How to Get Licensed for Esthetics in Virginia (Esthetician License Required)
Virginia requires an esthetician license to legally offer esthetics services. Here is exactly what the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) requires and how to get there.
Virginia requires an esthetician license to legally offer esthetics services. The Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) sets the rules: 600 hours of approved training, passing required exams, and a formal application before you can work on paying clients.
We track 22 accredited beauty schools in Virginia on file. Use the Requirements tab for the full breakdown - hours, fees, exams, renewal, and reciprocity - then prepare with our online esthetics course before or during school.
Virginia Esthetics licensing requirements at a glance
| Required hours | 600 hours |
| License type | Esthetician License |
| Licensing board | Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) |
| Exams | Written and practical exams required |
| Estimated fees | $194.00 combined theory + practical exam fee, paid to Prov Inc ($99.00 theory only / $95.00 practical only if taken separately). This single Prov payment is also the license application fee on the current (12/01/2025) Esthetician Examination & License Application form; the Board's own regulation caps the contracted exam fee at $225 per candidate (18VAC41-70-40.C). |
| Typical timeline | 6-9 months |
| Renewal | License renews every 2 years |
| State notes | 600 hours, completed either at a board-approved school or through a registered apprenticeship via the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. Must pass both a written and a practical exam, administered by Prov Inc. License renews every 2 years. |
Requirements verified against official board sources. Rules change - confirm with the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) before you enroll.
Step by Step: How to Get Licensed in Virginia
Prepare with our online Esthetics course
Because Virginia requires in-person training hours, our online course builds theory before or during your school program - it does not replace board-required clinical hours.
Four enrollment plans from $1,380. 12-module program taught by Aida Khazieva with lifetime access on Advanced plans and above.
Also see Find Esthetics Schools in Virginia for real, accredited programs.
Want us to guide you through Virginia licensing?
Figuring out hours, approved schools, paperwork, and exam timing on your own takes real time. Aida's team offers hands-on licensing support - guidance and coordination, never a shortcut. Only your state board issues the license.
- 60-90 minute 1:1 strategy session
- Written roadmap for Virginia esthetics licensing
- Shortlist of approved schools near you
- Exam and timeline overview
- Everything in the Licensing Roadmap
- School application and board paperwork prep
- Document review before you submit
- 90 days of email and WhatsApp support
- Everything in Guided Application Support
- Regular check-ins until your license is issued
- Mock practical exam prep with Aida
- Priority same-day support
Not sure which package fits Virginia?
Contact Us →Licensed schools & studios in Virginia
Compare accredited beauty schools on record for Virginia, or browse practicing electrologists where applicable.
Schools in Virginia
Virginia requires 600 hours through a path approved by the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation).
Yes: Must pass both a written and a practical exam, administered by Prov Inc.
Our online course can prepare you for the material, but Virginia requires in-person hours through the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation). Online study does not replace those hours.
Reciprocity rules vary by state and are not automatic. Contact the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) directly to ask about transferring an existing license.
You will need to complete 600 hours through an approved path, plus time to prepare for and pass the required exam. Total timelines vary based on your school's schedule.
Budget $194.00 combined theory + practical exam fee, paid to Prov Inc ($99.00 theory only / $95.00 practical only if taken separately). This single Prov payment is also the license application fee on the current (12/01/2025) Esthetician Examination & License Application form; the Board's own regulation caps the contracted exam fee at $225 per candidate (18VAC41-70-40.C). for Virginia, which the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation) states covers exam and licensing costs. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount with the board before you apply.
License renews every 2 years. Confirm your state's exact renewal cycle and continuing education requirements with the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation).
Virginia lists an apprenticeship path, where supervised work can count toward your required hours. Outside of an approved apprenticeship, you generally need to finish your program and pass your exam before working independently. Confirm the exact rules with the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation).
Virginia Esthetics Licensing Requirements. Planning to get licensed for esthetics in Virginia? As of the most recent update, this state requires 600 hours, licensing handled by the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation), a licensing fee of $194.00 combined theory + practical exam fee, paid to Prov Inc ($99.00 theory only / $95.00 practical only if taken separately). This single Prov payment is also the license application fee on the current (12/01/2025) Esthetician Examination & License Application form; the Board's own regulation caps the contracted exam fee at $225 per candidate (18VAC41-70-40.C).. This page tracks the current board, required hours, minimum age, and renewal rules for Virginia, cross-linked with our online esthetics course for the theory portion of your training and our school directory for approved in-person programs near Virginia. Rules change, so always confirm the latest requirement directly with the Virginia licensing board before enrolling.
Financial Aid and Government Support
Several real federal and state programs can help cover the cost of beauty education. Federal Pell Grants and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) are available to eligible students at accredited schools through the FAFSA. Veterans and their families may be able to use GI Bill benefits at VA-approved programs. Some states also offer workforce funding through WIOA, administered by local American Job Centers, though eligibility for cosmetology and esthetics programs varies by region.
Important: these programs apply to your accredited in-person school, where you complete your required hours, not to our online preparation course directly. Contact your chosen school's financial aid office or your local American Job Center to find out what you qualify for.
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Sourced from the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation). Verified July 2026. Licensing rules can change - always confirm current requirements with the board before enrolling or applying.