Virginia License Requirements
Last Updated: April 25, 2017
The Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology is responsible for determining the licensing rules for beauty professions in the state. When getting a Virginia cosmetology or beauty license or other beauty practitioner certification, you must complete the required educational standards before you take any exams.
Once you are done with school, you will have to take and pass a licensing exam specific to the beauty career field you plan to enter, whether it be cosmetology, barbering, nail technology or another specialty. Once you pass your written and practical exams, you can receive your Virginia cosmetology license.
Virginia does allow apprenticeship to get your training hours for some licenses, so be sure to check the most current requirements below. Virginia, like many other states, uses PSI to administer the board exams and provides resources for you to take the boards in the English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean languages.
You can find Virginia beauty schools that can help prepare you to obtain a license in cosmetology, esthetics, barbering and many other beauty professions in the state of Virginia.
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
2017 Virginia Board of Cosmetology License Requirements
- COSMETOLOGIST LICENSE: 1500 Hours (3000 Hours Apprenticeship)
- BARBER LICENSE: 1500 Hours (3000 Hours Apprenticeship)
- ESTHETICIAN LICENSE: 600 Hours
- MASTER ESTHETICIAN LICENSE: 1200 Hours
- NAIL TECHNICIAN LICENSE: 150 Hours (2000 Hours Apprenticeship)
- PERMANENT MAKEUP ARTIST LICENSE: 1500 Hours
- COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR LICENSE: Cosmetology License + 12 Months Student Instruction
- MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSE: 500 Hours
Virginia Cosmetology License Renewal
Cosmetology license renewal in Virginia happens every two years at the end of the month in which your license was first issued. The cost to renew a beauty practitioner license is $105.
Cosmetology instructors must pay a license renewal fee of $150. Permanent makeup artists must complete a minimum of 5 hours of safety and sanitation continuing education. Otherwise, cosmetology continuing education hours are not required for most beauty professions in Virginia.
Cosmetology License Reciprocity (Transfer) in Virginia
Virginia offers licensure by endorsement if you want to transfer your credentials from another state. The examination requirements for licensure by endorsement in VA are based on examinations previously completed in your home state. The cost to transfer your license to Virginia is $105 for a beauty practitioner license or $125 for an instructor license. The amount of hours you completed in your home state must be at least 80% of Virginia requirements, or else you are not eligible for licensure via endorsement.
VA State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information
Virginia Board for Barbers & Cosmetology
Perimeter Center, Suite 400
9960 Maryland Drive
Richmond, VA 23233
Phone Number: 804-367-8509
Fax Number: 866-245-9693
E-mail Address: barbercosmo@dpor.virginia.gov
For specific questions, including change of address information, license renewal and out-of-state licensing forms, please contact the Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetology directly, using the contact information above.