Cosmetology School in Vienna, VA | 1,000 Hours & Cost

Program Overview

A Complete Cosmetology Education

The Cosmetology 1000 Hours program trains students in the challenging and fast-growing field of cosmetology — covering skin care, nail care, hair care, hair shaping, chemical treatments, permanent waving, hair coloring, and business theory and ethics.

Graduates are fully prepared to take the Virginia state board examination and enter the workforce as licensed cosmetologists.

✓ Financial Aid Eligible — Title IV, Pell Grants, Direct Loans, GI Bill®

Required Textbook

📚

Milady Standard Cosmetology

14th Edition

Grading Scale

90–100

80–89

70–79

60–69

0–59

Cosmetology School Quick Answers

How long is cosmetology school in Virginia?

Virginia requires 1,000 hours of training in a licensed school for the cosmetologist license. AVI Career Training's Cosmetology program is 1,000 clock hours: about 32 weeks full-time (Monday to Thursday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM) or about 34 weeks part-time (Monday to Thursday evenings). Your actual timeline depends on attendance.

How do you become a cosmetologist in Virginia?

Complete 1,000 hours of approved training, such as AVI's Cosmetology program, then pass the written and practical exams and submit a license application and fee to the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (DPOR). Graduating does not automatically grant a license, so confirm current requirements with DPOR.

How much does a cosmetologist make a year?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 2025 median pay of $35,880 per year ($17.25 per hour) for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists nationwide. Actual earnings vary widely by location, experience, clientele, and tips. AVI does not guarantee income, employment, or licensure.

Is cosmetology school a trade school?

Yes. Cosmetology school is trade, vocational, or career training: hands-on instruction for a specific licensed occupation rather than a college degree. AVI Career Training is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and its cosmetology curriculum follows the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology.

Curriculum

What You Will Learn

Cosmetology program at AVI Career Training

DPOR-Approved Curriculum — 14 Subject Areas

1,000 Total Hours

Per Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology — 18VAC41-20-210.E (Effective 12/01/2025)

1. Orientation & Business Topics45h

8. Permanent Waving & Chemical Relaxing135h

2. Laws & Regulations10h

9. Hair Coloring & Bleaching190h

3. General Sciences55h

10. Wigs, Hairpieces & Related Theory15h

4. Applied Sciences40h

11. Manicuring & Pedicuring75h

5. Shampooing, Rinsing & Scalp25h

12. Skin Care150h

6. Hair Styling65h

13. Lashes & Brows35h

7. Hair Cutting125h

14. Hair Removal35h

Total: 1,000 Hours

AVI Beauty School cosmetology curriculum

Minimum Performance Requirements

365 Performances

Per Virginia Board — 18VAC41-20-220.D. Students must complete these minimum performances to graduate.

Shampooing, Rinsing & Scalp (all hair types)20

Manicuring & Pedicuring15

Hair Styling (all hair types)60

Individual Sculptured Nails & Nail Tips30

Hair Cutting (all hair types)60

Lashes & Brows20

Permanent Waving & Chemical Relaxing (all hair types)60

Skin Care15

Hair Coloring & Bleaching (all hair types)65

Hair Removal10

Wigs, Hair Pieces & Related Theory10

Total: 365 Minimum Performances

Frequently asked questions

Cosmetology Program Frequently Asked Questions

In Virginia you need a cosmetologist license rather than a separate certification. According to DPOR, you complete an approved training program (1,000 hours in a licensed Virginia school, or an accepted alternative such as a registered apprenticeship), pass the written and practical exams, and submit an application and fee to the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology.

Virginia requires 1,000 hours of training in a licensed school for the cosmetologist license. AVI's Cosmetology program is 1,000 clock hours across 14 DPOR subject areas, with 365 minimum performances required to graduate.

Training at AVI takes about 32 weeks full-time or about 34 weeks part-time. After that you take the written and practical exams and apply to DPOR, so the total depends on when you test and how long processing takes. See class schedules for current options.

AVI Career Training lists a total cost of $20,585 for the 1,000-hour Cosmetology program, covering tuition, books, supplies, and the $100 registration fee. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Visit financial aid or apply to talk with the team.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 2025 median pay of $35,880 per year, or $17.25 per hour, for barbers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists. This is a national statistic, not an earnings promise. Pay depends on location, experience, services offered, clientele, and tips.

It varies. The BLS median for the occupation was $35,880 in 2025, and BLS projects employment to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035. Individual earnings depend on skills, location, hours worked, and building a client base. AVI cannot guarantee income or job placement.

Mostly, yes. Vocational school, trade school, technical school, and career school are often used for the same idea: training focused on job skills in one field. Programs differ in length, cost, and credentials, so compare the hours, the licensing outcome, and how the school is approved.

AVI's Cosmetology curriculum includes 150 hours of skin care, 35 hours of hair removal, 35 hours of lashes and brows, and 75 hours of manicuring and pedicuring. Virginia also issues separate esthetician and nail technician licenses, so check DPOR for what each license permits. See our Basic Esthetics and Nail Technician programs.

Sources: Virginia DPOR, Summary of Virginia Licensing Requirements (Board for Barbers and Cosmetology); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Barbers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (2025 data). Wages are national figures, not a promise of earnings, and requirements can change, so confirm current rules with DPOR.

Cosmetology
Program in Virginia

See the Art in Action