ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
Barber
Body Piercing
Cosmetology
Esthetics
Master Esthetician
Hair Braider, Instructor
Master Permanent Cosmetic Tattoo
Nail Technology
Permanent Cosmetic Tattoo
Tattoo
Wax Technician
BARBER
Must meet one of the following requirements:
- Complete approved barber program in a VA licensed barber or public school barber program approved by the VA Dept. of Education
- Complete 1500 hrs of barber training which is substantially-equivalent to VA program but obtained outside of VA, but in the U.S./territories
- Complete a substantially-equivalent barber course & 6 months barber experience
- Complete the VA barber apprenticeship program
- VA licensed cosmetologist with 2 yrs experience
- VA licensed cosmetologist/cosmetology student (with less than 2 yrs exp) enrolled in VA barbering school seeking credit from cosmetology school
- Barber training obtained in any VA State Institution
- 2 yrs barbering experience in the U.S. armed forces
BODY PIERCING
Must meet one of the following requirements:
- Complete approved BP apprenticeship program in a VA licensed BP salon
- Complete a BP training or apprenticeship program which is substantially-equivalent to the VA program but obtained outside of VA, but in the U.S./territories
- See Exam Application for additional eligibility option(s).
COSMETOLOGY
Must meet one of the following requirements:
- Complete approved cosmetology program in a VA licensed cosmetology or public school approved by the VA Dept of Education
- Complete 1500 hrs of cosmetology training which is substantially-equivalent to the VA program but obtained outside of VA, but in the U.S./territories
- Complete a substantially-equivalent cosmetology course & 6 mos. cosmetology experience
- Complete a VA apprenticeship program in cosmetology
- VA licensed barber with 2 yrs experience
- VA licensed barber/barber student (with less than 2 yrs exp) enrolled in a VA cosmetology school & seeking credit for performance at a barber school
- Cosmetology training obtained in any VA State Institution
- 2 yrs cosmetology experience in the U.S. armed forces
ESTHETICS
Must meet one of the following requirements:
- Complete approved esthetician program in VA licensed esthetics school
- Complete 600 hrs of esthetician training which is substantially-equivalent to the VA program but obtained outside of VA, but in the U.S./territories
- See Exam Application for additional eligibility option(s).
MASTER ESTHETICS
Must hold a current Esthetics license and meet one of the following requirements:
- Complete approved master esthetic program in VA licensed esthetic school
- Complete 600 hrs of master esthetic training which is substantially-equivalent to the VA program but obtained outside of VA, but in the U.S./territories
- See Exam Application for additional eligibility option(s).
INSTRUCTOR EXAMINATIONS
Barber Instructor
Cosmetology Instructor
Nail Technician Instructor
Wax Technician Instructor
IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO BECOME ONE OF THE INSTRUCTORS LISTED ABOVE, THEN YOU MUST:
OPTION 1
- Hold a current VA barber, cosmetologist, nail technician or wax technician license & pass the instructor exam
OPTION 2
- Complete an instructor course approved by the VA Board for barber & cosmetology under the supervision of a certified barber, cosmetologist or nail tech instructor at a barber, cosmetology or nail tech school, respectively
Esthetician Instructor
Master Esthetician Instructor
IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO BECOME ONE OF THE INSTRUCTORS LISTED ABOVE, THEN YOU MUST:
OPTION 1
- Hold a current Virginia esthetician or master esthetician license
- Complete an instructor training course approved by the Virginia Board under the supervision of a certified esthetics instructor or master esthetics instructor in an esthetics school
- Pass an examination in esthetics or master esthetics instruction administered by the Board or by a testing service acting on behalf of the Board.
OPTION 2
- Hold a current Virginia esthetician or master esthetician license
- Pass a course in teaching techniques at the postsecondary educational level. (No exam required)
MASTER PERMANENT COSMETIC TATTOO
To be eligible for the Master Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing license examination, you must have completed Master Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing training that is acceptable to the board.
NAIL TECHNOLOGY
Must meet one of the following requirements:
- Complete approved nail technology program in a VA licensed nail technology school or public school approved by the VA Dept of Education
- Complete 150 hrs of nail technology training which is substantially-equivalent to the VA program but obtained outside of VA, but in the U.S./territories
- Complete a substantially-equivalent nail technology course & 6 mos. nail technology experience
- Complete the VA nail care apprenticeship program
- Cosmetology training obtained in any VA State Institution
PERMANENT COSMETIC TATTOO
Must meet one of the following requirements:
- Completion of a permanent cosmetic tattooing training program in a Virginia licensed permanent cosmetic tattooing school.
- Completion of a 90-hour permanent cosmetic tattooing training program that is substantially equivalent to the Virginia program.
- See Exam Application for additional eligibility option(s).
TATTOO
Must meet one of the following requirements:
- Complete approved tattoo program in VA licensed tattoo school
- Complete an approved tattoo apprenticeship program in a VA licensed tattoo parlor
- Complete a tattoo training or apprenticeship program that is substantially-equivalent to the VA program but obtained outside of VA, but in the U.S./territories
- See Exam Application for additional eligibility option(s).
WAX TECHNICIAN
Must meet one of the following requirements:
- Complete approved wax technician program in a VA licensed wax technician school or public school approved by the VA Dept of Education
- Complete 115 hrs of wax technician training which is substantially-equivalent to the VA program but obtained outside of VA, but in the U.S./territories
- Complete a substantially-equivalent wax technician course & 6 mos. wax technician exp
- VA licensed cosmetologist
- Wax technician training obtained in any VA State Institution
- 2 years waxing experience in the U.S. armed forces
