Barber, Cosmetology, Nail, Wax, Tattooing, Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing, and Master Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing Curriculum Requirements

The Board for Barbers and Cosmetology has approved new training hour and curriculum requirements for cosmetology, barber, master barber, dual barber/master barber, nail, waxing, tattooing, permanent cosmetic tattooing, and master permanent cosmetic tattooing programs. For more information on the new requirements, please see the memoranda below:

Schools cannot enroll new students without an approved program, and all programs must be submitted to the Board and approved before they can be taught.

Effective Jan. 5, 2026 (no changes to total course length, only hourly breakdown, topic, and/or performance requirements)
  • Tattooing
  • Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing
  • Master Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing
New Minimum Hours (Effective Dec. 1, 2025)
  • Cosmetology: 1,000 hours (no change to hours, only topics)
  • Barber: 750 hours (reduced from 1,100)
  • Master Barber: 250 hours (reduced from 400)
  • Dual Barber/Master Barber: 1,000 hours (reduced from 1,500)

Barber, Cosmetology, Wax, and Nail schools may keep enrolling students in current programs until November 30, 2025.
All students in current programs must finish by these dates for training to be accepted:

  • Cosmetology (enrolled prior to Sept. 1, 2024 - 1,500 hr): by Aug. 31, 2026
  • Cosmetology (enrolled on/after Sept. 1, 2024 - 1,000 hr minimum): by July 31, 2026
  • Barber (1,100 hr): by July 31, 2026
  • Master Barber (400 hr): by Feb. 28, 2026
  • Dual Barber/Master Barber (1,500 hr): by Aug. 31, 2026
  • Nail (current program): by Feb. 28, 2026
  • Waxing (current program): by Feb. 28, 2026

 

Tattooing, Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing, and Master Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing schools may keep enrolling students in current programs until January 4, 2026.
All students in current programs must finish by these dates for training to be accepted:

  • Tattooing: by Dec. 31, 2026
  • Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing: by June 30, 2026
  • Master Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing: by June 30, 2026

Barber, Cosmetology, Wax, and Nail schools must submit updated curriculum packets to the Board no later than March 1, 2026. Tattooing and Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing schools must submit updated curriculum packets to the Board no later than April 1, 2026. Failure to submit before that date will result in administrative termination. Schools must receive Board approval before offering any of the new curricula.

Effective December 1, 2025, the Instructor Program will no longer be a method of qualification for an instructor certificate. The Board will not approve any instructor programs moving forward. 

Key Deadlines for the Instructor Program

All licensed schools must adhere to the following mandatory deadlines for currently enrolled students:

  1. Schools with instructor programs currently approved by the Board may continue to enroll new students until November 30, 2025. Students enrolled on or before November 30, 2025, must complete the program no later than February 28, 2026.
  2.  Students enrolled in an instructor program on or after December 1, 2025, may not use the course work to qualify for an instructor certificate.
Status of Pending Applications

Any school with an application for a new or revised Instructor Program currently pending review with the Board will have that application canceled and will not be processed. All associated application fees received for these instructor program applications will be refunded in full.

Alternatives to Instructor Programs

Moving forward, schools must refer to the updated requirements for instructor qualifications outlined in the barber and cosmetology regulations and the esthetic regulations effective December 1, 2025. Students can now qualify for the instructor license through alternative pathways.

The Board for Barbers and Cosmetology is amending its Barbers and Cosmetology Regulations, 18VAC41-20 and Esthetics Regulations, 18 VAC 41-70. Several changes will take effect on December 1, 2025.

  1. Any change in instructors must be reported to the board within 30 days of the change, using the Change of Instructor form.
  2. Theory and practical training must be conducted in the same building, unless the school has board approval to offer the theory training online
  3. The cosmetology scope of practice has been revised, prohibiting cosmetologists from performing straight razor shaving, body treatments, and machine facials