Your Complete Guide to Virginia’s 600-Hour Basic Esthetics Program: Weekly Schedules and Milestone Expectations

Embarking on a career in esthetics through Virginia’s 600-hour basic program is an exciting journey that transforms skincare enthusiasts into licensed professionals. Virginia requires completion of an esthetics training program from a licensed esthetic or cosmetology school consisting of a minimum of 600 hours to become a licensed esthetician. Understanding the weekly schedule breakdown and milestone expectations will help you navigate this comprehensive program successfully.

Virginia’s 600-Hour Esthetics Program Structure

Three to five months is the average length of time it takes to complete a 600-hour program, depending on whether you attend on a full-time or part-time basis. The curriculum is carefully structured to meet Virginia State Board requirements while providing practical, hands-on experience that prepares graduates for real-world success.

The esthetics curriculum consists of 600 hours and includes orientation and business topics (minimum of 25 hours), laws and regulations (minimum of 10 hours), and general sciences (minimum of 80 hours) covering bacteriology, infection control, and cosmetic chemistry.

Weekly Schedule Options and Expectations

Virginia esthetics schools offer flexible scheduling to accommodate different lifestyles and commitments. AVI offers flexible full-time and part-time schedules with day, evening, and weekend classes, with veteran students requiring all classes scheduled on campus for full-time study (minimum 22 hours/week).

Full-time students typically attend classes 5-6 days per week, completing their 600 hours in approximately 4-5 months. Part-time students may attend 2-3 days per week, extending their program completion to 6-8 months. AVI implements a rolling admission system where classes start on the second week of every month, with a flexible monthly enrollment system that lets students start their education on the first day of any month.

Key Milestone Expectations Throughout Your Program

Weeks 1-4: Foundation Building

Students begin with essential business practices, Virginia laws and regulations, and fundamental sciences. This phase establishes the theoretical groundwork necessary for advanced practical training.

Weeks 5-12: Core Esthetics Skills

The middle phase focuses on hands-on training in facial techniques, skin analysis, and product knowledge. Students perform consultations, cleansings and analysis of face and body with observation and weekly evaluations conducted.

Weeks 13-20: Advanced Techniques and Client Services

Students advance to more complex treatments, working with real clients under supervision. This phase builds confidence and refines technical skills essential for professional practice.

AVI Career Training: Excellence in Esthetics Education

Located in Tysons Corner, Fairfax County, AVI Career Training has been transforming beauty enthusiasts into skilled professionals for years, with over 30 years of experience in Basic Esthetics, Master Esthetics, and more. The school’s commitment to excellence is evident in their comprehensive approach to esthetics education.

AVI Career Training is accredited by the Council of Occupational Education (COE) and approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), with triple-accreditation including licensing by Virginia’s Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR).

Students seeking quality esthetics education will find that the Esthetician School Fairfax County, VA provides comprehensive training that goes beyond basic requirements. AVI proudly incorporates Dermalogica® and IMAGE Skincare® professional product trainings, along with exclusive workshops and guest sessions led by industry experts and celebrity artists.

Curriculum Highlights and Practical Training

The program prepares students to become professional estheticians, competent in all aspects of treating the skin, caring for clients, business theory and ethics, as well as manual and machine facial techniques, preparing them to pass the Virginia State Board examination.

AVI’s 600-hour esthetician program covers everything from basic skin analysis to advanced treatments like microdermabrasion and chemical peels, including training on advanced treatments that spas and medical esthetics practices are looking for when they hire.

Career Preparation and Industry Connections

AVI partners with an approved network of leading spas and salons across Northern Virginia to provide externship and career placement opportunities, helping students transition smoothly into professional roles. This network ensures graduates have access to employment opportunities immediately upon licensure.

Numerous positions are available for the licensed esthetician including resorts, local salons, the leisure and entertainment industries as well as working with Dermatologists. The average salary for Virginia estheticians is $37,130 per year or $17.85 per hour as of 2021, with salaries ranging from approximately $20,000 to $57,000 per year, dependent on experience, location, and services offered.

State Board Examination Preparation

Students must complete and pass both written and practical examinations for esthetician licensure. The fee is around $80-90 per exam, and students must pass both parts of the test to get their license.

Throughout the 600-hour program, students receive continuous preparation for state board examinations through regular assessments, practical evaluations, and comprehensive review sessions. Schools like AVI ensure their curriculum aligns with state board expectations, giving graduates confidence when taking their licensing examinations.

Financial Investment and Support

According to estheticianedu.org, the average cost of an esthetics program in Virginia is $7,296.00. However, Title IV Funding, Grants, Direct loans, Private organizations grants, GI Bill for Veterans, and other government approved educational help are all available to provide financial assistance for those who qualify.

Virginia’s 600-hour basic esthetics program represents a strategic investment in your future. With employment for Virginia estheticians projected to grow by 17% through 2028, there’s clear demand for qualified estheticians in the state. The comprehensive training, flexible scheduling options, and strong industry connections available through established schools like AVI Career Training position graduates for immediate success in this growing field.

Whether you choose full-time or part-time study, Virginia’s 600-hour basic esthetics program provides the foundation for a rewarding career in skincare and wellness. With proper preparation, dedication to your studies, and the right educational partner, you’ll be well-equipped to pass your state board examinations and begin your professional journey as a licensed esthetician.