StateLicensed

Barber License Requirements in Virginia

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
750 hrs
Upfront cost
$314
Exam
NIC Barber Theory Examination, NIC Barber Practical Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, DPOR)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Meet the eligibility requirements set by the issuing board. DPOR's Summary of Virginia Licensing Requirements (rev. 01/05/2026) lists only training completion and passage of the written and practical exams for the Barber license — no minimum age or general-education requirement is stated, so minAge is null. No routine criminal background check is required; DPOR applications require disclosure of criminal convictions, which the Board reviews case-by-case. [4]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 750 hours of training at a state-approved program. 750 hours in a licensed Virginia barber school — reduced from 1,100 hours effective December 1, 2025 (schools could enroll students in the old 1,100-hour curriculum through November 30, 2025, with completion deadlines in 2026). Alternatives accepted: a completed Registered Apprenticeship through Virginia Works (Virginia's workforce agency), an equivalent out-of-state program, or an equivalent out-of-country program (translated transcript required). Virginia also tiers a Master Barber license (adds chemical texture services): 250 additional hours of master barber training, a 1,000-hour dual barber/master barber program, or the Virginia High School Master Barber Program. [1]

  3. 3

    NIC Barber Theory Examination

    Pass the NIC Barber Theory Examination (fee: $99). Theory exam fee of $99 is payable to Prov ((877) 228-3926, provexam.com), per the Board's page. [2]

  4. 4

    NIC Barber Practical Examination

    Pass the NIC Barber Practical Examination (fee: $95). Practical exam fee of $95 is payable to Prov, per the Board's page. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, DPOR) with the $120 application fee. [3]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, DPOR) issues your Barber License for Virginia.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $120
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $120
NIC Barber Theory Examination [2] $99
NIC Barber Practical Examination [2] $95
License by endorsement application [3] $120
Reinstatement (includes $120 renewal fee plus $120 reinstatement fee) [3] $240

Fee schedule per 18VAC41-20-140, most recently updated effective December 1, 2025: individual license application $120, renewal $120, endorsement $120, reinstatement $240. DPOR charges no separate license-issuance fee beyond the application fee, so license is null. Prov exam fees ($99 theory, $95 practical) are paid directly to Prov.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

Barber licenses expire two years from the last day of the month in which they were issued; renewal is $120. No continuing-education requirement for barbers appears in the Board's regulations (18VAC41-20) or on DPOR's pages, so ceHours is null.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

License by endorsement ($120) is available to applicants holding a current license elsewhere; per the Board's endorsement guidance, out-of-state applicants must have completed at least 80% of Virginia's required hours. Out-of-state applicants whose training equaled or exceeded Virginia's hours submit training documentation; those with fewer hours must also submit proof of 6 months' work experience (Training & Experience Verification Form). Out-of-state barbers whose training and scope included chemical texture services may qualify for the Master Barber license (contact the Board). Virginia has enacted legislation to join the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, but that compact covers cosmetology — no operational interstate compact covers barbering, so compacts is empty.

6 state-approved training providers in Virginia — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $120
  • $99
  • $95
Total$314

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does Virginia require for a barber license?

750 hours in a licensed Virginia barber school, reduced from 1,100 hours effective December 1, 2025. A completed Registered Apprenticeship through Virginia Works or an equivalent out-of-state program also qualifies.

Who administers Virginia's barber exams and what do they cost?

Prov, Inc. administers the NIC theory and practical exams for DPOR. The theory exam is $99 and the practical exam is $95, both payable to Prov.

What is the difference between a Barber and a Master Barber in Virginia?

The Master Barber license adds chemical texture services. It requires 250 hours of master barber training on top of the barber credential, a 1,000-hour dual barber/master barber program, or the Virginia High School Master Barber Program.

How much does a Virginia barber license cost?

The application fee is $120 and renewal is $120 every two years (fee schedule effective December 1, 2025). Exam fees are paid separately to Prov.

Can I get a Virginia barber license with an out-of-state license?

Yes — apply by endorsement ($120). You need at least 80% of Virginia's required training hours; if your hours were below Virginia's requirement, you must also document 6 months of work experience.

Sources

  1. [1] dpor.virginia.gov/CosmetologyCurriculum — accessed 2026-07-11
  2. [2] dpor.virginia.gov/boards/barbercosmo/ — accessed 2026-07-11
  3. [3] law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title18/agency41/chapter20/section140/ — accessed 2026-07-11
  4. [4] dpor.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/boards/BarberCosmo/Barber%20Cosmo_Virginia%20Licensing%20Requirements.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11