State board exam guide · Checked November 1, 2026

Virginia cosmetology & esthetics state board exam

Virginia uses NIC's exams, given by Prov, with one difference: its written exams have 120 questions instead of NIC's usual 110, and about 9% of them cover Virginia law. Here are the hours, fees and test format, checked against the board's and Prov's own pages.

The exams at a glance

Cosmetology

License
Cosmetologist
School hours
1,000 hours
Written exam
120 questions, 90 minutes
Written pass mark
75%
Written exam fee
$99
Practical exam
NIC practical exam, given by Prov
Practical time
295 minutes
Practical exam fee
$95

Virginia cut cosmetology training from 1,500 to 1,000 hours for students who enrolled on or after September 1, 2024.

Esthetics

License
Esthetician
School hours
600 hours
Written exam
120 questions, 90 minutes
Written pass mark
75%
Written exam fee
$99
Practical exam
NIC practical exam, given by Prov
Practical time
151 minutes
Practical exam fee
$95

Board: Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (DPOR). Exams: Prov. Written exam languages: English, Spanish, Korean or Vietnamese. Fees are as of November 1, 2026; confirm them before you book.

What's on the written exam

Virginia's written exams use NIC's national outlines plus a Virginia law section, so the shares differ a little from other states.

Cosmetology

  • Scientific Concepts32%
  • Hair Care and Services41%
  • Skin Care and Services9%
  • Nail Care and Services9%
  • Virginia law9%

Esthetics

  • Scientific Concepts50%
  • Skin Care and Services41%
  • Virginia law9%

New esthetics outline? See what's on NIC's 2025 esthetics exam and what changed.

Good to know in Virginia

  • The Virginia law questions come from the board's regulations: Chapter 20 for cosmetologists and Chapter 70 for estheticians. Our practice tests follow NIC's national outlines and don't cover Virginia law, so read those chapters too.
  • You apply for the exam and the license in one application, online through Prov or on a paper form.
  • Master esthetician is a separate license, with its own written and practical exams.
  • Virginia has joined the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, which will let eligible cosmetologists practice in other member states. The compact's commission hopes to start it in early 2027.

Practice for the Virginia written exam

Slay the Board's questions follow NIC's national outlines, the ones Virginia's written exams are built on (they don't cover Virginia law). Start with a free practice test, or study 690 questions and timed exams weighted like the real one.

Free cosmetology practice test Free esthetics practice test

Or study questions by topic, or race the clock in today's free daily challenge: cosmetology or esthetics.

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Questions about the Virginia exam

Does Virginia use the NIC exam?

Virginia uses NIC's exams, given by Prov, with one difference: its written exams have 120 questions instead of NIC's usual 110, and about 9% of them cover Virginia law.

How many questions are on the Virginia cosmetology and esthetics written exams?

120 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, for both licenses. About 9% of the questions cover Virginia law.

What score do you need to pass the Virginia written exam?

75%, for both cosmetology and esthetics.

How much does the Virginia state board exam cost?

Prov charges $99 for the written exam and $95 for the practical, for cosmetology and esthetics alike. Fees as of November 1, 2026.

How many school hours do you need in Virginia?

1,000 hours for cosmetology and 600 hours for esthetics. Virginia cut cosmetology training from 1,500 to 1,000 hours for students who enrolled on or after September 1, 2024.

Sources

Checked on November 1, 2026. Fees and rules change, so check with the board or Prov before you book. Slay the Board isn't affiliated with NIC, Prov or any state board.

Other states

All state guides