18VAC41-20-130. General requirements for a school license.

Part II. Entry

18VAC41-20-20. General requirements for a barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician license.

A. Any individual wishing to engage in barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing must obtain a license in compliance with § 54.1-703 of the Code of Virginia and must meet the following qualifications:

1. The applicant must be in good standing as a licensed barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician in Virginia and all other jurisdictions where licensed, certified, or registered. The applicant must provide a copy of any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions to the board at the time of application for licensure. This includes monetary penalties, fines, probation, suspensions, revocations, surrender of a license in connection with a disciplinary action, or voluntary termination of a license.

Upon review of the applicant's prior disciplinary action, the board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant who the board deems unfit or unsuited to engage in barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing.

2. The applicant must disclose the applicant's physical address. A post office box may be provided as a secondary address.

3. The applicant must sign, as part of the application, a statement certifying that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia barber and cosmetology license laws and this chapter.

4. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant must disclose all felony convictions in Virginia and all other jurisdictions within 10 years of the date of application.

The board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.

5. The applicant must provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant has passed the board-approved examination, administered either by the board or by independent examiners.

B. Eligibility to sit for board-approved examination.

1. Training in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Any person completing one of the following programs is eligible for examination:

a. An approved barber, master barber, cosmetology, nail technician, or wax technician training program in a Virginia licensed barber, cosmetology, nail technician, or wax technician school.

b. A Virginia public school's barber, master barber, cosmetology, nail technician, or wax technician program approved by the Virginia Department of Education.

c. A registered apprenticeship.

d. Training as a barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician in any Virginia state institution.

2. Training outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

a. Any person completing a barber, master barber, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing training or apprenticeship program that is substantially equivalent to the Virginia program but is outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia must submit to the board documentation of the substantially equivalent training to be eligible for examination. Applicants who have earned a degree from an institution outside the United States must have their degree translated, authenticated, and evaluated by an education evaluation service if credit is sought for the education. The board in its discretion may decline to accept any evaluation submitted by an applicant.

b. Applicants who completed a training or apprenticeship program that is not substantially equivalent to Virginia's training must submit documentation acceptable to the board verifying three years of work experience. Applicants should provide their work history demonstrating three years of experience as a licensed barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician in any other state or jurisdiction of the United States on a form provided by the board.

3. Any barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician applicant having a minimum of two years of experience in barbering, master barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing in the United States Armed Forces and having provided documentation satisfactory to the board of that experience is eligible for the respective examination.

4. A Virginia licensed cosmetologist with a minimum of two years of work experience is eligible for the master barber examination; likewise, a Virginia licensed master barber with a minimum of two years of work experience is eligible for the cosmetology examination.

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 37, Issue 26, eff. October 1, 2021; Volume 38, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2021; Errata, 38:6 VA.R. 752 November 8, 2021; amended, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 1, 2025.

18VAC41-20-30. License by endorsement.

A. Upon proper application to the board, any person currently licensed to practice as a barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician or who is a licensed instructor in the respective profession in any other state or jurisdiction of the United States and who has completed a training or apprenticeship program and a written and a practical examination that is substantially equivalent to the training and examinations required by this chapter may be issued a barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician license or the respective instructor certificate without an examination. The applicant must also meet the requirements set forth in 18VAC41-20-20 A.

B. An applicant for licensure by endorsement who has completed an equivalent training or apprenticeship program and whose state only utilizes one licensing examination (written or practical) that is substantially equivalent to the examination required by this chapter may take the other examination (written or practical) in Virginia to qualify for licensure.

C. Applicants for licensure by endorsement who completed a training or apprenticeship program that is not substantially equivalent to Virginia's training but who otherwise meet all the requirements listed in subsection A of this section may substitute three years of work experience for training. Applicants must provide a work history demonstrating three years of licensed experience in any other state or jurisdiction of the United States on a form provided by the board.

D. An applicant licensed as a barber or master barber in another state with a similar scope of practice as a master barber in Virginia may be licensed as a master barber by endorsement.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

18VAC41-20-40. Apprenticeship training.

A. Licensed barbers, master barbers, cosmetologists, and nail technicians who train apprentices must comply with the standards for registered apprenticeship.

B. Licensed barbershops, cosmetology salons, and nail salons where apprentices train must comply with the standards for registered apprenticeship training.

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 35, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2019; Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 1, 2025.

18VAC41-20-50. (Repealed.)

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 38, Issue 11, eff. March 7, 2022; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 1, 2025.

18VAC41-20-60. Examination requirements and fees.

A. Applicants for initial licensure must pass a practical examination and written examination approved by the board.

B. Any applicant who passes either the practical or written examination will not be required to take that examination again, provided both examinations are passed within one year of the initial examination date.

C. The fee for examination or reexamination is subject to contracted charges to the board by an outside vendor. These contracts are competitively negotiated and bargained for in compliance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). Fees may be adjusted and charged to the candidate in accordance with these contracts. The fee will not exceed $225 per candidate.

D. Any candidate failing to apply for initial licensure within five years of passing both the practical and written examinations will be required to retake both examinations.

E. Any applicant who does not pass a reexamination within one year of the initial examination date will be required to submit a new application.

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 42, Issue 5, eff. December 1, 2025.

18VAC41-20-70. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 1, 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

18VAC41-20-90. Barber, master barber, cosmetology, nail technician, and wax technician temporary licenses.

A. A temporary license to work under the direct supervision of a currently licensed individual may be issued only to applicants for initial licensure who the board finds eligible for the applicable examination. There is no fee for a temporary license. Except as provided in this section, an applicant holding a temporary license must be supervised by an individual holding a license in the same scope of practice.

Licensed cosmetologists may also supervise nail and waxing temporary license holders. Licensed estheticians and master estheticians may also supervise waxing temporary license holders. Licensed master barbers may also supervise barber temporary license holders.

B. The temporary license will remain in force for 90 days, and no subsequent temporary license will be issued.

C. Any person continuing to practice barbering, master barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing services after a temporary license has expired may be prosecuted and fined by the Commonwealth under §§ 54.1-111 A 1 and 54.1-202 of the Code of Virginia.

D. Temporary licenses will not be issued where grounds may exist to deny a license pursuant to § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia or 18VAC41-20-20.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

18VAC41-20-100. General requirements for an instructor certificate.

A. Any individual wishing to engage in instruction in barbering, master barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing must meet the following qualifications:

1. The applicant must be in good standing as a licensed barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician and instructor, respectively, in every jurisdiction where licensed, certified, or registered. The applicant must provide a copy to the board of any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions at the time of application for certification since being previously licensed as a barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician. This includes monetary penalties, fines, probation, suspensions, revocations, surrender of a license or certification in connection with a disciplinary action, or voluntary termination of a license or certification.

Upon review of the applicant's prior disciplinary action, the board, in its discretion, may deny certification to any applicant that the board deems unfit or unsuited to engage in the instruction of barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing;

2. The applicant must hold and maintain a current Virginia barber, master barber, cosmetology, nail technician, or wax technician license, respectively;

3. The applicant must complete one of the following qualifications:

a. Pass a course in teaching techniques at the post-secondary educational level; or

b. Pass an instructor examination administered by the board or by a testing service acting on behalf of the board; and

4. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant must disclose all felony convictions in Virginia and all other jurisdictions since being previously licensed as a barber, master barber, cosmetologist, wax technician, or nail technician within 10 years of the date of application.

The board, in its discretion, may deny certification to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.

B. Certified instructors may teach in any profession in which they hold the underlying license.

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 38, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 1, 2025.

18VAC41-20-110. Student instructor temporary license.

A. A licensed barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician may be granted a 12-month student instructor temporary license to function under the direct supervision of a certified instructor in a licensed school. No subsequent student instructor temporary license will be issued. Student instructors must pass an instructor examination administered by the board or by a testing service acting on behalf of the board.

B. Student instructors may teach in any profession in which they hold the underlying license. Failure to maintain a barber, master barber, cosmetology, nail technician, or wax technician license will disqualify an individual from holding a student instructor temporary license.

C. Licensed cosmetologists may also supervise nail and waxing student instructor temporary license holders. Licensed estheticians and master estheticians may also supervise waxing student instructor temporary license holders. Licensed master barbers may also supervise barber student instructor temporary license holders.

D. The student instructor temporary license holder must be associated with both a school and a direct supervisor.

E. Temporary licenses may not be issued where grounds may exist to deny a license pursuant to § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia or 18VAC41-20-100.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

18VAC41-20-120. General requirements for a shop or salon license.

A. Any firm wishing to operate a barbershop, cosmetology salon, nail salon, or waxing salon, including any mobile shop or salon, must obtain a shop or salon license in compliance with § 54.1-704.1 of the Code of Virginia and must meet the following qualifications in order to receive a license:

1. The applicant and all members of the responsible management must be in good standing as a licensed shop or salon in Virginia and all other jurisdictions where licensed, certified, or registered. The applicant and all members of the responsible management must provide a copy of any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions to the board at the time of application for licensure. This includes monetary penalties, fines, probation, suspensions, revocations, surrender of a license in connection with a disciplinary action, or voluntary termination of a license.

Upon review of the applicant's and all members of the responsible management's prior disciplinary action, the board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant that the board deems unfit or unsuited to engage in the operation of a barbershop, cosmetology salon, nail salon, or waxing salon.

2. The applicant must disclose the applicant's physical address. A post office box may be provided as secondary address. Mobile shops and salons must provide a physical address where the shop or salon is permanently garaged.

3. The applicant must sign, as part of the application, a statement certifying that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia barber and cosmetology license laws and this chapter.

4. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant must disclose all felony convictions in Virginia and all other jurisdictions for the firm and all members of the firm's responsible management within 10 years of the date of application.

The board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.

5. The applicant must disclose the firm's responsible management.

B. Shop or salon licenses are issued to firms as defined in this chapter and are not transferable. Any changes in the name or address of the shop or salon must be reported to the board in writing within 30 days of such changes. The board will not be responsible for the licensee's failure to receive notices, communications, and correspondence caused by the licensee's failure to promptly notify the board in writing of any change of name or address or for any other reason beyond the control of the board.

C. Whenever the legal business entity holding the license is dissolved or altered to form a new business entity, the original license becomes void. The firm must notify the board, apply for a new license within 30 days of the change in the business entity, and destroy the license. Such changes include:

1. Death of a sole proprietor;

2. Death or withdrawal of a general partner in a general partnership or the managing partner in a limited partnership; and

3. Conversion, formation, or dissolution of a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, or any other business entity recognized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

D. Any change in the officers of a corporation, managers of a limited liability company, or officers or directors of an association must be reported to the board in writing within 30 days of the change.

E. The board or any of its agents must be allowed to inspect during reasonable hours any licensed shop or salon for compliance with provisions of Chapter 7 (§ 54.1-700 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia or this chapter.

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 38, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 1, 2025.

18VAC41-20-130. General requirements for a school license.

A. Any firm wishing to operate a barber, cosmetology, nail technician, or wax technician school must submit an application to the board at least 60 days prior to the date for which approval is sought, obtain a school license in compliance with § 54.1-704.2 of the Code of Virginia, and meet the following qualifications in order to receive a license:

1. The applicant and all members of the responsible management must be in good standing as a licensed school in Virginia and any other jurisdiction where licensed, certified, or registered. The applicant and all members of the responsible management must provide a copy of any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions to the board at the time of application for licensure. This includes monetary penalties, fines, probation, suspensions, revocations, surrender of a license in connection with a disciplinary action, or voluntary termination of a license.

2. The applicant must disclose the applicant's physical address. A post office box may be provided as secondary address.

3. The applicant must sign, as part of the application, a statement certifying that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia barber and cosmetology license laws and this chapter.

The board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.

5. The applicant must disclose the firm's responsible management.

B. Barber, cosmetology, nail technician, and wax technician school licenses are issued to firms as defined in this chapter and are not transferable. Any changes in the name and address of record or principal place of business of the school must be reported to the board in writing within 30 days of such change. The board will not be responsible for the licensee's failure to receive notices, communications, and correspondence caused by the licensee's failure to promptly notify the board in writing of any change of name or address or for any other reason beyond the control of the board. The name of the school must indicate that it is an educational institution. All signs or other advertisements must reflect the name as indicated on the license issued by the board and contain language indicating it is an educational institution.

C. Whenever the legal business entity holding the license is dissolved or altered to form a new business entity, the original license becomes void. The firm must notify the board, apply for a new license within 30 days of the change in business entity, and destroy the license. Such changes include:

1. Death of a sole proprietor;

2. Death or withdrawal of a general partner in a general partnership or the managing partner in a limited partnership; and

3. Conversion, formation, or dissolution of a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, or any other business entity recognized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

D. Within 30 days of ceasing to operate, whether through dissolution or alteration of the business entity, the school must provide a written report to the board detailing the performances and hours of each student who has not completed the program.

E. Any change in the officers of a corporation, managers of a limited liability company, or officers or directors of an association must be reported to the board in writing within 30 days of the change.

F. Barber schools, cosmetology schools, nail schools, or waxing schools under the Virginia Department of Education are exempt from licensure requirements.

G. The board or any of its agents must be allowed to inspect during reasonable hours any licensed school for compliance with provisions of Chapter 7 (§ 54.1-700 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia or this chapter.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

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