Virginia Cosmetology License: Requirements Explained

To earn a cosmetology license in Virginia, you must be at least 16 years old, complete 1,500 hours of accredited training, and pass a two-part State Board exam administered by PSI Exams on behalf of the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). This guide walks you through every step in plain language, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for before you enroll. If you’re ready to get started, apply to AVI’s Cosmetology program here.

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What Virginia Requires to Become a Licensed Cosmetologist

Virginia’s cosmetology license requirements are set and enforced by the Virginia Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, which operates under the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Before you can sit for the State Board exam, you need to meet three baseline qualifications.

Age: You must be at least 16 years old to enroll in a Virginia cosmetology program.

Education: A high school diploma or GED is required. If you’re still in high school, some programs allow concurrent enrollment — check with your school of choice.

Training Hours: Virginia mandates 1,500 hours of approved cosmetology education from a SCHEV-certified institution. These hours must be completed at a state-authorized school before you’re eligible to apply for licensure. Every hour counts toward your practical and theoretical foundation, so the quality of the school you choose matters as much as the number of hours you log.

What Those 1,500 Hours Cover

Virginia’s required curriculum covers a broad range of cosmetology disciplines, including:

Hair cutting, coloring, and chemical services

Scalp and hair analysis

Skin care and facials

Nail care basics

Salon business, sanitation, and Virginia state laws

Safety and infection control procedures

A well-rounded program doesn’t just teach you to pass a test — it trains you to serve a real, diverse clientele from day one. Northern Virginia’s client base is one of the most multicultural in the country, so strong training on all hair textures and skin tones isn’t optional. It’s essential.

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The Virginia State Board Cosmetology Exam — What to Expect

The Virginia State Board cosmetology exam is a two-part test administered by PSI Exams on behalf of DPOR. Passing both parts is required before your license is issued — and understanding what’s tested helps you prepare with intention, not anxiety.

Part 1: Written (Theory) Exam

The written exam tests your knowledge of cosmetology theory, science, and Virginia state law. Topics typically include:

Anatomy and physiology relevant to cosmetology services

Chemistry (hair color, relaxers, perms)

Sanitation, disinfection, and infection control

Virginia Board of Barbering and Cosmetology regulations

Salon management and professional ethics

Safety practices for chemical and electrical equipment

The exam is computer-based and administered at PSI testing centers. You’ll receive your score immediately after completing the test. A passing score is required to move on to the practical portion.

Part 2: Practical (Clinical Skills) Exam

The practical exam is hands-on. You’ll perform cosmetology services on a mannequin — or in some cases a live model — in front of a licensed examiner. Services evaluated typically include hair cutting, chemical texturing or coloring, thermal styling, and sanitation setup.

Examiners assess not just your technique, but your process — did you set up your station correctly? Did you demonstrate proper safety protocols? Did you complete the service within the allotted time?

What happens if you don’t pass? You can retake either section. Virginia allows candidates to retake individual exam components — you don’t have to retake both parts if you passed one. There is a fee for each retake attempt, so preparation matters. A strong school program runs mock practical exams and board-prep drills specifically because the practical section catches many students off guard. The best way to reduce retake risk is rigorous hands-on training before exam day.

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How to Apply for Your Virginia Cosmetology License (Step-by-Step)

Applying for your Virginia cosmetology license is a straightforward process once you’ve completed your training hours. Here’s exactly how it works.

Step 1 — Complete Your 1,500 Training Hours

Your school will track and document your hours throughout the program. Upon graduation, you’ll receive an official transcript or certificate of completion verifying your hour count with the Virginia Board.

Step 2 — Submit Your DPOR Application

Applications are submitted through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation at dpor.virginia.gov. You’ll need:

Completed application form

Proof of age (government-issued ID)

Proof of education (high school diploma or GED)

Official transcript from your cosmetology school verifying 1,500 hours

Application fee (~$170 — verify current amount before applying)

Processing times vary, but DPOR typically notifies you by email once your application is approved and you’re cleared to schedule your exams.

Step 3 — Schedule Your PSI Exams

Once DPOR approves your application, you’ll receive authorization to schedule your written and practical exams through PSI Exams. PSI has testing centers throughout Virginia, including locations convenient to Northern Virginia and the DC metro area. You can schedule both exam components for the same day or on separate dates.

Step 4 — Pass Both Exam Sections

Complete both the written and practical exams. When you pass both, DPOR issues your Virginia cosmetology license — and you’re cleared to work legally as a licensed cosmetologist in the state.

Step 5 — Keep Your License Current

Virginia cosmetology licenses renew every two years. Renewal requires completing any required continuing education hours and paying the renewal fee through DPOR. Mark your renewal date — a lapsed license means you cannot legally practice until reinstated.

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How Long Does Cosmetology School Take in Virginia?

Virginia’s 1,500-hour requirement is the fixed variable — but how long it takes in real time depends on your schedule.

Most full-time cosmetology programs in Virginia run approximately 12 to 14 months. Part-time programs, designed for students balancing jobs or family responsibilities, can take closer to 18 to 24 months to complete the same 1,500 hours.

How AVI Structures the 1,500 Hours

AVI Career Training’s 1,500-hour Cosmetology program is built to match Virginia’s exact requirement — hour for hour. The curriculum moves students through progressive skill levels, starting with foundational theory and sanitation, advancing through technical services, and culminating in clinic floor work with real clients in a supervised salon setting.

AVI’s program is offered at its campus in Vienna, Virginia — right in the heart of Northern Virginia’s Tysons Corner corridor. For students across Fairfax County, Arlington, McLean, Falls Church, and the broader DC metro area, that location means no long commute to access quality, accredited training.

> Meet Daniela: Daniela moved to Northern Virginia from Brazil with a background in hair but no U.S. credentials. She enrolled at AVI’s Cosmetology program specifically because AVI was SCHEV-certified — she’d heard horror stories about graduates whose hours didn’t count. Fourteen months later, she sat for the Virginia State Board exam, passed both sections on her first attempt, and now runs her own booth rental suite in Reston. The hours counted. The training prepared her.

If you’re ready to start mapping out your path, apply to AVI’s Cosmetology program here — or call us at (703) 943-9841 to talk through scheduling options.

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What Can You Do With a Virginia Cosmetology License — and What Does It Pay?

A Virginia cosmetology license opens more doors than most people realize when they’re first researching requirements.

Services You’re Licensed to Perform

A Virginia cosmetology license authorizes you to perform a broad menu of services, including:

All hair services: cuts, color, chemical texturing, relaxers, extensions

Scalp treatments

Basic skin care and facial services

Nail services (manicures and pedicures)

Makeup application

This range makes cosmetology one of the most versatile beauty licenses available — especially compared to specialty-only credentials like nail technician or esthetics licenses.

Where Cosmetologists Work

Licensed cosmetologists in Virginia work across a wide range of settings:

Traditional salons — employed or commission-based

Booth rental / suite studios — self-employed, operating your own business within a shared space

Editorial and media — fashion, photography, film, and TV production

Bridal and event services — on-location work for weddings and special events

Education — licensed cosmetologists can pursue careers as cosmetology instructors (additional instructor licensure required)

Entrepreneurship — many cosmetologists eventually open their own salons

What Cosmetologists Earn in Virginia

Earnings vary by specialization, clientele, and business model. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists nationally is approximately $34,000–$38,000, with Virginia’s Northern Virginia/DC metro market pushing that range higher due to cost of living and client spending power.

Cosmetologists in the Tysons Corner, Arlington, and DC metro corridor frequently report income well above statewide averages — particularly those who build strong client books, offer specialized services like color correction or extensions, or operate booth rental businesses where they keep a higher percentage of revenue.

> Meet Marcus: Marcus was working in retail management in Fairfax when he decided he wanted a career where he was building something for himself. He enrolled at AVI part-time, completing his 1,500 hours over 20 months while continuing to work. He passed the Virginia State Board exam eight months ago and now works at a high-volume salon in Tysons, already building toward his goal of going independent. His income has grown every month since he passed his boards.

The ceiling for cosmetology income isn’t fixed — it scales with your skills, your network, and how you structure your business. Northern Virginia is one of the strongest markets in the country to build that business.

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Why the School You Choose Matters — Not Just the Hours

All accredited Virginia cosmetology programs lead to the same 1,500-hour completion. But not all programs prepare you equally for what comes after.

When you’re evaluating schools, ask these specific questions:

Is the school SCHEV-certified? If not, your hours may not count toward Virginia licensure.

Is the school COE-accredited? Council on Occupational Education (COE) accreditation is a recognized quality benchmark — and it’s required for eligibility for most federal financial aid.

Does the curriculum include diverse techniques? If you plan to work in Northern Virginia, you’ll need fluency in all hair textures — from Type 1 straight to Type 4 coily — and a range of skin tones for facial and chemical services. Ask schools directly how they address this.

Does the program include board-prep? State Board preparation should be built into the curriculum, not an afterthought. Look for programs that run mock practicals, timed drills, and written exam review as part of regular training.

What does the clinic floor experience look like? Supervised, real-client experience before you graduate is what turns textbook knowledge into exam-ready, career-ready skill.

AVI Career Training is COE Accredited and SCHEV Certified — two credentials that matter for both your financial aid eligibility and the legitimacy of your hours with Virginia DPOR. AVI’s curriculum is built around inclusive techniques across all hair types and skin tones, reflecting the real diversity of Northern Virginia’s client base. And financial aid is available for those who qualify, including the GI Bill® for eligible veterans and service members.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Virginia Cosmetology License Requirements

Q: How many hours do you need to become a cosmetologist in Virginia?
A: Virginia requires 1,500 hours of approved cosmetology training from a SCHEV-certified school before you can apply for the State Board exam and licensure through DPOR.

Q: How do I apply for a cosmetology license in Virginia?
A: After completing 1,500 training hours, submit your application, supporting documents, and fee (~$170) to Virginia DPOR at dpor.virginia.gov. Once approved, you’ll schedule your written and practical exams through PSI Exams.

Q: How long does cosmetology school take in Virginia?
A: Full-time programs typically take 12 to 14 months to complete the required 1,500 hours. Part-time programs can take 18 to 24 months depending on schedule.

Q: What is on the Virginia cosmetology State Board exam?
A: The Virginia cosmetology State Board exam has two parts: a written (theory) section covering anatomy, chemistry, sanitation, and state regulations, and a practical (clinical) section where you demonstrate hands-on cosmetology skills before a licensed examiner.

Q: What happens if I fail the Virginia cosmetology State Board exam?
A: You can retake either exam section. Virginia allows candidates to retake individual components without repeating the section they already passed. A fee applies to each retake attempt, so thorough preparation before your first sitting is the best approach.