Cosmetology Schools in Washington

What to Expect from a Cosmetology Program in Washington

The first step to becoming a cosmetologist in Washington state is to complete training. Cosmetology programs last for at least 1,600 hours, and your coursework will include both hands-on and theory learning. You should get the chance to try out your skills on mannequins and real people in addition to learning straight from your instructors.

Cosmetology schools in the state may only have a maximum of 20 students per teacher.

Washington requires all cosmetology schools to include, at a minimum, the following subjects:

• Artificial Hair
• Chemical Relaxing
• Chemical, Implement, and Electrical Appliance Safety and Storage
• Cleaning and Disinfecting
• Cultural Competency Regarding Textured Hair
• Esthetics: 100 hours
• Facial Hair Cutting and Trimming
• First Aid
• Hair Coloring and Bleaching
• Hair Cutting and Trimming
• Hair Styling
• Manicuring and Pedicuring: 100 hours
• Permanent Waving
• Relevant Diseases and Disorders
• Shampooing
• Theory of Cosmetology, including Business and Sciences

All subjects need to include information about all hair and skin types, including textured hair. Styling even includes right cosmetology school for you, you should consider more than whether a program is approved by the Board and includes all of the required classes. Check out things like the school's graduation rate, student reviews, and whether it is particularly well known for a subject you're interested in. Visiting the school to get an idea of its vibes is also a good idea.

Cosmetology Apprenticeships in Washington

Washington allows cosmetology apprenticeships. This on-the-job training includes 3,000 hands-on hours and 244 instructional hours. Your apprenticeship would take place in a salon under a licensed instructor, and you would be paid for your time.

If you want to go on the apprenticeship route, you need to contact the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). There, you'll be referred to an apprenticeship consultant, who can help you determine if this is the right route for you, complete your paperwork, and generally get started down this path.

Ultimately, you and your chosen salon both need to be approved by L&I and the Department of Licensing. Once that's occurred, you can begin your training. Passing your exam is still required.

You can transfer between your apprenticeship and a school, receiving credit based on what you've already completed.

How to Get Your Cosmetology License in Washington

To get your cosmetology license in Washington, you need to be at least 17 years old, complete cosmetology training, pass written and hands-on tests, submit an application, and pay a $35 license application fee. If you want to print your own license, you may do so for free. To have the Department print and mail your license, you need to pay a $5 fee.

Your application includes a Legal Background portion. Here, you disclose any details about disciplinary action against a professional license or legal violations from the past five years.

Washington State Cosmetology Exams

Washington changed its test vendors in 2026. Prov now administers the written and practical exams, so everything from registration through taking the tests goes through that company. Testing centers are located throughout the state: 10 are equipped for the written test, and eight are set up for the practical exam. When you register for your test, you pay the required fee of $169 for the written test and $119 for the hands-on one, and you need to pay for each retake as well.

If English isn't your first language, you may be able to take your tests in another language or use a word-to-word translation dictionary. You can request to borrow a dictionary in Russian, Afrikaans, Japanese, French, Arabic, Tagalog, German, or Hindi. If none of those is your language of origin, you can request one in a different language.

Washington uses exams from the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC). These are the most common cosmetology exams in the United States. You must take both tests at a Prov testing center. On the day of your tests, bring a photo ID and, for the practical test, an approved cosmetology kit. Otherwise, leave everything at home or in your vehicle. You may store some smaller items, like purses, at the facility. Exceptions may be made for pre-approved accommodations.

For the written cosmetology test, For the written exam, you can expect to take the Hair Design Theory test. It includes 110 questions, 100 of which are scored. They're broken down into these sections:

• Scientific Concepts:45%
• Hair Care and Services: 55%

The state uses the cosmetology Core Sections, Hair Removal – Eyebrows, and Manicure & Polish practical exams.

The Core sections are:

1. Work Area and Client Preparation, and Set Up of Supplies
2. Thermal Curling
3. Haircutting
4. Work Area and New Client Preparation, and Set Up of Supplies
5. Chemical Waving
6. Predisposition Test and Strand Test with Simulated Product
7. Highlighting with Foil, Virgin Application with Colored Simulated Product
8. Hair Color Retouch with Colored Simulated Product
9. Virgin Hair Relaxer (No Base) Application with Simulated, Colored Product
10. Blood Exposure Procedure

The eyebrow hair removal portion involves simulating hair removal using soft wax and tweezers, and the nail portion includes a manicure and polish application.

Washington Cosmetology Licensure Reciprocity

If you have an active cosmetology license in another jurisdiction, including a foreign country, you might be eligible for cosmetology licensure reciprocity. For this, you need to submit an application, along with a $60 fee, proof of having passed an approved exam, and evidence that your current license is in good standing. If everything checks out, you can get your Washington license. If not, speak with the Board for guidance.

Washington signed onto the Cosmetology Compact, which allows licenses to move between member states. This means that if you earn your license in another state that's part of the Compact, you can move to Washington without going through the rigmarole of applying for a Washington license. The state's Cosmetology Compact rules become effective on June 1, 2028.

Cosmetology Specialties in Washington

• Barber: 1,000 hours
• Esthetician: 750 hours
• Hair Braider: No license required
• Hair Design: 1,400 hours hours
• Makeup Artist: No license required
• Manicurist: 600 hours