The salon industry in Virginia is more attractive than ever. Virginia’s hairdressers, cosmetologists, and estheticians earn a higher average salary than those in 92 percent of all states in the nation.
The Washington DC metropolitan area is home to one of the highest concentrations of personal care salon professionals of all urban areas in the nation. Whether you’re interested in beautifying skin, styling hair, or doing nails, you’ll find Virginia’s chic salons offer the perfect environment in which to demonstrate your creativity and eye for esthetics.
 | How to Become a Cosmetologist in Virginia |
| How to Become a Barber in Virginia |
| How to Become a Nail Technician in Virginia |
| How to Become an Esthetician in Virginia |
| How to Become a Makeup Artist in Virginia |
To work professionally as an esthetician, makeup artist, cosmetologist, hair stylist, manicurist or barber, you’ll need to earn a license through Virginia’s Board for Barbers and Cosmetology.
One of the hundreds of approved beauty schools in Virginia can prepare you to earn a license and begin your career as a salon professional.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in Virginia
Cosmetologists are beauty professionals who specialize in a range of salon services, including those associated with estheticians, nail technicians, and hair stylists.
Cosmetology Schools in Virginia
Your first step to becoming a cosmetologist in Virginia is get the training you need through a formal beauty college, or through an apprenticeship:
- Cosmetology college – requires the completion of a curriculum that is at least 1,500 hours in length
- Cosmetology internship – requires the completion of an internship that is at least 3,000 hours in length
Your education will cover the following topics. These can also serve as a summary of the services you can provide to your clients as a cosmetologist:
- Hair cutting, styling, shampooing, rinsing, bleaching, and coloring
- Barbering
- Perms and chemical relaxing
- Scalp care
- Esthetics – skin care and makeup
- Wigs and hair pieces
- Nail technician – manicures and pedicures
Important practical subjects are also included in your education:
- State laws and regulations
- Professional and business ethics
- Hair, nail, and skin chemistry, anatomy, and physiology
- Sterilization techniques
Cosmetologist Licensing Exams
Before you can become licensed you will need to pass two exams:
- Cosmetology Written Exam – 120 multiple-choice questions over the course of two hours
- Cosmetology Practical Exam – demonstration of actual cosmetology procedures on a mannequin head in front of an evaluator
Both these exams are administered by Ergometrics/National Testing Network (NTN). You can get an initial idea for how to prepare for these by consulting the Cosmetology Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB).
Cosmetology Employers in Virginia
Because you will be the most versatile beauty professional as a cosmetologist, you may be able to find employment opportunities in a variety of fields in Virginia:
- With film, theatre, performing arts, and cosmetic companies as a makeup artist
- With salons and spas as an esthetician or all-purpose cosmetologist
- With hair salons and styling boutiques as a hair specialist
- With nail salons as a manicurist or pedicurist
- Working for yourself as an independent business owner who specializes in cosmetology
How to Become a Barber in Virginia
Barbers are beauty professionals who offer services that are traditionally associated with hair styling that includes facial hair. To become a barber you will need to complete a prescribed set of education – either through a barbering college or apprenticeship program.
- Barbering college – requires the completion of a curriculum that is at least 1,500 hours in length
- Barbering apprenticeship – requires the completion of an apprenticeship that is at least 3,000 hours in length
Barbering Schools in Virginia
As a prospective barber, you will find that your education program will include the following subjects in your studies. These subjects are also an indication of the services you can provide to your clients as a barber:
- Hair cutting with clippers, a razor, or shears
- Hair tapering and thinning
- Beard and mustache trimming
- Shaving
- Shampooing
- Thermal waving
- Styling with a blowdryer
- Hair coloring, lightening, and toning
- Skin and scalp treatments
You will also be instructed on the important subjects of:
- State laws and regulations regarding barbers
- Sanitation, safety, and personal hygiene
- Shop management and business ethics
Barber Licensing Exams
You will need to pass two exams before you can obtain your barbering license:
- Barbering Written Exam – two hours to complete 110 multiple-choice questions
- Barbering Practical Exam – completing a series of barbering procedures on a mannequin head in front of an evaluator
Both these exams are administered by Ergometrics/National Testing Network (NTN). You can start reviewing for these exams by consulting the Barbering Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB).
Barber Employers in Virginia
- GHQ Grooming for Men in Virginia Beach
- Gregory’s Ocean Front Barber Shop and Salon in Virginia Beach
- The Barber Shop and Co in Norfolk
- Jake’s Place Men’s Barbering Lounge and Spa in Norfolk
- Pete’s Barber Shop in Arlington
How to Become a Nail Technician in Virginia
Nail technicians are experts in conducting manicures and pedicures, as well as providing related services like hand and foot massage. To become a nail technician in Virginia you will need to complete one of the following education programs:
- Nail technician college that is at least 150 hours in length
- Nail technician apprenticeship that is at least 2,000 hours in length
Nail Technician Schools in Virginia
You will study the following topics as part of your nail technician education. These are also the types of services you will be able to offer your clients:
- Manicures
- Pedicures
- Sculptured nails
- Nail tips
- Nail wraps
- Nail application removals
Nail Technician Licensing Exams
Before you will be eligible to become licensed you will need to pass two exams, both of which are administered by Ergometrics/National Testing Network (NTN):
- Nail Technician Written Exam – two hours to complete 95 multiple-choice questions
- Nail Technician Practical Exam – you will be evaluated on your performance of a list of nail technician procedures
You can prepare for these exams by reviewing the Nail Technician Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB).
Nail Technician Employers in Virginia
- Nails Plus in Virginia Beach
- Mary’s Nail-Tique in Virginia Beach
- Serenity Spa and Nails in Norfolk
- The Look Salon and Day Spa in Chesapeake
- Katie Blue Salon in Richmond
How to Become an Esthetician in Virginia
Estheticians are professionals who specialize in skin care and the art of makeup.
Esthetician Schools in Virginia
To become an esthetician you will need to graduate from an esthetician college that includes at least 600 hours of study. You do not have the option to complete an apprenticeship to qualify for licensure as an esthetician.
Your esthetician education will include coverage of the following topics. These are also the types of services you can provide to your clients:
- Hair removal, including chemical and mechanical
- Makeup application
- Facial masks
- Facial and skin cleaning procedures
- Eyelash tinting and perming
- Body wraps, scrubs, masks, and treatments
- Aromatherapy
Your studies will also cover the subjects of:
- Laws and regulations
- Science, bacteriology, and cosmetic chemistry
- Skin structure and function; anatomy and physiology
- Diseases and disorders of the skin
Esthetician Licensing Exams
You will need to pass two exams to become a licensed esthetician in Virginia:
- Esthetician Written Exam – two hours to complete 95 multiple-choice questions
- Esthetician Practical Exam – you will demonstrate a series of esthetician procedures on a mannequin head in front of an evaluator
These exams are both administered by Ergometrics/National Testing Network (NTN). You can begin preparing for these by reviewing the Esthetician Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB).
Esthetician Employers in Virginia
- ULTA Salon, Cosmetics and Fragrance in Leesburg
- Massage Envy in Midlothian and Falls Church
- The Boar’s Head in Charlottesville
- Life Time Fitness in Fairfax
- Manor Club Spa in Williamsburg
How to Become a Makeup Artist in Virginia
Makeup artists provide professional makeup services to their clients. The Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology does not specifically license makeup artists. However because applying makeup is covered under the purview of an esthetician and cosmetologist license, you will need to obtain either of these licenses to work as a makeup artist.
Permanent Makeup Artist License
The Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetologists licenses permanent makeup artists in their own category. These professionals are officially referred to as Permanent Cosmetic Tattooers. With this license you can provide permanent makeup services to your clients, including lips, eyebrows and areola pigmentation.
Permanent Makeup Artist Schools in Virginia
To become licensed as a permanent makeup artist you will need to complete one of the following courses of education:
- 90 hours courses from a permanent cosmetic tattooing school
- 1,500 hours of a permanent cosmetic artist apprenticeship
Your studies will include coverage of the following topics:
- Microbiology
- Immunization
- Anesthetics
- Professional standards
- Sanitation and disinfection
- Blood borne pathogens and safety
- Professional standards
- Tattooing
Permanent Makeup Artist Licensing Exams
To become a licensed permanent makeup artist in Virginia, you will need to pass the Written Permanent Cosmetic Tattooer Exam. For this you will have two hours to complete 85 multiple-choice questions, covering the topics of:
- Virginia state laws and regulations
- Safety, sanitation, and infection control
- Tools and equipment
- Products and chemistry
- Anatomy and physiology
- Permanent cosmetic tattooing services
This exam is sponsored by the Ergometrics/National Testing Network (NTN), and you can start preparing for this by consulting the Permanent Cosmetic Tattooer Exam Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB).
Makeup Artist Employers in Virginia
- Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in McLean
- Virginia Opera
- Little Theatre of Virginia Beach
- Old Broads Way Theatre Company in Virginia Beach
- New Dominion Pictures in Suffolk
- Metro Productions in Richmond
- Salon Bleu in Mclean