Washington State Board of Cosmetology License Requirements

Washington Board of 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, students must complete the requirements listed below from the Washington State Board of Cosmetology. When getting a Washington cosmetology license or other beauty practitioner certification, you must attend a licensed school and complete the state of Washington'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 State Board of Cosmetology. Once you pass this exam, you will receive your Washington cosmetology license shortly thereafter. You're now able to work in the state of Washington. Keep in mind, even though Washington may not require continuing education to renew some licenses, you may wish to consider taking cosmetology continuing education hours in Washington annually to stay current on the latest trends. For specific questions, please contact the WA Board of Cosmetology directly for more information. The state of WA does allow apprenticeship to get your training hours for certain licenses. WA allows you to take the board exams in the English, Vietnamese or Spanish language. Some locations also allow the use of a dictionary for Russian, German or Polish languages.

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

Washington Board of Cosmetology License Requirements

• COSMETOLOGIST LICENSE: 1600 Hours (2000 Hours Apprenticeship)
• BARBER LICENSE: 1000 Hours (1200 Hours Apprenticeship)
• ESTHETICIAN LICENSE: 600 Hours (800 Hours Apprenticeship)
• NAIL TECHNICIAN LICENSE: 600 Hours (800 Hours Apprenticeship)
• PERMANENT MAKEUP ARTIST LICENSE: 18 Hours + Bloodborne Pathogens Certificate
• ELECTROLOGIST LICENSE: Contact Dept. of Health
• COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR LICENSE: Cosmetology License + 500 Hours
• MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSE: 500 Hours

Washington Cosmetology License Renewal

Cosmetology license renewal in Washington happens every 2 years on the date of license issuance. The cost to renew a beauty practitioner's license is $55 prior to expiration, or $110 if past expiration date. Cosmetology continuing education hours are not currently required to renew your license, but cosmetology CEUs are always recommended to stay current in the industry.

Cosmetology License Reciprocity (Transfer) in Washington

To transfer your cosmetology license to Washington, you must have a current license from your home state, must have taken a practical and written exam to get the license in the home state, send certification, application and a $50 transfer fee for each license.

WA State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information

State of Washington Dept. of Licensing, Cosmetology Licensing Program
PO Box 3857
Seattle, WA 98124
405 Black Lake Blvd SW
Olympia, WA 98502
Phone Number: 360-664-6626
Fax Number: 360-664-2550
E-mail Address: plss@dol.wa.gov

The Washington 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 Washington state cosmetology license.

Cosmetology Licensing Information for Other Nearby States:

• Oregon
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nevada
• California