Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
 
Board
Board for Barbers and Cosmetology
 
Guidance Document Change: This guidance document currently provides guidance to regulated parties and the public regarding the implementation of the 1,000-hour cosmetology curriculum which became effective on September 1, 2024. The document establishes protocols for students already enrolled in a 1,500-hour cosmetology curriculum and outlines school responsibilities in meeting the 1,000-hour cosmetology program requirements. On September 29, 2025, the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (“the Board”) amended this guidance to implement changes made to the Barbering and Cosmetology Regulations (18VAC41-20) as a result of the Board’s General Review of the Barbering and Cosmetology Regulations (Action 6339/ Stage 10871). The regulatory change (i) revised the cosmetology curricula while keeping the minimum training requirement of 1,000 hours; (ii) revised the barber curricula and reduced the minimum required training hours from 1,100 hours to 750 hours; (iii) revised the master barber curricula and reduced the minimum required training hours from 400 hours to 250 hours; and (iv) revised the dual barber/master barber curricula and reduced the minimum required training hours from 1,500 hours to 1,000 hours. The regulatory changes will become effective December 1, 2025. The amended guidance does not impose any new requirements. Please refer to the ORM review form for additional information.
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12/3/25  3:34 pm
Commenter: Linda Ingram / Staunton School of Cosmetology

Program Completion Date Deadlines
 

This is in reference to the mandated completion dates and deadlines for Cosmetology Schools. The proposed deadlines for students to complete the courses they have already been enrolled in and approved for by the board are in direct conflict with a student's ability to complete their training according to approved enrollment agreements. 

Consideration must be made when adjusting the dates for student absences, and medical leaves. Part-time students previously enrolled will not be able to meet the deadline proposed by the board.

What is the alternative for the students who do not finish with the proposed dates? Are the students to be withdrawn and re-enroll for the remaining hours? This could cause schools to be out of compliance with their accreditors as schools are required to maintain completion, rates annually. Also, there is the concern of how this will affect the students funding if their education is interrupted. Schools reporting student status for NSLDS could be a problem as well.

We would request that the Board extend the proposed deadlines so all students will have the opportunity to complete the programs based on the enrollment agreement contract end date that is currently approved.

Thank you for considering these recommendations.

Linda Ingram

Staunton School of Cosmetology

CommentID: 238374