Get, Renew or Transfer a Virginia Cosmetology License
Virginia’s current standard cosmetology school route uses a 1,000-hour approved program plus required practical performances and both the written and practical Board-approved examinations.
This guide separates first licensure, Prov testing, temporary licensing, renewal, reinstatement, endorsement, Universal License Recognition, license lookup and salon licensing so you can use the correct DPOR route.
Virginia Cosmetology License: Fast Answer
The Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology currently recognizes a 1,000-hour approved cosmetology school program, registered apprenticeship, approved Virginia public-school program and certain equivalent outside-Virginia routes. Applicants must pass both the written and practical examinations. Current Prov fees are $99 theory, $95 practical or $194 for both. Virginia’s current base individual application, endorsement and biennial renewal fees are each $120, before any applicable separate 2026 Technology Fee.
Choose the Correct Virginia Cosmetology Route
Initial license
Complete an approved training route, pass theory and practical exams, then satisfy the state licensing requirements.
Temporary license
An eligible initial applicant scheduled for examination may qualify for a supervised 90-day temporary license.
Endorsement / ULR
Use the transfer route that fits your current out-of-state license, exams, training and experience.
Renew / reinstate
Use the existing credential. Do not start over with a new-license application unless DPOR rules require it.
Who Issues a Virginia Cosmetology License?
Virginia cosmetology licensing is handled by the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). The Board licenses cosmetologists, temporary cosmetologists, instructors, salons and schools and regulates related education, examinations and professional conduct.
Cosmetologist
DPOR regulant type 1201. This is the individual professional credential discussed on this page.
Temporary Cosmetologist
DPOR regulant type 1200. This is a supervised, short-term authorization for eligible initial applicants.
Cosmetology Salon
DPOR regulant type 1202. A salon license is separate from each practitioner’s personal license.
Virginia Cosmetology Training Requirements in 2026
The current Virginia licensing-requirements summary lists a 1,000-hour approved cosmetology program in a Virginia licensed school. Other qualifying routes include a Virginia registered apprenticeship, an approved Virginia public-school cosmetology program, substantially equivalent U.S. training, qualifying out-of-country education and specific experience-based routes.
Virginia licensed school
Complete the Board-approved 1,000-hour cosmetology program and required practical performances.
Registered apprenticeship
Completion of an approved Virginia registered apprenticeship can make a cosmetology applicant eligible for examination.
Virginia public school
An approved Virginia Department of Education cosmetology program is another recognized route.
Students who entered the earlier 1,000-hour transition program between September 1, 2024 and November 30, 2025 have a December 31, 2026 deadline to finish that accepted program. Ask the school how your enrollment date and curriculum version are recorded if you are part of a transition cohort.
Virginia Cosmetology Requires 365 Practical Performances
Clock hours are only one part of the current curriculum. Virginia regulations also specify minimum practical performances.
| Practical category | Minimum performances |
|---|---|
| Shampooing, rinsing and scalp treatments, including textured hair | 20 |
| Hair styling, including textured hair | 60 |
| Hair cutting, including textured hair | 60 |
| Permanent waving / chemical relaxing | 60 |
| Hair coloring and bleaching | 65 |
| Wigs and hair pieces | 10 |
| Manicuring and pedicuring | 15 procedures |
| Sculptured nails and nail tips | 30 |
| Lashes and brows | 20 |
| Skin care | 15 |
| Hair removal | 10 |
| Total | 365 |
How to Get a Virginia Cosmetology License
Choose the correct qualification route
Determine whether you are qualifying through Virginia school, public school, apprenticeship, equivalent outside training, experience, military service or another route listed on the current application.
Complete the required training
For the ordinary licensed-school route, complete the current 1,000-hour program and the required practical performances.
Prepare your qualification documents
Use the Training Verification Form, official transcript, apprenticeship documentation, experience verification or foreign-education evaluation that matches your route.
Apply for the Prov examinations
Use the current cosmetology examination-and-license application or Prov’s online route. Keep your legal name and identifying number consistent across exam and licensing records.
Pass theory and practical
Virginia requires both examinations unless an endorsement or other lawful route specifically changes the examination requirement.
Complete DPOR licensing requirements
Pay the applicable licensing/application amount and provide any remaining documents, disclosures or verifications requested by the Board.
Confirm the issued license
Search DPOR License Lookup for the cosmetologist record and confirm the status and expiration before ordinary unsupervised practice.
Virginia Cosmetology Application Documents
The current application asks for more than a training certificate. Prepare the documents that correspond to your route before paying.
Identity and contact
Full legal name, date of birth, mailing address, separate physical address when required, phone and email.
Identification number
The application requires a Social Security number and/or Virginia DMV control number as allowed by the form. Use the same identifier across related exam and license records.
Recent photo
The current paper examination/license application requires a professional passport-compliant 2×2 color photo taken within the previous six months.
Virginia training
Use the Board’s Training Verification Form where required.
Outside U.S. state training
Provide an official transcript or acceptable licensing-board verification when relying on substantially equivalent U.S. training.
Foreign education
A degree used for education credit must be translated, authenticated and evaluated by an education-evaluation service.
Virginia Cosmetology Exams: Current Prov Fees
Prov assumed examination responsibilities for this Board effective January 1, 2025. The current cosmetology examination application lists separate practical and theory charges.
| Exam transaction | Current Prov fee | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Practical + Theory | $194 | Both required exam sections. |
| Practical only | $95 | Practical examination. |
| Theory only | $99 | Written/theory examination. |
Virginia regulations also state that a candidate who passes both examinations but does not apply for initial licensure within five years must retake both exams.
Virginia Temporary Cosmetology License: 90 Days, No Board Fee
Virginia may issue a temporary license to an initial applicant who is eligible and scheduled for examination. It is not a general work permit for anyone waiting on an endorsement or renewal.
Duration
90 days. Current regulation says no subsequent temporary license will be issued under this section.
Board fee
No fee for the temporary license itself under 18VAC41-20-90.
Supervision
You must work under the direct supervision of a currently licensed individual in the required scope of practice.
Virginia Cosmetology License Fees
The Virginia Administrative Code provides the base regulatory fees below. Prov examination charges and the applicable 2026 DPOR Technology Fee are separate.
| Transaction | Current base/vendor amount | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Individual cosmetologist application | $120 base | Virginia regulatory application amount. |
| License by endorsement | $120 base | For a qualifying current out-of-state license. |
| Cosmetologist renewal | $120 base | Biennial renewal. |
| Individual reinstatement | $240 base | Includes $120 renewal fee + $120 reinstatement fee. |
| Temporary cosmetologist license | No Board fee | Only for eligible initial applicants under supervision. |
| Prov theory | $99 | Vendor examination charge. |
| Prov practical | $95 | Vendor examination charge. |
| Both Prov exams | $194 | Combined theory + practical. |
| Salon application / renewal | $220 base | Separate facility credential. |
DPOR fees are generally nonrefundable. Verify the newest form or official checkout before payment.
Virginia Cosmetology License Renewal
A Virginia cosmetology license expires two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued. This means cosmetologists do not share one statewide calendar deadline.
Check your exact expiration
Use DPOR License Lookup and the existing credential rather than assuming a date from another cosmetologist’s license.
Use DPOR renewal services
DPOR provides Quick Pay for a simple renewal payment and Online Services for renewal plus other supported account transactions.
Verify the current total
The base cosmetologist renewal fee is $120. Confirm any applicable Technology Fee in the live transaction.
Save the receipt and recheck status
Confirm that DPOR shows the renewed status and new expiration date after processing.
Expired Virginia Cosmetology License: Renewal vs. Reinstatement
The key cutoffs are 30 days and two years after expiration.
Within 30 days
The license has expired, but the reinstatement fee is not yet triggered if renewal is completed within the regulatory grace period.
More than 30 days, under 2 years
Reinstatement applies. The current individual base reinstatement amount is $240.
More than 2 years
Reinstatement is no longer available. The former licensee must apply as a new applicant and meet current entry requirements.
Transfer an Out-of-State Cosmetology License to Virginia
Traditional endorsement is for a person who currently holds a cosmetology license in another U.S. state or jurisdiction and meets Virginia’s endorsement standards.
Hold a current qualifying license
The current Board application by endorsement is for applicants who hold a current license from another state.
Compare training and examinations
Virginia evaluates whether the training/apprenticeship and written and practical examinations are substantially equivalent.
If only one equivalent exam was required
Current regulation allows an otherwise qualified applicant to take the missing Virginia written or practical examination.
If training is not substantially equivalent
Current regulation permits three years of licensed work experience to substitute for training when the other endorsement conditions are met.
Request certification from the prior state
DPOR instructs applicants to have the licensing authority send Certification of Licensure to the Virginia Board.
Pay the endorsement amount
The current base individual endorsement fee is $120, plus any applicable technology charge shown by DPOR.
You cannot simply use another state’s cosmetology license to practice in Virginia while an endorsement application is pending.
Universal License Recognition and the Cosmetology Compact
Universal License Recognition
Virginia also offers a Universal License Recognition pathway for eligible professionals with a substantially similar license or certification from another jurisdiction. It is separate from traditional endorsement, so use DPOR’s current ULR conditions and form to see whether it fits better.
Cosmetology Licensure Compact
Virginia has enacted legislation to join the Compact, but DPOR says the Compact Commission hopes to activate privileges for licensees in early 2027. Do not treat a future compact privilege as available in September 2026.
Virginia Cosmetology License Lookup
DPOR provides a free License Lookup for cosmetologists, temporary cosmetologists, salons, schools and other regulated records.
Verify the person
Search the complete license number when available. Otherwise search by name and confirm the license type, status and expiration.
Verify the salon separately
A current individual license does not prove that the salon or suite has the required facility license. Search the business record separately.
DPOR says its online lookup is routinely updated but may occasionally lag because of document processing or maintenance. Official agency records control when a discrepancy matters.
Virginia Cosmetology Salon License
A salon is a separate regulated facility. Virginia regulations require a shop or salon license for a firm operating a cosmetology salon, including a mobile shop or salon that meets the current requirements.
Facility license is separate
Every practitioner still needs the appropriate individual license even when the salon itself is licensed.
Base facility fee
The current regulation lists $220 for facility application and $220 for facility renewal, before any applicable technology charge.
Ownership does not require practitioner license
DPOR states that a person can own a salon without holding a practitioner license if that owner does not personally perform regulated services.
Virginia Cosmetology Scope Changed in 2025–2026
Virginia’s updated curriculum and scope rules matter because older school or salon guidance can describe services that current cosmetologists may no longer perform.
Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology Contact Information
Licensing Section
Phone: 804-367-8509
Use the Licensing Section for ordinary application, renewal, reinstatement, endorsement and license-status questions.
Mailing/office address:
Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23233
Avoid Fake DPOR Renewal and Payment Emails
DPOR currently warns about scam emails that appear to come from the agency and ask recipients to click links or provide personal information.
- Open DPOR’s website yourself instead of trusting an unexpected payment link.
- Verify the sender’s email domain before replying.
- Check your license directly in DPOR License Lookup.
- Use the Board’s published phone numbers when a message creates urgency or asks for unusual payment.
Official Virginia Cosmetology Resources
Virginia Cosmetology License FAQ
How many hours are required for a Virginia cosmetology license in 2026?
How many practical performances are required in Virginia cosmetology school?
How much are the Virginia cosmetology exams?
How much is the Virginia cosmetology license application?
How long is a Virginia temporary cosmetology license valid?
How often does a Virginia cosmetology license renew?
Does Virginia require continuing education for cosmetologist renewal?
What happens if my Virginia cosmetology license is more than 30 days expired?
Can I transfer an out-of-state cosmetology license to Virginia?
Is the Cosmetology Licensure Compact active in Virginia in 2026?
What is the Virginia cosmetology licensing phone number?
Where can I verify a Virginia cosmetology license?
Final Virginia Cosmetology License Checklist
- Use the current 1,000-hour standard cosmetology school route, not the expired former 1,500-hour route.
- Complete the required 365 practical performances in addition to clock hours.
- Choose the correct eligibility path before submitting exam or licensing documents.
- Use the current Prov examination process and plan for $99 theory + $95 practical when both are required.
- Keep legal-name and identification information consistent across exam and DPOR records.
- Use a temporary license only when DPOR finds you eligible for the examination and the required supervision is in place.
- Remember that the temporary license lasts 90 days and cannot be renewed.
- Plan for the $120 base individual application fee plus any applicable Technology Fee.
- Check the exact expiration date because Virginia cosmetology licenses run two years from the end of the issue month.
- Use endorsement or Universal License Recognition only when the chosen route matches your out-of-state credential history.
- Verify the individual cosmetologist and salon separately in DPOR License Lookup.
- Do not treat the Cosmetology Compact as operational until official activation.
Official decisions control: this is an independent guide. Virginia statutes, regulations, DPOR forms, Prov instructions and official DPOR records control final eligibility, fees, exam requirements and license status.