Nail Technician Program
This program is approved by
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
2420 Del Paseo Road Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 94244-2260
Announcements:
All Virtual Information Sessions and the In-Person Orientation for the Spring 2026 Esthetics and Nail Technician cohorts have come to a close. If you have received your add codes for your classes, please check your email for more updates and instructions. If any spaces become available, those that attended the permission code lottery will be randomly selected to fill the space and will be notified via email.
Information about enrollment for all Fall 2026 cohorts (including the Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Nail Technian programs) will be updated in February 2026, once the details are available. If you have any questions, email [email protected] or call the program office at 619-388-4926
Enrollment Process
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.
- All students must apply for Admission to the college and obtain a student identification number
- Declare your interest in Cosmetology as your major/course of study. Admission is restricted and requires a permission code (see step 6)
- Apply for FAFSA and PELL Grants. For questions, please contact the Financial Aid Department.
- Visit a Counselor
- Attend ONE of the three available Virtual Information Sessions to request an invitation to the in-person orientation.
- 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.
Know Before You Go!
Fall 2025 First Day of Class Guideline:
- Bring your books and kit unopened
- Wear the prescribed uniform for your program
- Cosmo – Black, Nail Tech – Maroon, Esthetician – Grey
- Check your student email in the college portal before you attend class for additional instructions, extra supplies and the course syllabi from your instructors
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.
The program is full time Lab/Lecture Monday- Friday from 8:00-3:15 on campus in the V Building
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.
Student Laboratory Services
The services schedule will be updated once it is available. Please check back in closer to the spring semester start (02/02/2026) for more details.
Student Laboratory Services for the Spring 2026 semester
February 2nd - May 29th, 2026
Skincare: Wednesday - Friday 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Hair: To Be Determined
Nails: To Be Determined
Cashless Payments Only!
All Major Cards and Digital Payments Are Accepted
Please see our Student Laboratory Services Page for further details.
Programs
Our Cosmetology Department currently offers:
| Cosmetology | 1000 Hours - 2 Semesters | Fall Start Only | Full Time: M-F 8:30am-3:30pm |
| Esthetics | 600 Hours - 1 Semester | Fall Start & Spring Start | Full Time: M-F 7:30am-5:15pm |
| Nail Technician | 400 Hours - 1 Semester | Fall Start & Spring Start | Full Time: M-F 8:30 am-2:30pm |
| Barbering | Not Offered at this time | Not Offered at this time | Not Offered at this time |
| Part-Time Programs | Not Offered at this time | Not Offered at this time | Not Offered at this time |
The Esthetician program and Nail Technician Program course are only offered at the start of the Fall and Spring semesters.
The Cosmetology program will start (1) one cohort every fall and will complete the program at the end of that academic year. (4) four successful 8-week sessions entitle the student to a certificate of achievement and proof of training document, which is necessary to petition the California State Board for the state licensing examination.
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)
Virtual Information Session Dates for Spring 2026
All Virtual Information Sessions and In-Person Orientations for the Spring 2026 cohorts have concluded.
Dates and times for the Virtual Information Sessions for the Fall 2026 Cosmetology cohort will be confirmed during the Spring 2026 semester. Please be sure to check back for an update closer to that time via our website, email at [email protected], or via our program office line 619-388-4926.
Associate's Degree
All prospective students interested in an associate's degree in either Cosmetology or Esthetics may be eligible to receive a guaranteed spot in the cohort of their choosing, if spots are available. You will need to have all of your general education units (GEUs) completed prior to the in-person orientation for the session you would like to attend to be eligible for saved spot.
If you have completed your general education units at SDCCD, please meet with a counselor and have them evaluate your credits. If you meet the requirements, please have your counselor send [email protected] an email confirming that you only have your program courses left to receive your associates degree. We will then be able to save you a seat in the class.
Counseling Services:
Office in A-366
619-388-3540
https://www.sdcity.edu/students/counseling/meet-counselor.aspx
If you have taken your general education units at a different institution, you will need submit a transcript evaluation form first. Below you will find more information about this process as well as the district contact information for evaluations:
Transcript Evaluations:
Office A-366
619-388-3549
https://www.sdccd.edu/students/evaluations/transcript-evaluations.aspx
To Submit Transcript Evaluations:
https://www.sdccd.edu/students/forms-and-documents.aspx
Follow the link provided and use the form linked under "Request for Transcript Evaluations"
Once your transcripts have been evaluated, you can meet with a counselor to go over your education plan for Cosmetology. Let them know you need a confirmation email sent to us here ([email protected]) that states you meet the GEU requirements, and we will go ahead and secure your spot.
*** Please note, evaluations can take anywhere from 12-18 weeks to complete***
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]
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.
Community Engagement and School Tours will be upon request through the College Outreach Program.
Please contact our Outreach Department at [email protected] to schedule High School Tours of our department or request a school visit as we participate in the "Workforce Wednesday" program.
We provide you with every opportunity to succeed in the training program at San Diego City College and to increase your opportunity for successfully passing the California's State Board licensing exam.
Contacts
Please contact us at [email protected]