Licensed jobs in Virginia
Virginia: 11 occupations, 7 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in Virginia
Virginia licenses 11 of the 11 occupations below at the state level. Plumbers have the most levels here (5 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist 3 credentials in all | Board for Barbers and Cosmetology | Training 1,000 clock hours1 | $1202 | Every 2 years3 |
| Notary public | Notary Public (traditional notary public commission) 2 credentials in all | SOC | Training 4 clock hours7 | $458 | Every 4 years9 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Nurse – single-state license (practice in Virginia only) 3 credentials in all | VBON | Training 500 clock hours11 | $19012 | Every 2 years13 |
| Insurance agent | Resident insurance agent (producer) license: Life and Annuities, Health, Property and Casualty, Personal Lines, Title or Variable Contracts qualification 3 credentials in all | BOI | Training 16 clock hours16 | $1516 | Every 2 years17 |
| Plumber | Journeyman Plumbing (PLB) 5 credentials in all | Board for Contractors | Training 240 clock hours19 | $171.7520 | Every 3 years21 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) 4 credentials in all | VBON | Training 140 clock hours26 | $027 | Every year13 |
| Electrician | Journeyman Electrical (ELE) 3 credentials in all | Board for Contractors | Training 240 clock hours19 | $171.7520 | Every 3 years21 |
| Security guard | Unarmed Security Officer/Courier 4 credentials in all | DCJS | Training 18 clock hours29 | $2529 | Every 24 months29 |
| Massage therapist | Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) 2 credentials in all | VBON | Training 500 clock hours30 | $14031 | Every 2 years32 |
| Real estate agent | Real Estate Salesperson 2 credentials in all | Real Estate Board | Training 60 clock hours35 | $21036 | Every 2 years36 |
| General contractor | Class A Contractor License 3 credentials in all | Board for Contractors | Experience 5 years38 | $40039 | Every 2 years39 |
Licensing boards
7 agencies issue the Virginia licenses we cover:
- Board for Contractors: plumbers, electricians and general contractors
- Virginia Board of Nursing (VBON): registered nurses, nursing assistants and massage therapists
- Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, Division of Licensure and Regulatory Services (DCJS): security guards
- Board for Barbers and Cosmetology: cosmetologists
- State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance (BOI): insurance agents
- Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth (SOC): notaries
- Real Estate Board: real estate agents
Moving to Virginia with a license
For plumbers, electricians and real estate agents, the Virginia board names the states whose licenses it accepts. The boards for notaries publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement, Universal license recognition and Military service members and spouses456 |
| Notary public | No reciprocity route10 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | License by endorsement and Military service members and spouses1415 |
| Insurance agent | Exam waiver18 |
| Plumber | Reciprocity agreements, Universal license recognition, Exam waiver and Military service members and spouses22232425 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement28 |
| Electrician | Reciprocity agreements, Universal license recognition, Exam waiver and Military service members and spouses22232425 |
| Security guard | Reciprocity agreements and Exam waiver29 |
| Massage therapist | License by endorsement and Interstate compact privilege3334 |
| Real estate agent | License by endorsement, Universal license recognition and Military service members and spouses3736 |
| General contractor | Exam waiver, Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses4039 |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The Virginia license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- 18VAC41-20-200Virginia General Assembly, Division of Legislative Automated Systems (Virginia Administrative Code)Dated December 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- 18VAC41-20-140Virginia General Assembly, Division of Legislative Automated Systems (Virginia Administrative Code)Dated December 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- 18VAC41-20-160Virginia General Assembly, Division of Legislative Automated Systems (Virginia Administrative Code)Dated December 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- 18VAC41-20-30Virginia General Assembly, Division of Legislative Automated Systems (Virginia Administrative Code)Dated December 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Universal License Recognition Form (static PDF)Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board for Barbers and CosmetologyDated September 1, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Board for Barbers and CosmetologyVirginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board for Barbers and CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
- Code of Virginia § 47.1-5.2Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information SystemChecked November 7, 2026
- Notary CommissionsSecretary of the Commonwealth of VirginiaChecked November 7, 2026
- Code of Virginia § 47.1-21Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information SystemChecked November 7, 2026
- Code of Virginia § 47.1-3Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information SystemChecked November 7, 2026
- RN/LPN Licensure by Examination Application InstructionsVirginia Board of NursingDated November 1, 2025Checked November 8, 2026
- Practitioner Resources - FeesVirginia Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- Code of Virginia Title 54.1 Chapter 30 NursingVirginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia)Checked November 8, 2026
- 18VAC90-19 Regulations Governing the Practice of NursingVirginia General Assembly (Virginia Administrative Code)Checked November 8, 2026
- Military Service ApplicantsVirginia Board of NursingChecked November 8, 2026
- Lines of Authority & Application FeesState Corporation CommissionDated January 5, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Code of Virginia § 38.2-1825.1Virginia General Assembly (Legislative Information System)Checked November 7, 2026
- Code of Virginia § 38.2-1818Virginia General Assembly (Legislative Information System)Checked November 7, 2026
- 18VAC50-30-39Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Virginia Administrative Code)Dated April 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Tradesman Exam and License Application A501-2710EXLICVirginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board for ContractorsDated July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- 18VAC50-30-120Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Virginia Administrative Code)Dated August 1, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Tradesmen reciprocal agreementsVirginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board for ContractorsChecked November 7, 2026
- Tradesman Universal License Recognition Application A501-2710ULRVirginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board for ContractorsDated July 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- 18VAC50-30-70Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Virginia Administrative Code)Checked November 7, 2026
- Military and Veterans ServicesVirginia Department of Professional and Occupational RegulationChecked November 7, 2026
- 18VAC90-26 Regulations for Nurse Aide Education ProgramsVirginia General Assembly, Legislative Information SystemChecked November 7, 2026
- Checklist Instructions for Certification by Endorsement as a Nurse AideVirginia Department of Health Professions, Board of NursingDated January 21, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- 18VAC90-25 Regulations Governing Certified Nurse AidesVirginia General Assembly, Legislative Information SystemChecked November 7, 2026
- 6VAC20-174 Regulations Relating to Private Security Services Registered PersonnelVirginia General Assembly (Legislative Information System)Checked November 7, 2026
- 18VAC90-50-40Virginia General Assembly (Virginia Administrative Code)Dated September 30, 2020Checked November 8, 2026
- LMT Initial checklist instructionsVirginia Board of NursingDated May 5, 2023Checked November 8, 2026
- 18VAC90-50-30Virginia General Assembly (Virginia Administrative Code)Dated February 6, 2020Checked November 8, 2026
- 18VAC90-50-50Virginia General Assembly (Virginia Administrative Code)Dated September 21, 2016Checked November 8, 2026
- Code of Virginia § 54.1-3029.2Virginia General Assembly (Code of Virginia)Checked November 8, 2026
- Real Estate Pre-License Education and ExamVirginia Department of Professional and Occupational RegulationChecked November 6, 2026
- 18VAC135-20 Virginia Real Estate Board Licensing RegulationsVirginia General Assembly (Virginia Administrative Code)Checked November 6, 2026
- Real Estate BoardVirginia Department of Professional and Occupational RegulationChecked November 6, 2026
- Contractor License Instructions & Application (A501-27LIC)Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational RegulationDated August 1, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
- 18VAC50-22 Board for Contractors Regulations (full chapter)Virginia General Assembly, Legislative Information System (Virginia Administrative Code)Checked November 6, 2026
- Board for ContractorsVirginia Department of Professional and Occupational RegulationChecked November 6, 2026