NIT Trade-Test Guide Kenya · 2026
NITA Hair & Beauty
Grades III · II · I explained
This guide to NITA Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy grades starts with the rule that matters: begin at Grade III, progress to Grade II and finish at Grade I.
How the grade numbers move
Which NITA hair and beauty grade comes first?
Grade III comes first. It is the foundation stage for a beginner. Grade II follows after the relevant Grade III certificate, and Grade I follows Grade II. The grade describes your stage in a trade-test pathway; it is not a KCSE mean grade and it does not automatically equal a numbered TVET level.
The numbering feels backwards only until you see the pathway: III is the doorway; I is the top step.
That simple point prevents a common and expensive mistake. A learner who has never trained in hair or beauty should not be sold Grade I as a beginner course. The exact course name, entry requirement, assessment and certificate should all agree in writing.
Read the numerals in this order
How NITA Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy grades work
Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy use the same traditional progression. The content differs by trade, but the route through the grades remains III, II and I.
Learn safe routines, core services, tool care and the working habits expected in a salon.
Extend your technical range and work with better judgement, consistency and independence.
Demonstrate mature trade competence, stronger planning and reliable control of advanced work.
Grade I is higher than Grade III
The numerals count down as the qualification advances. When a course advert says “Grade I for beginners,” stop and ask the institution to explain the curriculum and entry documents.
Training and assessment are different jobs
What a NITA trade-test grade actually tells you
NITA describes trade testing as a systematic assessment of an artisan’s competence in a specific trade. In plain language, the candidate must show that the skill can be performed—not merely discussed. The training institution prepares the learner; NITA handles the external testing and certification process for successful candidates.
Teach, supervise and prepare
- Demonstrate procedures and safe salon practice
- Provide repeated, supervised practical work
- Correct technique, speed and finishing
- Prepare the learner for attachment and assessment
Test and certify competence
- Register eligible candidates for trade testing
- Administer tests at approved centres
- Use examiners and technical supervision
- Process results and certificates
Ask who awards each document, what exact trade and grade will appear on it, and whether the external examination charge is included in tuition.
The three stages in practical terms
What changes from Grade III to Grade I?
The progression is not simply “more topics.” Each step should bring better judgement, cleaner execution and less dependence on supervision.
Grade III
This is the normal beginning for a new learner and a useful formal route for someone who first picked up salon skills informally.
What should become visible- Hygiene
- Tool handling
- Client preparation
- Core services
- Work discipline
Grade II
Grade II builds on the same trade. The practitioner should select suitable methods, handle a wider range of work and finish more consistently.
What should improve- Technical range
- Consultation
- Product choice
- Time control
- Independence
Grade I
This is the highest stage in the traditional III–II–I sequence. Advanced competence should include planning, correction and quality control.
What should be dependable- Advanced work
- Service planning
- Problem correction
- Quality control
- Salon organisation
The skill examples above explain the change in expected competence. They are not a replacement for the official curriculum or assessment guideline used for a particular intake.
Choose the work, then choose the title
Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy or Cosmetology?
These labels sit close together on college brochures, but they do not always lead to the same assessment. Begin with the services you want to perform.
Hairdressing
Concentrates on hair and scalp services: cleansing, setting, styling, braiding, cutting, weaving, extensions and chemical services as the grade advances.
Hair · scalp · stylingBeauty Therapy
Centres on skin, face, nails and body-care services. Hygiene, consultation, treatment safety and aftercare are essential.
Skin · nails · body careCosmetology
Usually describes a broader course that combines hair, beauty, nails or related salon services. The exact mix depends on the curriculum and provider.
Combined training · verify assessmentAsk what will be printed on the final certificate
“Cosmetology” may be a broad college course name while the external assessment is registered under a specific trade. Get the course title, trade, grade and examining body in writing.
The numbers belong to different systems
A NITA grade is not automatically the same as a NITA level
Current NITA information shows both the traditional Grade III–II–I trade-test pathway and newer curricula listed at Levels 2, 3, 4 and 5 for Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy. Do not invent a conversion from the number alone.
Traditional grades
Grade III → Grade II → Grade I
The route advances as the Roman numeral falls. Entry to the higher grade depends on the certificate from the previous stage.
Numbered levels
Levels 2, 3, 4 and 5
These belong to a numbered competency framework. A Level 3 label does not, by itself, prove that a programme is Grade III.
No guesswork
Ask which framework applies to your intake
The safe question is not “What number is it?” Ask for the curriculum title, assessment system, exact certificate and progression route. Those details tell you what you are actually buying.
Published NITA pathway information
Grade entry, training time and examination fees
NITA’s Textile Training Institute currently presents Grade III as open to interested applicants, Grade II after Grade III and Grade I after Grade II. The same page lists a nine-month programme structure—six months of coursework and three months of industrial attachment—and the examination charges below.
| Trade-test stage | Entry shown | Institute duration shown | Exam fee shown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade III | Open to interested persons | 9 months: 6 months coursework + 3 months attachment | KSh 5,000 |
| Grade II | Relevant Grade III certificate | 9 months: 6 months coursework + 3 months attachment | KSh 6,000 |
| Grade I | Relevant Grade II certificate | 9 months: 6 months coursework + 3 months attachment | KSh 7,500 |
On a small screen, swipe sideways to see every column.
These are published NITA institute figures, not a universal quotation for every college. A provider may use a different teaching calendar, and tuition is separate from the external examination fee. Reconfirm the current booking fee and payment procedure before registration.
What foundation training should feel like
Grade III should be practical from the start
A long list of topics means little if learners rarely touch the tools. Foundation training should create safe habits and repeatable results through demonstration, practice, correction and client-care discipline.
Hygiene and preparation
Clean tools, prepared work areas, safe product handling, client protection and correct aftercare should become routine.
Core salon services
Training may include cleansing, conditioning, blow-drying, setting, braiding, styling and other foundation hair services.
Foundation client care
Training may introduce facials, manicure, pedicure, basic makeup, eyebrow care and related services under supervision.
Consultation and consistency
Learners should practise listening, explaining the service, managing time, keeping records and finishing work neatly.
Skill coverage varies with the official curriculum used for the intake. Ask to see the current training and assessment outline.
Practical training in Migori Town
Grade III Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology at NIT
Newton Institute of Technology offers three Grade III routes. Each runs for one year: two teaching terms followed by attachment. Entry is open to applicants with KCPE or KCSE, including KCSE D− and below.
The KSh 30,000 figure is the complete NIT course fee. The KSh 5,000 Grade III examination fee is paid separately and directly to NITA.
Keep the two payments separate
The NIT Grade III course-and-exam budget
Full pathway or one focused skill?
Choose Grade III for breadth; choose a short course for focus
Grade III makes sense when…
- You are building a broad foundation from the beginning
- You want two terms of training plus attachment
- You want an external Grade III trade-test route
- You may later progress to the relevant Grade II
A short course makes sense when…
- You want one service rather than a broad programme
- You already work in a salon and need an upgrade
- You need a lower-cost, two-month starting point
- You understand it is not automatically equal to Grade III
Barbering
Focused cutting, grooming and barbershop practice.
2 months · KSh 10,000Nail Technology
Focused nail-care and nail-service skills.
2 months · KSh 10,000Professional Makeup Artistry
Makeup preparation, application and finishing.
2 months · KSh 10,000Massage Technology
Focused bodywork routines and client care.
2 months · KSh 10,000Hairdressing
A shorter introduction or targeted hair-skill route.
2 months · KSh 10,000Salon Management
Day-to-day service, records and business organisation.
2 months · KSh 10,000Progress one stage at a time
What comes after Grade III?
Progression is useful, but paper alone does not replace practice. Keep photographs of finished work, record the services you can perform independently and build a reputation for hygiene, honest consultation and reliable results.
Take this to Admissions
Eight questions to settle before you pay
A clear answer should name the course, grade, examiner, certificate, duration and complete cost without leaving you to guess.
- What is the exact course and trade-test grade?
- Is this a traditional grade or a numbered level?
- Who issues the final certificate?
- Is the NITA examination fee inside or outside tuition?
- How many supervised practical hours will I receive?
- What kit, products and uniform must I buy?
- How long is attachment, and who arranges it?
- What certificate is required for the next grade?
Clear answers to common questions
NITA hairdressing and beauty therapy grades: FAQs
Which is higher, NITA Grade I or Grade III?
Grade I is higher. The traditional trade-test route starts at Grade III, continues to Grade II and ends at Grade I.
Can a beginner join NITA Grade I?
Not through the normal progression shown by NITA’s Textile Training Institute. Grade I requires the relevant Grade II certificate; a beginner starts with Grade III.
What is the entry requirement for Hairdressing or Beauty Therapy Grade III?
The published NITA institute route describes Grade III as open to interested persons. At NIT, applicants may join with KCPE or KCSE, including KCSE D− and below.
Is Hairdressing Grade III the same as Beauty Therapy Grade III?
No. They sit at the same stage but belong to different trade areas. Hairdressing focuses mainly on hair and scalp services; Beauty Therapy focuses on skin, nails, face and body-care services.
Is NITA Grade III the same as Level 3?
Do not assume so. NITA currently publishes both traditional grades and numbered curriculum levels. Confirm the framework, curriculum title and certificate used for your intake.
How much is the NITA Grade III examination?
The NITA programme information checked on 26 August 2026 displays KSh 5,000 for Grade III. Reconfirm the fee and approved payment method before booking.
How long does NIT Grade III training take?
NIT’s Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology Grade III courses take one year, made up of two teaching terms and attachment.
Can Grade III help me start salon work?
It can prepare you for entry-level work or self-employment, provided you can perform services safely and consistently. Client care, hygiene, pricing and continued practice still determine whether the work succeeds.
The answer to remember
Grade III starts the journey; Grade I completes the traditional pathway
Choose the trade first, then verify the grade, curriculum, examiner, certificate and full cost. If you are a beginner, Grade III is the sensible place to start. If you already hold a Grade III or II certificate, take it to the training provider and ask for the correct next stage.
Information checked
NITA Textile Training Institute: Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy grade progression, duration and examination fees
NITA: Trade testing, assessment and certification
NITA: Catalogue of Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy curricula and levels
NIT: Grade III course fees, duration and short-course options
Verification note: information was checked on 26 August 2026. Examination charges, intake dates and assessment arrangements can change; confirm them before registration or payment.
Your next practical step
Ask about the next Grade III intake
Tell Admissions whether you are interested in Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Cosmetology or one focused short course. Ask for the timetable, kit list, attachment plan and separate NITA examination instructions.
VisitMigori Town, Namba Area, along Migori–Sirare Highway, approximately 0.3 km opposite Rubis
Call or WhatsApp+254 713 584 858
Emailinfo@niteducation.com
newtoninstituteoftechnology@gmail.com
Prepared by: Newton Institute of Technology Editorial Team · Institutional / Technical review: Engineer Simon Barongo · Last reviewed: 26 August 2026