHAT IF I HAVE A CRIMINAL CONVICTION?
By the second day of class we need need your official Criminal History Record from each State that you have a conviction, or a national criminal history, or a certified copy of the final order, decree or case decision by a court. to report it to licensing department for review. They will research all graduates background to check for violations and charges so you must disclose it. If you do not report those convicted you can get denied to get licensed even after you finish this course. You may be required to attend a Informal Fact-Finding conference after finishing the course and passing the state exams for licensure. The time to conduct the review (after passing both state exams) could take several months complete.
Click the blue button below for an informational flyer about criminal convictions with licensing. The state does not review anyone for approval of licensure until they have successfully completed a state licensed course and passed the state exams. We have had students with criminal violations get their license. It is a process but worth it!
© Virginia Nail School 2011
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