Turn your passion for nails into a professional career through NaSA’s nail technology course
The New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology programme at NaSA gives you the skills, confidence and an NZQA-recognised qualification to work as a nail technician, whether in a salon, on a cruise ship or running your own business. You’ll learn everything from manicures and pedicures to acrylic and gel false nails, nail art and the basic business skills to back it all up. With small class sizes of 8 to 12 students and 40 years of training experience behind us, you’ll get hands-on attention from day one.
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Key facts
New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology
Duration
40 weeks
plus holidays
Intakes
Feb & July
In Christchurch
Class sizes
8 to 12
students
Attendance (first 2 terms)
9 AM to 3 PM
Monday to Thursday
Attendance (last 2 terms)
9 AM to 1 PM
2 Fridays per month
Qualifications
NZQA Lvl 4
ITEC optional
Extra expenses apply
See fees section below for more information
What you’ll learn
In the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology programme, you’ll cover multiple subject areas across the programme, building practical skills alongside the professional and business knowledge to use them.
| Subject area | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Manicure and pedicure | Build your confidence delivering hands-on manicure and pedicure treatments to a professional standard |
| Nail technology | Learn and apply a full range of nail augmentation techniques, including acrylics, gels, tips, forms and overlays |
| Nail art | Explore basic nail art techniques in class and develop your own style through independent practice |
| Anatomy and physiology | Understand how our skin, nails and hair work, and learn to identify diseases and disorders |
| Professional standards | Apply safe, hygienic and professional practices with your clients |
| Consultation | Assess your client’s needs, plan their treatment and follow up effectively |
| Reception and sales | Handle client transactions, communicate confidently and recommend services and products naturally |
| Business awareness | Develop practical business skills for planning, setting up and managing your small clinic |
Want the full breakdown of components, credits and outcomes? Download the Courses in the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology Programme fact sheet.
Entry requirements
All applicants must:
- Have successfully achieved:
- the National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) (Level 1) or an equivalent qualification, or
- an NZQA-approved qualification or an equivalent qualification at a higher level, or
- If 20 years old or older and without any qualifications, show evidence of the ability to successfully achieve and succeed in the programme, and
- Communicate effectively in all areas of English to a suitable and appropriate level.
Ākonga a Aotearoa / domestic students must:
- Be at least 16 years old by the programme’s start date.
International students must:
- Be at least 18 years old by the programme’s start date
- Meet the English language requirements set forth by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
We reserve the right to allow special entry to an ākonga / student where they demonstrate an extraordinary ability which compensates for a deficiency in one or more of the areas above. Our programmes are selected entry programmes, so applicants who demonstrate a strong record of academic achievement (for example, NCEA Level 3 versus NCEA Level 1) may rank higher in the selection process. If your originals are not in English, you will need to have a certified translator translate the document into English for your application.
Ākonga / Students with Medical Conditions
- You may need to provide medical diagnosis and medical clearance to undertake study with us to ensure your health and safety.
- You must have and maintain a good standard of health so you meet the attendance criteria.
- You may need to supply a model for treatments you are unable to be a model for.
Ākonga / Students with Learning Conditions
- You may need to provide us with any written reports on your learning conditions from a qualified professional to help us help you during the course.
- You may need help from a specialist tutor outside of class.
Ākonga a Aotearoa / Domestic Students Who Speak English as a Second Language
- You may need to provide evidence of suitability for the programme through adequate use and understanding of English.
Further Information on Entry Requirements
International students must also meet the English language requirements.
You can find more information on our entry requirements on our Entry Criteria page in the Enrolment section of our Web site.
Recognised qualifications you can gain
New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology
Level 4 • NZ3443 • v2
When you successfully complete the programme, you’ll receive the New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology (Level 4) [NZ3443] version 2. This certificate is an NZQA-recognised qualification employers across New Zealand recognise.
ITEC Diploma in Nail Technology
iBT3D10
Thinking about working overseas? You can also sit the ITEC nail tech exam. When you pass, you gain the ITEC Diploma in Nail Technology, allowing you to travel internationally with your qualification. This is an optional extra expense and not covered by student loans.
Your options after graduating
Most graduates go straight into work as a nail technician. Where you go from there is up to you. You could work as a:
- Nail technician in a salon or spa
- Cruise ship nail technician
- Representative for a nail or beauty product company
With further experience, you might become a:
- Clinic manager
- Clinic owner
With further study, you could inspire the next generation of nail techs as a:
- Nail technology tutor
Want to keep studying?
- Combined New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy and New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy at NaSA
- New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy at NaSA
- New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy at NaSA
- Further professional development in nail technology through other providers
- New Zealand Certificate in Adult and Tertiary Teaching through other providers
Dates, times and fees
Current Intake
July 2026
| Starts | 20 July 2026 |
| Finishes | 18 June 2027 |
| Domestic fees | $8,713 |
Attendance
| Terms 3 and 4 2026 first two terms | 9 AM to 3 PM Monday to Thursday |
| Terms 1 and 2 2027 last two terms | 9 AM to 1 PM two Fridays per month |
In the last two terms, you’ll need to complete 20+ hours per week of documented treatments, case studies, portfolio work and projects due every week.
Applications open
1 March 2026
Upcoming Intake
February 2027
| Starts | 1 February 2027 |
| Finishes | 17 December 2027 |
| Domestic fees | TBC |
Attendance
| Terms 1 and 2 2027 first two terms | 9 AM to 3 PM Monday to Thursday |
| Terms 3 and 4 2027 last two terms | 9 AM to 1 PM two Fridays per month |
In the last two terms, you’ll need to complete 20+ hours per week of documented treatments, case studies, portfolio work and projects due every week.
Applications open
1 September 2026
Paying for your programme
✔ Student loans available
✔ TIA available
- Ākonga a Aotearoa / domestic students may be eligible for student loans and allowances through StudyLink.
- Students receiving certain payments from Work and Income New Zealand may be eligible for a Training Incentive Allowance (TIA) payment. This payment usually only covers part of your extra expenses or programme fees.
- Extra expenses apply on top of programme fees and must be paid before or when you start.
Programme details
| Programme | Level | PC Code | NZQA Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Certificate in Nail Technology | 4 | NZ3443 | 123833-2 |
Important notes
| All prices are in New Zealand dollars and include 15% GST. |
| All ākonga / students: This is a selected entry programme. You must pay a $150 non-refundable successful application fee when you enrol. This is not covered by a student loan. |
| Payment plans are not available. |
| Extra expenses apply, and most must be paid before or when you start your programme. See the course information pack or student handbook for more information. |
| We need at least 8 students enrolled two weeks before the start date of the programme to proceed. |
| We are not currently accepting international students for this programme. |
| 2026 programme fees were confirmed by the Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills on 15 August 2025 via the Annual Maximum Fee Movement (AMFM) increase from 6.0% from 2025 prices. |
| The lower domestic price is for ākonga / students who attend classes the first 2 terms and perform self-directed tasks the second 2 terms. The higher domestic price is for ākonga / students who attend classes in all terms. The 2-term inside class option is the only option available in 2026. |
| NaSA reserves the right to alter details, prices and dates whenever changes are needed. |
| This information was correct when published (06/2026). |
