How to get a Cosmetologist license in Virginia

Virginia cosmetologist licenses

Virginia issues 3 cosmetologist credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Rules shared by several license levels

These rules are the same for several of the Virginia cosmetologist licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

Every license level except Temporary License

Requirements

Social Security number

Social security number or Virginia DMV control number required⁷

Fees

How to apply

Apply online

provexam.com³

Application form

Form (PDF, dpor.virginia.gov)⁷¹⁴

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years⁶

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

Cosmetology covers hair removal, basic cleansing facials (cleanse, tone, mask or moisturizer), manicures and pedicures, and cutting, styling, coloring, waving, relaxing and similar work on hair or wigs; hair braiding is excluded.¹¹

Work that does not need this license:

• Exempt: gratuitous (unpaid) services; students in approved schools; registered apprentices; make-up application only.¹⁵
• Hair braiding is not cosmetology.¹¹
• Owning a salon does not require a practitioner license, but the salon needs its own cosmetology salon license; home services need both a cosmetologist and a salon license.³

Requirements for a Cosmetologist license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Education or training

At least 1,000 clock hours²
Approved cosmetology training program of at least 1,000 clock hours in a Virginia-licensed cosmetology school (or Virginia public-school program approved by the Department of Education, registered apprenticeship, or training in a Virginia state institution).²
Who may teach it: Virginia licensed cosmetology school; Virginia public school program approved by the Virginia Department of Education; registered apprenticeship; or a Virginia state institution.⁴
Alternative: Registered apprenticeship through Virginia Works (Department of Workforce Development and Advancement).³
Alternative: Substantially equivalent out-of-state training (at least 80% of Virginia's hours per the application); foreign degrees must be translated, authenticated and evaluated.⁴
Alternative: Two years of cosmetology experience in the U.S. Armed Forces.⁴
Alternative: A Virginia licensed master barber with two years of work experience may sit for the cosmetology exam.⁴

Exam

NIC Theory Exam and NIC Practical Exam³
Given by: Prov³
When you can take it: After completing an approved training program (or qualifying alternative) listed in 18VAC41-20-20 B.⁴
Written (theory) exam⁷
Practical exam⁷
Retakes: A passed part need not be retaken if both parts are passed within one year of the first exam date; failing to pass a reexamination within one year requires a new application and exam fee.¹²
Time limit: Apply for licensure within five years of passing both exams or retake both.¹²
Exam waived: Exam waived for license by endorsement (substantially equivalent training and exams in another state).⁸

Background check

Background check required⁴
Applicants with convictions file a Criminal Conviction Reporting Form with a state police criminal history report for each state with convictions; the full Board decides case by case using the nine factors in § 54.1-204 B.³
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply¹⁶

Also required

Applicants must be in good standing in every jurisdiction where licensed and disclose prior disciplinary action.⁴

Also required

A passport-style 2"x2" color photo taken within 6 months must be attached to the paper application.⁷

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

You pay the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (application fee) and Prov Inc. (3 fees).

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Complete an approved 1,000-hour cosmetology program in a Virginia-licensed school (or a qualifying apprenticeship, high-school, out-of-state or military route).¹⁷
2. Apply to Prov for the NIC theory and practical exams (online at provexam.com, or mail the paper application with the exam fee payable to Prov Inc) and attach the Training Verification Form.⁷ Form (PDF, dpor.virginia.gov)⁷
3. Pass both exams within one year of the first attempt.¹²
4. Submit the license application and the $120 fee to the Board (payable to the Treasurer of Virginia). Convictions require a Criminal Conviction Reporting Form.¹⁷

Temporary or provisional license

A free 90-day temporary license to work under direct supervision is available to initial applicants found eligible for the exam.¹⁰

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires

Expires two years from the last day of the month of issue.⁶

Renewal fee

$120⁵

If it expires

30-day grace period; after that the reinstatement fee applies.³
More than two years after expiration, reinstatement is not possible; reapply as a new applicant (those licensed in Virginia at least three years submit a new application and pass the exam).¹⁸
You cannot practice after your license expires.³

Renew online

dpor.virginia.gov³

Moving to Virginia with a license from another state

These are the routes the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology publishes for the Cosmetologist license. The other cosmetologist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Temporary License

Work under the direct supervision of a currently licensed cosmetologist while awaiting the exam.¹⁰

Requirements

Education or training

Must be eligible for the cosmetology exam (i.e. meet the 18VAC41-20-20 B training routes) and, per the board FAQ, be scheduled for the exam.³

Experience

A licensed sponsor must sign to supervise the temporary licensee.⁷
Supervision: Direct supervision by a licensed cosmetologist (same scope of practice).¹⁰

Background check

Background check required¹⁰

Fees

How to apply

1. Answer "Yes" to the temporary permit question on the exam/license application and have a licensed sponsor sign, or file the separate Temporary License Application (paper only).⁷ Form (PDF, dpor.virginia.gov)²¹

Renewal

How often

Every 90 days¹⁰

When it expires

Expires 90 days from Board approval; cannot be renewed or reissued.²¹

If it expires

Practising after the temporary license expires can be prosecuted and fined.¹⁰

From another state

Cosmetology Instructor Certificate

Teaches cosmetology in a licensed school; may teach any profession in which the instructor holds the underlying license.¹³

Requirements

Education or training

Either pass a course in teaching techniques at the post-secondary level or pass the instructor examination. Board-approved school instructor programs stopped qualifying applicants on December 1, 2025.²²
Who may teach it: Post-secondary educational level course¹³

Experience

Hold and maintain a current Virginia cosmetology license.¹³
License you must hold first: Virginia cosmetologist license¹³

Exam

Barbers & Cosmetology Instructor Certificate examination¹⁴
Not required¹³
Given by: Prov¹⁴
Retakes: A reexamination not passed within one year of the first exam date requires a new application and exam fee.¹⁴

Background check

Background check required¹³
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply¹⁶

Fees

How to apply

1. Hold a current Virginia cosmetologist license.¹³
2. Either pass a post-secondary teaching-techniques course (file the Instructor Certification Application by Course) or apply to Prov for the instructor exam.²³
3. Pay the instructor certificate application fee to the Treasurer of Virginia.⁵

Temporary or provisional license

A licensed cosmetologist may get a one-time 12-month student instructor temporary license to teach under a certified instructor in a licensed school; student instructors must pass the instructor exam.²⁴

Renewal

Renewal fee

$45⁵

Late renewal

Reinstatement fee: $90⁵ (more than 30 days after expiration, within 2 years)

If it expires

After two years expired, reapply as a new applicant.¹⁸

From another state

Military service members, veterans and spouses: Veterans may apply substantially equivalent military training toward license requirements (§ 54.1-118); military spouses may request expedited processing and a temporary 12-month license (§ 54.1-119); servicemembers and spouses may transfer an out-of-state license for the duration of orders.³

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a cosmetologist in Virginia, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Virginia is on the Virginia license lookup page.

Look up a license

dpor.virginia.gov³

File a complaint

dpor.virginia.gov³

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Code of Virginia, Title 54.1, Chapter 7 (Barbering, Cosmetology, Nail Care, Waxing, Tattooing, Body-Piercing, Ear-Piercing, and Esthetics), §§ 54.1-700 to -707
• Code of Virginia § 54.1-700 (Definitions)
• Code of Virginia § 54.1-700.1 (Cosmetology Compact; 2024, c. 281)
• 18VAC41-20 (Barbering and Cosmetology Regulations)
• 18VAC41-20-140, as amended Va. Reg. Vol. 42, Iss. 5, eff. December 1, 2025
• Code of Virginia § 54.1-704 (Temporary licenses)
• 18VAC41-20-90

Rule changes since January 2024

• July 1, 2026: DPOR technology fee of $7.25 per year added to certain fees through June 30, 2030 (2026 HB 30).³
• December 1, 2025: Board-approved instructor programs no longer qualify applicants; instructors qualify by post-secondary teaching course or instructor exam.²²
• January 1, 2025: Prov became the exam vendor; theory $99, practical $95.³

Common questions

Cosmetologist licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming