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Nail Technician Program

Announcements:

LAST VIRTUAL ORIENTATION ON APRIL 23RD AT 3:30PM!

If you would like the opportunity to attend the Fall 2026 cohort, you must participate in the Virtual Information Session in order to be added to the In-Person Orientation email list. More info in the "Enrollment Guide" below.

If you have already attended a Virtual Information Session, and have NOT received a confirmation email for the In-Person email list, please contact us IMMEDIATELY.

If you have any questions, email [email protected] or call the program office at 619-388-4926.

Welcome!

You Belong Here…

Welcome to the Nail Technician Program at San Diego City College,

We commit to providing you with every opportunity to succeed in all of our programs, which include esthetics, nail tech and cosmetology. Our instructional faculty are industry experts, highly educated and are always excited to share career experiences and foundational skills. Our goal is to prepare you for California's State Board of Cosmetology licensing examination and beyond. We are the only program in the state of California that can offer students the option of obtaining a certificate of achievement or an associate degree in cosmetology or esthetics.  At City College Cosmetology, diversity and inclusion is important and we empower our students with the knowledge needed to perform services on any hair or skin type. Our comprehensive programing and use of the latest digital educational platforms ensure that our students are prepared and ready to meet the demands of this creative and exciting industry. Our long standing program will instill in each student a strong foundation and competitive edge. We believe these attributes will lead to the best opportunities that the beauty industry has to offer. Join us and begin your journey to becoming a beauty professional at City College School of Cosmetology.

The Nail Technician program gives our students a in-depth education about nail care. Our curriculum will give our students real world training along with preparing them for the state board licensing exam. Students will learn about manicures, pedicures, acrylics, gel x and much more.

Patricia Grooms-Jones, Department Chair

 

This program is approved by the
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology 
2420 Del Paseo Road Suite 100 
Sacramento, CA 94244-2260

Thank you for your interest in our programs!

We strongly recommend beginning your enrollment process one to two semesters before the one you want to attend.

  1. All students must apply for Admission to the college and obtain a student identification number 
  2. Declare your interest in Cosmetology as your major/course of study. Admission is restricted and requires a permission code (see step 6) 
  3. Apply for FAFSA and PELL Grants. For questions, please contact the Financial Aid Department. 
  4. Visit a Counselor 
  5. Attend ONE of the three available Virtual Information Sessions to request an invitation to the in-person orientation. 
  6. It is mandatory to attend In-Person Orientation to enroll into a program. Limited seating is available for all programs.  Make sure to provide your name, as it appears on your student ID, as well as your ID number to be entered into the lottery.  

If selected for your program’s session, you will receive a follow-up email with your next steps.  

Please follow the enrollment steps. Make sure you attend the virtual orientation, and the in-person orientation to enter the permission code lottery for your chosen program.  

Scroll down to the "Virtual Information Session" section further down for updates on dates and times.

For All Fall 2026 Cohorts:

Includes Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Nail Technician Cohorts

In-person orientation & permission code lottery attendance is by invite only. The date will be announced after all virtual sessions are completed.  

Attendance of one of the above virtual information sessions, followed by our mandatory in-person orientation, is required to complete the enrollment process.  

**Please only click on the zoom meeting link 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to avoid technical errors** 

If you require further assistance, email us at [email protected], or call via our program office line 619-388-4926.

Student Laboratory Services are available to the general public. We use a cashless system for payment. All services are performed by students under the supervision of our state licensed faculty.

Services Schedule

Student Laboratory Services for the Fall 2026 semester.

Skincare: Wednesday - Friday | 9:00AM - 2:00PM | Starts 2/4/2026

Hair: Friday | 9:00AM - 1:00PM | Starts 2/13/2026

Nails: Wednesday - Friday | 9:00AM - 12:00PM | Starts 4/6/2026

Cashless Payments Only! 

All Major Cards and Digital Payments Are Accepted

Please see our Student Laboratory Services Page for further details. 

Program Information

Nail Technician  400 Hours - 1 Semester Fall Start & Spring Start Full Time: M-F 8:30 am-2:30pm

The Nail Technician program takes one semester to complete and consists of two 8-week sessions, requires 400 clocked hours and 11 units to complete.

Tuition Cost

The Nail Technician cost and registration fees are as follows:

5.5 units per session ➢ $46.00 per unit ➢ $253.00 per session ➢ 11 units required to complete the program ➢ 11 X $46.00 = $506.00 

~Out-of-state rate = $304.00 per unit~

Books & Kit Estimate

Prices are subject to change semester to semester. Please contact the bookstore for more accurate pricing.

$400.00 - Milady Standard Nail Tech Bundle w/Cima Course Package (Required) 

$120.00 - Manicurist Kit (Required) 

= $520.00 (Estimated Total)

Associates Degree Pathway

 

We do not currently offer an Associate Degree pathway for the Nail Technician Program. Only the Cosmetology Program and the Esthetics Program have this option at this time.

Financial Aid

 

Our Cosmetology, Esthetician, and Nail Technician Programs encourage all students to seek assistance from financial aid for eligibility requirements. All prospective students should apply for the current year's FAFSA. Apply early!  Students that are determined financially eligible for assistance could have the cost of tools, uniforms and books covered. Please see a financial aid counselor to see if you qualify. 

Website: www.sdcity.edu/future-students/financialaid

Location: A-building , Rm. A-270

Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00am-6:00pm & Friday 8:00am-1:00pm

Office Phone: (619) 388-3501

Email:[email protected]

Campus Map

San Diego City College Campus Map

New Students

Know Before You Go!

First Day of Class Guidelines:

  • Bring your books and kit UNOPENED
  • Wear the prescribed uniform for your program:
    • Nail Technician – Maroon Scrubs
  • Check your student email in the college portal before you attend class for additional instructions, extra supplies and the course syllabi from your instructors

Academic Calendar

 

Our programs follow the SDCCD Academic Calendar, unless otherwise noted by the faculty/staff within the Department of Cosmetology.

Uniform Guidelines

 

Top & Pants: Maroon Cotton Scrubs

Shoes: Black, closed toed shoes (leather or vinyl recommended)

Jackets & Undershirts: Solid Black

Socks: Black or White

No headwear allowed.

Exceptions will be made for religious or medical purposes

Come to class prepared in your uniform daily, unless otherwise noted by faculty or staff.

Using your Add Codes

 

If you have received add codes for classes, please wait to be notified when your add codes are ready to use.

You will add your courses in your mySDCCD Portal. Be sure to input your codes into the "Permission Number" text field. We recommend referenceing the First-Time Student page from the Admissions department.

Be sure to note any payment deadlines for adding your class. Tuition is usually due 5 days after adding.

Payment plan options are available. Please contact Financial Aid if you have any questions. 

ALL PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS:

1. You must attend (1) one virtual information session and mandatory orientation to receive program permission code. 

2. Upon receipt of the permission code the student will need to register and pay for their course ASAP. Unused permission codes will be given out to those who did not receive one after orientation day, until all courses are filled.

3. There will be (1) one cosmetology cohort per year entering in the fall and completing the program by the end of the spring session.

4. Esthetics will have (2) two cohorts per year (1) one in the fall & (1) one in the spring.

5. Students seeking an Associates Degree are encouraged to take transferable general elective course before or after the cosmetology or esthetic course work.

Contact Us

Department of Cosmetology Office

 

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 619-388-4926

Outreach

 

San Diego City College School Tours & Orientations

Contact the College Outreach Program for more information

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 619-388-3496

Department of Cosmetology
Outreach Event Requests

If you would like to request the cosmetology team come to an outreach event, we would love to hear about the opportunity below.

Email: [email protected]

Student Laboratory Services

 

Phone: 619-388-8743

Please visit our Student Laboratory Services page for hours of opperation.

We do NOT accept any form of CASH payment!

You do not need to make an appointment for services.