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Esthetics School in Northern Virginia
AVI Career Training in Vienna, VA is Northern Virginia’s COE-accredited esthetics (NO FINANCIAL AID FOR THIS PROGRAM) school — offering hands-on esthetician training, and GI Bill® acceptance just minutes from Tysons Corner and Fairfax County.
If you’ve been searching for an esthetics (NO FINANCIAL AID FOR THIS PROGRAM) school near me in Fairfax County or comparing esthetician training programs across the DC metro area, you’re in the right place. This guide walks you through exactly what esthetics training looks like at AVI, what Virginia requires for licensure, what you can realistically earn as a working esthetician in Northern Virginia, and how to pay for school.
Apply to AVI’s Esthetics Program today and take the first step toward your esthetician license.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia requires 600 clock hours of esthetics training to qualify for the state board exam
- AVI Career Training is COE Accredited and SCHEV Certified
- The Northern Virginia / DC metro area esthetician median wage ranges from approximately $38,000–$52,000 per year in base wages, with top earners significantly higher when tips and self-employment income are included
- AVI’s curriculum is built to train students on every skin tone and skin type — a direct career advantage in one of the most diverse regions in the country
- GI Bill® benefits are accepted at AVI; contact admissions at (703) 943-9841 to verify your specific benefit eligibility
What Does an Esthetician Actually Do?
An esthetician is a licensed skin care professional. Your job is to analyze, treat, and improve your clients’ skin — using both science and technique.
Day to day, estheticians perform services like:
- Facials and deep cleansing treatments
- Chemical exfoliation and peels
- Waxing (face, body, and Brazilian)
- Lash and brow tinting and shaping
- Dermaplaning and microdermabrasion
- Client consultations and product recommendations
Estheticians work in day spas, medical spas (med-spas), dermatology clinics, resorts, salons, and as independent contractors or salon suite owners. Some specialize in clinical esthetics, working alongside dermatologists or plastic surgeons on pre- and post-procedure skin care.
How Is an Esthetician Different From a Cosmetologist?
This is one of the most common questions prospective students ask — and the answer matters for your training timeline.
A cosmetologist holds a broader license that covers hair cutting, coloring, chemical services, and nail care in addition to some skin care. In Virginia, cosmetology requires 1,500 training hours.
An esthetician (NO FINANCIAL AID FOR THIS PROGRAM) is a skin care specialist. The Virginia license requires 600 training hours — a faster path to licensure for students who know skin care is their focus.
If your passion is facials, peels, waxing, and skin wellness, esthetics is the more efficient and targeted career track.
Virginia Esthetician License Requirements
Before you enroll anywhere, it helps to understand exactly what the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology requires for licensure. Here’s the straightforward breakdown.
Clock Hours Required
Virginia requires 600 clock hours of approved esthetics training from a licensed esthetics school. Every hour must be completed at an accredited institution — online-only programs do not satisfy this requirement.
Minimum Age and Education
- You must be at least 16 years old to enroll
- A high school diploma or GED is required for enrollment at AVI Career Training
The Virginia State Board Exam
After completing your 600 hours, you’ll apply to take the Virginia State Board exam through Pearson VUE, the state’s official testing provider. The exam has two parts:
- Written (Theory) Exam — covers skin anatomy, physiology, contraindications, sanitation, and state law
- Practical (Hands-On) Exam — tests your ability to perform key esthetics procedures safely and correctly
AVI’s program prepares you for both components. Your theory coursework builds the knowledge base for the written exam, while your clinic floor hours sharpen the hands-on skills the practical exam assesses.
After You Pass
Once you pass both portions of the board exam, you’ll apply for your Virginia Esthetician License through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). You’re then legally authorized to practice esthetics in Virginia.
AVI’s Esthetics Program: What You’ll Learn and How Long It Takes
AVI Career Training’s Basic Esthetics (NO FINANCIAL AID FOR THIS PROGRAM) program is built to take you from zero experience to board-exam-ready in a structured, hands-on environment. Here’s what that actually looks like.
Curriculum Overview
Your 600 hours of training at AVI cover both the science and the practical application of skin care. Core subject areas include:
- Skin Analysis and Consultation — understanding skin types, conditions, Fitzpatrick scale, and how to build a treatment plan
- Facial Techniques — manual and machine-assisted facial treatments, lymphatic massage, extractions
- Chemical Exfoliation — enzyme treatments, AHA/BHA peels, contraindications, and client safety protocols
- Waxing — face and body waxing, Brazilian techniques, skin prep, and aftercare
- Lash and Brow Services — tinting
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