A nail tech school in Virginia Beach can teach manicures, pedicures and nail enhancements for Virginia licensure. Nearby Hampton Roads options include classroom and hybrid courses, with published training lengths and prices shown where available.
Virginia school minimum150 hours of nail technician training
School-specific lengthRudy & Kelly Nail Care: 185 hours
Published Norfolk priceNTECHVA: $4,520 program price
Exam formatWritten theory and practical exams; Prov administers NIC exams
Nail technician programs in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads
Use these listings to compare nail tech classes and the campus tied to each school license. A DPOR-only link confirms the roster's program listing, with enrollment and unpublished details to check directly; notes flag differences between school and roster addresses.
Find the campus on DPOR's nail school roster or its cosmetology school roster with a nail program listed. Confirm that your selected course leads to Virginia nail technician exam eligibility.
2
Complete the required hours
The school route requires 150 hours of training, according to DPOR's license guide. Some schools publish longer courses, so use your enrollment agreement to check the hours you must actually complete.
3
Prepare for both exams
Virginia requires written and practical nail technician exams. DPOR's exam section names Prov as the vendor for NIC testing; get the current candidate instructions and required practical supplies before scheduling.
4
Apply for your license
Submit the required license application and fee along with meeting the training and exam requirements. DPOR's current summary explains the school route and also recognizes a completed registered apprenticeship as another training pathway.
5
Check your service scope
A nail technician license does not authorize waxing. If you plan to add that service, review DPOR's waxing guidance and the separate license requirement before offering it to clients.
Nail technician wages around Virginia Beach
For May 2025, the latest BLS OEWS data for Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC list 790 manicurist and pedicurist jobs (SOC 39-5092). Median wages were $17.20 per hour and $35,770 per year. Mean wages were $18.90 per hour and $39,320 per year. These are area-wide occupational estimates, rather than a school's placement results or a promised starting wage. When considering salon work, request a clear explanation of base pay, commissions, tips and required supply purchases. Compare the written terms with the hours you expect to work, including time spent cleaning tools and preparing a station.
Nail school prices and payment options
NTECHVA's current course page lists a $4,520 program price and a payment plan with $350 down; some tools and home supplies cost extra. Rudy & Kelly's undated Nail Care page lists $2,960 tuition and $4,849.28 total with supplies, fees and sales tax. Get the full enrollment price for the year you will start.
How many hours does Virginia require for a nail technician license?
Virginia's licensed-school route requires 150 hours, followed by written and practical exams and the license application. A school can require additional instruction: Rudy & Kelly's Nail Care course publishes 185 hours. Compare the full course commitment in the school's agreement with DPOR's minimum licensing requirements before deciding which schedule you can finish.
Can I take nail tech classes online?
You can find hybrid courses that include online study and in-person skills practice. The Nail Juice Academy publishes a 150-hour, 15-week course with day and evening classes twice a week. Ask which sessions meet on campus, what equipment you need for remote work, and how the school tracks your training and completed practical procedures.
Who gives the Virginia nail technician exams?
Prov administers the NIC exams identified on DPOR's board page. Virginia nail technician applicants must pass written theory and practical testing. The board lists exam charges of $99 for theory and $95 for practical. Have the school explain how to apply, where you will test and whether your tuition includes preparation, exam fees or the supplies used during practical testing.
Can military spouses get help paying for nail training?
Virginia Beach Academy of Nails & Waxing says it participates in MyCAA for military spouses. NTECHVA also lists MyCAA support and directs military students to an education counselor and its admissions office. Confirm your personal eligibility, course approval and payment arrangements before enrollment. Ask how tools, exam supplies and any remaining balance will be paid.
Does a manicurist license let me offer waxing too?
A Virginia nail technician license covers nail care and does not authorize waxing, according to DPOR's FAQ. The board says a nail technician must also hold a wax technician license to provide waxing services. If you want to offer both, ask the school about its separate waxing course, that program's license and the additional training and exams involved.