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What is NALA?NALA, also known as the National Association of Lash Artists, is an international, non-governmental organization that advocates for lash industry professionals. NALA supports the lash industry by establishing much-needed regulatory guidelines and offering Academy Accreditation, Lash Educator Programs, NALA Memberships and International Industry Awards. We promote professionalism, integrity, and ethical business for the elevation of the global lash industry.
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What does NALA do?Annual Activities: A number of activities are conducted on an annual basis, including: Monitoring changes to legislation and government policy Surveying organizations about the current requirements with a request for any additional feedback Analyzing feedback from communities, organizations, and individuals Providing the most recent feedback to the NALA Board of Advisors for consideration Informing the owners of accredited academies of any upcoming amendments Informing the NALA Members of any upcoming updates to the NALA Standards and recommended guidelines Working with Beauty and Cosmetology boards worldwide to develop lash licensing requirements Accreditation Development Process: Updating the NALA Academy Accreditation requirements is continuous. The requirements are influenced by: Global research into safe practice On-going consultation with the NALA Board of Advisors Feedback from lash professionals and the general public Feedback from lash students Changes in legislation and government policies Demands for greater accountability Targeted surveys about the new processes and standards Evaluating the effectiveness of any new processes introduced Making corrections in any necessary areas Continuing Standards Development: An updated version of NALA Accreditation requirements is developed and released every year to ensure the validity and on-going relevance of the standards. Necessary amendments are communicated via email to the accredited academy owners. Academy owners are expected to fully implement the changes identified by the accompanying timeline. NALA provides as much notice as possible, though the implementation period for legislative changes can be much shorter. The requirements for NALA Academy Accreditation are developed and reviewed in consultation with the NALA Board of Advisors. Support for NALA Members and Accredited Academies: NALA creates online content and workshops for our community based on the research conducted throughout the year. We also work hard to provide our members with: Exclusive discount codes for trusted suppliers and other services like insurance, yoga, tax assistance, and more Exclusive invitations to lash industry events worldwide Marketing tools that they can use to promote what their Accreditation means Business challenges and masterminds to help improve their businesses And much more
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Who is the president of NALA?The NALA President is lash industry advocate Levi Shephard. Over the years, Levi has gained experience in many aspects of business; lash artist, lash extensions educator, lash and brow studio owner, professional product developer, magazine columnist, founder of an accredited training academy, international stage presenter, author of business-building ebooks, creator of a global industry awards program, and founder of this international association. Levi has spent more than 10 years researching and collaborating with beauty industry experts in several countries, consulting with lash artists and educators around the globe and studying existing industry guidelines already in place. This vital research has provided insight into the common concerns of the lash world and the best solutions
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What do all of the NALA badges and logos mean?No one is permitted to use the NALA company logo. This logo is our trademark, and only NALA can use it. Lash schools that have earned NALA Academy Accreditation, and hold active status, may use the NALA Seal of Accreditation. All officially accredited academies are listed on the NALA Global Directory www.nalamembers.com Lash artists who have earned Accredited Member status, may use the NALA Accredited Member Badge (logo). All officially accredited members are listed on the NALA Global Directory www.nalamembers.com NALA Award Winners are given a winners badge that they may use on their website and social media to show off their accolade. There is a NALA logo with the term 'Certified Educator' circulating the internet. This badge was revoked in 2018. No one is permitted to use the NALA Educator's Badge and to do so is a misrepresentation of their status with the association. It is also trademark infringement, which we take very seriously. Anyone wishing to use the NALA name to promote their courses must first have their curriculum(s) reviewed by the association and earn academy accreditation (Steps Two and Three of NALA SFLT). Misuse of NALA trademarked property will result in legal action. If you believe someone is misusing the NALA name or logo please notify us via email at info@nala-lashassociation.com. All reports are kept confidential.
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Who serves on the NALA Board of Advisors?Our Board of Advisors comprises a large team of experienced, intelligent, resourceful, professional, industry and non-industry personnel. You can learn about each of our board members HERE. If you're interested in being a member of the board, send us an email at info@nala-lashassociation.com and well send you our list of responsibilities and requirements.
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How can I contact NALA?Please email info@nala-lashassociation.com to get in touch with NALA.
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How are NALA's Accreditation Requirements developed?The requirements for the NALA Academy Accreditation were developed using global research from the past 10 years by the NALA Board of Advisors. They are determined to and continue to change as the industry evolves. Learn more about our processes and development HERE.
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How do I become a NALA Accredited Member?NALA Members must meet all NALA standards and demonstrate safe and accurate application skills. The Membership Application process consists of a video demonstration and photos of your work. You have 14 days from the date of purchase to submit your elements. You must also agree to adhere to the terms and conditions of the Membership Agreement. A formal certification is not required to apply for membership. Members are bound to NALA's strict Professional Guidelines and NALA Code of Ethics. Please review these policies carefully before joining the membership. Failure to comply with NALA Professional Guidelines and NALA Code of Ethics will result in dismissal from the membership.
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What does the membership application consist of?The application is straightforward and simple to complete. The elements submitted must meet our accreditation requirements (see next FAQ). Here's the rundown: Step 1: Submit your information Step 2: Submit photos showcasing your work according to our photo/video requirements Step 3: Submit a video showcasing your isolation and application according to our photo/video requirements Step 4: Submit a video showcasing your ability to pick through a lash line with no stickies according to our photo/video requirements Step 5: Sign and date our NALA Membership Agreement View our photo/video requirements here. Once your application is submitted, our team will review and process it within 20 business days. We will reach out via email with your results.
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What does NALA approve Membership applications based on?In order to earn Accreditation, a lash artist must submit an application that meets the following requirements. The photos submitted must: Display an appropriate amount of adhesive used throughout the lash line Not feature any stickies throughout the lash line Demonstrate symmetry and flattering design choices for the client featured Display full coverage of all of the client's natural and healthy lashes Display a fluffy lash line Not feature a glue belt throughout the lash line The videos submitted must: Begin with the applicant showing their face and introducing themselves Feature a client with closed eyes Feature a client who is properly protected from the lash treatment Be a clear and close-up video Demonstrate proper isolation of the natural lash Demonstrate the applicant's ability to safely and accurately apply an individual eyelash extension to an individual's natural eyelash Display an appropriate amount of adhesive used throughout the lash line Display that no baby hairs are in the way during isolation Demonstrate the applicant's ability to safely pick through the lash extensions on both eyes, therefore displaying a lack of stickies throughout the lash line Display independently and properly bonded eyelash extensions throughout the lash line
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Can new lash artists join NALA?Absolutely! We recommend that lash artists seek out NALA early in their lashing careers to develop good habits. Our community consists of a wide variety of lash artists; some members with 10+ years of experience, some becoming certified just this year! Check out this official Association IG reel to see just how diverse our community is!
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Do I need to own my own studio to become a NALA Member?Nope! Our members consist of lash artists in different career scenarios. We have members who are lash studio owners, commission-based stylists in a studio, rent rooms within a studio, and more. As long as you are a lash artist, you can become an Accredited Member. There are no requirements - other than certification & being able to pass the application, of course. ;)
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I just purchased Membership and I now have access to the digital product online. Does this mean I'm Accredited?Not just yet! But we'll help you get there. You are not Accredited immediately upon purchasing. You must complete the online application within fourteen days. Our team will process your application within 1-2 weeks and contact you with your results. Reach out if you have any issues with the application process. Only once we have contacted you and delivered you with your Membership Badge and Certificate are you Accredited. You will then be prompted to upload your information for our Global Directory. Your profile will be uploaded within 1-2 weeks, and we will contact you with the link once it is complete.
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What if my Membership Application isn't approved on the first try? Can I try again?Yes, please! We want you to! Our Member Support Leader will work with you to ensure that your application meets NALA Standards. If your first attempt is unsuccessful, you will receive a detailed report noting what needs to be changed. You are then granted three months to process the changes and resubmit at no cost. If your second attempt is unsuccessful, you will be required to pay a re-apply admin fee for each submission thereafter.
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Do I need to become a member to enroll in an educator program?No, you do not. Membership and our educator programs are different processes and do not correlate. However, most of our Accredited Academy owners are also Accredited Members.
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I'm an Accredited Member. Why hasn't my profile been uploaded to the global directory yet?There are two possible reasons you have not been added to the directory yet. 1) It has been less than 1-2 weeks, and our team has not reached your profile yet. Please continue to wait and reach out if the time frame has passed. 2) You have not yet uploaded the elements required to create your profile on the directory. Please login to your NALA Account online and submit them.
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I'm a graduate of a NALA Accredited Academy. How can I skip the membership application process?Please reach out to your educator! They will have an exclusive coupon code and/or direct link for you to skip out on the application and its fee. :)
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How do I become a lash educator?1) Enroll in the Educator Comprehension Course to gain information, guidance, resources, and support as you prepare to launch your lash academy. 2) Write your manuals and build your curriculum. Once you have completed the educator training, you will have all the tools and information you need to develop your own lash training course(s), or you can choose to license ours. 3) Apply for accreditation by submitting your training materials to NALA for review. Once approved for Academy Accreditation: You will qualify for insurance. You will be recognized as an internationally accredited academy You'll receive your certificate of accreditation. You'll receive access to purchase gold stickers of the official NALA Seal of Accreditation to apply to your student's certificates Your academy will be listed on the NALA Global Directory (must renew annually to remain on the directory) NALA will promote your school to the public as an approved education facility You will receive regular industry updates via email to help you keep your training courses current Want a more in-depth answer? Read our blog: How To Become A Lash Educator
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What are the government requirements for teaching lash extensions?In most areas around the world there are no government requirements for teaching lash extension training courses (check your local state board and/or government websites for confirmation). The insurance companies, however, require a formal qualification as an educator. The certificate earned through the NALA School for Lash Trainers is accepted by most insurance companies around the world. It is also accepted in lieu of the Cert V in Australia. If you wish to teach in a formally recognized, fully accredited beauty school, there are requirements in many areas, such as a Certificate 4 in Australia or a PTTSL (or City & Guilds Award in Education & Training) in the UK. But those qualifications are currently not required to offer a lash extension certification course. Disclaimer: ALWAYS refer to your local education or cosmetology board for confirmation of qualification requirements.
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What's covered in the Educator Comprehension Course?NALA SFLT Step One course has over 40 comprehensive modules which cover: How to teach effectively How to mentor students Which topics to teach How to develop your curriculum How to create and publish private online tutorial videos How to create and publish a private access website for your students How to write your manuals How to price your tuition How to create an effective course itinerary How to develop quality online training Writing a business plan Create your launch (or re-launch) strategy and timeline Website and SEO tips Marketing advice Public relations Effective and meaningful branding Growth tips (how and when to grow your academy) National and international expansion Legal considerations Copyright and trademark information and more . . .
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Are there requirements for enrolling in the Educator Comprehension Course?Nope. However, we recommend that you hold a valid lash certification and have at least 1-2 years of experience before becoming an educator.
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Am I accredited after receiving my educator certificate?Not quite. The certificate simply states that you enrolled in a NALA-led course, not that you earned Accreditation. You will earn a Certificate of Completion, but not accreditation. To earn accreditation for your courses, and get listed on the global directory, you must upgrade to either Academy Accreditation or the Lash Curriculum Package.
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Can I enroll in the Educator Comprehension Course and stop there? Do I have to upgrade to Academy Accreditation?You may purchase Step One to earn your certification without any obligation to earn Accreditation for your Academy. However, without earning accreditation, you will be prohibited from using the NALA name to promote your courses, and you will not earn your place on the NALA Global Directory.
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Does NALA offer payment plans for the Educator Comprehension Course?Yes, we do! Our payment plans operate on a 4-month payment schedule. Once you enroll, you will receive immediate access to the course. You will not receive your certificate until the payments are completed in full. If your payment fails, access to the course will be revoked. If you're a Canadian resident: Enroll in the course for 4 monthly payments of $262.50 CAD If you're a non-Canadian resident: Enroll in the course for 4 monthly payments of $182 USD
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How do I earn Academy Accreditation?If you own a lash academy (or aspire to launch one) you can enroll in our Academy Accreditation program. Enrolling in the program gives you instant access to the Educator's Comprehension Course, but you are not YET accredited. To earn it, you must: 1) Complete the educator course in full and wait to receive your official educator certificate. 2) Once you receive your certificate, write your manuals. Use the tools within the program to help you. 3) Submit your manuals for review. Once you pass, you will have officially earned Accreditation. Once you successfully complete all three steps, you will be officially recognized as an accredited academy and will have earned your place on the NALA Global Directory. OR You can choose to earn NALA Academy Accreditation by licensing NALA's textbooks. Here's what that looks like: 1) Enroll in the Lash Curriculum program. 2) Complete the educator course in full and wait to receive your official educator certificate. 3) Once you receive your certificate, submit your application (see next FAQ). 4) Have any of your educators undergo our informal educator training (included in the program). Once they've completed it, you can request their certificate. Once you successfully complete all four steps, you will be officially licensed to teach with NALA's textbooks, be recognized as an accredited academy and will have earned your place on the NALA Global Directory. Please note that we do not accredit individual educators. We accredit the entire academy based on its curriculum(s) and student resources.
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Why is it that graduates of NALA Accredited Academies get to skip the membership application process?NALA Accredited Academies have proven that they are certifying students with the highest level of education in the entire industry. We trust and have VERIFIED the education and curriculum of our Accredited Academies. Their students are trained to NALA standards and would pass the application anyway, so why not save us all the trouble of submitting one? Don't worry; they still need to agree to uphold the NALA Membership Agreement. Are you a graduate of a NALA Accredited Academy and want to become a member? Reach out to your educator for their exclusive coupon code to save you the application.
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What does the Lash Curriculum Package application consist of?The application is simply to confirm that you are qualified to teach a lash course, have an adequate teaching space, and that your academy has adequate policies. Once enrolled in the program, you will be required to submit the following in order to be granted licensure for the textbooks: Full contact information of the lash academy (academy name, address, phone number, and email) A copy of your business license (or region equivalent) Proof of insurance as an educator Academy owner's full name plus the name's of any educators on staff You must agree to a 1:5 educator to student ratio for each class You must offer the minimum required amount of hours of education You must submit your protocol for if a student does not pass
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What are the government requirements for teaching lash extensions?In most areas around the world there are no government requirements for teaching lash extension training courses (check your local state board and/or government websites for confirmation). The insurance companies, however, require a formal qualification as an educator. The certificate earned through the NALA School for Lash Trainers is accepted by most insurance companies around the world. It is also accepted in lieu of the Cert V in Australia. If you wish to teach in a formally recognized, fully accredited beauty school, there are requirements in many areas, such as a Certificate 4 in Australia or a PTTSL (or City & Guilds Award in Education & Training) in the UK. But those qualifications are currently not required to offer a lash extension certification course. Disclaimer: ALWAYS refer to your local education or cosmetology board for confirmation of qualification requirements.
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I completed the educator course and received my certificate. How do I upgrade to Academy Accreditation?The process is simple! Email info@nala-lashassociation.com and let us know whether you plan to write your own textbooks or license ours. We will walk you through the steps.
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Am I guaranteed Accreditation solely by enrolling in it?No. NALA Accreditation is never guaranteed, it must be earned. BUT, if you are not successful on your first attempt a NALA team member will work with you to help you get your courses to accreditation status. Every applicant is entitled to one free reapply if needed. We never turn anyone away! But applicants must be prepared to make changes to their curriculum and academy processes in order to meet NALA Standards.
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What is the difference between the Academy Accreditation program and the Lash Curriculum program? *SIMPLIFIED*The simple answer is: Academy Accreditation - You write and submit your own textbooks. Lash Curriculum - You submit an application to be able to license and teach with NALA's textbooks. If you require further assistance with deciding which package is best for you, email info@nala-lashassociation.com !!
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What is the process for Academy Accreditation renewal?The lash industry is constantly evolving and discovering new, better, more-informed ways of doing things. Because of this, accreditation expires each year. To maintain accredited status, Academy Accreditation participants must review the annual accreditation requirement updates (uploaded to your digital product every September) and update your curriculums accordingly before your expiry date. Email your updated manuals to NALA within one week prior to your renewal date. We will not review manuals before the renewal date. You can find detailed instructions in your Educator Comprehension Course modules. Your updated Certificate of Accreditation will be sent to you once your renewal fee has been successfully withdrawn. A digital copy of the certificate will be sent via email on the first Friday after your renewal date.
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What's included in my Accreditation renewal?Each year (in September) you will receive an updated accreditation application checklist. When you submit for renewal, your manuals must reflect any changes made to the NALA requirements. Included with each annual renewal: An updated Certificate of Accreditation Your listing on the global directory will remain active Shoutouts on the official Lash Association social media pages Continuous promotions and support throughout the year
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How long will it take to earn Academy Accreditation?After completing the educator's comprehension course, you have up to a year to write and submit your manuals, but it can be done sooner. Your timeline depends on how much time you have to commit to creating your curriculum each week. Some academies complete their manuals in 6 months, some in 3 years. It depends on you.
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Do you offer payment plans for the Lash Curriculum package?Yes, we do. Please email info@nala-lashassociation.com for more information.
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I'm a low-volume academy, and the price of the Lash Curriculum Package is a bit intimidating.We understand that! Please email info@nala-lashassociation.com with the number of students that you enroll per year to see if you qualify for low-volume academy pricing.
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How can I cancel my subscription?Please email info@nala-lashassociation.com with the full name and email address associated with your NALA account and we will take care of it for you.
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What's the difference between a lash manual and a lash textbook?A manual is an instruction booklet; a step-by-step guide of how to do something. A textbook, such as the NALA Textbooks, is an all-inclusive compilation of content with educational purpose. It serves as a guide to the curriculum offered by schools. It is an extensive book of knowledge on every sector of that subject. Lash extension training courses around the world typically use lash manuals to accompany the hands-on training that is required for teaching lash extension techniques to new lash artists. Beauty schools and lash academies across Canada, USA, and Australia are able to license the NALA Textbooks for their courses.
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How can I order more gold foil stickers for my students certificates?Please email info@nala-lashassociation.com to request more stickers and a team member will guide you to the appropriate purchase page. Your accreditation status must be active in order to purchase the seals. We limit orders to 100 stickers per order for quality control purposes.
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How can I become featured on the NALA Global Directory?In order to become featured on the directory, you must earn your place as either an Accredited Member or Accredited Academy.
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How can I order NALA merch + swag?NALA merch + swag is only available for purchase by NALA Accredited Members and Academies at this time. If you're interested, email info@nala-lashassociation.com to be directed to the correct checkout page. Discounts can be provided for bulk purchases for events.
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I want to host a NALA Meet-Up. How can I do so?We're excited to hear that you want to host one of our famous meet-ups! Please email info@nala-lashassociation.com with your interest and we will reach out with an information package.
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I own a lash supply company or offer a brand/service that I believe would benefit NALA Members. How can we collaborate and begin offering discount codes to NALA Members?We're so excited to hear that you have something to offer our members! Please email info@nala-lashassociation.com to discuss further details.
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