Washington DC License Requirements
Last Updated: April 25, 2017
With the growing beauty industry in Washington D.C., you may be ready to jump into the industry and start an exciting career as a beauty professional. The process of earning a license involves education, examination, and license application. 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, which are listed below for each specialty.
After finishing your required training hours, you must pass an exam administered by the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology. Once you pass this exam, you will receive your Washington D.C. cosmetology license shortly thereafter. If you wish to become a cosmetologist or barber via apprenticeship, Washington D.C. has several approved apprenticeship partners through which you can earn your license. The District of Columbia uses PSI for its cosmetology board exams, and you may take the exam in English, Spanish, Vietnamese or Korean.
Like many other parts of the United States, Washington D.C. requires beauty practitioners to complete continuing education courses during each renewal period. For specific questions, please contact the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology directly for more information.
You can find Washington D.C. beauty schools that can help you obtain a license in cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology and other beauty professions listed below.
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
sponsored content, school availability varies by location
2017 Washington D.C. Board of Cosmetology License Requirements
- COSMETOLOGIST LICENSE: 1500 Hours, or 500 Hours with DC Barber License (500 Theory Hours and 1500 Practice Hours for Apprenticeship)
- BARBER LICENSE: 1500 Hours, or 500 Hours with DC Cosmetology License (500 Theory Hours and 1500 Practice Hours for Apprenticeship)
- ESTHETICIAN LICENSE: 600 Hours
- NAIL TECHNICIAN LICENSE: 350 hours
- PERMANENT MAKEUP ARTIST LICENSE: 132 Hours
- ELECTROLOGIST LICENSE: 600 Hours
- HAIR BRAIDING LICENSE: 100 Hours
- COSMETOLOGY MANAGER LICENSE: Cosmetology License + 500 Manager Training Hours
- COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR LICENSE: 1000 Hours + 6 Months Work Experience
- MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSE: 500 Hours
District of Columbia Cosmetology License Renewal
Barbering licenses expire on September 30 of odd-numbered years. Cosmetology, esthetician, nail technician, electrologist, and permanent makeup licenses expire on April 30 of even-numbered years. Washington D.C. requires 6 cosmetology continuing education hours during each renewal period. Two hours must be in sanitation and hygiene, and the other four hours can be in any subject or area of study.
Cosmetology License Reciprocity (Transfer) in Washington D.C.
If applying for licensure by reciprocity in Washington D.C., you are required to pay a reciprocity licensing fee and provide a letter showing that you have met and completed license requirements equivalent to those in 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
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 cosmetology license.