This page provides information for Virginia license requirements including how to apply for a new license, renew an existing one, reactivate an expired license and Virginia license reciprocity for when you need to transfer a license to this state or out of state. If available, we provide other useful information such as cosmetology school hours requirements, how to apply for additional license for professions like manicurists, nail technicians, instructors etc. If you did not find the answer you were looking for on this page or if you have questions or issues pertaining to cosmetology, then we recommend you contact the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology.

Virginia Cosmetology License Verification

If you need to verify a license for a salon or person, then you can do so by visiting the Virginia Board of Cosmetology license verification website. From there you can search for the person or business and see if there are any disciplinary actions on record. This will allow you to make an informed decision about the person and or business providing your service.

Summary of Virginia Licensing Requirements

Typet Hours
Cosmetologist
  • Completion of an Approved Training Program
    • 1,500 hours in licensed Virginia school or
    • 3,000-hour Registered Apprenticeship (DOLI) or
    • Virginia High School Cosmetology Program or
    • Equivalent Out-of-State program* (US Only)
  • Pass written and practical exam
  • Submit License Application and Fee
Barber
Regulations to establish Master Barber license requirements are currently under development
  • Completion of an Approved Training Program
    • 1,100 hours in licensed Virginia school or
    • 2,000-hour Registered Apprenticeship (DOLI) or
    • Virginia High School Barber Program; or
    • Equivalent Out-of-State program* (US Only)
  • Pass written and practical exam
  • Submit License Application and Fee
Nail Technician
  • Completion of an Approved Training Program
    • 150 hours in licensed Virginia school or
    • 2,000-hour Registered Apprenticeship (DOLI) or
    • Virginia High School Nail Tech
    • Program or
    • Equivalent Out-of-State program* (US Only)
  • Pass written and practical exam
  • Submit License Application and Fee
Wax Technician
  • Completion of an Approved Training Program
  • Pass written and practical exam
  • Submit License Application and Fee
Esthetician
  • Completion of an Approved Training Program
    • 600 hours in licensed Virginia school or
    • 2,000-hour Registered Apprenticeship (DOLI) or
    • Equivalent Out-of-State program*
  • Pass written and practical exam
  • Submit License Application and Fee
Master Esthetician
  • Virginia Esthetician License
  • Completion of an Approved Training Program
    • 600 hours in licensed Virginia school or
    • 2,000-hour Registered Apprenticeship (DOLI) or
    • Equivalent Out-of-State program*
  • Pass written and practical exam
  • Submit License Application and Fee
Tattooer
  • Completion of an Approved Training Program
    • 750 hours in licensed Virginia school or
    • 1,500 hour Registered Apprenticeship (DPOR) or
    • o For Out-of-State applicants (US Only)
    • Equivalent Out-of-State program* or 3 years legal tattooing experience out of last 5 years and
    • Approved bloodborne pathogen, CPR, and First Aid (See Approved providers guidance document)
  • Pass written exam
  • Submit License Application and Fee
Permanent Cosmetic Tattooer
  • Completion of an Approved Training Program
  • 90 hours in licensed Virginia school or
  • For Out-of-State applicants (US Only)
  • Equivalent Out-of-State program* or 3 years legal tattooing experience out of last 5 years and
  • Approved bloodborne pathogen, CPR, and First Aid (See Approved providers guidance document)
  • Pass written exam
  • Submit License Application and Fee
Master Permanent Cosmetic Tattooer
  • Completion of an Approved Training Program
    • Training must include cheek blush, eye shadow, breast and scar re-pigmentation or camouflage (US Only)
  • Pass written exam
  • Submit License Application and Fee
Body-Piercer
  • Completion of an Approved Training Program
    • 1,500-hour Registered Apprenticeship (DPOR)
    • For Out-of-State applicants (US Only)
    • Equivalent Out-of-State program* or 3 years legal tattooing experience out of last 5 years and
    • Approved bloodborne pathogen, CPR, and First Aid (See Approved providers guidance document)
  • Pass written exam
  • Submit License Application and Fee
Ear-Only Body-Piercer
  • Training on a mechanized, pre-sterilized ear-piercing system that penetrates the outer perimeter and/or lobe of the ear and aftercare of piercing
  • Approved bloodborne pathogen, CPR, and First Aid (See Approved providers guidance document)
  • Submit License Application and Fee
*Attention: Out-of-State Applicants

If your training consisted of the same or more hours than the Virginia requirement, you must submit documentation of your training (See Training & Experience Verification Form). If your hours were less than Virginia's requirement, then you must submit proof of 6 months' work experience along with your training documentation (See Training & Experience Verification Form).

Apply for Virginia License

Barber Cosmetologist Nail Technician Wax Technician Esthetics Body-Piercing Tattooing Other Documents

Renew Virginia License

You can renew your license by entering the Online Services system using your unique, secure User ID and password. Don't have or remember your User ID or password? You can register and update your personal profile from the login page.

How to Transfer a License from Another State

To obtain a license in Virginia based on holding a current valid license in another state, you must submit an Endorsement Application. In order to qualify for a license by endorsement, Board regulations require:

  • A current license issued by a state or US Territory
  • Substantially equivalent training to Virginia's requirement (hours + content) and
  • Substantially equivalent examination(s)
To Apply
  • Submit a completed Endorsement Application with the application fee and
  • Request the licensing authority in the state where you are currently licensed to mail a certification of licensure directly to the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology

If you originally obtained licensure in a jurisdiction other than the state where you currently hold a license, an additional Certification of Licensure must come from the original jurisdiction where you completed your training and exams.

Training and Exam Requirements

Refer to the following requirements for the hours of instruction and training required to qualify for licensure. If you qualified for your current out-of-state license by completing less than 80% of the required Virginia hours, you are not eligible for a license by endorsement. (For more information, refer to the Board's guidance document on Endorsement Education Requirements)

Examination requirements for licensure by endorsement are based on the exams you previously completed in other states. Exams must have been administered by the state licensing agency. Tests administered by the school are not equivalent and may require re-examination in Virginia.

License Type Virginia Hours (80%) Exam Requirements
Cosmetology 1,500 (1,200) Theory and Practical
Barber 1,100 (880) Theory and Practical
Nail Technician 150 (120) Theory and Practical
Wax Technician 115 (92) Theory and Practical
Esthetics 600 (480) Theory and Practical
Master Esthetics 600 (480) Theory and Practical
Tattooing/Body Piercing ** Theory
Permanent Cosmetic Tattoo ** Theory

**For endorsement requirements for tattooing/body-piercing training, contact the Board Office at 804-367-8509 or BCHOPLicensing@dpor.virginia.gov.

Virginia Cosmetology School Hours

Type 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
How do I obtain licensure in another state?

Contact the state or jurisdiction in which you are seeking licensure. That state might request proof of your Virginia license, which you can request from the Board using the Certification Request Form.

I need to renew my license, but I haven't received my renewal form. What do I need to do?

Send in the renewal fee, make checks payable to the Treasurer of Virginia, and include your license number on your check. (If you have had a change of address, also complete, print, sign and submit an Address Change Form) Mail this information to:

Board for Barbers and Cosmetology
Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23233

You cannot continue to practice in Virginia after your license has expired.

My address and/or name has changed. What do I need to do to notify the Board?

Many Boards allow you to update your address using Online Services, so login to your personal profile to see if this is an option for your license type. The alternative is to complete, print, sign, and submit an Address Change Form to the Board office by mail. Unless updated online, all Address Change Forms must be received by the Board in writing. When providing a post office box as the mailing address, it must be accompanied by the physical address.

To report a name change complete, print, sign, and submit a Name Change Form to the Board office. All name changes must be received by the Board in writing. Individual name change requests must be accompanied by a copy of a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or other official documentation that verifies the name change.

Do I need a license to offer waxing services?

Yes. Individuals performing waxing services must hold a wax technician license, cosmetologist license, or esthetician license.

Can a nail technician provide waxing services?

No. A nail technician license does not authorize the performance of waxing services. A nail technician must also be licensed as a wax technician in order to provide waxing services.

Are electrologists licensed in Virginia?

No. Electrolysis is an unregulated profession. Electrologists are not licensed in Virginia.

Can I provide cosmetology services in my home?

Yes, provided you:

  • Hold both a current cosmetologist license and a current cosmetology salon license and
  • Comply with Board regulations as well as all other federal, state, and local laws and ordinances (including Department of Health regulations)
How do I become a cosmetology, barber, or nail technician apprentice?

Apprenticeships are conducted through the Department of Labor and Industry. You must contact the Department of Labor and Industry directly to receive information regarding becoming an apprentice.