Tuition, Costs & Program Timelines
Complete pricing for every NVLET program, including what’s covered, what’s paid separately, and how long each program takes.
The short answer: NVLET’s Fundamental Esthetics and Advanced Esthetics programs are each 600 hours with a total investment of $11,995, covering tuition, books, student kit, supplies, and registration. The Wax Technician program is 115 hours at $3,500 total. Paying in full 30 days before your start date reduces tuition by $500. G.I. Bill® and MyCAA benefits are accepted.
All programs at a glance
| Program | Hours | Total investment | Leads to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Esthetics | 600 | $11,995 | Virginia esthetician license |
| Advanced Esthetics | 600 | $11,995 | Virginia master esthetician license |
| Wax Technician | 115 | $3,500 | Virginia wax technician license |
Hour requirements for the esthetician and master esthetician licenses are set by the Commonwealth under 18VAC41-70. See our Virginia esthetician licensing guide for the full regulatory breakdown.
Fundamental Esthetics — 600 hours
The program that leads to a Virginia esthetician license. No prior training required.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $10,395 |
| Books & supplies | $1,500 |
| Registration fee (non-refundable) | $100 |
| Total investment | $11,995 |
What’s included
- Milady Foundations e-Textbook
- Milady Standard Esthetics e-Textbook
- CIMA digital course access
- Esthetics student kit
- Esthetics training mannequin head
- Virginia State Board kit
Schedule
Day course: Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
Cohorts run in both hybrid and in-person formats. Contact admissions for upcoming start dates.
Advanced Esthetics — 600 hours
The program that leads to a Virginia master esthetician license. Students must already hold an esthetician license or be enrolled in our Fundamental Esthetics program.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $10,395 |
| Books, student kit & supplies | $1,500 |
| Application fee (non-refundable, valid one year) | $100 |
| Total investment | $11,995 |
What’s included
- Milady Standard Esthetics e-Textbooks
- CIMA digital course access
- Master Esthetics student kit
- Esthetics training mannequin head
Prerequisites
- Completion of an esthetics program or a current esthetician license
- Meet DPOR license requirements
- Valid Virginia ID card or Social Security card
- 18 years or older, or parental consent
Schedule
Contact admissions for upcoming Advanced Esthetics start dates and format.
Wax Technician — 115 hours
A focused hybrid program for students who want to specialize in hair removal.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $3,000 |
| Books, student kit & supplies | $400 |
| Registration fee | $100 |
| Total investment | $3,500 |
What’s included
- CIMA digital course access
- Waxing student kit
Schedule
10 weeks at approximately 12 hours per week. In-person instruction is Thursdays, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, with the remaining coursework completed online through CIMA.
How long each program takes
| Program | Hours | In-person schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Esthetics (day course) | 600 | Monday–Wednesday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Advanced Esthetics | 600 | Contact admissions |
| Wax Technician | 115 | Thursdays, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (10 weeks) |
Program length varies by cohort and format. Hybrid cohorts run on a different calendar than in-person cohorts. Contact admissions for the exact schedule of the cohort you’re considering.
What the hybrid format means
All NVLET programs include a digital subscription to CIMA, an on-demand learning platform. Theory coursework, assignments, and tests are completed online through CIMA and our student portal, with assigned start and end dates. Practical training — the hands-on performance requirements the Commonwealth requires for licensure — is completed in person at our Stafford campus.
No esthetics license in Virginia can be earned entirely online. The practical performance minimums are hands-on by regulation.
Payment options
Payment in full — save $500
When full tuition is received 30 days before the course begins, you receive $500 off tuition.
Payment plans
Installment plans are available. Contact admissions for current terms and down payment requirements.
G.I. Bill®
We accept G.I. Bill® benefits for the in-person Fundamental Esthetics program only.
To use these benefits you’ll need to provide your Certificate of Eligibility (COE), date of birth, Social Security or filing number, and full name. If a dependent or spouse is using the benefits, documentation is required for both the veteran and the student.
Timing matters: students must enroll at least 2 months before the start date for benefits to be approved in time.
MyCAA
NoVa Laser & Esthetics Training is an approved MyCAA institution. The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance to eligible military spouses pursuing a license, certification, or associate’s degree.
MyCAA is eligible for all courses NVLET offers, not just Fundamental Esthetics.
Alumni referral
Alumni receive a $100 gift card once a referred student begins classes. Gift cards are picked up in person.
Costs paid separately to the state
Tuition covers your training, materials, and kit. The Virginia state board examination fee and your initial license application fee are paid directly to the Commonwealth and its testing vendor — they are not included in NVLET tuition. Current fees are published by the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology.
Want help figuring out what your program will actually cost?
Call 540-720-1444, request information, or book a campus tour. We’ll walk through payment plans, military benefits, and start dates for your situation — including whether transfer hours from another school may reduce your program length.
Frequently asked questions
How much does esthetician school cost at NVLET?
The Fundamental Esthetics program is $11,995 total: $10,395 tuition, $1,500 books and supplies, and a $100 registration fee. Paying in full 30 days before the start date reduces that by $500.
What does tuition include?
Your textbooks, CIMA digital course access, student kit, training mannequin head, and — for Fundamental Esthetics — the Virginia State Board kit. State examination and license application fees are paid separately to the Commonwealth.
Can I use my G.I. Bill® at NVLET?
Yes, for the in-person Fundamental Esthetics program. Enroll at least two months before your start date so benefits can be approved in time.
Does NVLET accept MyCAA?
Yes. NVLET is an approved MyCAA institution, and MyCAA applies to every course we offer. The scholarship provides up to $4,000 for eligible military spouses.
How many hours is esthetician school at NVLET?
Fundamental Esthetics is 600 hours and Advanced Esthetics is another 600 hours, each leading to a separate Virginia license. Wax Technician is 115 hours over 10 weeks.
Is the program online or in person?
Both. Theory is completed online through CIMA on assigned dates; practical training happens in person at our Stafford campus. Virginia requires the hands-on performance hours to be completed in person.
Do I have to pay for Fundamental and Advanced separately?
Yes. They are two separate 600-hour programs leading to two separate Virginia licenses, each with its own tuition.
Pricing is subject to change. Licensing hour requirements are set by the Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology under 18VAC41-70. G.I. Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.