All states · West Virginia
Licensing in West Virginia
In West Virginia, beauty and barbers are licensed by the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, massage therapists by the Massage Therapy Licensure Board, contractors by the Contractor Licensing Board, electricians by the State Fire Marshal, and plumbers by the Division of Labor.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,800 hours | Annually, by January 1 |
| Barber | 1,200 hours (1,500 with chemicals) | Annually, by January 1 |
| Hair Stylist | 1,000 hours | Annually, by January 1 |
| Aesthetician | 600 hours | Annually, by January 1 |
| Nail Technician | 400 hours | Annually, by January 1 |
- Licenses are issued by the West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. You need an approved school, a diploma, a health certificate and the board exam (a national exam may be substituted).
- Barbers and cosmetologists can apprentice from age 16 under the direct supervision of a sponsor with 5+ years of experience.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage Therapist | 625 hours | MBLEx, NCBTMB or other approved | Every 2 years |
- Since July 1, 2023, the massage minimum rose from 500 to 625 hours.
| License | Issued by | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Board of Registered Professional Nurses | NCLEX-RN |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | State Board of Examiners for LPNs | NCLEX-PN |
| Certified Nurse AideCNA | OHFLAC registry | State exam |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification |
- West Virginia is in the Nurse Licensure Compact: multistate licenses are issued; a single-state license can be converted for $7.
| License | Issued by | When required |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor License — Residential | Contractor Licensing Board | Work of $5,000 or more |
| Contractor License — Commercial | Contractor Licensing Board | Work of $25,000 or more |
| Electrician | State Fire Marshal | State license |
| Plumber, HVAC Technician | Division of Labor | State certification |
- Contractor licenses come in classes: general building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, residential and specialty. Owners working on their own property do not need a license.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| LLC | West Virginia Secretary of State | Registration — file Articles of Organization (form LLD-1) online |
Your state requires an exam — we prepare you online
An exam-prep platform for Cosmetology, Barber, Esthetician and Nail Technician, as well as state law tests. Questions in the real exam format, a breakdown of every mistake, access from your phone and computer — study whenever it suits you.
Learn about the program- Tests in the real exam format
- An explanation for every answer
- Study materials in your personal account
- Study in Russian and English
West Virginia specifics
- Annual renewal. Beauty licenses renew by January 1 every year.
- Barber with chemicals — 1,500 hours. Without chemical services — 1,200.
- Apprenticeship from 16. Under a sponsor with 5+ years of experience.
- Massage — 625 hours. The minimum rose from 500 in 2023.
- Contractor thresholds. Residential from $5,000, commercial from $25,000.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license is valid here.
What professionals earn in West Virginia
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. BLS does not publish barber data for West Virginia.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours does a cosmetologist need?
1,800 hours at an approved school, then the board exam.
How many hours does a barber need?
1,200 hours, or 1,500 to work with chemicals.
When does a contractor need a license?
Residential work from $5,000, commercial from $25,000.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in West Virginia?
Yes. West Virginia is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
*Current as of September 30, 2026. The information on this page is not official and is for general reference only. Requirements are set by state and local authorities and may change — always check the official websites: West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, West Virginia Code, West Virginia Board of Registered Professional Nurses, West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board, West Virginia Division of Labor, West Virginia Secretary of State. Wage data — BLS.