Moving or planning to work outside of Virginia with a VA Nail License?
If you move out of state after obtaining your Nail Technician license in Virginia, you will also have to transfer your nail license into the state you move to. Virginia is currently a NIC recognized state to transfer into many US boards. Nail Techs can be multiple state licensed, especially convenient for those living on the state borders of Virginia. For those doing nail care on military base salons, a nail license from any state will allow you to sell services on any base (check for verification).
Each state has their own regulations on how they will accept a Virginia Nail Technician license for transfer into their state by "reciprocity" or "endorsement".
You can continue to pay your Virginia license fee renewal to become licensed in multiple states. You don't have to live in Virginia to have a Nail License and it would be handy if you ever came back to Virginia.
The information below was updated as of early 2025
Some or all of the following is required to transfer a Virginia Nail Technician License into another state:
- pay a license fee
- a school transcript or certificate
- certification request form ($35 fee from DPOR)
- statement of experience from former employers, co-workers or clients with exact dates
- tax return showing employment or business as nail technician
- obtain more education hours in a licensed school in the state you move into and/or proof of working hours in a licensed salon
- details of any violations with a state career license, misdemeanors and felonies
- criminal form notarized from their state or other states
- taking a specific HIV or other type of specific state required training not required in Virginia
- taking the state's regulation exam in the state you move into (Virginia is national as of Jan 2017)
- Processing time can take 30 days or more after they receive the required documentsuris.
- One Notarized transcripts from us for our grads will cost $75 (non notarized is $25)
Transcripts are sent to you USPS Priority mail in a security sealed envelope
2026 UPDATED COMPACT MAP LINK
Form to send your Certificate of licensure to another state $40 fee
Order your Certificate of licensure
MyVirginia, powered by PayIt, is a third-party provider that offers a quick and easy way to request certification of an individual or business license issued by DPOR. The fee for licensure certification requests is $40 for up to two copies
Are you moving to VA?
Virginia is among the ten states that have enacted legislation to join the Cosmetology Compact, which will establish license reciprocity among states in the compact and reduce the barriers for eligible nail technicians in early 2026
VA Licensed & Moving?
VA Licensed & Email Changed?
Is your VA salon in compliance?
Request a Transcript from us:
Moving to Virginia?
DPOR
(804) 367-8509
BCHOPLicensing@dpor.virginia.gov
Renewal every 2 years $105 no CEU
How do I transfer my license from another state to Virginia?
To obtain a license in Virginia based on holding a current valid license in another state, you must submit an Endorsement Application. Examination requirements for licensure by endorsement are based on examinations previously completed in other states.
To apply: (1) submit a completed Endorsement Application and application fee,
https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/sites/default/files/boards/BarberCosmo/A450-1213END_pdf.pdf
and (2) request the licensing authority in the state where you are currently licensed to mail a Certification of Licensure to the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology. However, if you originally obtained licensure in a jurisdiction other than the state where you currently hold a license, the Certification of Licensure should come from the original jurisdiction where you completed your training and exams.
Please refer to the Virginia regulations for the hours of instruction and training required to qualify for licensure. If you completed less than 80% of the required hours to qualify for your current license from another state, you are not eligible for licensure by endorsement. For more information, refer to the Board's guidance document on Endorsement Education Requirements.
DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology
(202) 442-4320
licensing@dcopla.com
Renewal in odd years $110
Easy transfer by paying $99 and filling out the form with your license and getting a VA certificate
Maryland Board of Cosmetologist
(410) 230-6190
licensing@dcopla.com
Renewal $11 with 6 hours of CEU
You will need 6 months of Virginia nail work experience or 100 more hours in a MD beauty school. (proof by a w2, employer letter or tax return self employed in VA)
North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art
(919) 736-6123
nccosmo@nccosmeticarts.com
Renewal $20 with recommendation of 1 CEU
Easy transfer by paying $35 and filling out the form with your license with a VA Certificate of Licensure
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
(850) 487-1395
Contact Form
Military affiliation link, Need about 30 additional training hours in Florida beauty school (each FL school will vary to offer this), HIV/AIDS training course, a VA Certificate of Licensure with fees
Georgia Board of Barber & Cosmetologist
(304) 558-2924
wvbbc@wv.gov
Renewal $35 yearly in Jan
Easy transfer by paying $100 and filling out the form with your license with a VA Certificate of Licensure
Pennsylvania Board of Barber & Cosmetologist
(833) 367-2768
St-COSMETOLOGY@pa.gov
Renewal $97 biennial
Transfer after 2 years of being licensed in Virginia with proof of 2 years of work experience in Virginia
Georgia Board of Barber & Cosmetologist
(404) 424-9966
Contact Form Link
Renewal $45 Aug of odd years
Easy transfer by paying $75 and filling out the form with your license with a VA Certificate of Licensure
Board of Cosmetology & Barbering
(617) 701-8792
Contact Form Link
Renew every 2 years $68
Transfer by paying $204 with school transcripts, VA Certificate of Licensure & criminal form
State Board of Cosmetology & Barber
(615) 741-2294
cosmetology.board@tn.gov
Renewal $60
Ohio Cosmetology & Barber Board
(614) 466-3834
ohiocos@ohio.cos.gov
Renewal $55 with 4 hours CEU
New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology & Hairstyling
(973) 504-6400
cosmoboard@dca.njoag.gov
Renewal $90 first year then $45 per year after
NYS Department of State Division of Licensing Services
CONTACT INFO
barber@dos.ny.gov
5 years of Virginia Licensed History with references
Louisiana Board of Cosmetology
(225) 756-3404
stephanie.ricard@la.gov
Submit form for approval with license information then pay fee when approved
South Carolina Board of Cosmetology
(803) 896-4588
boardinfo@llr.sc.gov
Submit form for approval with license information & pay fee
Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners
(866) 762-9432
cosbar@pr.mo.gov
Notorized affadavit from graduated school with additional 250 hours in a Missouri State Licensed School