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West Virginia beauty licenses
2026 requirements.

All West Virginia beauty licenses in one place. WV uses NIC exams via D.L. Roope — three exams on the same day: NIC written, WV State Law exam, and practical. 4 hours CE required annually. Annual December 31 renewal with January reopening. TB test required with application. No reciprocity from California.

4
License types
NIC
Exam vendor
Board-verified
Data source
May '26
Verified

West Virginia · Cosmetology

Cosmetology license — 2026.

1,800 hours at a Board-approved school. Three exams via D.L. Roope on the same day: NIC written (90 min), WV State Law exam (30 min), and practical. $99 exam fee + $35 license. Annual renewal December 31 · January renewal window. 4 hours CE required annually. TB test required. Temporary work permit available.

At a glance
Training hours
1,800
Board-approved school
Exam + license
$134
$99 exam + $35 license fee
Exams
3 in 1 day
NIC written + WV Law + practical
Renewal
Annual · Jan
Dec 31 expiry · $35 · 4 hrs CE
West Virginia uses the NIC national exam via D.L. Roope — NICPrep is a direct fit for the NIC portion

West Virginia uses NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations administered by D.L. Roope Administrations (dlroope.com · 888-375-2020). NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB — a direct-fit study resource for the written portion. The WV State Law exam (30 min) covers West Virginia-specific regulations — NICPrep does not cover state law content, but covers all NIC theory domains.

THREE exams same day — NIC written + WV State Law + practical · TB test required

West Virginia requires all three exams to be taken on the same day through D.L. Roope: (1) NIC Theory written exam (90 min), (2) West Virginia State Law Exam (30 min, administered immediately after written), and (3) Practical exam. Results forwarded directly by D.L. Roope to the Board. A TB test less than one year old must be submitted with your license application. Temporary work permit available while waiting for exam results.

The West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists (1201 Dunbar Ave, Dunbar WV 25064 · 304-558-2924) regulates all beauty licenses in West Virginia. Exam registration: D.L. Roope Administrations (dlroope.com). Register online or through your school. All licenses expire December 31 annually and must be renewed in January.

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

Step-by-step: how to get licensed

  1. Complete 1,800 hours at a Board-approved cosmetology school

    Register for exams through D.L. Roope (dlroope.com or your school). Apply for a temporary work permit ($15) while awaiting exam results.

  2. Register with D.L. Roope and schedule your exam date in Charleston, WV

    All exams held in Charleston. $99 exam fee. Bring full supply kit and mannequin. Register online at dlroope.com or call 888-375-2020.

  3. Pass all three exams on exam day: NIC theory (90 min) + WV State Law (30 min) + practical

    All three taken the same day. D.L. Roope forwards results to the Board. Exams include cosmetology written, WV law exam, and hands-on practical with mannequin.

  4. Submit Application for Registration with $35 license fee + TB test + documentation

    Include TB test (less than 1 year old), transcripts, and exam results. $35 license fee. Annual renewal December 31 / January window. 4 hrs CE required annually.

🇪🇸 NICPrep's cosmetology prep is also available in Spanish.

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Cosmetology exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,099 cards: Sci · Hair · Skin · Nail. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,099 cards: Sci · Hair · Skin · Nail
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
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West Virginia · Esthetics

Esthetics license — 2026.

600 hours at a Board-approved school. Same three-exam structure via D.L. Roope: NIC esthetics written + WV State Law + practical — all same day in Charleston. $99 exam + $35 license. Annual renewal January. 4 hours CE annually. TB test required.

At a glance
Training hours
600
Board-approved school
Exam + license
$134
$99 exam + $35 license fee
Exams
3 in 1 day
NIC written + WV Law + practical
Renewal
Annual · Jan
Dec 31 expiry · $35 · 4 hrs CE
West Virginia uses the NIC esthetics exam via D.L. Roope — NICPrep is a direct fit for the NIC portion

West Virginia uses NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations via D.L. Roope. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — a direct-fit study resource for the written portion. WV State Law exam also required same day.

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

Step-by-step: how to get licensed

  1. Complete 600 hours at a Board-approved esthetics school

    TB test (less than 1 year old) required. Register with D.L. Roope online or through your school.

  2. Schedule exam date in Charleston via D.L. Roope · $99 exam fee

    dlroope.com or call 888-375-2020. Bring full esthetics kit.

  3. Pass all three exams same day: NIC esthetics written + WV State Law + practical

    D.L. Roope forwards results to the Board.

  4. Submit application with $35 license fee + TB test

    Annual renewal January. $35 renewal fee. 4 hrs CE required annually.

🇰🇷 NICPrep's esthetics prep is also available in Korean — coming soon.

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Esthetics exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,100 cards: Sci · Skin. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,100 cards: Sci · Skin
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
↑ Back to top

West Virginia · Barber

Barber license — 2026.

1,200 hours at a Board-approved barber school. Same three-exam structure via D.L. Roope. Barber apprenticeship available: 5+ years experience under a licensed barber who has owned their shop for at least 5 years. Annual renewal January. 4 hours CE annually. $35 renewal fee. TB test required.

At a glance
Training hours
1,200
Or apprenticeship under shop owner
Exam + license
$134
$99 exam + $35 license
Exams
3 in 1 day
NIC Barber + WV Law + practical
Renewal
Annual · Jan
Dec 31 expiry · $35 · 4 hrs CE
West Virginia uses the NIC barber exam via D.L. Roope — NICPrep is a direct fit for the NIC portion

West Virginia uses NIC Barber Styling Theory and Practical Examinations via D.L. Roope. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — a direct-fit study resource. Barber Stylist written exam (90 min) + WV State Law exam + practical — all same day. Barber 1 (No Chemical) option also available.

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

Step-by-step: how to get licensed

  1. Complete 1,200 hours at a Board-approved barber school (or apprenticeship)

    Apprenticeship: under a licensed barber who has owned their shop for at least 5 years. TB test required.

  2. Register with D.L. Roope and schedule exam in Charleston · $99 exam fee

    Bring mannequin and full barber kit. dlroope.com or 888-375-2020.

  3. Pass all three exams same day: NIC Barber Styling + WV State Law + practical

    D.L. Roope forwards results directly to the Board.

  4. Submit Application for Registration with $35 license fee + TB test

    Annual renewal January. $35 renewal fee. 4 hrs CE annually.

🇪🇸 NICPrep's barber styling prep is also available in Spanish — coming soon.

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Barber Styling exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,100 cards: Sci · Hair · Implements · Facial. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,100 cards: Sci · Hair · Implements · Facial
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
↑ Back to top

West Virginia · Nail Technology

Nail technician license — 2026.

400 hours at a Board-approved school. Three exams via D.L. Roope: NIC nail technology written + WV State Law + practical — all same day. Nail technicians must pass a practical exam for reciprocity (even from NIC states). Annual renewal January. 4 hours CE annually. $35 renewal. TB test required.

At a glance
Training hours
400
Board-approved school
Exam + license
$134
$99 exam + $35 license
Exams
3 in 1 day
NIC Nail + WV Law + practical
Renewal
Annual · Jan
Dec 31 expiry · $35 · 4 hrs CE
West Virginia uses the NIC nail technology exam via D.L. Roope — NICPrep is a direct fit for the NIC portion

West Virginia uses NIC Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations via D.L. Roope. NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — a direct-fit study resource. Important: nail technicians must take and pass a practical exam for reciprocity even if transferring from a NIC state — more stringent than other license types.

Ready to start studying? See pricing below ↓

Step-by-step: how to get licensed

  1. Complete 400 hours at a Board-approved nail school

    TB test (less than 1 year old) required. Register via D.L. Roope. Programs typically 8–12 weeks.

  2. Schedule exam in Charleston via D.L. Roope · $99 exam fee

    Bring full nail kit, mannequin hand. dlroope.com or 888-375-2020.

  3. Pass all three exams same day: NIC Nail Technology + WV State Law + practical

    Results forwarded by D.L. Roope to the Board.

  4. Submit application with $35 license fee + TB test

    Annual renewal January. $35 renewal. 4 hrs CE annually.

🇻🇳 NICPrep's nail technology prep is also available in Vietnamese.

Practice tests

Practice Test

$39 one-time · lifetime access

Full 10-test NIC Nail Technology exam simulation with instant rationales and per-domain breakdown.

  • 10 tests × 110 questions = 1,100 total
  • Every domain weighted to NIC percentages
  • Study mode + timed exam mode
  • Free 10-question preview · no signup
Flashcards

Flashcards

$19 one-time · lifetime access

1,100 cards across 9 NIC domains. Front: question. Back: answer plus full rationale.

  • 1,100 cards across 9 NIC domains
  • Front: question · Back: answer + rationale
  • Shuffle mode within each domain
  • Per-deck progress tracking
↑ Back to top

West Virginia · All license types

Rules that apply to every WV beauty license.

Three exams same day — NIC written + WV State Law + practical via D.L. Roope

All West Virginia beauty exams are administered by D.L. Roope Administrations (dlroope.com · 888-375-2020) and held in Charleston, WV. All three exams are taken on the same day: (1) NIC Theory written exam (90 min), (2) WV State Law Exam (30 min, administered immediately after written), and (3) Practical exam (up to 4 hours, with mannequin). $99 exam fee. D.L. Roope forwards results directly to the Board — candidates receive a result letter online after results are posted. Do not call D.L. Roope's office to ask when results will be posted.

Annual renewal — December 31 expiry · January window · 4 hours CE

All WV beauty licenses expire December 31 each year and must be renewed in January. Renewal fee: $35 for all beauty practitioner disciplines. 4 hours of CE from a Board-approved provider is required annually. Each CE credit equals one hour of instruction from a Board-approved provider. A $5 late penalty is added for the first 30 days late, and an additional $5 for every subsequent 30 days.

TB test required

A TB test less than one year old must accompany all new license applications. This is a West Virginia-specific requirement not common in most other states. Include proof of TB test with your application to the Board.

Reciprocity notes — no CA reciprocity · nail tech must pass practical

West Virginia does not accept reciprocity from California. Transfer applicants from NIC states must pass the WV State Law Exam. Transfer applicants from non-NIC states must have credentials reviewed case-by-case (takes longer). Nail technicians must take and pass a practical exam for reciprocity regardless of NIC state origin — stricter than other license types. Reciprocity applications require out-of-state board to send certification directly to WVBBC.

Official West Virginia licensing portal

Last verified May 2026 against D.L. Roope Administrations (dlroope.com) and West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists sources. Annual renewal (not biennial), 4 hrs CE, TB test, CA non-reciprocity, and nail tech practical exam for reciprocity confirmed from multiple WV Board sources. NICPrep is not affiliated with D.L. Roope, the WV Board, or the State of West Virginia.

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Next step

Study the NIC content WV tests via D.L. Roope.

West Virginia uses NIC exams via D.L. Roope — three exams same day including WV State Law. 4 hours CE annually. NICPrep covers the NIC written exam content.