Esthetics (skin care) training ยท Virginia Beach, VA
Esthetician School in Virginia Beach, VA
An esthetician school in Virginia Beach can prepare you for Virginia's basic skin care license, with master esthetics training available locally too. Compare licensed school listings, published costs and classroom or hybrid options across Hampton Roads.
Basic license training600 hours through a licensed Virginia school
Master license trainingVirginia esthetician license plus 600 additional school hours and exams
Published local tuitionChrysm basic esthetics: $11,350 tuition, plus $50 application fee
Licensing examsNIC theory and practical exams administered by Prov
Esthetics and master esthetics programs near Virginia Beach
Compare basic and master courses separately, since they prepare you for different licenses. Rows linked only to the October 2026 DPOR roster confirm the listed school and course type; ask about enrollment, and request any details left blank.
Unique's advanced training includes chemical peels, microdermabrasion, lymphatic drainage and treatment planning through online and practical learning.
Virginia's school route requires 600 hours for esthetician licensure; master esthetics requires an esthetician license and 600 more hours. Both levels require written and practical exams, according to DPOR's licensing summary.
2
Check the school license
Match the campus and course to the current DPOR esthetics roster. A basic esthetics school listing does not by itself establish that the school also has a master program.
3
Finish your required training
Complete the course required for your chosen credential. DPOR also lists registered apprenticeship routes for basic and master esthetics on its education and exams page; ask about an available sponsor before choosing that route.
4
Take both licensing exams
DPOR names Prov as its exam vendor and NIC as the exam system. Follow the board's testing instructions for the theory and practical exams for your license level.
5
Submit your license application
Training and exam completion are part of the process; you must also submit a license application and fee. Use the current DPOR requirements and wait for your license before offering services independently.
Skincare specialist jobs and pay in Hampton Roads
The latest BLS OEWS metro estimates, for May 2025, report 530 skincare specialist jobs (SOC 39-5094) in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC area. Median pay was $16.44 an hour, or $34,190 a year. The mean was $19.47 an hour, or $40,490 a year. These figures describe the occupation across the metro area. They do not separate basic estheticians from master estheticians or describe a new graduate's offer. When you compare jobs, ask how hourly pay, commissions, service sales and unpaid time affect the written compensation terms. Use the BLS figures as context for that discussion.
Esthetics tuition and ways to cover it
Chrysm's published tuition is $11,350 for basic esthetics and $11,550 for master esthetics, with a $50 application fee for each. Illuminate's undated price page lists $10,000 tuition per course, with textbooks and other charges separate. Ask for a complete written price before paying a deposit.
Chrysm lists Pell Grants, federal student loans, payment plans and MyCAA for qualifying students. Its current hybrid programs cannot accept VA benefits, according to its finance page. Centura's Chesapeake campus lists federal aid and VA education benefits; confirm eligibility for your course. You can also ask Virginia Career Works Hampton Roads about WIOA-funded training if you qualify and your selected provider and course are eligible.
What is the difference between esthetician and master esthetician training?
The Virginia school pathway starts with 600 hours for an esthetician license. To qualify as a master esthetician, you need a Virginia esthetician license and another 600 hours of school training, plus the required written and practical exams. DPOR's requirements summary separates the two credentials, so check which level a school's advertised course prepares you to pursue.
Can I attend an esthetics school through hybrid classes?
Several local schools publish hybrid courses with campus practice. Unique School of Aesthetics combines online theory with in-person practical hours. That means you still need to plan for attendance at its Virginia Beach location. Ask for the weekly calendar, how the school records online hours, and the requirements for making up missed practical work.
Do I need a separate waxing license after esthetics school?
Wax technician is a separate Virginia license category, but a licensed esthetician can provide waxing within that license's scope. DPOR says waxing services may be performed by a wax technician, cosmetologist or esthetician. Check the board's waxing FAQ before choosing a course solely for hair removal, and ask which license the course prepares you to obtain.
Which exams do Virginia estheticians take?
DPOR identifies the NIC theory and practical exams and names Prov as the testing vendor. Its exam information lists $99 for theory and $95 for practical testing. Basic and master applicants should use the instructions for their own credential. Ask the school which exam preparation and kit supplies are included in tuition and which you must buy separately.
Are all listed skin care programs taking new students now?
Check both the school license and the next class date before paying. Chrysm's schedule lists January 25, 2027 for basic esthetics and February 22, 2027 for master esthetics. Other entries linked only to the DPOR roster confirm a listed program, with intake details still to check. Request a confirmed start, attendance plan and refund terms from each school.