1. A. Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics or master esthetics must obtain a license in compliance with § 54.1-703 of the Code of Virginia and meet the following qualifications:

   1. 1. The applicant must be in good standing as a licensed esthetician or master esthetician in Virginia and all other jurisdictions where licensed, certified, or registered. The applicant must provide a copy of any disciplinary action taken in Virginia and all other jurisdictions to the board at the time of application for licensure. This includes monetary penalties, fines, probation, suspensions, revocations, surrender of a license in connection with a disciplinary action, or voluntary termination of a license.

      Upon review of an applicant's prior disciplinary action, the board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant who the board deems unfit or unsuited to engage in esthetics or master esthetics.

   2. 2. The applicant must disclose the applicant's physical address. A post office box may be provided as a secondary address.
   3. 3. The applicant must sign, as part of the application, a statement certifying that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia esthetics license laws and this chapter.

   4. 4. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant must disclose all felony convictions in Virginia and all other jurisdictions within 10 years of the date of application.

      The board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant in accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia.

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

2. B. Eligibility to sit for board-approved examination.

   1. 1. Training in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Any person completing one of the following programs is eligible for examination:

      1. a. An approved esthetics or master esthetics training program in a Virginia licensed esthetics or master esthetics school; or
      2. b. A registered apprenticeship.

   2. 2. Training outside of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

      1. a. Any person completing esthetics training or an apprenticeship 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 training to be eligible for examination. Applicants who have earned a degree from an institution outside the United States must have the degree translated, authenticated, and evaluated by an education evaluation service if the applicant is seeking credit for the education. The board, in its discretion, may decline to accept any evaluation submitted by an applicant.
      2. b. An applicant who has completed a training or apprenticeship program that is not substantially equivalent to Virginia's training must submit documentation acceptable to the board verifying three years of work experience. An applicant should provide a work history demonstrating three years of experience as a licensed esthetician or master esthetician in any other state or jurisdiction of the United States on a form provided by the board.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2007; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 8, February 1, 2017; Volume 38, Issue 4, eff. December 1, 2021; Volume 42, Issue 5, eff. December 1, 2025.