Barbering Schools in Virginia
If you want to learn about becoming a barber in Virginia, you've come to the right place. Here, you can learn what to expect from a Virginia barber school or apprenticeship, how to earn your license, the state's estimated salary and job growth, and more.
Browse our directory of barbering schools in Virginia, or skip ahead to learn about the state's barbering licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Barbering Schools in Virginia
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3700 Candlers Mountain Road Unit 68
Lynchburg, VA 24502
Another Level Barbering and Cosmetology School – Accredited
Petersburg, VA 23803
Better Barbers Institute Of Barbering
Virginia Beach, VA 23453
Hair 4 U International Beauty & Barber College – Accredited
Hampton, VA 23663
Master’s Touch Barber School of Excellence – Accredited
Chesapeake, VA 23324
Miracle Beauty & Nails Academy – Accredited
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Naturally Yours Barber & Beauty Salon – Accredited
Chesterfield, VA 23235
Tomorrow's Image Barber & Beauty Academy of Virginia – Accredited
Newport News, VA 23608
You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
Barbering Schools Near Me
Check out the Barbering schools these cities in Virginia have to offer.
Cost of Barbering School Across VA
| Metro | Average Tuition |
|---|---|
| Norfolk / Portsmouth / Newport News | $17,081 |
| Roanoke / Lynchburg | $15,150 |
| Kingsport / Bristol | $13,600 |
| Richmond / Petersburg | $10,761 |
Comparing Program Costs in VA
| Cosmetology School Costs |
|---|
| Highest range: $18,975 - $22,400 |
| Lowest range: $15,549 - $18,975 |
| Average: $18,414 |
| Barbering School Costs |
| Highest range: $11,483 - $19,085 |
| Lowest range: $3,880 - $11,483 |
| Average: $14,035 |
How to Become a Barber in Virginia
- 1,100 education hours or 2,000 apprentice hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average salary for barbers in Virginia is $37,250.
- There is a predicted 13% job increase between 2020–2030 for barbers.
To become a barber in Virginia, you must complete a state-approved barber program and pass written and practical exams. All barbers in Virginia must also be licensed. To gain licensure, you need to:
While all applications are subject to criminal checks, having a record doesn't mean you'll be denied licensure. The board reviews applications on a case-by-case basis, but you must be honest.
Regulations state that you must declare all misdemeanor convictions that occurred within two years of your application, as well as all felony convictions that occurred within 20 years of your application.
What to Expect From a Barber Program in Virginia
Required to earn a barbering license
In Virginia, all barber programs must consist of at least 1,100 training hours. The exact topics covered by each barber school vary. Still, by law, they must cover the following topics within their curriculum:
Like individuals, all Virginia barber schools must apply for and maintain licenses.
Can I Apprentice as a Barber in Virginia?
Required to earn a barbering license
Yes, you can become a licensed barber in Virginia via a state-approved 2,000-hour apprenticeship program. All Virginia barber apprenticeships are organized and managed through the Department of Labor and Industry, and you must be at least 16 years old to apply.
Barber apprenticeships cover the same topics as barber schools. However, the training time is longer, at 2,000 hours over 18 months. In addition, for every year of your apprenticeship, at least 144 hours must be instructional because you can't get your license through on-the-job experience alone.
Apprentices learn a wide range of techniques and topics related to the job while working under the supervision of a licensed practitioner. Training is split into the following sections:
Apprentices must also complete a total of 370 service performances, split as follows:
All apprentices must take and pass the practical and written exams, just like other applicants.
Virginia Barber Licensing Requirements
Once you've completed your required training hours, you can apply for the written and practical exams. Both are administered by PSI Exams, and you can apply to take them online. The cost to take each exam is $86 separately or $172 when booked together.
On the day of each examination, arrive at least 30 minutes early and bring two forms of valid government-issued photo ID with you. At least one must be signed.
Written exam
The written exam can be taken in English, Korean, Spanish, or Vietnamese. It must be taken on a computer at one of PSI's Virginia exam centers.
It takes 90 minutes to complete the exam, which contains 60 questions, 50 of which are weighted and contribute to your final score. You must achieve a score of at least 75% to pass, and you'll get your result as soon as you complete the exam.
The test is split into the following topics:
Practical exam
The practical exam is held at set locations in Chesapeake, Springfield, Richmond, Lynchburg, and Roanoke. Details of each site are in the NIC exam bulletin. On the day of your practical exam, you should dress professionally, as you would when working in a shop. You are not allowed to have your name, school name, or shop name on your professional attire or kit.
The practical exam can be taken in English, Korean, Spanish, or Vietnamese, but all supplies must be labeled in English.
The test is split into the following topics:
If you fail either of your exams, you can retake them from the next day onward, though you must pay the full fee each time you retake.
ADA Accommodations
All PSI exam centers are equipped to provide reasonable ADA accommodations. Request yours by applying online. You may need to give a description of your disability and contact information to your relevant medical authority.
Virginia Barber License Reciprocity
If you've already completed barber training and gained your license in another state, you may be eligible for licensure in Virginia via endorsement.
To transfer your out-of-state license to Virginia, you must:
If your out-of-state license required at least 880 hours of training, you may be able to substitute five years of work experience within the United States for the remaining 220 hours. However, if your out-of-state license requires fewer than 880 hours, you will not be eligible for endorsement and must complete your Virginia barber license training and take the exams.
Barber Specialties in Virginia
If you want to level up your barber qualification, you can take the next step and apply to be a master barber. A dual barber/master barber license is also available, which covers both qualifications and takes 1,500 hours.
Master barber training requires 400 additional hours and covers the following topics:
Barber License Renewal in Virginia
License renewal period
Continuing education required
You must renew your barber license every two years by the last day of the month it was issued. Each renewal costs $90, rising to $105 on September 1, 2024.
There are currently no continuing education requirements to renew your license in Virginia. Still, staying on top of the latest trends and techniques is a good idea to ensure you can continue to offer excellent service and remain relevant in the industry.
Barber Salary and Projected Job Growth in Virginia
Average yearly salary for barbering in Virginia
The average salary for barbers in Virginia is $37,250 per year, or $17.91 per hour. The number of barber jobs in the state is expected to grow by 13% between 2020 and 2030, higher than the national average of 8%
Wages vary across the state, from a low of $23,260 to a high of $63,570. The highest-paying area is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, which has an average median salary of $31,200.
Contact the Virginia State Board of Barbering
- 9960 Mayland Drive, Richmond VA 23233
- Website: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
- Email: BarberCosmo@dpor.virginia.gov
- Call: 804-367-8590
- Fax: 866-245-9693