A. The following words and terms when used in this chapter have the meanings ascribed to them in § 54.1-700 of the Code of Virginia:

"Barber"

"Barbering"

"Barber instructor"

"Barbershop"

"Board"

"Cosmetologist"

"Cosmetology"

"Cosmetology instructor"

"Cosmetology salon"

"Master barber"

"Nail care"

"Nail salon"

"Nail school"

"Nail technician"

"Nail technician instructor"

"Physical (wax) depilatory"

"School of cosmetology"

"Wax technician"

"Waxing"

"Waxing salon"

"Waxing school"

B. The following words and terms when used in this chapter have the meanings ascribed to them in § 54.1-700.1 of the Code of Virginia:

"Authorization to practice"

"Commission"

"Encumbered license"

"Member state"

"Multistate license"

"Remote state"

C. The following words and terms when used in this chapter have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Apprenticeship program" means an approved cosmetology, barber, nail technician, or wax technician training program conducted by an approved registered apprenticeship sponsor.

"Barber school" means a place or establishment licensed by the board to accept and train students and that offers a barber, master barber, or dual barber/master barber curriculum approved by the board.

"Business entity" means a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or any other form of organization permitted by law.

"Compact" means the Cosmetology Compact (§ 54.1-700.1 of the Code of Virginia).

"Clock hour" means a minimum of 50 minutes of supervised or directed instruction and appropriate breaks.

"Credit hour" means a combination of the number of hours in class each week and the number of hours per week in a laboratory by which a school may measure coursework. One unit of credit equals one hour of classroom or online study, two hours of laboratory experience, or three hours of internship or practicum or a combination of the three times the number of weeks in the term.

"Direct supervision" means that (i) a Virginia licensed barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician is present in the barbershop, cosmetology salon, nail salon, or waxing salon at all times when services are being performed by a temporary license holder or registered apprentice or (ii) a Virginia licensed and certified barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician instructor or a student instructor temporary license holder is present in the barber, cosmetology, nail technician, or wax technician school at all times when services are being performed by a student, student instructor, or temporary license holder.

"Each and every location" means, for the purposes of schools with multiple suites or classrooms, a single location is one that is enclosed under one roof and all classrooms or suites are within 500 feet of the main office.

"Firm" means any business entity recognized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

"Licensee" means any individual or firm holding a license or multistate license issued by the board.

"Post-secondary educational level" means an accredited college or university that is approved or accredited by an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

"Reasonable hours" means the hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.; however, if the licensee is generally not substantially open to the public during the same hours, "reasonable hours" means the business hours when the licensee is open to the public.

"Reinstatement" means having a license, multistate license, or certificate restored to effectiveness after the expiration date has passed.

"Renewal" means continuing the effectiveness of a license, multistate license, or certificate for another period of time.

"Responsible management" means the following individuals:

1. The sole proprietor of a sole proprietorship;

2. The partners of a general partnership;

3. The managing partners of a limited partnership;

4. The officers of a corporation;

5. The managers of a limited liability company;

6. The officers or directors of an association; and

7. Individuals in other business entities recognized under the laws of the Commonwealth as having a fiduciary responsibility to the firm.

"Sole proprietor" means any individual, not a corporation, who is trading under that individual's own name or under an assumed or fictitious name pursuant to the provisions of §§ 59.1-69 through 59.1-76 of the Code of Virginia.

"Substantially equivalent exam" means an examination administered by the licensing entity that covers Virginia's scope of practice for that profession.

"Substantially equivalent training" means at least 80% of the required hours in Virginia and curriculum content covering Virginia's scope of practice for that profession.

"Virginia state institution" means any institution approved by the Virginia Department of Education or the Virginia Department of Corrections.

"Wet disinfection unit" is a container large enough to hold an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered disinfectant that is a bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal solution in which the objects to be disinfected are completely immersed.

After the compact begins issuing multistate licenses, an applicant must hold an active and unencumbered cosmetology license in Virginia and must meet the requirements for a multistate license under the compact in effect at the time of the application. To renew a multistate cosmetology license in Virginia, a licensee must comply with rules adopted by the commission in effect at the time of renewal. The applicant must also meet the requirements set forth in 18VAC41-20-20 A.

A. Any individual wishing to engage in instruction in barbering, master barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing must meet the following qualifications:

1. The applicant must be in good standing as a licensed barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician and instructor, respectively, in every jurisdiction where licensed, certified, or registered. The applicant must provide a copy to the board of any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions at the time of application for certification since being previously licensed as a barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician. This includes monetary penalties, fines, probation, suspensions, revocations, surrender of a license or certification in connection with a disciplinary action, or voluntary termination of a license or certification.

Upon review of the applicant's prior disciplinary action, the board, in its discretion, may deny certification to any applicant that the board deems unfit or unsuited to engage in the instruction of barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing;

2. The applicant must hold and maintain a current Virginia cosmetology license, multistate cosmetology license, a current Virginia barber, master barber, cosmetology, nail technician, or wax technician license, respectively;

3. The applicant must complete one of the following qualifications:

a. Pass a course in teaching techniques at the post-secondary educational level; or

b. Pass an instructor examination administered by the board or by a testing service acting on behalf of the board; and

4. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant must disclose all felony convictions in Virginia and all other jurisdictions since being previously licensed as a barber, master barber, cosmetologist, wax technician, or nail technician within 10 years of the date of application.

The board, in its discretion, may deny certification to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.

B. Certified instructors may teach in any profession in which they hold the underlying license.

The following fees apply. All fees are nonrefundable and will not be prorated.

A license or certificate issued under this chapter expires two years from the last day of the month in which it was issued. A multistate license expiration date will run concurrently with the Virginia license.

The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation will send a renewal notice to the licensee, Virginia multistate licensee, or certificate holder outlining the procedures for renewal. Failure to receive this notice, however, does not relieve the licensee, Virginia multistate licensee, or certificate holder of the obligation to renew.

A. When an individual who holds a license, Virginia multistate license, or certificate or a business entity fails to renew a license or certificate within 30 days following the expiration date, the licensee, multistate licensee, or certificate holder who intends to remain licensed or certified must pay the reinstatement fee.

B. When an individual who holds a license, multistate license issued by Virginia, or certificate or a business entity fails to renew a license or certification within two years following the expiration date, reinstatement is no longer possible. To resume practice:

1. The former licensee, Virginia multistate licensee, or certificate holder must apply for licensure, Virginia multistate licensure, or certification as a new applicant and must meet all current entry requirements for each respective license or certificate. An individual who holds an active multistate license in a member state is exempt from this requirement.

2. An individual previously licensed in Virginia for a minimum of three years must submit a new application and pass the required examination.

C. When a licensed school fails to renew its license within 30 days following the expiration date, the licensee must pay the reinstatement fee.

1. After 180 days, the school must submit a reinstatement application and provide (i) the reasons for failing to renew prior to the expiration date and (ii) a notarized statement that all students currently enrolled or seeking to enroll at the school have been notified in writing that the school's license has expired. All of these materials shall be called the application package. Reinstatement will be considered by the board if the school consents to and satisfactorily passes an inspection of the school. Pursuant to 18VAC41-20-130, upon receipt of the reinstatement fee, application package, and inspection results, the board may reinstate the school's license or require requalification.

2. If the reinstatement application package and reinstatement fee are not received by the board within six months following the expiration date of the school's license, the board will notify the testing service that prospective graduates of the unlicensed school are not acceptable candidates for the examination. Such notification will be sent to the school and must be displayed in a conspicuous manner by the school in an area that is accessible to the public. No student will be disqualified from taking the examination because the school was not licensed for a portion of the time the student attended if the school license is reinstated by the board.

D. The date a renewal fee is received by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, or its agent, will be used to determine whether the requirement for reinstatement of a license, Virginia multistate license, or certificate is applicable.

E. When a license or certificate is reinstated, the licensee or certificate holder will be assigned an expiration date two years from the date of the last day of the month of reinstatement.

F. When a Virginia multistate license is reinstated, the multistate license will be assigned an expiration date concurrent with the expiration date of the Virginia cosmetology license.

G. A licensee, Virginia multistate licensee, or certificate holder that reinstates a license, Virginia multistate license, or certificate will be regarded as having been continuously licensed or certified without interruption. Therefore, a licensee, Virginia multistate licensee, or certificate holder will be subject to the authority of the board for activities performed prior to reinstatement.

G. H. A licensee or certificate holder that fails to reinstate a license or certificate will be regarded as unlicensed or uncertified from the expiration date of the license or certificate forward. Nothing in this chapter divests the board of its authority to discipline a licensee, multistate licensee, or certificate holder for a violation of the law or regulations during the period of time for which the individual was licensed or certified.

A. The responsible management for each shop, salon, or school must ensure that all current licenses, multistate licenses, and certificates issued by the board are displayed in plain view of the public either in the reception area or at individual work stations of the shop, salon, or school. Duplicate licenses, multistate licenses, and certificates must be posted in a similar manner in every shop, salon, or school location where the regulant provides services.

B. The responsible management for each shop, salon, or school must ensure that no employee, licensee, student, or apprentice performs any service beyond the scope of practice for the applicable license.

C. All licensees, multistate licenses, certificate holders, and temporary license holders must operate under the name in which the license, certificate, or permit is issued.

D. Unless also licensed as a cosmetologist, a barber or master barber is required to hold a separate nail technician or wax technician license if performing nail care or waxing.

E. Proof of apprenticeship registration issued by the applicable agency of the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (VDWDA) must be displayed in plain view of the public either in the reception area or at individual work stations of the shop or salon. The apprentice sponsor must require each apprentice to wear a badge clearly indicating status as a VDWDA registered apprentice.

A. Sanitation and safety standards.

1. Any shop, salon, or school where barber, master barber, cosmetology, or nail or wax services are delivered to the public must be clean and sanitary at all times.

2. Mobile shops and salons must be stationary while providing services, and may not operate where prohibited by local ordinance.

3. Compliance with these rules does not confer compliance with other requirements set forth by federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations as they apply to business operation, physical construction and maintenance, safety, and public health.

4. Licensees and multistate licensees must take sufficient measures to prevent the transmission of communicable and infectious diseases and comply with the sanitation standards identified in this section and must ensure that all employees likewise comply.

B. Disinfection and storage of implements.

1. Each barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, and wax technician must have a wet disinfection unit at the individual's station and must meet the standards in the definition of wet disinfection requirements. A wet disinfection unit must have a cover to prevent contamination and any disinfection solutions must be used according to manufacturer's directions.

2. Disinfection of multiuse implements constructed of hard, nonporous materials, such as metal, glass, or plastic, that the manufacturer designed for use on more than one client, including clippers, scissors, combs, and nippers, is to be carried out in the following manner prior to servicing a client:

a. Remove all foreign matter from the object, utilizing a brush if needed. Drill bits are to be soaked in acetone and scrubbed with a wire brush to remove all foreign matter;

b. Wash thoroughly with hot water and soap;

c. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry thoroughly with a clean paper towel;

d. Fully immerse implements into wet disinfectant solution for a minimum of 10 minutes; and

e. After immersion, rinse articles, dry thoroughly with a clean paper towel, and store in a clean, predisinfected, and dry cabinet, drawer, or sealed covered container, or leave instruments in a wet disinfection unit used according to manufacturer's directions.

3. Single-use items designed by the manufacturer for use on no more than one client should be discarded immediately after use on each individual client, including powder puffs, lip color, cheek color, sponges, styptic pencils, nail care implements, or disposable razors. The disinfection and reuse of these items is not permitted and the use of single-use items on more than one client is prohibited.

4. For the purpose of recharging, rechargeable clippers may be stored in an area other than in a closed cabinet or container. This area must be clean and the cutting edges of any clippers are to be disinfected.

5. Electrical clipper blades must be disinfected before and after each use. If the clipper blade cannot be removed, the use of a spray or foam used according to the manufacturer's instructions will be acceptable, provided that the disinfectant is an EPA-registered disinfectant that is bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal, and that the entire handle is also disinfected by wiping with the disinfectant solution.

6. All wax pots must be cleaned and disinfected with an EPA-registered disinfectant that is bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal and with no sticks left standing in the wax at any time. The area immediately surrounding the wax pot must be clean and free of clutter, waste materials, spills, and any other items that may pose a hazard.

7. Foot tubs, whirlpool units, air-jetted basins, pipe-less units, and non-whirlpool basins used in the performance of nail care must be maintained in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations. They must be cleaned and disinfected immediately after each client in the following manner:

a. Drain all water and remove all debris;

b. Clean the surfaces and walls with soap or detergent to remove all visible debris, oils, and product residue and then rinse with water;

c. Disinfect with an EPA-registered disinfectant that is bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal in accordance with manufacturer directions for pedicure units; and

d. Wipe dry with a clean towel.

C. General sanitation and safety requirements.

1. Service chairs, wash basins, sinks, bowls, workstations and workstands, and back bars as necessitated by the services performed, must be clean;

2. The floor surface in all work areas must be of a washable surface other than carpet;

3. All furniture, fixtures, walls, floors, windows, and ceilings must be clean and in good repair and free of water seepage and dirt. Any mats must be secured or must lie flat;

4. A fully functional bathroom in the same building with a working toilet and sink must be available for clients. There must be hot and cold running water. Fixtures must be in good condition. The bathroom must be lighted and sufficiently ventilated. There must be soap and clean single-use towels or hand air-drying device for the client's use. Laundering of towels is allowed, space permitting. The bathroom must not be used as a work area or for the open storage of chemicals. For facilities newly occupied after January 1, 2017, the bathroom must be available for client use and must adhere to all sanitation requirements of this chapter;

5. Electrical cords must be placed to prevent entanglement by the client or licensee, and electrical outlets must be covered by plates;

6. All sharp tools, implements, and heat-producing appliances must be in safe working order at all times, safely stored, and placed so as to prevent any accidental injury to the client or licensee;

7. The salon area must be sufficiently ventilated to exhaust hazardous or objectionable airborne chemicals, and to allow the free flow of air; and

8. Adequate lighting must be provided.

D. Articles, tools, and products.

1. Clean towels, robes, or other linens must be used for each patron. Clean towels, robes, or other linens must be stored in a clean, predisinfected, and dry cabinet, drawer, or nonairtight covered container. Soiled towels, robes, or other linens must be stored in a container enclosed on all sides including the top, except if stored in a separate laundry room;

2. Whenever a haircloth is used, a clean towel or neck strip must be placed around the neck of the patron to prevent the haircloth from touching the skin;

3. Soiled implements must be removed from the tops of work stations immediately after use;

4. Any multiuse article, tool, or product that cannot be disinfected by full immersion as specified in subdivision B 2 of this section or cleaned according to manufacturer's recommendation, including natural hairbrushes or neck dusters, is prohibited from use;

5. Lotions, ointments, creams, and powders must be accurately labeled and kept in closed containers. A clean spatula, other clean tools, or clean disposable gloves must be used to remove bulk substances such as creams or ointments from jars. Sterile cotton or sponges must be used to apply creams, lotions, and powders. Cosmetic containers must be covered after each use;

6. For nail care, if a sanitary container is provided for a client, the sanitary container must be labeled and implements must be used solely for that specific client. Disinfection must be carried out in accordance with subdivisions B 1 and B 2 of this section;

7. No substance other than a sterile styptic powder or sterile liquid astringent approved for homeostasis and applied with a sterile single-use applicator must be used to check bleeding; and

8. Any disposable material making contact with blood or other body fluid must be double-bagged, labeled as a biohazard, and disposed of in a closed receptacle.

E. Chemical storage and emergency information.

1. Shops, salons, schools, and facilities must have in the immediate working area a binder with all Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provided by manufacturers for any chemical products used;

2. Shop, salons, schools, and facilities must have a blood spill clean-up kit in the work area that contains at minimum latex gloves, two 12-inch by 12-inch towels, one disposable trash bag, bleach, one empty spray bottle, and one mask with face shield or any Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approved blood spill clean-up kit;

3. Flammable chemicals must be labeled and stored in a nonflammable storage cabinet or a properly ventilated room; and

4. Chemicals that could interact in a hazardous manner (e.g., oxidizers, catalysts, and solvents) must be labeled and separated in storage.

F. Client health guidelines.

1. All employees providing client services must cleanse their hands with a soap product prior to providing services to each client. Licensees shall require that clients for nail care services must cleanse their hands immediately prior to the requested nail care service;

2. An artificial nail must only be applied to a healthy natural nail;

3. A nail drill or motorized instrument must be used on the artificial nail surface only;

4. No shop, salon, school, or facility providing cosmetology or nail care services will have on the premises cosmetic products containing hazardous substances that have been banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in cosmetic products;

5. No product will be used in a manner that is disapproved by the FDA; and

6. All regulated services must be performed in a facility that is in compliance with current local building and zoning codes.

G. In addition to any requirements set forth in this section, all licensees and temporary license holders must adhere to regulations and guidelines established by the Virginia Department of Health and the Occupational Safety and Health Compliance Division of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

H. All shops, salons, schools, and facilities must immediately report the results of any inspection of the shop, salon, or school by the Virginia Department of Health as required by § 54.1-705 of the Code of Virginia.

I. All shops, salons, schools, and facilities must maintain a self-inspection form on file to be updated on an annual basis, and kept for five years, so that it may be requested and reviewed by the board at its discretion.

The board may, in considering the totality of the circumstances, refuse to issue, renew, or reinstate any license, multistate license issued in Virginia, or certificate, or authorization to practice cosmetology through a multistate license; impose a monetary penalty; place a license or certificate on probation with such terms and conditions and for such time as the board may designate; suspend a license or certificate for a stated period of time; or revoke a license or certificate issued under the provisions of Chapter 7 (§ 54.1-700 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia and this chapter if it finds that the licensee, multistate licensee, certificate holder, temporary license holder, or applicant:

1. Is incompetent or negligent in practice or unable, as a result of any mental or physical condition, as those terms are generally understood in the profession, to skillfully and safely (i) practice as a barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician, or (ii) operate a shop, salon, or school;

2. Is convicted of fraud or deceit in the practice or teaching of barbering, master barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing, fails to teach the board-approved curriculum as provided for in this chapter, or fails to comply with 18VAC41-20-210 H when making an assessment of credit hours awarded;

3. Attempts to obtain, or has obtained, renewed, or reinstated a license, certificate, or temporary license, or multistate license issued in Virginia by false or fraudulent representation;

4. Violates, induces others to violate, or cooperates with others in violating, any of the provisions of this chapter or Chapter 7 (§ 54.1-700 et seq.) of Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia or any local ordinance or regulation governing standards of health and sanitation of the establishment in which any barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician may practice or offer to practice;

5. Offers, gives, or promises anything of value or benefit to any federal, state, or local employee for the purpose of influencing that employee to circumvent, in the performance of his duties, any federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance governing barbering, master barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing as defined in § 54.1-700 of the Code of Virginia;

6. Fails to respond to the board or any of its the board's agents or provides false, misleading, or incomplete information to an inquiry by the board or any of its the board's agents;

7. Fails or refuses to allow the board or any of its the board's agents to inspect during reasonable hours any licensed shop, salon, or school for compliance with provisions of Chapter 7 (§ 54.1-700 et seq.) or this chapter;

8. Fails to produce upon request or demand of the board or any of its the board's agents any document, book, record, or copy thereof in a licensee's, certificate holder's, temporary license holder's, applicant's, or responsible management's possession or maintained in accordance with this chapter;

9. Fails to notify the board of a change of name or address in writing within 30 days of the change for each and every license, certificate, or temporary license;

10. Makes any misrepresentation or publishes or causes to be published any advertisement that is false, deceptive, or misleading;

11. Fails to notify the board in writing within 30 days of a final action or disciplinary action taken against any license, registration, certificate or, temporary license, or authorization to practice cosmetology in a remote state in any jurisdiction by a local, state or national regulatory body;

12. Has been convicted or found guilty, regardless of the manner of adjudication in Virginia or any other jurisdiction of the United States, of any felony, there being no appeal pending therefrom or the time for appeal having elapsed. Review of convictions shall will be subject to the requirements of § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia;

13. Fails to inform the board in writing within 30 days of pleading guilty or nolo contendere or being convicted or found guilty regardless of adjudication of any convictions as stated in subdivision 12 of this section;

14. Allows, as responsible management of a shop or salon, a person who has not obtained a license, multistate license, or a temporary license to practice as a barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician unless the person is duly enrolled as a registered apprentice;

15. Allows, as responsible management of a school, a person who has not obtained an instructor certificate or a student instructor temporary license to practice as a barber, master barber, cosmetologist, nail technician, or wax technician instructor;

16. Fails to take sufficient measures to prevent transmission of communicable or infectious diseases or fails to comply with sanitary requirements provided for in this chapter or any local, state, or federal law or regulation governing the standards of health and sanitation for the practices of barbering, master barbering, cosmetology, nail care, or waxing, or the operation of barbershops, cosmetology salons, nail salons, or waxing salons; or

17. Fails to comply with all procedures established by the board and the testing service with regard to conduct at any board examination.

Barber or Master Barber Instructor Examination and License Application, A450-1301_EXLIC-v22 (rev. 12/2025)

Nail Technician Instructor Examination and License Application, A450-1206_07EXLIC-v23 (rev. 12/2025)

Wax Technician Instructor Examination and License Application, A450-1214_15EXLIC-v22 (rev. 12/2025)

Cosmetology Instructor Examination and License Application, A450-1201_04EXLIC-v25 (rev. 12/2025)

Temporary Permit Application, A450-1213TEMP-v3 (rev. 12/2021)

License by Endorsement Application, A450-1213END-v21 (rev. 12/2025)

Individuals – Reinstatement Application, A450-1213REI-v16 (rev. 8/2025)

Salon, Shop, Spa, and Parlor License and Reinstatement Application, A450-1213BUS-v20 (rev. 12/2025)

Salon, Shop, and Spa Self-Inspection Form, A450-1213_SSS_INSP-v2 (eff. 5/2016)

Instructor Certification Application, A450-1213INST-v22 (rev. 12/2025)

Student Instructor Temporary Permit Application, A450-1213ST_TEMP-v5 (rev. 12/2025)

School License Application, A450-1213SCHL-v24 (rev. 12/2025)

School Reinstatement Application, A450-1213SCHL-REIN-v13 (rev. 12/2025)

School Self-Inspection Form, A450-1213_SCH_INSP-v5 (eff. 1/2022)

Licensure Fee Notice, A450-1213FEE-v13 (rev. 8/2025)

Change of Responsible Management Application, A450-1213CRM-v6 (rev. 12/2021)

Training Substitution Form, A450-1213TR_SUB-v1 (rev. 10/2021)

Training Verification Form, A450-1213TR-vs1 (eff. 5/2022)

Experience Verification Form, A450-1213EXP-v2 (eff. 7/2022)

Barber-Cosmetology Universal License Application, A450-1213ULR-v3 (rev. 8/2025)

Change of Instructor Application, A450-1213SCI-v1 (eff. 12/2025)

Multistate Cosmetology Compact License Application