Virginia is home to the pristine beach of Virginia Beach, the thrill of Busch Gardens, the splash of Water Country USA and the beauty of the area in general. It’s also an excellent choice to go to beauty school, since it’s home to numerous schools.
You must attend a school that is approved by your state to provide training in the discipline you want to practice. Check with the school and the state board to be sure that your program of study will prepare you for any applicable state licensure.
Overview of Cosmetology Schools and Curriculum in Virginia
Cosmetology schools in Virginia prepare students to do hair, makeup, nails and certain skincare services. The hair techniques such as coloring, cutting, styling and highlighting are all taught in the VA cosmetology school curriculum. Cosmetology colleges in the state not only educate their students on manicures, pedicures and various other beauty techniques, but they also teach students proper safety and sanitation when using the equipment and dealing with a client.
Cosmetologist Licensing in Virginia
According to Virginia’s Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), the Board of Barbers and Cosmetology licenses businesses as well as individuals in specialties such as barbering, nail care, esthetics and cosmetology. The DPOR states that a person may attend a State Department of Education-approved program and be eligible for the examination. The training includes 1,500 hours of training. If trained outside of the state of Virginia, an individual must successfully complete a 1,500-hour training program that is equivalent to one in Virginia. For those with less than 1,500 hours of training, a person needs to show some form of documentation such as a diploma to prove that he or she has completed a program equivalent to one in the state of VA. A person must also prove that he or she worked as a cosmetologist or barber for at least six months.
Job and Employment Outlook for Cosmetologists in Virginia
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) indicates that employment for hairdressers, cosmetologists and barbers is expected to grow 14 percent by 2020, which is average for most occupations. The BLS further states that a majority of the openings are the result of people leaving the industry – retiring and etc. Most cosmetologists work in salons or barbershops; however, many work part time and nearly half of all individuals in the industry were self-employed as 2010.
