Virginia Esthetics License: Requirements, Steps & Costs
To earn an esthetics license in Virginia, you must complete 600 hours of training at a DPOR-approved school, pass a two-part State Board exam administered by PSI Exams, and submit a license application to the Virginia Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — with fees totaling roughly $170–$180 in government costs alone.
If you’re weighing esthetics as a career and wondering exactly what the path looks like — from your first day in a classroom to the moment you hold your Virginia license — this guide breaks it down step by step. No filler, no guesswork.
⚡ Key Takeaways
- 600 hours of esthetics training required by Virginia DPOR
- Minimum age 16 to apply for licensure in Virginia
- Two-part exam: written theory + hands-on practical, both through PSI Exams
- ~$170–$180 in combined government fees (application + exam); tuition is separate
- License renews every two years through the Virginia Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
Ready to get started? Apply to AVI Career Training’s Basic Esthetics program in Vienna, VA and take the first step toward your Virginia esthetics license.
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What Does Virginia Require to Become a Licensed Esthetician?
Virginia’s esthetician licensing requirements are straightforward: meet the eligibility criteria, complete an approved training program, and pass the State Board exam.
The Virginia Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, operating under the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), sets and enforces these standards for every esthetician practicing in the Commonwealth. Here is the complete checklist:
Virginia Esthetician License Requirements Checklist
- ✅ Be at least 16 years old at the time of application
- ✅ Complete 600 hours of esthetics training at a DPOR-approved school
- ✅ Pass the written (theory) exam through PSI Exams
- ✅ Pass the practical (hands-on) exam through PSI Exams
- ✅ Submit a license application to DPOR with the required fee (~$75 — verify current fee at DPOR.virginia.gov)
- ✅ Hold a high school diploma or GED (required by most approved schools, verify with your chosen school)
There is no Virginia residency requirement to sit for the exam, but you must train at a DPOR-approved institution. Working as an esthetician in Virginia without a valid license is illegal — we’ll address that more directly in the FAQ section below.
Can I work as an esthetician in Virginia without a license?
No. Virginia law requires a valid esthetician license issued by DPOR before you perform any compensated esthetics services. Practicing without a license can result in fines and legal penalties.
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The 600-Hour Esthetics Program — What You’ll Actually Learn
Virginia requires 600 hours of esthetics education because the scope of professional esthetics is genuinely broad — and clients trust licensed practitioners with their skin health.
The 600-hour requirement isn’t padding. It reflects the real-world knowledge a competent esthetician needs to work safely and effectively on every client who sits in your chair.
How many hours do you need to become an esthetician in Virginia?
You need 600 hours of training at a DPOR-approved esthetics school. These hours must be completed before you are eligible to sit for the Virginia State Board written and practical exams.
What a 600-Hour Curriculum Covers
A DPOR-approved program covers both theory and hands-on clinical work. Core subject areas typically include:
🔬 Skin Science
Anatomy, physiology, and histology of the skin — understanding how skin functions at every layer.
💆 Facials & Skin Analysis
Client consultation, skin-type assessment, manual extraction, and customized facial treatments.
🧴 Chemical Exfoliation
Chemical peels, enzyme treatments, and resurfacing techniques — with safety protocols for all skin tones.
🪮 Hair Removal
Waxing, threading, and tweezing techniques for the face and body, including safety and contraindications.
🧼 Sanitation & Infection Control
Virginia state sanitation laws, disinfection procedures, and OSHA standards — tested heavily on the written exam.
💼 Business & Client Relations
Retail sales, client retention, professional ethics, and the basics of running a treatment room.
AVI’s Approach: Every Skin Tone, Every Client
At AVI Career Training in Vienna, Virginia, the Basic Esthetics program (NO FINANCIAL AID FOR THIS PROGRAM) is built around one non-negotiable principle: every graduate should be able to work confidently and skillfully on every client, regardless of skin tone or background. The Northern Virginia and DMV-area market is one of the most diverse in the country. Clients notice when an esthetician is trained — or untrained — on their skin.
AVI’s 600-hour curriculum weaves inclusive techniques throughout, not as an afterthought, but as the baseline.
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Mini-Story #1: The Career Changer
Danielle had spent 12 years in retail management before deciding she wanted work that felt personal and creative. She enrolled in AVI Career Training’s Basic Esthetics program (NO FINANCIAL AID FOR THIS PROGRAM) at 34, not knowing a single thing about the Virginia State Board exam. Within seven months, she had completed her 600 hours, passed both PSI exams on her first attempt, and accepted a position at a medical spa in Tysons Corner — earning more in her first full year than she had in retail. The licensing path was clear; she just needed the right training to walk it.
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The Virginia State Board Exam — Written, Practical, and What to Expect
The Virginia esthetician exam is a two-part assessment administered by PSI Exams, and passing both parts is required before DPOR will issue your license.
Many students feel nervous about the State Board exam. Understanding the structure in advance makes a real difference — and proper school preparation makes the biggest difference of all.
Part 1: The Written (Theory) Exam
The written exam tests your knowledge of skin science, product chemistry, safety and sanitation, and Virginia’s specific laws and rules governing esthetics practice. Expect multiple-choice questions that require both factual recall and applied reasoning.
Key topic areas weighted on the written exam:
Part 2: The Practical (Hands-On) Exam
The practical exam evaluates your technique in real time. You will perform esthetics procedures on a live model while a licensed examiner scores your work. Graded competencies typically include:
How to Schedule Your PSI Exam
After your school certifies that you have completed your 600 hours, you submit your license application to DPOR. Once DPOR approves your eligibility, you schedule your exams directly through PSI Exams. You can schedule the written and practical exams separately or on the same day, depending on availability at your nearest testing site.
What to bring: government-issued photo ID, your PSI scheduling confirmation, and any required materials your school advises for the practical portion. Confirm the current requirements directly with PSI before your exam date.
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Timeline, Costs, and Licensing Fees
From your first day of school to your licensed start date, most students complete the full Virginia esthetics licensing process in approximately six to nine months — though your pace depends on whether you attend full-time or part-time.
How long does it take to get an esthetics license in Virginia?
Most students complete 600 hours of training in five to seven months full-time. Add four to six weeks for application processing and exam scheduling, and the average total timeline is six to nine months from enrollment to licensed status.
End-to-End Timeline at a Glance
- Enroll in a DPOR-approved 600-hour program — Duration: 5–7 months (full-time)
- Complete all 600 hours and receive school certification
- Submit DPOR license application — Processing: 2–4 weeks
- Schedule PSI written and practical exams — Scheduling: 1–3 weeks out
- Pass both exams
- DPOR issues your Virginia esthetician license 🎉
Cost Breakdown
How much does a Virginia esthetician license cost?
Government fees for a Virginia esthetician license total approximately $170–$180: roughly $75 for the DPOR application fee and approximately $95–$105 for the PSI exam fee. These figures are separate from school tuition. Always verify current fees at DPOR.virginia.gov before applying.
(verify current fee at DPOR)
(verify current fee with PSI)
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition for a 600-hour esthetics program at a private school in Virginia varies by institution. Contact AVI Career Training directly for current program pricing.
Important: AVI Career Training’s Basic Esthetics program (NO FINANCIAL AID FOR THIS PROGRAM) is a focused, career-entry program. Because it is under the federal financial aid hour threshold, federal financial aid (Title IV / FAFSA / Pell Grant) is NOT available for this program. Students should not expect FAFSA to apply here.
Flexible payment options available at AVI include:
AVI does accept the GI Bill® for eligible veterans — confirm with admissions which programs qualify.
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Choosing an Esthetics School in Northern Virginia — What to Look For
The school you choose determines how prepared you are when you walk into the Virginia State Board exam — and how confident you feel on your first day behind the treatment table.
Not all esthetics schools are equal. Here is what to evaluate when comparing programs in Northern Virginia or the broader DMV area.
What Is the Difference Between an Esthetician and a Master Esthetician in Virginia?
What is the difference between an esthetician and a master esthetician in Virginia?
A licensed esthetician in Virginia completes 600 hours and performs standard skin care services. A master esthetician completes an additional 260 hours of advanced training beyond basic licensure (for 860 total hours) and may perform more advanced procedures. Most students begin with basic esthetics licensure before pursuing the master level.
Key Criteria for Evaluating Schools
Your School Evaluation Checklist
- ✅ DPOR-approved — required for your hours to count toward licensure
- ✅ COE or NACCAS accreditation — signals academic quality and may affect financial aid eligibility for other programs
- ✅ Inclusive curriculum — training on all skin tones is non-negotiable in the diverse Northern Virginia market
- ✅ Licensed, working instructors — instructors who are active professionals bring current industry knowledge
- ✅ Hands-on clinical hours — real clients, real treatments, real preparation for the practical exam
- ✅ State Board exam preparation — does the school actively prepare you for PSI written and practical exams?
- ✅ Transparent tuition and fees — know exactly what you’re paying before you sign anything
Why AVI Career Training Stands Out in Northern Virginia
AVI Career Training, located in Vienna, Virginia — in the Tysons Corner area — is one of Northern Virginia’s only COE-accredited (Council on Occupational Education) beauty and wellness schools. COE accreditation is a mark of educational quality reviewed by an independent body, not self-reported.
AVI’s Basic Esthetics program (NO FINANCIAL AID FOR THIS PROGRAM) is DPOR-approved, taught by licensed industry professionals, and built on an inclusive curriculum that prepares students to serve the full diversity of the DMV-area clientele.
The school’s Northern Virginia location — just minutes from Tysons Corner — puts graduates in the heart of one of the wealthiest and fastest-growing beauty markets in the Mid-Atlantic region. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, skincare specialists earn a median annual wage of over $40,000 nationally, with top earners in high-cost metropolitan areas reaching significantly more.
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Mini-Story #2: The Recent Graduate
Marcus graduated high school in Fairfax County and wasn’t ready for a four-year university — but he knew he liked people and was drawn to the skincare industry. He enrolled at AVI Career Training in Vienna, Virginia at 18, drawn by the inclusive curriculum and the COE accreditation. His classmates came from a dozen different backgrounds, and the training covered techniques for every skin type he’d encounter in real practice. He passed the Virginia State Board exam at 19 and landed a position at a medical spa in Arlington, where he quickly built a loyal client base — largely because he was one of the few estheticians in the area trained specifically on melanin-rich skin.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Virginia Esthetics License
Q: How many hours do you need to become an esthetician in Virginia?
A: Virginia requires 600 hours of esthetics training at a DPOR-approved school. These hours must be completed before you are eligible to sit for the Virginia State Board written and practical exams administered by PSI Exams.
Q: How much does a Virginia esthetician license cost?
A: Government fees total approximately $170–$180 — roughly $75 for the DPOR license application and approximately $95–$105 for the PSI exam fee. These are separate from tuition. Verify current fees at DPOR.virginia.gov before applying.
Q: How long does it take to get an esthetics license in Virginia?
A: Most students complete the full process in six to nine months — five to seven months of full-time training, plus four to six weeks for application processing and exam scheduling.
