Esthetician / Virginia
2026 data Virginia board official source

Virginia Esthetician License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Specializes in skin care including facials and waxing.

What the Virginia data shows for Estheticians

Virginia's path to esthetician licensure runs through 560 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on State Esthetics Exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 16 can be licensed. Virginia folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Esthetics School".

Budget $82 to get started, plus $45 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. Virginia doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

B+
Licensing Ease Score
76/100
Esthetician · Virginia

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training C
560 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B-
$82
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A-
$23/yr
$45 every 2 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Virginia

Education / Training Hours
Esthetics School
560 hours
Exam Requirement
State Esthetics Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$82
Renewal Fee
$45
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
16 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Esthetician All Virginia licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Virginia licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Esthetician in Virginia? ▼
In Virginia, the license path calls for 560 education/training hours, a passing score on State Esthetics Exam, and a $82 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Esthetician in Virginia? ▼
Certification as an esthetician in Virginia means clearing the state's checklist: 560 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Virginia licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Esthetician license to Virginia from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for estheticians nationally works like this: Varies by state — check with state board. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Virginia. Verify the specifics with the Virginia licensing board.
Does Virginia require a background check for Esthetician licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for esthetician licensing in Virginia. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.

Related Guides

What to do with this esthetician license

Esthetician in Virginia, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an esthetician-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Virginia's esthetician requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Esthetician in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state esthetician license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Virginia's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Virginia overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Virginia licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.