State Licensing Requirements in VIRGINIA
Cosmetologists
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing shall obtain a license in compliance with §54.1-703 of the Code of Virginia and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be in good standing as a cosmetologist in Virginia;
- Applicant shall disclose any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions including monetary penalties, fines, suspensions, revocations, surrender;
- Applicant shall disclose if he/she has been previously licensed in Virginia as a cosmetologist;
- Applicant shall disclose physical address (no post office boxes);
- Applicant shall sign application acknowledging understanding of Virginia license laws;
- Applicant shall disclose all misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, or physical injury within 2 years of date of application and all felony convictions within 20 years of the date of application;
- Applicant shall provide evidence that the applicant has passed the board-approved examination.
Exam Requirements
- Applicant creates online account, completes exam application, and submits exam fee online;
- Upon approval / determination of eligibility, applicant schedules a WRITTEN examination and PRACTICAL (hands-on) examination with Professional Credential Services (PCS);
- If applicant passes exam(s), applicant pays required license fee.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued at which time it must be renewed.
Apprenticeship Programs
Owners of barbershops, cosmetology salons, and nail salons who train apprentices shall comply with the standards for apprenticeship training established by the Division of Apprenticeship
Training of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.
Training of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.
A cosmetology apprenticeship has a term of 3000 hours. For more information contact Virginia
Department of Labor and Industry
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
To obtain a license in Virginia based on holding a current valid license in another state, an applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. Examination requirements for licensure by endorsement are based on examinations previously completed in other states.
Requirements for Eligibility:
- 1,500 hours of training; or
- 1200-1499 hours of training (at least 80% of the required hours in Virginia) and six (6) months of full time work experience; or
- 1000-1199 hours of training and completion of the ‘general’ or ‘intro’ portions of the curriculum of an approved Virginia program (as provided below) and six (6) months of full time work experience.
- Any amount less than 1000 hours of training outside of Virginia will not count towards eligibility for examination.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be in good standing as a licensed cosmetologist in Virginia and all other
jurisdictions where licensed; - Applicant shall disclose any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions
including monetary penalties, fines, suspensions, revocations, surrender; - Applicant shall disclose if he/she has been previously licensed in Virginia as a cosmetologist;
- Applicant shall disclose all misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, or physical injury within 2 years of date of application and all felony convictions within 20 years of the date of application;
- Applicant shall pass a course in teaching techniques at the post-secondary level;
- Applicant shall pass an instructor training course approved by the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology under the supervision of a certified cosmetologist;
- Applicant shall pass an examination in cosmetology administered by the board
Hair Stylists
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing shall obtain a license in compliance with §54.1-703 of the Code of Virginia and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be in good standing as a cosmetologist in Virginia;
- Applicant shall disclose any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions including monetary penalties, fines, suspensions, revocations, surrender;
- Applicant shall disclose if he/she has been previously licensed in Virginia as a cosmetologist;
- Applicant shall disclose physical address (no post office boxes);
- Applicant shall sign application acknowledging understanding of Virginia license laws;
- Applicant shall disclose all misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, or physical injury within 2 years of date of application and all felony convictions within 20 years of the date of application;
- Applicant shall provide evidence that the applicant has passed the board-approved examination.
Exam Requirements
- Applicant creates online account, completes exam application, and submits exam fee online;
- Upon approval / determination of eligibility, applicant schedules a WRITTEN examination and PRACTICAL (hands-on) examination with Professional Credential Services (PCS);
- If applicant passes exam(s), applicant pays required license fee.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued at which time it must be renewed.
Apprenticeship Programs
Owners of barbershops, cosmetology salons, and nail salons who train apprentices shall comply with the standards for apprenticeship training established by the Division of Apprenticeship Training of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.
A cosmetology apprenticeship has a term of 3000 hours. For more information contact Virginia
Department of Labor and Industry
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
To obtain a license in Virginia based on holding a current valid license in another state, an applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. Examination requirements for licensure by endorsement are based on examinations previously completed in other states.
Requirements for Eligibility:
- 1,500 hours of training; or
- 1200-1499 hours of training (at least 80% of the required hours in Virginia) and six (6) months of full time work experience; or
- 1000-1199 hours of training and completion of the ‘general’ or ‘intro’ portions of the curriculum of an approved Virginia program (as provided below) and six (6) months of full time work experience.
- Any amount less than 1000 hours of training outside of Virginia will not count towards eligibility for examination.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be in good standing as a licensed cosmetologist in Virginia and all other
jurisdictions where licensed; - Applicant shall disclose any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions
including monetary penalties, fines, suspensions, revocations, surrender; - Applicant shall disclose if he/she has been previously licensed in Virginia as a cosmetologist;
- Applicant shall disclose all misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, or physical injury within 2 years of date of application and all felony convictions within 20 years of the date of application;
- Applicant shall pass a course in teaching techniques at the post-secondary level;
- Applicant shall pass an instructor training course approved by the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology under the supervision of a certified cosmetologist;
- Applicant shall pass an examination in cosmetology administered by the board
Barbers
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing shall obtain a license in compliance with §54.1-703 of the Code of Virginia and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be in good standing as a licensed barber in Virginia;
- Applicant shall disclose any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions including monetary penalties, fines, suspensions, revocations, surrender;
- Applicant shall disclose if he/she has been previously licensed in Virginia as a barber;
- Applicant shall disclose physical address (no post office boxes);
- Applicant shall sign application acknowledging understanding of Virginia license laws;
- Applicant shall disclose all misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, or physical injury within 2 years of date of application and all felony convictions within 20 years of the date of application;
- Applicant shall provide evidence that the applicant has passed the board-approved examination.
Exam Requirements
- Applicant creates online account, completes exam application, and submits exam fee online;
- Upon approval / determination of eligibility, applicant schedules a WRITTEN examination and PRACTICAL (hands-on) examination with Professional Credential Services (PCS);
- If applicant passes exam(s), applicant pays required license fee.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued at which time it must be renewed.
Apprenticeship Programs
Owners of barbershops, cosmetology salons, and nail salons who train apprentices shall comply with the standards for apprenticeship training established by the Division of Apprenticeship Training of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
To obtain a license in Virginia based on holding a current valid license in another state, an applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. Examination requirements for licensure by endorsement are based on examinations previously completed in other states.
Requirements for Eligibility:
- 1,500 hours of training; or
- 1200-1499 hours of training (at least 80% of the required hours in Virginia) and six (6) months of full time work experience; or
- 1000-1199 hours of training and completion of the ‘general’ or ‘intro’ portions of the curriculum of an approved Virginia program (as provided below) and six (6) months of full time work experience.
- Any amount less than 1000 hours of training outside of Virginia will not count towards eligibility for examination.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be in good standing as a licensed barber in Virginia and all other jurisdictions where licensed;
- Applicant shall disclose any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions including monetary penalties, fines, suspensions, revocations, surrender;
- Applicant shall disclose if he/she has been previously licensed in Virginia as a barber;
- Applicant shall disclose all misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, or physical injury within 2 years of date of application and all felony convictions within 20 years of the date of application;
- Applicant shall pass a course in teaching techniques at the post-secondary level;
- Applicant shall pass an instructor training course approved by the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology under the supervision of a certified barber;
- Applicant shall pass an examination in barber administered by the board
Estheticians
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to become an esthetician or master esthetician shall first obtain a license from the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology in compliance with §54.1-703 of the Code of Virginia and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be in good standing as a licensed esthetician in Virginia;
- Applicant shall disclose any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions including monetary penalties, fines, suspensions, revocations, surrender;
- The applicant shall disclose to the board at the time of application for licensure whether he has been previously licensed in Virginia as an esthetician or master esthetician;
- Applicant shall disclose physical address (no post office boxes);
- Applicant shall sign application acknowledging understanding of Virginia license laws;
- Applicant shall disclose all misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, or physical injury within 2 years of date of application and all felony convictions within 20 years of the date of application;
- Applicant shall provide evidence that the applicant has passed the board-approved examination.
Exam Requirements
- Applicant creates online account, completes exam application, and submits exam fee online;
- Upon approval / determination of eligibility, applicant schedules a WRITTEN examination and PRACTICAL (hands-on) examination with Professional Credential Services (PCS);
- If applicant passes exam(s), applicant pays required license fee.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued at which time it must be renewed.
Apprenticeship Programs
Licensed estheticians and master estheticians who train apprentices shall comply with the standards for apprenticeship training established by the Division of Registered Apprenticeship of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry and the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology.
As a full-fledged employee of the sponsoring company, a registered apprentice completes a minimum of 2,000 hours of supervised on-the-job training and a minimum of 144 hours of related classroom instruction for each year of apprenticeship. For more information contact Virginia Department of Labor and Industry
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
To obtain a license in Virginia based on holding a current valid license in another state, an applicant must submit completion of 600 hours of esthetician training which is substantially equivalent to the Virginia program that is obtained outside the Commonwealth of Virginia such as;
Requirements for Eligibility:
- 600 hours of training or equivalent credit hours; such as;
- Minimum 25 hours business topics,
- Minimum 10 hours law and regulations,
- Minimum 80 hours general sciences
- Minimum 95 hours in applied sciences
- Minimum 255 hours in skin care
- Minimum 65 hours in makeup
- Minimum 20 hours body and other treatments
- Minimum 50 hours hair removal
- Any amount less than 600 hours of training or equivalent will not count towards eligibility for examination
An applicant may also submit a certificate, diploma, or other documentation acceptable to the board verifying the completion of a substantially equivalent esthetics course and documentation of six months of work experience as an esthetician in order to be eligible for the esthetician examination.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be in good standing as a licensed esthetician in Virginia and all other jurisdictions where licensed;
- Applicant shall disclose any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions including monetary penalties, fines, suspensions, revocations, surrender;
- Applicant shall disclose if he/she has been previously licensed in Virginia as an esthetician;
- Applicant shall disclose all misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, or physical injury within 2 years of date of application and all felony convictions within 20 years of the date of application;
- Applicant shall hold a current Virginia esthetics license
- Applicant shall pass a course in teaching techniques at the post-secondary level;
- Applicant shall pass an instructor training course approved by the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology under the supervision of a certified esthetics instructor;
- Applicant shall pass an examination in esthetician administered by the board
Nail Technicians/Manicurist
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing shall obtain a license in compliance with §54.1-703 of the Code of Virginia and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be in good standing as a licensed nail technician in Virginia;
- Applicant shall disclose any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions including monetary penalties, fines, suspensions, revocations, surrender;
- Applicant shall disclose if he/she has been previously licensed in Virginia as a nail technician;
- Applicant shall disclose physical address (no post office boxes);
- Applicant shall sign application acknowledging understanding of Virginia license laws;
- Applicant shall disclose all misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, or physical injury within 2 years of date of application and all felony convictions within 20 years of the date of application;
- Applicant shall provide evidence that the applicant has passed the board-approved examination.
Exam Requirements
- Applicant creates online account, completes exam application, and submits exam fee online;
- Upon approval / determination of eligibility, applicant schedules a WRITTEN examination and PRACTICAL (hands-on) examination with Professional Credential Services (PCS);
- If applicant passes exam(s), applicant pays required license fee.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued at which time it must be renewed.
Apprenticeship Programs
Owners of barbershops, cosmetology salons, and nail salons who train apprentices shall comply with the standards for apprenticeship training established by the Division of Apprenticeship Training of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.
A barber apprenticeship has a term of 2000 hours. For more information contact Virginia
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
To obtain a license in Virginia based on holding a current valid license in another state, an applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. Examination requirements for licensure by endorsement are based on examinations previously completed in other states.
Requirements for Eligibility:
- 150 hours of training; or
- If less than 150 hours of training, they must also submit a certificate, diploma, or other documentation acceptable to the board verifying the completion of an equivalent nail technician course and documentation of six months of nail technician work experience.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in nail care instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be in good standing as a licensed nail technician in Virginia and all other
- Applicant shall disclose any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions including monetary penalties, fines, suspensions, revocations, surrender;
- Applicant shall disclose if he/she has been previously licensed in Virginia as a nail technician;
- Applicant shall disclose all misdemeanor convictions involving moral turpitude, sexual offense, drug distribution, or physical injury within 2 years of date of application and all felony convictions within 20 years of the date of application;
- Applicant shall pass a course in teaching techniques at the post-secondary level;
- Applicant shall pass an instructor training course approved by the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology under the supervision of a certified nail technician;
- Applicant shall pass an examination in nail technician administered by the board.
Make-up Artists
Make-up artists are exempt from regulation under Virginia law.
Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services
Mobile cosmetology services do not require a license; however owner must obtain the proper cosmetology license and meets all of the state’s regulations in order to operate their mobile unit. InVirginia mobile units are just considered to be offsite services.
High School Cosmetology Programs
There are no rules in Virginia prohibiting high school students from enrolling in a cosmetology program. Programs are offered on the high school level. For more information contact: Virginia Department of Education
Additional Professions Licensed
- Wax Technician
- Tattooists
- Body Piercer
- Massage Therapy