Occupational Summary
A nail technician on the Level 2 apprenticeship delivers a range of bespoke nail services and advice to individual customers, completing treatments within commercial timings and the scope of the occupation. A Nail services technician works independently or as part of a team, typically supported by a salon or nail bar manager, and provides product recommendations while meeting legal, industry and organisational requirements and codes of practice. The role is customer-focused and fast-paced, involving one-to-one service in varied environments such as nail bars, retail spaces, salons, spas or on cruise ships, and requires an enquiring, professional approach to continual development.
The Level 2 Nail services technician apprenticeship covers 19 knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs), typically lasts 12 months and has a maximum funding band of £3,500. End-point assessment is carried out via a knowledge test and an observation.
View official Skills England source text
A Nail services technician offers a range of services for customers’/clients’ nails. They complete all duties and treatments within the scope of the occupation. A Nail services technician works independently or as part of a team, supported by a salon/nail bar manager. They demonstrate a willingness to learn, have an enquiring and curious mind and are enthusiastic to learn about their chosen career. In addition they exhibit a good work ethic applied to learning, drive and commitment to learn and maintain continual professional development. They complete nail services on a one-to-one basis with individual customers/clients within commercial timings. The occupation is fast-paced and customer-focused, providing a range of bespoke nail services, advice and product recommendations whilst meeting legal, industry and organisational requirements and codes of practice. The work environment can be varied in size, style and ambience, from a cruise ship, through to small nail bars or stations, retail environments or luxury high end beauty salons or spas.
What's in the Delivery Pack?
Every section is tailored specifically to the ST0635 standard, using official KSB data, the published assessment plan, and sector-specific context.
KSB Interpretations
Plain-English interpretation of every Knowledge, Skill and Behaviour
EPA Preparation
End-point assessment readiness, gateway checklist and method guidance
Delivery Risks
Occupation-specific risks, mitigations and early warning signs
Delivery Model Options
Model-selection guide comparing day release, block release and front-loaded approaches
On/Off-the-Job Mapping
Which KSBs are best taught by the provider vs developed in the workplace
Initial Assessment & RPL
Starting points, prior learning recognition and programme adaptation
English, Maths & Digital
Where functional skills embed naturally and standalone qualification guidance
Employer Engagement Guide
Employer commitments, progress reviews and workplace engagement guidance
Get the ST0635 Delivery Guide
Unlock all 8 AI-powered sections — KSB interpretations, EPA preparation, delivery risks, employer engagement, and more. Tailored to Nail services technician.
From £14.99 · Instant PDF download · en-GB throughout
Typical Job Titles
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours
Knowledge
8- K1: Nail services industry, legal and organisational requirements: guidelines, procedures, codes of practice and ethics, qua...
- K2: Nail service industry, legal and organisational requirements: tools, equipment, materials and products; workplace housek...
- K3: Methods of assessing customer requirements, techniques, products, tools and equipment used within a manicure and the ana...
- K4: Methods of assessing customer requirements, techniques, products, tools and equipment used within a pedicure and the ana...
- K5: The range of nail services, the advances and disadvantages of nail enhancements systems and maintenance. Retail products...
- + 3 more items
Skills
8- S1: Carry out and maintain nail service industry requirements for professionalism and demonstrate a passion for the industry...
- S2: Meet industry, legal and organisational requirements: maintain effective, hygienic and safe working methods; meet health...
- S3: Assess customer’s/client’s requirements and provide manicure services using nail products and equipment
- S4: Assess customers’/clients’ requirements and provide pedicure services using nail products and equipment
- S5: Advise, demonstrate and recommend methods and sell products for enhancing the appearance of the nails and hands with cus...
- + 3 more items
Behaviours
3- B1: Personal and professional ethics: demonstrates a commitment to quality, maintains honesty, integrity and confidentiality
- B2: Flexible and positive attitude: Adapts positively to changing work priorities and patterns when new tasks need to be com...
- B3: Maintain customer care principles and practices: shows customers/clients respect at all times and in all circumstances, ...
End-Point Assessment
Assessment Plan
Type: PDF
Version & Source
- Version
- 1.0
- Approved for delivery
- Last changed
- 7 Dec 2018
- Earliest start
- 7 Dec 2018
- Approved for delivery
- 7 Dec 2018
- EQA Provider
- Ofqual
- Sector Subject Area
- 7.3 Service enterprises
- Trailblazer
- TB0045
- Last checked
- 11 Mar 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What knowledge, skills and behaviours are in the ST0635 standard?▼
The Nail services technician apprenticeship has 8 knowledge items, 8 skills, and 3 behaviours that apprentices must demonstrate.
How long is the Nail services technician apprenticeship?▼
The typical duration is 12 months, with a maximum funding band of £3,500.
What does a delivery guide for ST0635 include?▼
The KSB Planner delivery guide includes plain-English KSB interpretations, EPA preparation guidance, delivery risk analysis, on/off-the-job mapping, employer engagement strategies, and more — all tailored to ST0635.
Data sourced from Skills England. KSB Planner delivery guides are an interpretation and planning aid based on official published source material — not an official regulator-issued document.