A cosmetology school in Virginia Beach can prepare you for Virginia's 1,000-hour school route and licensing exams. Compare nearby beauty school programs, a public adult option in Suffolk, published prices and the classroom or hybrid formats listed below.
Virginia school requirement1,000 hours for the cosmetologist school route
Public adult tuitionPruden: $6,000 for four modules, excluding textbooks and supplies (Fall 2026-Winter 2027)
Virginia Beach scheduleBeauty Concepts: as little as 7 months full-time; just under a year part-time
Licensing examsNIC theory and practical exams, administered by Prov
Cosmetology programs around Virginia Beach
Compare local schools on DPOR's October 5, 2026 cosmetology list, with license expiry dates checked for this review. Regulator-linked rows identify listed curricula; ask each school for current admissions, and use the notes to check address or course differences.
Empire's Newport News cosmetology program teaches hair, skin and nail services, with supervised student salon practice and classes starting every three weeks.
Match the campus and license number against DPOR's cosmetology school list. Ask the beauty school which current curriculum your cosmetology classes will follow.
2
Choose your training route
Virginia accepts training in a licensed school or a completed registered apprenticeship, among other routes. DPOR's licensing summary explains the alternatives; an apprenticeship requires workplace training beyond any theory classes.
3
Complete your cosmetology training
The Virginia school route requires 1,000 hours. DPOR's curriculum notice sets transition deadlines for older courses, so ask how your start date affects the curriculum you must finish.
4
Take both licensing exams
DPOR names Prov as its exam vendor for NIC theory and practical testing. The board lists a $99 theory exam fee and a $95 practical exam fee, payable to Prov.
5
Finish the license application
Training alone does not authorize paid practice. Complete the application, submit the required license fee and meet the board's practitioner licensing requirements before offering cosmetology services.
Cosmetology employment and wage data for Hampton Roads
The latest BLS OEWS tables cover May 2025. For hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists (39-5012), the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro estimates report 2,060 jobs. BLS did not release wage estimates for this occupation in the metro. The Virginia statewide table reports 10,200 jobs but also leaves wages unpublished, so there is no current local or state wage figure to quote here. OEWS excludes self-employed workers, which limits what these figures show about salon owners and independent stylists. When you compare salon offers, ask how hourly pay, commissions, tips, product sales and any chair rental charges would affect your budget.
Empire's Virginia Beach campus says federal financial aid, grants and scholarships are available to those who qualify. Start with its financial aid office and FAFSA. Tomorrow's Image lists GI Bill and MyCAA options; confirm your benefit eligibility and the exact course's eligibility before relying on either. Through Virginia Career Works Hampton Roads, ask a career planner about WIOA training assistance and eligible providers. Funding depends on your situation and the selected program.
How long does cosmetology school take near Virginia Beach?
Virginia's school route requires 1,000 hours, but each hair school sets its attendance calendar. Beauty Concepts Academy publishes as little as seven months full-time or just under a year part-time. Compare weekly class hours, required clinic time and makeup policies. A published clock-hour total does not tell you the date you will graduate.
Is there a public adult cosmetology program in Hampton Roads?
Yes. Pruden's Fall 2026-Winter 2027 adult brochure lists a four-module cosmetology course in Suffolk, Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuition is $1,500 per module, or $6,000 for all four; books and supplies cost extra. The next published module starts January 4, 2027, after the fall registration window. New students can enter each module.
Which exams follow cosmetology school in Virginia?
DPOR's exam information identifies the NIC theory exam and NIC practical exam, with Prov handling testing. The listed fees are $99 for theory and $95 for practical. Ask your school when it will document your training and help you apply. Passing a classroom final is separate from passing the licensing exams and receiving your Virginia license.
Can I qualify through a cosmetology apprenticeship?
A completed registered apprenticeship is one route in DPOR's cosmetologist licensing summary. It is different from enrolling in a full school course. Pruden offers two cosmetology theory modules for registered apprentices, priced at $750 per module in its current adult brochure. Those classes supply theory instruction; they do not replace the separate workplace portion of an apprenticeship.
Does a cosmetologist license let me teach cosmetology?
Virginia has a separate instructor certificate. Under the instructor regulation, you must maintain the underlying practitioner license and qualify through a postsecondary teaching-techniques course or an instructor examination, among other requirements. DPOR's curriculum notice says instructor training programs stopped being a qualifying route on December 1, 2025. Check the current certificate rules before paying for instructor classes.