StateLicensed

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Virginia

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1000 hrs
Upfront cost
$314
Exam
Cosmetology Theory (Written) Examination, Cosmetology Practical Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Pass a criminal background check. Virginia's cosmetologist qualifications regulation (former 18VAC41-20-70) was repealed effective 2025-12-01 as part of a broader regulatory reorganization, and its replacement section could not be located to confirm a specific minimum age; secondary sources commonly cite 16, but this is left null rather than guessed. A criminal background check IS required: applicants with a criminal conviction must submit a Criminal Conviction Reporting Form plus a state police criminal history report for every state where they have a conviction, and the Board evaluates the relevance of any conviction to the profession using nine statutory factors. Effective 2025-12-01, the felony-conviction disclosure window was reduced from 20 to 10 years, and misdemeanor disclosure was eliminated except for specific offense categories. [2]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1000 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,000 hours at a licensed Virginia cosmetology school (per DPOR's Summary of Virginia Licensing Requirements, revised 2026-01-05) — halved from a former 2,000-hour requirement as part of a Board-approved curriculum overhaul, with updated school curriculum packets due to the Board by 2026-03-01. Virginia offers a genuine apprenticeship alternative: a Registered Apprenticeship completed through Virginia Works satisfies training in lieu of school hours, though DPOR's current summary does not publish a specific apprenticeship hour total (older, pre-overhaul secondary sources cite 2,000 apprenticeship hours; not independently verified against current DPOR material, so omitted rather than guessed). A Virginia High School Cosmetology Program and equivalent out-of-state/out-of-country training are also accepted pathways. [1]

  3. 3

    Cosmetology Theory (Written) Examination

    Pass the Cosmetology Theory (Written) Examination (fee: $99). Computer-based, administered at a Prov testing center. Must be passed along with the practical exam to become licensed. [2]

  4. 4

    Cosmetology Practical Examination

    Pass the Cosmetology Practical Examination (fee: $95). Hands-on skills demonstration administered by Prov. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) 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) issues your Cosmetologist for Virginia.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $120
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $120
Cosmetology Theory (Written) Examination [2] $99
Cosmetology Practical Examination [2] $95
Reinstatement fee (includes $120 renewal + $120 reinstatement) [3] $240

Set by Virginia Administrative Code 18VAC41-20-140: $120 due with the initial application/examination, $120 due with each 2-year renewal, and a $240 total ($120 renewal + $120 reinstatement) if renewed late. No separate license-issuance fee exists beyond the application fee. Exam fees ($99 written + $95 practical) are paid separately, directly to Prov (see exams).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 0 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Licenses renew every 2 years, expiring on the last day of the month in which they were issued. No continuing education is required for a Cosmetologist renewal in Virginia.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Virginia enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact (HB 322, 2024) and is shown as an 'Enacted' member state on the Compact Commission's official Compact Map (cosmetologycompact.gov/compact-map/) as of 2026-07-11 — but the Commission's own FAQ states it only 'hopes to activate the compact for licensees in early 2026' and had not begun issuing multistate licenses as of this research date, so no compact is listed here pending verified operational status. In the meantime, Virginia accepts equivalent out-of-state training toward a standard license: an applicant whose out-of-state training hours met or exceeded Virginia's requirement submits training documentation (Training & Experience Verification Form); an applicant with fewer hours must also document 6 months of work experience in the field.

19 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 cosmetology license?

1,000 hours at a licensed Virginia school, halved in 2026 from a former 2,000-hour requirement. A Registered Apprenticeship through Virginia Works is also an accepted alternative to school-based training.

Who administers Virginia's cosmetology exam?

Prov, under contract with DPOR. The written exam costs $99 and the practical exam costs $95.

What does it cost to get licensed in Virginia?

A $120 application fee (covering both the application and exam scheduling with the Board), plus separate exam fees paid to Prov. Renewal is also $120 every 2 years, with no continuing education required.

Does Virginia require a background check for a cosmetology license?

Applicants with a criminal conviction must submit a Criminal Conviction Reporting Form and state police criminal history reports; the Board reviews relevance to the profession using nine statutory factors.

Is Virginia part of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact?

Virginia has enacted the compact, but as of mid-2026 the Compact Commission had not yet activated multistate licensing under it.

Sources

  1. [1] dpor.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/boards/BarberCosmo/Barber%20Cosmo_Virginia%20Licensing%20Requirements.pdf — 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