5 Steps to Becoming a Certified Lash Tech
If you’ve ever been to a lash salon to get your lashes done, you know that the work lash techs do isn’t easy. However, it is possible to learn how to do the job and become a certified lash tech yourself. So, how do you start?
Becoming a certified lash tech includes choosing a lash technician training school, researching, lots of practice in performing lash extensions, and investing in your future.
Luckily, plenty of schools, courses, and resources exist to help you get on the right path to becoming the certified lash technician you’ve dreamed of being. Read on to get a step-by-step guide on how to become a lash technician through various methods.
What’s the Difference Between a Licensed and Certified Lash Tech?
The world of lash extensions is competitive. More and more people are coming into this art and learning the trade. However, there’s a potential to make great money being a lash tech due to its nature. You don’t even have to go to a traditional school or pay tons of money to do it!
If you’re considering becoming a lash tech, it’s essential to know that there are two types of lash technicians. These two types include: certified and licensed. What’s the difference?
| Licensed Lash Technician | • A licensed lash tech has a license to work as a lash tech from the state they live in. • A licensed lash tech will generally have completed hours of practice work through an accredited school and received licensure after the school and state’s requirements were met for graduation. • In some states, to perform lash extensions, you will need an esthetician license or cosmetology license from the state. • You often have to attend an accredited beauty school, where you will also learn other skills such as dyeing hair or doing makeup. |
| Certified Lash Technician | • A certified lash technician is someone who has taken a non-traditional course or gone to a school that doesn’t offer licensing. • Some states will not allow you to open a lash business if you don’t have licensing and your certification. • Certification offers an excellent way for you to learn to do your lashes yourself or provide services for close friends and family. • In some areas, you may be able to work independently and provide the service without licensure. You can be both certified and licensed. |
With both licensure and certification, there are pros and cons. Which option you choose for yourself will often depend on your professional goals and your skill level. Let’s go through the pros and cons of each option, so you can decide which you want to take on.
| Licensure Pros | • A state-accepted certificate that allows you to work professionally in your state. • More experience in the field with hands-on training. • Great for your resume. |
| Licensure Cons | • More expensive. • Less of a niche (you will have to learn other skills in most cases). • School takes more time. |
| Certification Pros | • Self-paced. • Some states allow you to work professionally. • Niche-specific (you choose what you want to learn). • Cheap (in most cases). |
| Certification Cons | • You may not be able to open a lash shop. • You will have less experience than a licensed tech. • You may miss out on some of the school experience that comes from a licensed school. |
As you can see, there are points to keep in mind for both licensure and certification. However, if you’ve decided you’re interested in starting with your certificate, you need to know how. Below, we’ve outlined how you can certify yourself in the art of eyelash extensions.
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How Do You Become a Certified Lash Tech?
Becoming a certified lash tech is a lot easier and a lot cheaper than finding a beauty school and learning multiple trades. With lash tech certification, you can get to doing what you love faster.
Some of the ways you can become a certified last tech include:
- Online courses and seminars
- In-person schools in your area
- Mentors in the trade
Many online and in-person courses offer a certificate upon completion, which you can use to show your knowledge when it comes time to put your skill to the test.
5 Steps to Becoming a Certified Lash Tech
If you’re still not sure how to start, that’s okay. We’ve put together five simple tips to help you become a certified lash tech in no time.
Step One
The first step of becoming a lash technician is finding a course or school. Try searching in Google, “lash technician certification school (city).” Put your city in and see what comes up.
If you’re in a more rural town, don’t worry. An online class might be the choice for you. In this case, you have slightly more options.
Some popular online lash certification courses include:
- Exquisite Lash Extension Class
- Udemy Eyelash Extension Course
- Xtreme Lashes Lash Tech Certification Online
- Babe Lash Extensions Certification
- The Beauty Academy Lash Certification
Each of these online courses provides certification and a different price point, so there’s something for any budget.
If you’re looking for licensure instead, check out an online school that offers licensure for your state. You can also check out a service such as 3D Lash and Brow, which provides state board preparation courses online.
Step Two
Your third step is to attend class. You cannot become a lash tech if you do not commit to the field. Try to set a schedule for yourself weekly if it’s a self-paced course. Don’t let yourself take too many breaks.
If you keep on a strict schedule with yourself, you’ll be able to finish the course early and get certified and ready to start doing lash work.
If you go to an in-person lash technician school or course, make sure you’re showing up and bringing the required materials to each class. If you get a chance to practice during the class, take it! Physical practice is the only thing that can truly prepare you for the actual career of being a lash technician.
Step Three
Perhaps best known for her own brands, Donna Karan and DKNY, she’s still designing today despite selling both. She began creating for women, first with her own version of the power suit, aiming to provide a more comfortable design that didn’t compromise in style.
DK then added sportswear and eventually clothes for the whole family to her repertoire. Her empire continued to grow and eventually Donna Karan and DKNY were household names.
Even though she sold the companies in 2015, they still have plenty of brand notoriety. And, DK is still designing within her newest venture, a sustainable, environmentally conscious line of clothing. She continues to influence the fashion community with her designs today.
Step Four
Now that you’ve attended your lash technician course, it’s time to graduate! Your school or class will most likely have graduation requirements or a test at the end before you’re awarded your certification. Make sure you study beforehand.
When you complete and pass your final test, you’re ready to get your certificate. Some classes will mail you a paper or laminated copy, and in most cases, you can print them online. If you’ve attended an in-person lash school, you will be awarded with a certificate. In some cases, you will also get to attend a brief graduation ceremony to celebrate your hard work.
Once you’re certified, it’s time to move on to the fifth and final step.
Step Five
The last step of becoming a certified lash technician is finding work and putting yourself out there. If you’ve decided that you’d like to move on to becoming licensed, you can do that too.
How to Find Work
If you’re straight out of your lash extension course and looking for work, there are several options for you to try. You can:
- Post your services on local job boards like Craigslist
- Create a website and social media and advertise your services to friends and family until you get a client base
- Apply for local salons (if legal for you to do without a license)
- Offer freelance lash services as a side job
These are some great options for those just starting. However, if your state won’t allow you to work professionally in a salon setting without a state license, you’ll need to try the following options.
State Licensure
If you’ve decided to move on to your licensure after your certification, it’s absolutely possible. Some states may even allow you to take the board cosmetology test without attending cosmetology or beauty school.
Check your specific state’s laws and resources by searching for “state cosmetology licensure in (your state)” on Google. There, you can even take practice tests and see what you might be facing when it comes to the real thing.
If you’ve decided you’re also interested in other beauty skills like makeup, hair, and nails, you might find attending a 2–to 4-year beauty school program beneficial. These programs often supply the state board exams for you and prepare you throughout your time at the school. You will also get real hands-on experience.
No matter what your next step includes, we’re rooting for you!
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Outro
As you can see, becoming a certified lash tech can often be a timely and costly event. However, anyone can become a certified lash tech, and there are tons of positive reasons you should try.
Whether you’re looking for a side gig, a full-on freelance career, or want to be licensed, our guide will help you figure out how to become a certified lash technician and get on the right path moving forward.
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