StateLicensed

Esthetician License Requirements in West Virginia

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
600 hrs
Upfront cost
$134
Exam
NIC Esthetics Written (Theory) Examination, NIC Esthetics Practical Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 1 year
Issuing board
West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, High school diploma, GED, or a passing score on the U.S. Department of Education-approved "ability to benefit" test. W. Va. Code §30-27-8 requires applicants to be at least 18, of good moral character, a U.S. citizen or eligible for U.S. employment, and to present a certificate of health from a licensed physician; no fingerprint-based criminal background check is specified in statute. Verified via archive snapshot 2025-11-09 because code.wvlegislature.gov blocks direct bot access. [5]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 600 hours of training at a state-approved program. West Virginia has a single esthetics license tier (no separate master esthetician license). An aesthetician/esthetician is defined by statute as a person who has completed 600 clock hours of training at a Board-approved school. [1]

  3. 3

    NIC Esthetics Written (Theory) Examination

    Pass the NIC Esthetics Written (Theory) Examination (fee: $99). Computer-based multiple-choice exam; written exams may also be taken remotely from home [2]

  4. 4

    NIC Esthetics Practical Examination

    Pass the NIC Esthetics Practical Examination. In-person practical skills demonstration (work area setup, basic facial, eyebrow hair removal, facial makeup, blood exposure procedure) at a Prov testing center The official Prov candidate bulletin (CIB 2025.12.01) gives two conflicting practical exam fees within the same document: $95 in the FAQ section and $129 in the state-specific 'Examination Categories & Cost' section. Left null rather than guessing; needs follow-up with Prov/WVBBC to confirm the current figure. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists with the $35 application fee. [3]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists issues your Aesthetician for West Virginia.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $35
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $35
NIC Esthetics Written (Theory) Examination [2] $99
NIC Esthetics Practical Examination [2] None specified

West Virginia charges a flat $35 fee for the initial application/first-time registration and $35 for annual renewal; there is no separate license-issuance fee beyond the application fee. Exam fees are paid directly to Prov, Inc. (see exams[]).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 1 year.

Renewal is annual, on or before January 1 (W. Va. Code §30-27-10, verified via archive snapshot 2025-12-05 because code.wvlegislature.gov blocks direct bot access). Continuing education is not required: per wvbbc.com/Continuing-Education (accessed 2026-07-11), 2022 legislation (HB 2325, effective 5/8/2022) eliminated the CE requirement for all licensees including aestheticians.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

W. Va. Code §30-27-9 (verified via archive snapshot 2025-12-07) allows licensure by reciprocity for applicants holding a valid out-of-state license with no pending charges or prior revocation, who meet the same age/education/citizenship/health-certificate requirements as a new applicant. The Board's own reciprocity application additionally requires direct license and training-hour verification sent from the applicant's original state board. A multistate Cosmetology Licensure Compact exists (cosmetologycompact.gov), but per the compact's own governing site it covers cosmetologists only — not estheticians/aestheticians — and is not yet operational for issuing multistate licenses.

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

Cost calculator

  • $35
  • $99
Total$134

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does West Virginia require for an aesthetician license?

600 clock hours of training at a Board-approved school, per W. Va. Code §30-27-3.

Who administers the licensing exam?

Prov, Inc. administers the written and practical Esthetics examinations for the West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists; the written exam fee is $99.

How often do I need to renew my license?

Annually, on or before January 1, for a $35 renewal fee. West Virginia does not currently require continuing education for renewal — that requirement was eliminated by 2022 legislation (HB 2325).

Can I transfer my out-of-state aesthetician license to West Virginia?

Yes, through the Board's reciprocity process. Your current state board must send license and training verification directly to WVBBC, and you must submit a completed reciprocity application with a certificate of health.

Is there a minimum age to get licensed?

Yes — applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma, GED, or a passing 'ability to benefit' test score, per W. Va. Code §30-27-8.

Sources

  1. [1] wvbbc.com/License-Services/How-To-Become-Licensed — accessed 2026-07-11
  2. [2] provexam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/WV_Prov_Cosmetology_CIB_2025_12.01.pdf — accessed 2026-07-11
  3. [3] wvbbc.com/License-Services/Fees — accessed 2026-07-11
  4. [4] code.wvlegislature.gov/30-27-10/ — accessed 2026-07-11
  5. [5] code.wvlegislature.gov/30-27-8/ — accessed 2026-07-11
  6. [6] wvbbc.com/Portals/WVBBC/docs/Forms/Transfer%20License%20to%20West%20Virginia%20(Reciprocity%20Application).pdf — accessed 2026-07-11