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Cosmetology in Virginia
These pages summarize rules to help you plan. They are not legal advice. Before you place students at a work site or change a program, check with your state agency, your district's counsel and your insurance carrier.
In short
Virginia's 840-hour VDOE cosmetology sequence leads to state exams by the end of senior year with no DPOR school license; minors 16 and older may work in salons in work-training programs.
State program: Cosmetology I/II two-year 8745/8746 (420 hrs each); three-year 8527, II and III; CIP not published by VDOE
What a high school can deliver
The full license route: the 840-hour VDOE sequence qualifies students for the state exams by the end of senior year.
Credentials students can earn
Virginia cosmetologist license (Prov exams: theory $99, practical $95); Cosmetology Assessment
Age and hour requirements
No minimum age in rule; 840 hours in the VDOE sequence (VDOE guidance) versus 1,000 in a private licensed school (DPOR summary; Confirm with the agency).
Other agencies involved
DPOR Board for Barbers and Cosmetology: licensure and exams; a VDOE-approved public school program needs no DPOR school license (18VAC41-20-20, Dec 1, 2025).
Who can teach it
VDOE Trade and Industrial route under 8VAC20-23; whether teachers also need the DPOR instructor certificate (license plus teaching-methods course or instructor exam, 18VAC41-20-100) is open.
Child labor rules for work placements
No employment certificate at 16-17. Since July 1, 2025, minors 16 and older may work in barbershops and salons as apprentices, in work-training programs or with a license (Va. Code 40.1-100).
College credit after high school
No statewide agreement found (Confirm locally); hour transfer limited to verified transcript hours within the board curriculum (18VAC41-20-210 H).
Where to go next
- The full Cosmetology guide, showing Virginia
- The Virginia state profile
- Add this pathway to your plan
Cosmetology in other states
Other pathways in Virginia
- Nurse Aide / Patient Care
- EMT
- Electrical
- Welding
- Construction and Carpentry
- HVAC/R
- Cybersecurity / Networking
- Programming / Computer Science
- Automotive
- Medical and Dental Assisting
- Agriculture
- Early Childhood Education
- Culinary and Hospitality
- Machining and Mechatronics
- Engineering and Drafting
- Firefighting
- Law, Public Safety and Corrections
- Business Management and Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
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