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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 18. Professional And Occupational Licensing
Agency 41. Board For Barbers And Cosmetology
Chapter 20. Barbering and Cosmetology Regulations
12/24/2025

18VAC41-20-80. Examination administration.

A. The examinations must be administered by the board or the designated testing service. The practical examination must be supervised by a chief examiner.

B. Every barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician examiner must hold a current Virginia license in the respective profession, have three or more years of active experience as a licensed professional, and be currently practicing in that profession.

C. No certified barber, master barber, cosmetology, nail technician, or wax technician instructor who is (i) currently teaching, (ii) a school owner, or (iii) an apprentice sponsor may be an examiner.

D. Each barber, master barber, cosmetology, nail technician, and wax technician chief examiner must (i) hold a current Virginia license in the respective profession, (ii) have three or more years of active experience in that profession, (iii) have one year of active experience as an examiner, and (iv) be currently practicing in the respective profession. A licensed cosmetologist may serve as an examiner for any license type that is included in the cosmetology profession.

E. The applicant must follow all procedures established by the board with regard to conduct at an examination. Such procedures include written instructions communicated prior to the examination date and instructions communicated at the site, either written or oral, on the date of the examination. Failure to comply with all procedures established by the board and the testing service with regard to conduct at the examination may be grounds for denial of application.

F. Examiners and chief examiners must attend training workshops sponsored by the board or by a testing service acting on behalf of the board.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. February 1, 2017; Volume 35, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2019; Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 1, 2025.

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