Section 20. General requirements for a barber, cosmetologist, or nail technician license

Part II. Entry

A. In order to receive a license as a barber, cosmetologist, or nail technician, an applicant must meet the following qualifications:

1. The applicant shall be in good standing as a licensed barber, cosmetologist, or nail technician in every jurisdiction where licensed. The applicant shall disclose to the board at the time of application for licensure any disciplinary action taken in another jurisdiction in connection with the applicant's practice as a barber, cosmetologist, or nail technician. The applicant shall disclose to the board at the time of application for licensure whether he has been previously licensed in Virginia as a barber, cosmetologist, or nail technician.

2. The applicant shall disclose his physical address. A post office box is not acceptable.

3. The applicant shall sign, as part of the application, a statement certifying that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia barber and cosmetology license laws and the regulations of the board.

4. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, the applicant shall not have been convicted in any jurisdiction of a misdemeanor or felony which directly relates to the profession of barbering, cosmetology, or nail care. The board shall have the authority to determine, based upon all the information available, including the applicant's record of prior convictions, if the applicant is unfit or unsuited to engage in the profession of barbering, cosmetology, or nail care. The board will decide each case by taking into account the totality of the circumstances. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for the purposes of this section. The applicant shall provide a certified copy of a final order, decree or case decision by a court or regulatory agency with the lawful authority to issue such order, decree or case decision, and such copy shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such conviction. This record shall be forwarded by the applicant to the board within 10 days after all appeal rights have expired.

5. The applicant shall provide evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant has passed the board approved examination, administered either by the board or by independent examiners.

B. Eligibility to sit for board-approved examination.

1. Training in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Any person completing an approved barber, cosmetology, or nail technician training program in a Virginia licensed barber, cosmetology, or nail technician school, respectively, or a Virginia public school's barber, cosmetology, or nail technician program approved by the State Department of Education shall be eligible for examination.

2. Training outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia, but within the United States and its territories.

a. Any person completing a barber or cosmetology training program that is substantially equivalent to the Virginia program but is outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia must submit to the board documentation of the successful completion of 1,500 hours of training to be eligible for examination. If less than 1,500 hours of barber or cosmetology training was completed, an applicant must submit a certificate, diploma or other documentation acceptable to the board verifying the completion of a substantially equivalent barber or cosmetology course and documentation of six months of barber or cosmetology work experience in order to be eligible for examination.

b. Any person completing a nail technician training program that is substantially equivalent to the Virginia program but is outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia must submit to the board documentation of the successful completion of 150 hours of training to be eligible for examination. If less than 150 hours of nail technician training was completed, an applicant must submit a certificate, diploma or other documentation acceptable to the board verifying the completion of a substantially equivalent nail technician course and documentation of six months of nail technician work experience in order to be eligible for the nail technician examination.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.