The state of Colorado offers many great options for those seeking to become licensed nail technicians. To get started, choosing the best nail tech school in Colorado is the first step to take.
To become a licensed nail technician in Colorado, you must complete an accredited cosmetology program. Many great cosmetology programs are available at community colleges and private trade schools throughout Colorado.
This guide will help you understand the requirements for becoming a licensed nail technician in Colorado and also provide a list of some of the best nail tech schools in the state.
Table of contents
- 15 Best Nail Tech Schools In Colorado
- 1. National Beauty College
- 2. Aveda Institute
- 3. Otero Junior College
- 4. Elevate Salon Institute
- 5. New Dimensions Beauty Academy
- 6. The Salon Professional Academy
- 7. Cuttin’-Up Beauty Academy
- 8. Paul Mitchell School
- 9. Pickens Technical College Cosmetology
- 10. International Salon & Spa Academy
- 11. Tony & Guy Hairdressing Academy
- 12. Exquisite College of Health and Beauty
- 13. Northeastern Junior College
- 14. United College Of Health and Beauty
- What Are The Requirements Needed To Become A Nail Technician In Colorado?
- What Is The Average Salary For A Nail Technician In Colorado?
- FAQs On Nail Tech Schools In Colorado
- References
- We Also Recommend
15 Best Nail Tech Schools In Colorado
Here is a list of the 14 best nail technician schools in Colorado:
- National Beauty College
- Aveda Institute
- Otero Junior College
- Elevate Salon Institute
- New Dimensions Beauty Academy
- The Salon Professional Academy
- Cuttin’-Up Beauty Academy
- Paul Mitchell School
- Pickens Technical College Cosmetology
- International Salon & Spa Academy
- Tony & Guy Hairdressing Academy
- Exquisite College of Health and Beauty
- Northeastern Junior College
- United College Of Health and Beauty
1. National Beauty College
- Kit Cost: $1,400
- Tuition fee: $8,100
- Program Length: 22 months
Denver’s National Beauty College is one of the best nail tech schools in Colorado.
Their nail technician curriculum comprises 600 clock hours of theory and practical skill development.
Students enrolled full-time should be able to complete the program in 25 weeks. This program covers safety and sanitation, correct work practices, preparedness to pass the Colorado State Board practical and written tests, and competency to operate effectively in entry-level roles as a manicurist/nail technician or a similar occupation.
READ ALSO: 15 Best Nail Tech Schools in Indiana | 2023 Requirements
2. Aveda Institute
- Kit Cost: $2,500
- Tuition Fee: $19,200
- Program Duration: 15 months
Aveda, a national chain, is noted everywhere for its scholarship awards and career placement services.
As one of the best nail technician schools in Colorado, Aveda institute teaches students the skills they need to learn to master their craft upon graduation.
The institute is also greatly involved with community affairs, by sponsoring beauty pageants and raising funds for water quality programs.
3. Otero Junior College
- Tuition: $4,692
- Program Length: 1 semester
If you want to become a nail technician, consider enrolling in Otero College’s Cosmetology program.
The Cosmetology Career Academy has created a class rotation that allows you to develop specialized skills throughout the three-semester curriculum, preparing you to work in the Academy’s public salon.
Otero College also has a salon that allows you to put your classroom knowledge to use in a real-world working environment. You can provide a full range of services during public salon hours, including hair, skin, and nail care.
RELATED POST: 10 Free Online Beauty Courses with Certificates 2023
4. Elevate Salon Institute
- Tuition: Varies
- Program length: 38 weeks
ESI teaches innovative techniques for manicures, pedicures, nail extensions, and nail sculpturing. You will learn primary nail care, advanced design, chemistry, and application and maintenance of artificial nail products.
ESI employs highly experienced educators who are enthusiastic about the industry and their students and provide the essential training for graduates to become leaders. They collaborate directly with L’Oréal, the world’s leading beauty brand, to provide students with access to the skills and training most in demand in salons and spas across the globe.
5. New Dimensions Beauty Academy
- Tuition: $15,650
- Kit Cost: $2,419
- Program Length: 15 months
New Dimension is a family-owned school, yet the décor resembles the most recent and slickest salon established by the largest chain. The school hopes that by providing these resources, students will be able to express their creativity while also learning to become specialists in their subject.
In addition to cosmetology, the school teaches salon management and business skills, equipping graduates for a long career in the industry. At the end of the program, every single graduate is given a chance at that career: the school has a 100% job placement rate.
You may want to see the 15 Online Colleges in Iowa for International Students | 2023
6. The Salon Professional Academy
- Tuition: $17,200
- Kit Cost: $1,814
- Program Length: 14 months
The Salon Professional Academy collaborates closely with Redken, and some students are eligible for Redken scholarships. The academy, like Redken, encourages style and technique innovation while providing students with every tool necessary to pass the Colorado state cosmetology licensing exam.
As one of the best nail tech schools in Colorado, TSPA created a curriculum that teaches students the necessary technical skills and business, marketing, and guest management tools to better prepare them for a profession after graduation.
They have a 100% pass rate in their Esthetics and Cosmetology program.
7. Cuttin’-Up Beauty Academy
- Tuition: Undisclosed
- Program length: 4.5 months
C.U.B.A. provides fundamental Cosmetology, Barber, Hairstylist, Manicure, and Esthetician training and hands-on experience to help you pass the state exams.
They focus on how to be successful in the beauty industry and make your chosen vocation both personally and financially gratifying! You will gain experience in beauty store administration, business fundamentals, and the psychology of personal success.
As an epicentre of learning, C.U.B.A helps learners discover their ability to transform their lives and the lives of others through training. The degree of your success will depend upon the time and effort you are willing to apply during the entire course of your training.
8. Paul Mitchell School
- Tuition: $15,600
- Kit Cost: $2,800
- Program Length: 13 months
Paul Mitchell is another nationwide business, but it is well-known for a good reason: the Paul Mitchell haircutting method. Aside from the usual exam preparation, such talents make Paul Mitchell students sought after on the salon circuit.
The Colorado Springs location impressed us by bringing in exceptional guest artists, including North American Hairstyling Award winners Jeremy McDougle and Fumi Eguchi.
The school takes VA benefits, provides scholarships, and costs lower-than-average tuition prices in Colorado, making it a steal!
9. Pickens Technical College Cosmetology
- Tuition: $11,929.00
- Kit Cost: $880.00
- Program length: 1500 hours
Next on our list of nail tech schools in Colorado is Pickens Technical College. Their Cosmetology program provides training on hair, skin, and nails. Classes are held between 4 and 7 hours daily to meet the state requirement for completion.
The first semester of training introduces all topic areas through theoretical learning in the classroom and hands-on learning in the laboratory setting.
Intermediate and advanced training is a blend of cosmetology theory and clinical instruction, accomplished in a clinical setting with students working on customers and mannequins. As an extra elective, students may be able to participate in an internship during their advanced training.
SEE ALSO: 10 Best Nail Tech Schools in Miami | 2022 Requirements
10. International Salon & Spa Academy
- Tuition: $15,565
- Kit Cost: $3,000
- Program Length: 13 months
The International Salon and Spa Academy teaches style but also gives students a head for business, with strong salon management and operations training.
This nail tech school in Colorado has a flexible educational system open to new beauty industry techniques.
11. Tony & Guy Hairdressing Academy
- Tuition: $15,860
- Kit Cost: $3,270
- Program Length: 14 months
Toni and Guy is a national chain but their Colorado Springs School is a location that is getting a lot of attention from locals. An airy, bright, open salon floor looking out onto the Rocky Mountain foothills offers students an inspiring and elegant place to learn about hairdressing and beauty.
Despite going to school in a place you might never want to leave, 70 percent of the students graduate on time, and 77 percent find jobs in the industry.
Finally, the school has a strong community presence, offering programs like military makeovers to give deserving veterans new looks. Since the school accepts VA benefits, vets could be making over vets!
RELATED POST: 15 Best Nail Tech Schools In Alabama | 2022 Requirements
12. Exquisite College of Health and Beauty
Exquisite Salon and Spa provide the most comprehensive range of high-quality health and beauty treatments and services that can be tailored specifically to your individual needs.
With the latest technology at their fingertips, their commitment to quality and excellence and their friendly and caring approach will ensure you get the desired knowledge to succeed as a nail technician.
Exquisite College of Health and Beauty is dedicated to cultivating those natural talents and providing students with the in-depth knowledge necessary for success. All programs contain small theory portions, but over 80% of each program is lab work, giving students the opportunity for hands-on experience
13. Northeastern Junior College
Cosmetology is one of the most demanding, rewarding, diversified, and fastest-growing specialities in the world today. This program is designed to provide high-quality theory and practical training necessary to meet the requirements of today’s cosmetologists.
This one-year program begins the fall semester of each year and meets the training required by Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agency/Cosmetology-Barber Board for state licensing.
A Northeastern Certificate in Cosmetology will be granted upon completing all required courses with a cumulative grade of 2.0 (“C or better”).
Graduates are eligible to take the state board exam to obtain a cosmetology license in Colorado.
14. United College Of Health and Beauty
- Tuition: $4000
- Kits: $500
- Program Length: 32 weeks
This nail tech school in Colorado provides one of the best cosmetology courses in the world. Their nail technician program includes various disciplines, such as cleaning and disinfection, natural nail procedures, artificial enhancements, pedicure procedures, client protection during filing, etc.
This program is scheduled to be completed in 32 weeks. If finished in the allotted time, this program will cost $4,000.00. Additional living expenditures may be incurred. These prices were correct when writing, but they may have changed since then.
What Are The Requirements Needed To Become A Nail Technician In Colorado?
To become a nail technician in Colorado, you must complete a minimum of 150 hours at an accredited school and pass a state-administered written and practical exam. There are currently no online courses available that meet the educational requirements for licensure in Colorado.
Once you have completed your educational requirements, the next thing to do is to submit an application to the state along with the required fee. The state of Colorado requires all nail technicians to be licensed to practice.
What Is The Average Salary For A Nail Technician In Colorado?
The average salary for a nail technician in Colorado is $32,000. Denver and Boulder have the highest-paying areas for nail technicians, where the average salary is $35,000.
In Colorado, nail technicians are in high demand, and the job outlook is very positive. The growth projections for this career are also very favorable, with the potential for much higher-than-average growth in the coming years.
There are several reasons for this strong job outlook, including the fact that Colorado is home to a large number of beauty salons and spas. In addition, the state’s tourism industry is booming, so there is a growing need for nail technicians to provide services to visitors.
RECOMMENDED: Top 10 Nail Tech Schools in Broward County | 2023
What Are The Duties Of Nail Technicians In Colorado?
Nail Techs can provide artificial, acrylic, gel, or other nails, as well as pedicures, a popular salon service for many clientele.
A nail technician’s job entails more than just beautifying fingers and toes. Cuticle treatment, hand/foot/calf massage, cleanses and moisturizers, and sometimes paraffin wax dips, among other services, are frequently included to lend a touch of luxury to the session.
As a professional, it is the duty of a nail technician to interact with the client and assesses the health of their natural dream job that incorporates creativity, socializing, and manicuring, it is definitely a good choice for you. In a nutshell, a nail technician school prepares students to pursue nail-related courses for a promising future.
FAQs On Nail Tech Schools In Colorado
The cost of tuition at a nail school in Colorado can vary depending on the type of school you choose. Private schools tend to be more expensive than public schools, and programs at large universities can also be more costly. However, there are many financial aid options available to help offset the cost of tuition.
Most nail programs in Colorado can be completed in around six months. However, some programs may take longer if they include additional training or coursework.
Courses in a typical nail program include manicure and pedicure techniques, salon management, cosmetology laws and regulations, and safety procedures. You’ll also learn about different types of nails, polish colours, and styles.
Jobs for nail technicians are expected to expand by 13% by 2026, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is nearly double the US average of 7% job growth.
Conclusion
To become a licensed nail technician in Colorado, you’ll need to complete an accredited training program and pass a state-administered exam. Once you’re licensed, you’ll be able to find work in one of the state’s many beauty salons or spas. You may also choose to open your own business or work as a freelance nail technician.
References
- beautyshcoolsdirectory.com – Nail Technology Schools in Colorado
- cosmetology-license.com – Ten Top-Rated Cosmetology Programs in Colorado
