Washington D.C. Board of Cosmetology License Requirements

Washington D.C. Board of Barber and Cosmetology License Information

Last Updated: December 27, 2012

In order to obtain a license in cosmetology, esthetics or nail technology in the state of Washington D.C., students must complete the requirements listed below from the Washington D.C. State Board of Cosmetology. When getting a Washington D.C. cosmetology license or other beauty practitioner certification, you must attend a licensed school and complete the state of Washington D.C.'s minimum required training hours and then take the state's cosmetology board exams. After finishing your training, you are required to pass a licensing exam issued by the Washington D.C. State Board of Cosmetology. Once you pass this exam, you will receive your Washington D.C. cosmetology license shortly thereafter. You're now able to work in the state of Washington D.C. Keep in mind, even though Washington D.C. only requires 6 hours of continuing education to renew licenses, you may wish to consider taking cosmetology continuing education hours in Washington D.C. annually to stay current on the latest trends. For specific questions, please contact the DC Board of Cosmetology directly for more information. The state of DC does not allow apprenticeship to get your training hours for some of the beauty profession licenses, see below. DC uses PSI for its cosmetology board exams, and you may take the exam in English, Spanish, Vietnamese or Korean.

Find Washington D.C. beauty schools that can help you obtain a license in cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology and other beauty professions in the State of Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. Board of Cosmetology License Requirements

District of Columbia Cosmetology License Renewal

Barber, esthetician, hairstylist and manicurist licenses expire on March 31 of even-numbered years. Cosmetologist licenses expire on April 30 every two years from the year the license was issued. Washington D.C. requires 6 cosmetology continuing education hours during the term of the license to renew. 

Cosmetology License Reciprocity (Transfer) in Washington D.C.

If applying for licensure by reciprocity in Washington D.C., the board requires the applicant to pay a reciprocity licensing fee, provide a letter showing that you have met and completed license requirements equivalent to Washington D.C. For licensure by endorsement, you must show that you passed similar or equivalent exams and have an active license from your home state.

DC State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information

Washington, DC State Board of Barber Cosmetology
1100 4th Street SW, Suite 3500
Washington, DC 20024
Board of Commission Phone Number: 202-442-4320
Fax Number: 202-698-4329
E-mail Address: SheldonJ.Brown@dc.gov

The Washington D.C. State Board of Cosmetology can help you with replacing a lost cosmetology license, updating change of name or change of address information, and acquiring out-of-state and other useful forms, as well as answer additional questions about obtaining a District of Columbia state cosmetology license.

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