Cosmetology Student FAQs

Written Test Locations

Practical Test Locations

To request a name change in the system, you must fax a clear copy of your photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.) and a copy of official documentation (Social Security card, birth certificate, marriage license, etc.) which shows the correct information to 425-774-0829 (fax).

The cover page MUST include:

• Your name
• Your address
• Your email
• Your Phone
• Your name as it is in the system NOW.
• What your name needs to be changed to.

Below is a list of some of the application methods that you can choose from. Please review the list and, while applying under our Non-School Candidate portal, select the option that best applies to you.

• Completed approved cosmetology training program in a Virginia licensed private or public school.
• Completed approved cosmetology training program equivalent to 1500 hours outside the state of Virginia.
• Completed a substantially equivalent cosmetology course (less than 1500 hours) and at least 6 months cosmetology work experience.
• Completed a Virginia apprenticeship program in Cosmetology.
• Cosmetology training obtained in any Virginia State Institution.
• Two years of Cosmetology experience in the United States Armed Forces.
• Previously licensed in the state of Virginia and past the reinstatement period.
• Endorsement by the State of Virginia Applicant.

All instructors must self-enroll through the "non-school candidate" application button on the home page of this website.

Any person who has completed the Virginia Apprentice Program in barbering, cosmetology, nail care or another Virginia State approved apprenticeship program is eligible to take their exams. The testing process is the same whether a person completes a State approved apprenticeship program or graduates from a State approved training program.

Go to www.cosmetologyvirginia.com and click on the "Non-School Candidate" link.

The testing process is outlined in the Candidate Information Bulletin.

If you are currently licensed in another state, please contact the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology directly at (804) 367-8509 or barbercosmo@dpor.virginia.gov. If you are not currently licensed in another state but obtained your training outside of Virginia (training for all professions, excluding Esthetics, must have been obtained within the United States and its territories) you must provide Ergometrics with documentation that verifies you have completed a training program that is substantially equivalent to the Virginia Program. Once your documentation is verified and approved, you will be eligible to take your exams.

Go to the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) website Online Services section, and you will find the process outlined there.

Please refer to the Candidate Information Bulletin for your career field.

Applications for Testing Accommodations will be considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To apply for accommodations for your exam(s), you must:

• Download the Request for Accommodations Form (Parts A, B, and C) here.
• Print the form.
• Fill out the form.
• Parts A and B are required. Part C is optional.
• Mail or fax the form to the address/fax number listed on the form.

NTN will notify you with the decision regarding the ADA accommodation request.

This process may take several weeks.

Do not schedule your test until you have NTN approval.

Exam fees are non-refundable.

You can request an exam reschedule up to seven (7) calendar days before your exam date. After this point, a schedule change is not allowed.

Submit your exam reschedule request by clicking on the "Contact Support" link at www.cosmetologyvirginia.com.

We do not accept rescheduling requests over the phone.

With a credit card, you can schedule your test instantly.

If you do not have a credit card, you can mail in a payment for a voucher.

To apply for a voucher, log onto your candidate account and click on the “Pay by Check” link. Print the voucher request form then mail it, with your money order or cashier's check, to the address listed.

Once your payment is received, a voucher number will be mailed to you. Schedule your tests and use the voucher number to pay.

Voucher purchases will take two(2) weeks to process.

Exam fees are non-refundable.

You can request an exam reschedule up to seven (7) calendar days before your exam date. After this point, a schedule change is not allowed.

Submit your exam reschedule request by clicking on the "Contact Support" link at www.cosmetologyvirginia.com.

We do not accept rescheduling requests over the phone.

All exams must be taken and passed within a year of the first scheduled testing attempt. If one or neither exam is completed (with a passing score) within a year of scheduling your exam(s), then it is required that you re-apply for the opportunity to test under the "Non-School Candidate" section of cosmetologyvirginia.com. Please follow all prompts there and resubmit paperwork as required (and listed in the account during sign-up).

Scanning and Uploading Documents

Upload Your Required Documents or mail them to National Testing Network

• Uploaded documents will be processed within 10 calendar days and you will be able to schedule your tests.
• Mailed documents will be processed within 10 calendar days after they are received, then you will be able to schedule your test.

Upload Documents to Your Account

• Scan documents into PDF Files
• PDF files or Acrobat Portable Document Format files are the only format cosmetologyvirginia.com will accept
• No other document formats can be uploaded

You can scan your documents into PDF files at any copy center.
The copy center can:

• Email the PDF documents to your email address
• Burn the PDF documents to a CD-ROM
• Copy the PDF documents to a thumb drive
• Or at the copy center, you can upload your documents to your NTN Account

Scanning Documents

• Black and White
• Resolution: no more than 200dpi (dots per inch)

Once you have your documents

• Save it on your computer

To upload your document(s)

• Log onto your account with your username and password
• Click on the “Upload Documents” link
• Choose the type of document (required)
• Click the "Upload Files" button
• Navigate to where you saved your document
• Click on your document
• Click on “Upload”
• You will see an image or icon of your document on the screen
• Repeat the process for additional documents

Your documents will be verified within 10 calendar days and you will be able to move forward in the process. Notification of your verified documents will be sent to you by email.

• Check your email frequently
• If you have a spam filter, allow emails from donotreply@nationaltestingnetwork.com
• Check your spam folder
• If there is an issue with your documents, you will be contacted by National Testing Network by email and surface mail

Mail your documents to National Testing Network

• Click the “Cover Sheet” button to print the required cover sheet
• The coversheet must be filled out completely and included with your documents or your documents will not be processed
• Mail all required documents to the address printed on the cover sheet
• Postage due documents will not be accepted

Your documents will be verified within 10 calendar days after they are received and you will be able to move forward in the process. Notification of your verified documents will be sent to you by email.

• Check your email frequently
• If you have a spam filter, allow emails from NoReply@nationaltestingnetwork.com.
• Check your spam folder
• If there is an issue with your documents, you will be contacted by National Testing Network by email and surface mail

Uploading a Photo

Upload a professional passport compliant 2" x 2" color photo taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance. It must meet the following requirements:

• Sized so that your head is approximately 1 inch from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• Taken in front of a plain white background
• Be a full-face view, directly facing the camera with a neutral facial expression
• Once you upload your photo, it will be verified by National Testing Network within 3 business days. You will not be able to schedule your test until the photo is verified.

Your photograph will be verified within 10 calendar days after it is received and you will be able to move forward in the process. Notification of your verified documents will be sent to you by email.

• Check your email frequently
• If you have a spam filter, allow emails from NoReply@nationaltestingnetwork.com
• Check your spam folder
• If there is an issue with your documents, you will be contacted by National Testing Network by email and surface mail

Any passport photo center can give you a digital copy of your photo, in the JPEG (.jpg) or PING (.png) format.
The photo center can:

• Email the picture file to your email address
• Burn the picture file to a CD-ROM
• Copy the picture file to a thumb drive

Picture Format

• In the JPEG (.jpg) or PING (.png) format
• 2" x 2" color photo

Once you have your digital Photo

• Save it on your computer

To upload your document(s)

• Log onto your account with your username and password
• Click on the “Upload Photograph” link
• Click the "Upload Photo" button
• Navigate to where you saved your photo
• Click on your photo
• Click on “Upload”
• You will see an image or icon of your picture on the screen
• Continue the process of scheduling your test

Mail Your Photo to National Testing Network

Mail a professional passport compliant 2" x 2" color photo taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance. It must meet the following requirements:

• Sized so that your head is approximately 1 inch from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• Taken in front of a plain white background
• Be a full-face view, directly facing the camera with a neutral facial expression
• Once you mail your photo, it will be verified by National Testing Network within 10 calendar days after it is received. NTN will notify you by email that you are able to schedule your test.

To mail your photograph to NTN

• Click the “Cover Sheet” button to print the required cover sheet
• The coversheet must be filled out completely and included with your photograph or your photograph will not be processed and you will not be able to schedule your test
• Attach your photo to the cover sheet
• Mail your photo to the address printed on the cover sheet
• Postage due documents will not be accepted

Your photograph will be verified within 10 calendar days after it is received and you will be able to move forward in the process. Notification of your verified documents will be sent to you by email.

• Check your email frequently
• If you have a spam filter, allow emails from NoReply@nationaltestingnetwork.com
• Check your spam folder
• If there is an issue with your documents, you will be contacted by National Testing Network by email and surface mail

The written exam is offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean for the following: barber, cosmetologist, esthetician, instructor, nail technician, and wax technician.

However, it is only offered in English for: master esthetician, body piercer, master permanent cosmetic tattooer, permanent cosmetic tattooer, and tattooer.

Also, please note that all practical exams (when required) are administered only in English.

NTN does not require advance notice to administer written exams in languages other than English. You will make your language selection on your scheduled exam day, before your exam begins. Once you confirm your choice, you will be required to take your entire written exam in the language you selected. You will not be able to change between languages during your exam.

See this PDF for more information...

Yes. All candidates must either wear a top with the sleeves ending at their elbows or be prepared to pull longer sleeves up to their elbows during the entire written examination.