Cosmetology schools in Virginia can prepare you for a career in nail salons, barbershops, spas, hair salons, or in your own esthetics business. In Virginia, the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology regulates businesses and individuals that engage in barbering, cosmetology, nail care, waxing, hair braiding and esthetics. To be licensed in the state, you must complete programs at Virginia schools in cosmetology with credits adding up to:
The amount of time to complete beauty programs at Virginia schools in cosmetology depends on several factors: the educational requirements of the school and specialty, and whether you attend on a full- or part-time basis. A comprehensive program at cosmetology schools in Virginia can be completed in two years or less, while a program for a nail technician or electrolysis specialist may only take six months.
Coursework may center around shampooing and styling techniques, sanitation regulations and procedures, skin care, make-up, retail training, customer relations, nail art, wraps, waxing, and marketing. The commonwealth also offers a reciprocity option for beauty specialists who have been licensed in another state and have completed formal training at the minimum hours required for licensing in Virginia.
Jobs for graduates of cosmetology schools in Virginia
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a mean annual 2009 salary of $24,650 for all personal care professions in Virginia. Barbers earned $29,930, or $14.39 an hour. Hairdressers and cosmetologists took home $29,620. Manicurists and pedicurists earned a mean annual wage of $22,540, while skin care specialists drew an annual salary of $30,080. The BLS reports the following number of employees in Virginia in 2009 in the cosmetology field as:
The BLS projects a 20 percent nationwide increase in jobs in the personal care sector, 2008-2018. Virginia schools in cosmetology can prepare you to take your place in this busy profession.
