What to Ask Before Choosing a Beauty School

A checklist of practical questions to bring to any school tour or info call.

Ask about total clock hours, weekly schedule options, and whether evening or weekend formats are available.

Ask about tuition, fees, kit costs, and any available payment options. Don't rely on third-party summaries — confirm directly with the provider.

Ask about exam preparation, the school's relationship to state board requirements, and how the school supports students through the licensing process.

Ask for the school’s license details and confirmation that the exact program is Board-approved. A familiar brand name, private certificate or advertising claim is not a substitute for checking current official records.

Review the written enrollment contract before signing. Ask about refund rules, withdrawal, leave of absence, missed hours, transfer credit and how progress is documented. Include commute, kit replacement and exam costs in your budget.

If a provider quotes completion or employment rates, ask for the reporting period, calculation method and source. Do not treat a statistic or a verbal placement promise as a guarantee for your own outcome.

Verify your Virginia training and licensing pathway

Virginia’s Board for Barbers and Cosmetology regulates beauty-profession licenses and school programs. Check the exact school, program approval, current curriculum, application route and exam instructions before paying a deposit. Training routes can differ by profession; a short course or private certificate is not the same as a state license.

For Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Williamsburg, compare commute time, weekly attendance, total costs and supervised practice. Availability is provider-specific; this site does not verify or guarantee an individual provider’s current openings.

Sources: Virginia DPOR and Virginia Administrative Code. Requirements can change; the Board and current regulations control. Provider schedules, fees, admissions and outcomes must be confirmed directly.