Esthetician Schools in Washington

With options to earn both esthetician and master esthetician licenses in Washington, it’s clear that the Evergreen State appreciates the importance of training and licensing beauty professionals. And, as the third-highest paying state for skincare specialists in the U.S., Washington may be the perfect place to begin and grow your esthetician career.

Browse our directory of esthetician schools in Washington, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.

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802 East Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98122

(206) 302-1044
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics

71 Gage Boulevard
Richland, WA 99352

(509) 213-6180
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Teacher Training
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Aesthetics Northwest Institute – Accredited

1750 124th Avenue Northeast
Bellevue, WA 98005

AHC Barber and Beauty College – Accredited

6712 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98203

Aveda Institute Portland, Vancouver Campus – Accredited

6615 Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard
Vancouver, WA 98661

BC Beauty College – Accredited

2630 Main Street Suite 103
Union Gap, WA 98903

Bluestone Academy

201 North Pine Street
Ellensburg, WA 98926

Char-Glo School Of Beauty

1418 South Pioneer Way
Moses Lake, WA 98837

Clover Park Technical College – Accredited

4500 Steilacoom Boulevard Southwest
Lakewood, WA 98499

Day Spa Academy – Accredited

30 North 3rd Street
Yakima, WA 98901

Electraspa School of Esthetics – Accredited

7811 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98408

Elite Cosmetology, Barber & Spa Academy – Accredited

2606 West Nob Hill Boulevard
Yakima, WA 98902

Euro Institute of Skin Care

10904 Southeast Petrovitsky Road
Renton, WA 98055

Evergreen Beauty College – Accredited

1414 Cornwall Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225

Evergreen Beauty College - Everett – Accredited

802 Southeast Everett Mall Way Suite A
Everett, WA 98208

Evergreen Beauty College - Mount Vernon – Accredited

509 South 1st Street
Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Evergreen Beauty College - Renton – Accredited

1222 Bronson Way North
Renton, WA 98057

Evergreen Beauty College - Yakima – Accredited

401 North 1st Street
Yakima, WA 98901

Expo Beauty Institute – Accredited

2534 15th Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98144

Glen Dow Academy of Hair Design – Accredited

309 West Riverside Avenue
Spokane, WA 99201

H & K Cosmetology Unlimited – Accredited

8815 South Tacoma Way
Lakewood, WA 98499

International Beauty Education Center – Accredited

12832 West Sunset Highway
Airway Heights, WA 99001

Lany's Beauty Academy – Accredited

420 Dougals Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801

New York Hair Academy – Accredited

2508 West Sylvester Street Suite D
Pasco, WA 99301

Olympic College

1600 Chester Avenue
Bremerton, WA 98337

Skin Studio Academy – Accredited

220 East Wellesley Avenue 201
Spokane, WA 99207

Spokane Community College – Accredited

1810 North Greene Street
Spokane, WA 99217

Studio Beauty School – Accredited

10001 East Sprague Avenue
Spokane Valley, WA 99206

Summit Salon Academy - Tacoma – Accredited

3702 South Fife Street Suite B102
Tacoma, WA 98409

Vega's Academy – Accredited

7635 Macarthur Boulevard
Vancouver, WA 98664

Victoria's Academy of Cosmetology – Accredited

23 West First Avenue
Kennewick, WA 99336

Vuu's Beauty School – Accredited

807 King Street
Seattle, WA 98104

Washington Laser Institute

34630 11th Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003

Washington Spa Academy – Accredited

15921 Northeast 8th Street Unit 106
Bellevue, WA 98008

Zara Academy – Accredited

208 South Wenatchee Avenue
Wenatchee, WA 98801

Zorganics Institute Beauty and Wellness – Accredited

410 West Bakerview Road Suite 112
Bellingham, WA 98226
Accredited School

You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.

Esthetician Schools Near Me

Check out the Esthetics/Skin Care schools these cities in Washington have to offer.

How to Become a Esthetician in Washington

South Carolina Esthetician Careers At a Glance
  • 750 education hours or 2,144 apprentice hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 2 years.
  • 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • The average salary for estheticians in Washington is $62,960.
  • There is a predicted 23% job increase between 2018–2028 for estheticians.

Estheticians in Washington can perform facials, hair removal, and makeup application. You may also perform more in-depth procedures like microdermabrasion or eyelash enhancement.

To become an esthetician in Washington, you must:

  • Be at least 17 years old.
  • Graduate from an esthetician school in Washington approved by the Department of Licensing and complete the 750 minimum training hours. Or, you can complete a state-approved apprenticeship program with a minimum of 2,144 training hours.
  • Pass the state-approved practical and written exams administered by DL Roope and pay the $114 and $180 exam fees.
  • Submit an application for licensure, either online or by mail, and pay a $25 fee (via check or money order).

Washington Esthetics Careers

$62,960

Average yearly salary for esthetics in Washington

In Washington, the job outlook for skin care specialists is very bright, with projected employment growth of 23% through 2028. Washington also has some of the highest esthetician salaries in the nation, but income can vary widely based on industry and location.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average wage for skin care specialists in Washington is $62,960 annually or $30.27 hourly. This wage is much higher than the national average of $41,700 per year or $20.05 per hour.

The highest-paying metro areas for estheticians in Washington are:

Metro Area 2021 Median Salary
Olympia-Tumwater, WA $76,100
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $62,480
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $52,100
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $43,390

Table information sourced from O*Net (2022)

How to Become an Esthetician in Washington

750 Education Hours OR 2,144 Apprentice Hours

Required to earn a esthetics license

Washington requires a minimum of 750 training hours to become an esthetician, but your school or program may require you to complete more than this minimum. An esthetician license in the state won’t allow you to use medical devices or lasers without a master esthetician license and physician supervision. You also cannot perform manicures or permanent makeup without additional licensure.

Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Washington?

Washington does allow apprenticeships for aspiring estheticians as an alternative to traditional school. You must complete at least 2,144 training hours and pass the practical and written exams to apply for licensure. This apprenticeship training includes 144 related supplemental instruction hours and 2,000 on-the-job training hours in a salon or shop.

Washington Esthetician Licensing Requirements

After you complete at least 750 hours at an esthetician school or 2,144 apprenticeship hours and your school or supervisor submits proof of your training hours, you’re ready for the state-approved practical and written exams. You can apply for your exams online at DL Roope and pay the exam fees with a credit card or mail your application with a check.

The 3-hour practical exam for estheticians and advanced estheticians is $114, and the 90-minute written exam fee is $180. If you want to take the combined esthetician and advanced esthetician exams, the fee is $228 for the practical and $270 for the written. There’s also an $8 processing fee.

You can schedule your practical and written exams on the same day in three testing locations: Fife, Spokane, and Yakima. When you arrive for your test, you must show government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, immigration ID, tribal ID card, or birth certificate. Arrive in professional attire and bring a mannequin head and all supplies needed for the examination.

The esthetics practical exam encompasses core services performed on two clients, typically including:

  • Work Area Preparation (10 minutes)
  • Basic Facial (25 minutes)
  • Work Area Preparation for New Client (10 minutes)
  • Eyebrow Hair Removal Using Simulated Soft Wax and Tweezing (5-minute set-up + untimed procedure)
  • Facial Makeup (20 minutes)
  • Blood Exposure Procedure (10 minutes)
  • Particle Microdermabrasion on the Forehead (10 minutes)
  • Eyelash Enhancement (10 minutes)

The practical exam is only available in English. However, you can take the written examination in several languages. You can also submit a request for a dictionary to use during testing or submit the appropriate forms to the Department of Licensing for ADA accommodations before scheduling your exam.

To pass, you need a score of at least 75 on both exams. If you take your written exam online, you can expect to see your scores on the same day on the DL Roope website. A copy of the test results will be sent to the Washington Department of Licensing for you, but you may want to print a copy for your records.

You can re-take each exam once per day. If you fail, you must reschedule your exam and repay the fees. Once you’ve passed the tests, you can apply for your license.

Washington Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity

If you have an active esthetician license in another state, you can apply for licensure reciprocity in Washington. You need to be at least 17 years old and have passed the approved exams in your jurisdiction to qualify. Mail your application, supporting documents, and a $50 check payable to the Department of Licensing.  

Veterans or military personnel and their partners can also earn a temporary license if you move from another state in which you hold a current license. You may even qualify for partial fee reimbursement through the military assistance program.

Esthetician Specialties in Washington

Many cosmetology or esthetician schools in Washington offer specialties like hair design, permanent cosmetics, or master esthetician.

If you want to someday work with medical prescriptive devices or lasers or provide medium-depth peels, becoming a master esthetician allows you to do so under the authority of a licensed healthcare professional. To become a master esthetician, you either need an esthetician license plus an additional 450 hours of training, or you can pursue a 1,200-hour master esthetician course.

License Renewal

2 Years

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

Esthetician licenses in Washington expire every two years. You can renew your license 120 days before your expiration date. Any license that’s been expired for over a year is canceled, meaning you must re-apply.

To renew your esthetician license, start your renewal process online or by mail by submitting a reinstatement request and be ready to answer legal background questions. You must also provide your license number and renewal fee. The fee is $55 or $110 for late renewal.

Contact the Washington State Board of Esthetics

State of Washington Dept. of Licensing, Cosmetology Licensing Program

Additional Resources

DL Roope
As the esthetics test administrator in Washington, the DL Roope site enables you to take your written exam, register for exams, and view test scores online.

National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors and Associations (NCEA)
This association provides help and resources for esthetician certification, continuing education, and more.

National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC)
The NIC provides resources to help aspiring cosmetologists and estheticians study for examinations.

Commercial_Combo_Program-Career-Geo
Esthetics/Skin Care
Washington

How to Become a Esthetician in Your State