ITEC International Examinations

Travel the World with Your Beauty Therapy, Nail Technology and Spa Therapies Qualifications

We offer the most industry-recognised, major international qualification through our training at The National School of Aesthetics: ITEC. On this page, we discuss this international examination system and why the right international qualifications are important.

Why International Qualifications Are Important

On why international qualifications are important, ITEC states:

International qualifications are “supported by industry and … easily transportable nationally and internationally.”

International qualifications meet stringent international standards in many nations across the world. With international qualifications, the opportunities are much wider for working when traveling or living overseas. International examinations are also independently assessed and moderated, which ensures the examinations are fair, valid and consistent. You never know where you’ll be in 10 years’ time, so it’s best to ensure you’ve got international qualifications. You’ll also be able to add letters after your name, like “Jane Smith, ITEC Dip. Beauty Specialist”.

You must meet attendance, grade and training requirements set forth in our Rules and Regulations in order to sit international examinations, even after examination applications have been made and examination fees are paid.

One of our graduates based in England summed it up best: “My ITEC diplomas have proven my best asset, and I have been hired over English therapists as employers appreciate our (New Zealand’s) training is so much better.”

New Zealand’s Most Accepted International Qualifications

The most accepted international beauty therapy qualifications in New Zealand are the major international players:

  • ITEC
  • CIDESCO and
  • CIBTAC

In an industry survey, 100% of respondents preferred these international qualifications over any other type (either national or international qualifications). The New Zealand Association of Registered Beauty Professionals also recognises these qualifications.

Unlike some other international qualifications offered in New Zealand, CIDESCO, ITEC, and CIBTAC only offer beauty, nail and spa qualifications.

About ITEC

ITEC stands for the International Therapy Examination Council, who have been in existence since 1947. ITEC is an English-based therapy examination body, registered with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), and their qualifications are recognised internationally.

ITEC have assembled their syllabi on time-proven international trends in beauty therapy and other therapies, and they offer their syllabi to the 600-odd schools world wide who are registered with them. The schools, such as ours, teach the syllabi to a suitable standard (analysed twice a year by ITEC) so the ākonga / students in each course can take ITEC exams and subsequently gain qualifications to an international standard. Their qualifications are also accredited on the British National Qualifications Framework.

In 1997, ITEC judged the National School of Aesthetics amongst the top 5% of ITEC schools world-wide through their JAMES Accreditation system. There are over 600 ITEC schools world-wide. Our high pass rate and excellent calibre of ākonga / student sitting ITEC examinations helps continue our excellent reputation to this day.

ITEC examinations are held once a year at the school, and the school allows ākonga / students who have met the requirements of the qualification to sit international examinations upon successful application and payment of examinations fees. International examination fees and applications are usually due by 1 September for December examinations.

See the Student Handbook for more information on which international qualifications are available for your programme and costs. Other qualifications may be available as well.

More information on the structure of the ITEC examinations can be found in the Structure of ITEC Examinations and Qualifications section. More information can be found on the ITEC Web site.

Structure of ITEC Examinations and Qualifications

Candidates sitting ITEC examinations will be required to:

Undertake a practical examination in the subject or subjects at hand.

For example, if a candidate wanted to sit all the examinations for all the qualifications they could gain for the New Zealand Certificate and Diploma in Beauty Therapy programme, they would need to sit the practical examinations for: the Beauty Specialist Diploma; and the Diploma in Epilation.

As the ITEC system is a unit-based one, candidates undertake a practical examination in each unit in each qualification, i.e. Waxing, Manicure and Pedicure, et cetera in the Diploma for Beauty Specialists. This normally flows seamlessly from one unit to another within the same qualification.

An ITEC-hired examiner marks the ākonga / students against the criteria listed in the units for each award.

Undertake several small theory examinations.

Using the diplomas listed above, the candidate will sit several 50-point, multiple-choice question theory papers over a period of time no longer than a month. Each unit in each diploma has its own theory paper, and candidates are required to demonstrate knowledge in all units to gain the award. These are sent to and marked by ITEC.

Provide the case studies required.

Candidates are expected to complete the case studies required and hand them in to the school prior to examination. These are reviewed by the school and marked by ITEC.

Once all requirements have been met and achieved successfully, ITEC will award the ākonga / student with, in this case, two awards: the ITEC Diploma for Beauty Specialists; and the ITEC Diploma in Epilation. The candidate must pass all sections by 60% or more.