Kenya trade-test guide · Checked August 2026
NITA Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Grades Explained
Grade III is where beginners start. Grade II comes next. Grade I is the most advanced grade in the traditional NITA trade-test pathway.
Quick answer
Start at Grade III. Finish at Grade I.
A beginner normally enters NITA Hairdressing or Beauty Therapy at Grade III. Grade II requires the relevant Grade III certificate, while Grade I requires Grade II. The grade shows the stage of trade competence; it is not a KCSE grade and it does not, by itself, set one universal course duration.
- Grade III: foundation
- Grade II: intermediate
- Grade I: advanced
- Hair and beauty assessed separately
- Grades are not course lengths
NITA Grades III, II and I at a Glance
The number trips up many applicants. Grade I sounds like the first stage, but the order works the other way round.
Foundation training for beginners and practising workers seeking their first trade-test grade.
Intermediate training after the relevant Grade III certificate.
The most advanced stage in the traditional Grade III–II–I pathway.
| NITA grade | Place in the pathway | Best suited to | Usual entry requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade III | Foundation | Beginners and workers seeking a first trade certificate | Open entry under the relevant training arrangement |
| Grade II | Intermediate | Learners advancing beyond foundation skills | Relevant Grade III certificate |
| Grade I | Advanced | Experienced practitioners seeking the highest traditional grade | Relevant Grade II certificate |
Swipe sideways to view the complete table on a small screen.
What a NITA Grade Actually Tells You
A NITA grade shows the stage at which a learner or practising artisan has been assessed in a particular trade. Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy are practical occupations: knowing the procedure is not enough if the learner cannot perform it safely and produce a dependable result.
The training institution
Teaches and prepares the learner
Lessons, demonstrations, supervised practice, workplace habits, attachment preparation and examination readiness happen here.
NITA
Assesses occupational competence
NITA trade testing evaluates the skills held by an artisan and awards the relevant certificate to a successful candidate.
Two documents may not mean the same thing
A college completion certificate and a NITA trade-test certificate can be separate documents. Before paying, ask for the exact course title, NITA grade or level, examination name and certificate issuer.
Foundation stage
Grade III: Where Beginners Start
Grade III is the normal entry point for someone new to Hairdressing or Beauty Therapy. It can also suit a salon worker who learnt informally and now wants structured preparation for an external trade assessment.
Build the salon-work foundation
Training may cover the practical skills used in everyday hair and scalp services.
- Salon safety
- Hair and scalp care
- Shampooing
- Conditioning
- Blow-drying
- Plaiting and braiding
- Roller setting
- Styling
- Barbering foundations
- Salon organisation
Build safe client-care skills
Training may introduce foundation salon, spa and personal-care services.
- Workplace hygiene
- Client preparation
- Skin care
- Facial treatments
- Manicure
- Pedicure
- Basic makeup
- Eyebrow shaping
- Henna application
- Client aftercare
Important: these are practical examples, not a substitute for the official assessment schedule. The exact units depend on the curriculum used for the intake.
Intermediate stage
Grade II: Build Depth and Independence
Grade II follows the relevant Grade III certificate. At this point, the work should become more demanding. The learner is expected to show better judgement, cleaner finishing and less dependence on constant supervision.
Hairdressing may extend into weaving, chemical relaxing and thermal styling. Beauty Therapy may move into more detailed skin, body, makeup, nail-care and hair-removal procedures.
The practitioner should consult properly, select a suitable service and recognise when a procedure may be unsafe or unsuitable.
The final result should be neat, repeatable and completed with stronger control of time, tools and products.
Grade II is about doing more than copying a demonstration. The learner should plan and carry out familiar work with growing confidence.
Advanced stage
Grade I: The Highest Traditional Grade
Grade I is the last stage in the traditional Grade III–II–I sequence. A learner normally enters after completing the relevant Grade II and gaining enough practice to handle advanced work independently.
At Grade I, competence is expected to reach beyond routine service delivery.
What Grade I does not automatically mean
Grade I can strengthen a practitioner’s professional standing, but it does not automatically make someone a trainer, salon manager or successful business owner. Those roles may require experience, teaching qualifications, business skills or additional approvals.
Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy or Cosmetology?
The three names are related, but they should not be used as though they always describe one qualification.
Styling, braiding, cutting, weaving, extensions, colour and chemical services.
Facials, makeup, massage, waxing, manicure, pedicure and related treatments.
A broader programme that may combine hair, beauty, nails and other salon services.
Check the certificate wording
Cosmetology is used differently across training programmes. Ask which exact NITA assessment applies and what will be printed on the final certificate.
NITA Grades Are Not Automatically the Same as Levels
NITA’s current curriculum catalogue lists Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy at Levels 2, 3, 4 and 5. Other official NITA information continues to show the traditional Grade III, Grade II and Grade I trade-test pathway.
Progression moves from Grade III to Grade I.
These belong to a numbered competency framework.
Do not convert the numbers yourself
Grade III is not automatically Level 3. Grade II is not automatically Level 2, and Grade I does not mean Level 1. Ask the institution to write down the curriculum, assessment system and certificate title for your intake.
Course Duration and NITA Examination Fees
A grade describes the assessment stage; it does not create one universal course length. Training time can differ with the institution’s timetable, practical hours, attachment arrangements and examination booking dates.
Full-time, part-time and term-based programmes do not always cover the same weekly hours.
Hands-on occupations need repeated supervised practice, not only theory lessons.
An advertised teaching period may not include the time reserved for industrial attachment.
The full journey may extend beyond the last lesson if the external examination comes later.
NITA trade-test examination fees displayed in August 2026
Foundation trade-test examination
Intermediate trade-test examination
Advanced trade-test examination
These are examination charges displayed on NITA’s training information—not complete course fees. Reconfirm the amount and payment procedure before registration.
Newton Institute of Technology · Migori Town
NIT Grade III Hair and Beauty Options
NIT offers three one-year Grade III certificate routes. Each programme consists of two teaching terms and an attachment.
Complete NIT course fee · One year · Two teaching terms and attachment.
Complete NIT course fee · One year · Two teaching terms and attachment.
Complete NIT course fee · One year · Two teaching terms and attachment.
30,000
Applies to Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy or Cosmetology under the stated programme structure.
Paid directly to NITA. Keep the NIT and NITA receipts separately.
Open entry route
Applicants may join with KCPE or KCSE qualifications, including low KCSE grades. Interest in the work, willingness to practise and disciplined client care matter greatly in a skills-based course.
Grade III or a Focused Short Course?
You want broad training, attachment experience, an external trade-test pathway and the option to progress to Grade II.
You want one service quickly, need to upgrade an existing salon skill or want a lower-cost starting point.
A short course can produce a useful skill, but it should not be presented as equal to a complete Grade III programme unless it follows the required curriculum and assessment arrangement.
Ten Questions to Ask Before Enrolling
Take this list to the admissions office. Clear answers now can prevent an expensive misunderstanding later.
- What is the exact course name?
Write down the name used on the admission form. - Is it a Grade or a Level?
Do not accept a vague answer such as “NITA course”. - Who will examine me?
Confirm the external examining or assessment body. - What will the certificate say?
Ask for the expected certificate title and grade. - Is the exam fee included?
Separate tuition from external assessment charges. - How many practical hours?
Course length alone does not show hands-on practice time. - Is attachment included?
Confirm the length, timing and placement arrangement. - What must I buy?
Request the personal kit, uniform and product list. - Is the institution registered?
Check the relevant training and assessment approvals. - Can I progress afterwards?
Ask what you need to enter the next grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is higher, NITA Grade I or Grade III?
Grade I is higher. The traditional pathway starts with Grade III, proceeds to Grade II and finishes at Grade I.
Can a beginner join NITA Grade I?
Normally, no. Grade I requires the relevant Grade II certificate. A beginner ordinarily starts with Grade III.
Can I study Hairdressing Grade III without a high KCSE grade?
Yes. NIT uses an open entry route for its Grade III Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology courses. Applicants with KCPE or KCSE qualifications, including low KCSE grades, may apply.
Is Hairdressing Grade III the same as Beauty Therapy Grade III?
No. They are separate trades. Hairdressing concentrates mainly on hair and scalp services, while Beauty Therapy focuses on skin, facial, body and related beauty treatments.
Is NITA Grade III the same as Level 3?
Do not assume they are identical. NITA information currently uses both traditional grades and numbered curriculum levels. Confirm which framework applies to your programme.
How much is the NITA Grade III examination?
The NITA training information checked in August 2026 displays KSh 5,000 for Grade III. Reconfirm the amount and payment method before registering.
Can I work or open a salon after Grade III?
Grade III can prepare a learner for entry-level work or self-employment. Success still depends on practical competence, hygiene, customer service, pricing and consistent results.
Information Checked
- NITA Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy programme progression and published examination fees
- NITA trade-testing service
- NITA catalogue of curricula and assessment levels
- NIT Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology fees and programme structure
Verification note: course dates, examination charges and assessment arrangements can change. Reconfirm them before registration or payment.
Your next practical step
Ask About the Next Grade III Intake
Not sure whether Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Cosmetology or a focused short course fits you? Speak to NIT Admissions before paying.
Namba Area, along Migori–Sirare Highway, approximately 0.3 km opposite Rubis Filling Station.
Ask about the next start date, timetable, kit and NITA examination.
Alternative: newtoninstituteoftechnology@gmail.com