Virginia Law

Part V. Barber Cosmetology, Nail, and Waxing Schools

18VAC41-20-190. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. February 1, 2017.

18VAC41-20-200. General requirements.

A barber, cosmetology, nail, or waxing school shall:

1. Hold a school license for each and every location.

2. Hold a salon license if the school receives compensation for services provided in its clinic.

3. Employ a staff of and ensure all training is conducted by licensed and certified barber, master barber, cosmetology, nail technician, or wax technician instructors, respectively.

a. Licensed and certified cosmetology instructors may also instruct in nail and waxing programs.

b. Licensed and certified esthetics instructors and master esthetics instructors may also instruct in waxing programs.

4. Develop individuals for entry level competency in barbering, master barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing.

5. Submit its curricula for board approval. All changes to curricula must be resubmitted and approved by the board.

a. Barber curricula shall be based on a minimum of 1,100 clock hours and shall include performances in accordance with 18VAC41-20-220.

b. Master barber curricula shall be based on a minimum of 400 clock hours and shall include performances in accordance with 18VAC41-20-220.

c. Dual barber/master barber program curricula shall be based on a minimum of 1,500 clock hours and shall include performances in accordance with 18VAC41-20-220.

d. Cosmetology curricula shall be based on a minimum of 1,000 clock hours and shall include performances in accordance with 18VAC41-20-220.

e. Nail technician curricula shall be based on a minimum of 150 clock hours and shall include performances in accordance with 18VAC41-20-220.

f. Wax technician curricula shall be based on a minimum of 115 clock hours and shall include performances in accordance with 18VAC41-20-220.

6. Inform the public that all services are performed by students if the school receives compensation for services provided in its clinic by posting a notice in the reception area of the shop or salon in plain view of the public.

7. Conduct classroom instruction in an area separate from the clinic area where practical instruction is conducted and services are provided.

8. Possess the necessary equipment and implements to teach the respective curriculum. If any such equipment or implement is not owned by the school, then a copy of all agreements associated with the use of such property by the school shall be provided to 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 34, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2018; Volume 35, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2019; Volume 40, Issue 21, eff. September 1, 2024.

18VAC41-20-210. Curriculum requirements.

A. Each barber school shall submit with its application a curriculum, including a course syllabus, a detailed course content outline, a sample of five lesson plans, a sample of evaluation methods to be used, and a breakdown of hours and performances for all courses to be taught that will lead to licensure. The outline for barbering shall include the following:

1. School policies;

2. State law, regulations, and professional ethics;

3. Business and shop management;

4. Client consultation;

5. Personal hygiene;

6. Cutting the hair with a razor, clippers, and shears;

7. Tapering the hair;

8. Thinning the hair;

9. Shampooing the hair;

10. Shaving;

11. Trimming a moustache or beard;

12. Applying hair color;

13. Analyzing skin or scalp conditions;

14. Giving scalp treatments;

15. Giving basic facial massage or treatment;

16. Sanitizing and maintaining implements and equipment; and

17. Honing and stropping a razor.

B. Each barber school seeking to add a master barber program shall submit with its application a curriculum, including a course syllabus, a detailed course content outline, a sample of five lesson plans, a sample of evaluation methods to be used, and a breakdown of hours and performances for all courses to be taught that will lead to licensure. The outline for master barbering shall include the following:

1. Styling the hair with a hand hair dryer;

2. Thermal waving;

3. Permanent waving with chemicals;

4. Relaxing the hair;

5. Lightening or toning the hair;

6. Hairpieces and wigs; and

7. Waxing limited to the scalp.

C. Each school seeking to add a dual barber/master barber program shall submit with its application a curriculum, including a course syllabus, a detailed course content outline, a sample of five lesson plans, a sample of evaluation methods to be used, and a breakdown of hours and performances for all courses to be taught that will lead to licensure. The outline for dual barber/master barber program shall include the following:

1. School policies;

2. State law, regulations, and professional ethics;

3. Business and shop management;

4. Client consultation;

5. Personal hygiene;

6. Cutting the hair with a razor, clippers, and shears;

7. Tapering the hair;

8. Thinning the hair;

9. Shampooing the hair;

10. Styling the hair with a hand hair dryer;

11. Thermal waving;

12. Permanent waving with chemicals;

13. Relaxing the hair;

14. Shaving;

15. Trimming a moustache or beard;

16. Applying hair color;

17. Lightening or toning the hair;

18. Analyzing skin or scalp conditions;

19. Giving scalp treatments;

20. Waxing limited to the scalp;

21. Giving basic facial massage or treatment;

22. Hair pieces;

23. Sanitizing and maintaining implements and equipment; and

24. Honing and stropping a razor.

D. Each cosmetology school shall submit with its application a curriculum, including a course syllabus, a detailed course content outline, a sample of five lesson plans, a sample of evaluation methods to be used, and a breakdown of hours and performances for all courses to be taught that will lead to licensure. The outline for cosmetology shall include the following:

1. Orientation and business topics - minimum of 45 hours of instruction:

a. School policies;

b. Management;

c. Sales, inventory, and retailing;

d. Taxes and payroll;

e. Insurance;

f. Client records and confidentiality; and

g. Professional ethics and practices.

2. Laws and regulations - minimum of 10 hours of instruction.

3. General sciences - minimum of 55 hours of instruction:

a. Principles and practices of infection control;

b. Safety Data Sheet (SDS); and

c. Chemical usage and safety.

4. Applied sciences - minimum of 40 hours of instruction: Anatomy, physiology, and histology.

5. Shampooing, rinsing, and scalp treatments for all hair types, including textured hair - minimum of 25 hours of instruction:

a. Client consultation and analysis; and

b. Procedures, manipulations, and treatments.

6. Hair styling for all hair types, including textured hair - minimum of 65 hours of instruction:

a. Fingerwaving, molding, and pin curling;

b. Roller curling, combing, and brushing; and

c. Heat curling, waving, and pressing.

7. Hair cutting for all hair types, including textured hair - minimum of 125 hours of instruction:

a. Fundamentals, materials, and equipment; and

b. Procedures.

8. Permanent waving and chemical relaxing for all hair types, including textured hair - minimum of 115 hours of instruction:

a. Chemistry;

b. Supplies and equipment; and

c. Procedures and practical application.

9. Hair coloring and bleaching for all hair types, including textured hair - minimum of 160 hours of instruction:

a. Basic color theory;

b. Supplies and equipment; and

c. Procedures and practical application.

10. Wigs, hair pieces, and related theory - minimum of 15 hours of instruction:

a. Types; and

b. Procedures.

11. Straight razor use and shaving - minimum of 20 hours of instruction.

12. Manicuring and pedicuring - minimum of 75 hours of instruction:

a. Nail theory, nail structure, and composition;

b. Nail procedures, including manicuring, pedicuring, and nail extensions; and

c. Electric filing.

13. Skin care - minimum of 160 hours of instruction:

a. Client skin analysis and consultation;

b. Effleurage and related movements and manipulations of the face and body;

c. Cleansing procedures;

d. Masks;

e. Extraction techniques;

f. Machines, equipment, and electricity;

g. Manual facials and treatments;

h. Machine, electrical facials, and treatments; and

i. General procedures and safety measures.

14. Makeup - minimum of 35 hours of instruction:

a. Setup, supplies, and implements;

b. Color theory;

c. Consultation;

d. General and special occasion application;

e. Camouflage;

f. Application of false lashes and lash extensions;

g. Lash tinting;

h. Lash perming;

i. Lightening of the hair on the body except scalp; and

j. General procedures and safety measures.

15. Body and other treatments - minimum of 20 hours of instruction:

a. Body treatments;

b. Aromatherapy; and

c. General procedures and safety measures.

16. Hair removal - minimum of 35 hours of instruction:

a. Client consultation and analysis;

b. Waxing;

c. Mechanical hair removal;

d. Tweezing and threading; and

e. Chemical hair removal.

E. Each nail school shall submit with its application a curriculum, including a course syllabus, a detailed course content outline, a sample of five lesson plans, a sample of evaluation methods to be used, and a breakdown of hours and performances for all courses to be taught that will lead to licensure. The outline for nail care shall include the following:

1. Orientation:

a. School policies; and

b. State law, regulations, and professional ethics;

2. Sterilization, sanitation, bacteriology, and safety;

3. Anatomy and physiology;

4. Diseases and disorders of the nail;

5. Nail procedures (i.e., manicuring, pedicuring, and nail extensions); and

6. Nail theory and nail structure and composition.

F. Each waxing school shall submit with its application a curriculum, including a course syllabus, a detailed course content outline, a sample of five lesson plans, a sample of evaluation methods to be used, and a breakdown of hours and performances for all courses to be taught that will lead to licensure. The outline for waxing shall include the following:

1. Orientation:

a. School policies;

b. State law, regulations, and professional ethics; and

c. Personal hygiene.

2. Skin care and treatment:

a. Analysis;

b. Anatomy and physiology;

c. Diseases and disorders of the skin;

d. Health sterilization, sanitation, bacteriology, and safety, including infectious disease control measures; and

e. Temporary removal of hair.

3. Skin theory, skin structure, and composition.

4. Client consultation:

a. Health conditions;

b. Skin analysis;

c. Treatments;

d. Client expectations; and

e. Health forms and questionnaires.

5. Waxing procedures for brow, lip, facial, legs, arms, underarm, chest, back, and bikini areas:

a. Fundamentals;

b. Safety rules; and

c. Procedures.

6. Wax treatments:

a. Analysis;

b. Disorders and diseases;

c. Manipulations; and

d. Treatments.

7. Salon management:

a. Business ethics; and

b. Care of equipment.

G. A licensed school with an approved barber, master barber, dual barber/master barber, cosmetology, nail technician, or wax technician program may conduct an assessment of a student's competence in the respective profession and, based on the assessment, give credit toward the hours requirements specified in the respective subsection of this section and 18VAC41-20-220.

The school shall make the assessment based on a review of the student's transcript and the successful completion of a board-approved competency examination administered by the school. The school may also request a copy of a catalog or bulletin giving the full course description when making the evaluation. The number of credit hours awarded shall not exceed the actual hours of instruction verified on the transcript or the number of hours specified in the board-approved curriculum for a specific topic.

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 11, eff. March 7, 2022; Volume 40, Issue 21, eff. September 1, 2024.

18VAC41-20-220. Hours of instruction and performances.

A. Curriculum and performance requirements shall be offered over a minimum of 1,100 clock hours for barbering, 400 clock hours for master barbering, 1,500 clock hours for dual barber/master barber program, 1,000 hours for cosmetology, 150 clock hours for nail care, and 115 clock hours for waxing.

B. The curriculum requirements for barbering must include the following minimum performances:

C. The curriculum requirements for master barbering must include the following minimum performances:

D. The curriculum requirements for dual barber/master barber program must include the following minimum performances:

E. The curriculum requirements for cosmetology must include the following minimum performances:

F. The curriculum requirements for nail care must include the following minimum performances:

G. The curriculum requirements for waxing must include the following minimum performances:

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 40, Issue 21, eff. September 1, 2024.

18VAC41-20-230. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 9, eff. February 1, 2017.

18VAC41-20-240. Records.

A. Schools shall maintain on the premises of each school and available for inspection by the board or any of its agents the following records for the period of a student's enrollment through five years after the student's completion of the curriculum, termination, or withdrawal:

1. Enrollment application containing student's signature and a two-inch by two-inch color head and shoulders photograph;

2. Daily record of attendance containing student's signature;

3. Student clock hours containing student's signature and method of calculation;

4. Practical performance completion sheets containing student's signature;

5. Final transcript; and

6. All other relevant documents that account for a student's accrued clock hours and practical applications.

B. Schools shall produce to the board or any of its agents within 10 days of the request any document, book, or record concerning any student, or for which the licensee is required to maintain records, for inspection and copying by the board or its agents. The board may extend such timeframe upon a showing of extenuating circumstances prohibiting delivery within such 10-day period.

C. Schools shall, within 21 days upon receipt of a written request from a student, provide documentation of hours and performances completed by the student as required to be maintained by subsection A of this section.

D. Prior to a school changing ownership or a school closing, the school is required to provide to current students documentation of hours and performances completed.

E. For a period of one year after a school changes ownership, the school shall provide, within 21 days upon receipt of a written request from a student, documentation of hours and performances completed by a current student.

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.

18VAC41-20-250. Reporting.

A. Schools shall provide, in a manner, format, and frequency prescribed by the board, a roster of all current students and a roster of students who attended in the preceding six months prior to the reporting deadline.

B. Within 30 days of ceasing to operate, whether through dissolution or alteration of the business entity, the school shall provide a written report to the board on performances and hours of each of its students who have not completed the program.

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.