Thinking about becoming a nail technician or starting your own nail salon? This guide covers everything you need to know, from finding the best nail technician course and understanding the value of a professional nail certificate to how much nail technicians earn and how to start your own business.

Becoming a nail technician does not require a formal license, but professional training is essential if you want to build a successful career. During a professional nail technician course, and in additional advanced trainings, you’ll learn:

If you’re comparing nail technician courses or nail tech schools, it’s important to know that not all training programs offer the same level of quality. A good nail technician course starts from zero and develops your skills step by step, so no prior experience is needed. These are the key factors to look at.

If you’re looking for a nail technician training program that meets all these criteria, this is where ProNails Academy comes in. ProNails Academy offers certified nail technician training programs for both beginners and experienced nail stylists who want to upskill.

Train with certified trainers at a ProNails Training Center who guide you step by step, with hands-on practice on training hands as well as real models. You will work with professional ProNails products and finish your training with a nail technician certificate. No prior experience is required.

• Nail technician certificate
• Training with ProNails professional products
• Small groups with certified trainers
• Courses for beginners and experienced nail technicians

Certification is what separates a hobby from a profession. It shows clients and salons that you work safely, understand your craft and take your job seriously. If you want to build trust and charge professional prices, this is your foundation.

How much you earn depends on where you are located and whether you work as an employee or run your own nail business. *

As an employee, a starting nail technician earns between €1,500 and €2,300 gross per month. With experience, this rises to €3,000 to €3,500 gross per month.

As a self-employed nail technician, the average hourly rate is €30 to €40 excl. VAT. A fully booked nail salon with professional pricing generates a solid income, and your nail technician training is the foundation of that.

* This applies to nail technicians working in Belgium

1. Define your concept. Decide what services you will offer and who your ideal client is. A clear focus shapes your pricing, your interior, and your entire marketing approach.
2. Register your business. In Belgium, register with the KBO. In the Netherlands, use the KVK. Open a business bank account, arrange a bookkeeper, and take out professional liability insurance before seeing your first client.
3. Set your prices correctly from day one. Calculate your actual cost price first: products, rent, insurance and social contributions. Even a basic nail salon business plan helps.
4. Choose your workspace. Starting a nail business at home, renting a chair, or working as a mobile nail technician all have different cost implications.

This is the core nail salon equipment list every nail technician needs to get started:

• Professional UV/LED nail lamp for gel and BIAB curing
• Electric nail drill and e-file machine
• Gel polish, BIAB, base and top coats
• Salon hygiene essentials: disinfectant spray (ProNails Pro Septic and ProNails Clinilotion), gloves, wipes
• Nail workstation: table, ergonomic chairs, adjustable work lamp
• Accessories: arm rest, brush holder, nail files, buffers, cuticle tools

At ProNails, our professional range is formulated specifically for nail technicians. From gel polish to ProSeptic salon disinfectant and Clinilotion, our products are used in professional nail education and salons across Europe.

Building a thriving and loyal client base doesn’t require a massive marketing budget or a bottomless advertising fund; instead, the real secret to sustainable growth lies in your dedication to long-term consistency and authentic engagement. These are the most effective channels for a new nail business:

• Google Business Profile: free and essential for showing up in "nail salon near me" searches
• Instagram: share consistent before-and-after photos and build a clear aesthetic that reflects your brand
• TikTok: post process videos and nail tutorials to quickly grow a local following and increase visibility
• Facebook: still useful for local community groups and reaching a broader local audience
• Introduction video: introduce yourself, your style and your salon to build trust and give clients a reason to book