How to Start a Hair Salon in Virginia (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Starting a hair salon in Virginia requires navigating two levels of licensing from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR): individual cosmetology licenses for every practitioner and a salon establishment license for the business location. Virginia requires 1,500 hours of cosmetology school training (or 3,000 hours of apprenticeship), plus passing both written and practical exams. The good news is there’s no continuing education requirement for renewal, and Virginia’s growing population creates steady demand for salon services. This guide covers every requirement from official Virginia sources.

Hair Salon Requirements in Virginia at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation	VA State Corporation Commission	$100	1-2 business days
Individual Cosmetology License	DPOR Board for Barbers & Cosmetology	$120 application	Up to 45 days review
Cosmetology Exam (Written)	PSI / Prometric	$99	Schedule after school
Cosmetology Exam (Practical)	PSI / Prometric	$95	Schedule after school
Salon Establishment License	DPOR Board for Barbers & Cosmetology	$220	Up to 45 days review
Local Business License (BPOL)	City/County Commissioner of Revenue	Varies by locality	Before opening
Sales Tax Registration	VA Department of Taxation	Free	Before first sale
General Liability Insurance	Private Carrier	~$40-$100/month	Before opening
Federal EIN	IRS	Free	Immediate (online)

How to Start a Hair Salon in Virginia (Step by Step)

Step 1: Get Your Cosmetology License

Virginia law prohibits anyone from practicing cosmetology without a valid license from the DPOR Board for Barbers and Cosmetology.

Education requirements:

Cosmetology school: 1,500 hours at a DPOR-approved school, OR
Apprenticeship: 3,000 hours under a licensed cosmetologist

Exam requirements:

Written exam: $99 – covers Virginia law, sanitation, and cosmetology theory
Practical exam: $95 – demonstrates hands-on skills
Both exams administered by PSI/Prometric at approved testing centers

License application: $120 (nonrefundable). Review takes up to 45 days. All fees are nonrefundable and will not be prorated.

Renewal: Every 2 years, $120 renewal fee. No continuing education is required for cosmetology license renewal in Virginia.

Step 2: Form Your Business Entity

Step 3: Secure Your Salon Location

Your salon space must meet DPOR standards including:

Adequate ventilation and lighting
Hot and cold running water at each workstation
Separate storage for clean and soiled items
Proper sanitation and disinfection supplies
Compliance with local zoning for commercial/salon use
Compliance with local building codes and fire safety

Step 4: Get Your Salon Establishment License

Apply for a salon establishment license from DPOR at dpor.virginia.gov.

Application fee: $220 (nonrefundable)
Renewal: $220 every 2 years
Review time: Up to 45 days
Applicants must disclose any felony convictions within the last 20 years or misdemeanor convictions within the last 2 years
A designated responsible management person must be identified for the salon

Step 5: Register for Taxes and Get Insurance

Sales tax: Hair salon services (cuts, color, styling) are taxable in Virginia. Register with the Department of Taxation for a Certificate of Registration. Combined rate: 5.3%-7%.

Retail product sales: Also taxable – if you sell shampoo, conditioner, or styling products, collect sales tax on those as well.

Insurance:

General liability insurance: $1M per occurrence recommended
Professional liability (malpractice): Covers claims from chemical burns, allergic reactions, or other service-related injuries
Workers’ comp: Required at 3+ employees
Property insurance: For salon equipment and inventory

Step 6: Ensure All Staff Are Licensed

Every cosmetologist, barber, nail technician, and wax technician working in your salon must hold their own valid Virginia license. It is illegal to practice without one. As the salon owner, you’re responsible for verifying that all practitioners maintain current licenses.

Cost to Start a Hair Salon in Virginia

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC Articles of Organization	$100	One-time SCC filing fee
Individual cosmetology license	$120	Application fee (per person)
Cosmetology exams	$194	Written ($99) + Practical ($95)
Salon establishment license	$220	DPOR application fee
Salon buildout/renovation	$10,000-$75,000	Stations, plumbing, flooring, etc.
Salon equipment	$5,000-$25,000	Chairs, dryers, wash stations, mirrors
Initial product inventory	$2,000-$8,000	Color, chemicals, retail products
General liability insurance	$500-$1,200/year	$1M/$2M coverage
Professional liability insurance	$200-$500/year	Covers service-related claims
Local business license (BPOL)	$50-$500	Varies by locality
SCC Annual Registration Fee	$50/year	Due in anniversary month

Estimated total startup cost: $18,000-$110,000+ (salon buildout and equipment are the largest expenses; licensing totals roughly $635 for the owner/one stylist)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What licenses do I need to open a hair salon in Virginia?

You need an individual cosmetology license ($120) and a salon establishment license ($220), both from DPOR. The individual license requires 1,500 hours of cosmetology school and passing written ($99) and practical ($95) exams. Every practitioner in your salon must also hold their own individual license.

How many hours of cosmetology school are required in Virginia?

Virginia requires 1,500 hours of cosmetology training at a DPOR-approved school. Alternatively, you can complete 3,000 hours of apprenticeship under a licensed cosmetologist. The Board has been considering reducing the requirement to 1,000 hours, but 1,500 hours remains the current standard.

Are salon services taxable in Virginia?

Yes. Hair salon services (cuts, color, styling, treatments) are subject to Virginia sales tax at the combined rate of 5.3%-7% depending on your locality. Retail product sales are also taxable. Register with the Department of Taxation before opening.

Do I need continuing education to renew my cosmetology license in Virginia?

No. Virginia does not require continuing education hours for cosmetology license renewal. Your license renews every 2 years for a $120 fee. The salon establishment license also renews every 2 years for $220.

How much does it cost to open a hair salon in Virginia?

Total startup costs range from $18,000 to $110,000+ depending on your buildout. Licensing for one stylist/owner totals about $635 (LLC + individual license + exams + salon license). The salon buildout ($10,000-$75,000), equipment ($5,000-$25,000), and initial inventory ($2,000-$8,000) make up the bulk.

Can I operate a salon from home in Virginia?

Potentially, but you must meet all DPOR salon standards and local zoning requirements. Many residential areas restrict commercial use. Check with your local zoning office first. The salon must still have proper sanitation, ventilation, equipment, and a salon establishment license regardless of location.

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About the Author

Robert Smith has run a licensed private investigation firm for 8 years from the Florida-Georgia state line - where he learned firsthand how wildly business licensing rules differ between states just miles apart. He personally researched requirements across all 50 states and D.C., reviewing hundreds of government sources over hundreds of hours to build guides he wished existed when he started. Not a lawyer or accountant - just a business owner who has done the research so you don't have to.

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