This page provides information for Washington license requirements including how to apply for a new license, renew an existing one, reactivate an expired license and Washington license reciprocity for when you need to transfer a license to this state or out of state. If available, we provide other useful information such as cosmetology school hours requirements, how to apply for additional license for professions like manicurists, nail technicians, instructors etc. If you did not find the answer you were looking for on this page or if you have questions or issues pertaining to cosmetology, then we recommend you contact the Washington Department of Licensing Cosmetology.

Washington Cosmetology License Verification

If you need to verify a license for a salon or person, then you can do so by visiting the Washington Board of Cosmetology license verification website. From there you can search for the person or business and see if there are any disciplinary actions on record. This will allow you to make an informed decision about the person and or business providing your service.

How to get your Washington license - Graduate of a school or apprenticeship program

To get your license as a cosmetologist, barber, manicurist, esthetician, master esthetician, or hair design you must:

  • Be at least 17 years of age
  • Graduate from a school approved and licensed by the Department of Licensing with the minimum required state hours or
  • Successfully complete a state approved apprenticeship training program
  • Pass the state-approved practical and written exams administered by D.L. Roope
  • After you get your license, you must post it at your work station
Education requirements (Minimum required school hours)
  • Cosmetologist: 1,600 hours
  • Barber: 1,000 hours
  • Manicurist: 600 hours
  • Esthetician: 750 hours
  • Master esthetician: 1,200 hours
  • Hair design: 1,400 hours
Minimum required apprenticeship program hours
  • Cosmetologist: 2,000 hours
  • Barber: 1,200 hours
  • Manicurist: 800 hours
  • Esthetician: 800 hours
  • Master esthetician: 1,400 hours
  • Hair design: 1,750 hours
How to get your license

Once you're eligible to schedule your exams, your school or apprentice program will create an account for you. You'll receive a confirmation email with your username and password. Follow the instructions in the email to schedule and pay for your exams. After you pass the exams, you'll need to log into your account to apply and pay for your license. For more details about the practical and written exams, visit dlroope.com.

If you fail an exam

You may take only 1 examination per day. If you fail an exam, you may apply to retake it on another day. To schedule a re-exam and pay the re-exam fee, go to dlroope.com.

For veterans

US Veterans may be eligible for partial reimbursements of costs. For more information:

Education and Training | Licensing and Certification

How to get your Washington license: Out-of-state license

To get your license as a cosmetologist, barber, manicurist, esthetician, hair design, or master esthetician in Washington, you must:

  • Be at least 17 years of age
  • Have a current license in good standing in another state or foreign country

After you get your license, you must post it at your work station.

How to get your license

With a current license in another US state:

  • Complete an application
  • Check reciprocity on the form if you took a practical and a written exam to get your license
  • Application fee is $50 per license
  • Check out of state on the form if you didn't take a practical and a written exam to get your license
  • Don't send an application fee, you need to take the Washington State exam(s)
  • Contact the state you are coming from and have them send us a certification of your active license
  • Mail your completed application, supporting documents, and a check or money order if required (payable to Department of Licensing) to:

    Cosmetology Program
    Department of Licensing
    PO Box 3856
    Seattle, WA 98124-3856

Note: If you apply for a Washington state license, it won't affect your license in another state.

With a license from another country:

  • Complete an application
  • Check the out of country box on the form
  • Provide proof you have a current license in another country
  • Include documentation, in English, of any schooling and exams taken. Have a certified translator translate any documentation that isn't in English
  • Send copies, not originals
  • You might have to take the Washington State exams. For information about exams, see testing information for your type of license
  • Mail your completed application, supporting documents, and a check or money order (payable to Department of Licensing) for the fees to:

    Cosmetology Program
    Department of Licensing
    PO Box 3856
    Seattle, WA 98124-3856
For veterans

US Veterans may be eligible for partial reimbursements of costs. For more information:

Education and Training | Licensing and Certification

Request Duplicate License

To request a duplicate license mail, download the Duplicate License Request form, complete it and then mail it along with the $15 fee. Make the check or money order payable to the Department of Licensing.

Department of Licensing
PO Box 3856
Seattle, WA 98124-3856

How to get your WA license: Salon/shop, personal service, mobile unit

Who needs a license? You do if you operate a salon/shop, personal service, or mobile unit in WA where cosmetology, barbering, manicuring, hair design, esthetics, or master esthetics are performed for a fee.

  • A salon/shop is any building, structure, or part thereof. This includes individuals leasing space where services are performed
  • Personal services are services performed in the client's home, office, or other location that's convenient for the client
  • A mobile unit is a location where services are performed in a mobile structure (van, mobile home, etc)
How to get your license

To apply:

  • File a Business License Application to get a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number from the Department of Revenue. You'll include your UBI on your salon/shop, personal service, mobile unit license application
  • Certify your business is covered by a public liability insurance policy of at least $100,000 for combined bodily injury and property damage liability
  • Mail a completed Salon/Shop, Personal Services, or Mobile Unit License Application and a check or money order for the fee (payable to the Department of Licensing) to:

    Cosmetology Program
    Department of Licensing
    PO Box 3856
    Seattle, WA 98124-3856
Post your license

You must post these items in the reception area of your salon/shop or mobile unit:

How to get your license: Postsecondary school

Who needs a license? You do if you operate an establishment in Washington that offers instruction in cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, manicuring, hair design, master esthetics, or instructor-trainee to students.

To apply for a license

File a Business License Application - get a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number (Department of Revenue). You'll include your UBI number on the postsecondary school application.

Mail Them:

Post your license
You must post your school licenses in the reception area of the school.

How to get your instructor license: School graduate

To get your instructor license you must:

  • Have a current Washington cosmetology, barber, manicurist, esthetician, hair design, or master esthetician license before enrolling in an instructor program
  • Graduate from a school approved and licensed by us with the minimum required hours
  • Pass the state approved practical and written examinations administered by D.L. Roope
How to get your instructor license

Once you're eligible to schedule your exams, your school or apprentice program will create an account for you. You'll receive a confirmation email with your username and password. Follow the instructions in the email to schedule and pay for your exams. After you pass the exams, you'll need to log into your account to apply and pay for your license. For more details about the practical and written exams, visit dlroope.com.

For veterans

US Veterans may be eligible for partial reimbursements of costs. For more information:

Education and Training | Licensing and Certification

How to get your instructor license: Out-of-state license

To get your cosmetology instructor license in Washington state (WA), you must have:

  • A current instructor license in good standing in another state or foreign country and
  • A current cosmetology, barber, manicurist, esthetician, hair design, or master esthetician license in WA
  • After you get your license, you must post it at your work station
How to get your license
  • Complete an application form
  • Provide proof you've passed the state-approved written and performance examinations
  • Provide proof you have a current license in good standing in another state or foreign country
  • A copy of your license isn't proof of licensure. Please contact the state you're licensed in to request a verification
  • Mail your completed application, supporting documents, and a check or money order (payable to Department of Licensing) for the fee to:

    Cosmetology Program
    Department of Licensing
    PO Box 3856
    Seattle, WA 98124-3856

Note: If you apply for a WA license, it won't affect your license in another state.

For veterans

US Veterans may be eligible for partial reimbursements of costs. For more information:

Education and Training | Licensing and Certification

How to get your license: Permanent cosmetics artists

Who needs a license. You must have a permanent cosmetics artist license if you charge a fee to apply permanent eyeliner, eyebrows, lip liner, lip color, or repigmentation by implanting pigment under the skin. This is a form of tattooing.

Requirements

To get a permanent cosmetics artist license, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have a current bloodborne pathogens certificate
How to apply How long your license is valid

Your license is valid for 1 year after we issue it.

How to renew your license: Cosmetologist, barber, manicurist, esthetician, hair design, or master esthetician

Things to know

  • License expires every 2 years
  • You can renew 120 days before your license expires
  • There will be a late fee if you don't renew before it expires
  • If your license has been expired for more than 1 year, it's canceled and you must reapply
  • They consider you unlicensed if your license expires or gets canceled. You can receive a fine for engaging in unlicensed activity
Before you renew

Be ready to answer criminal history questions and provide documents if needed.

What you'll need

Start the Renewal Process

Want to renew by mail?

If your license has been expired for more than 1 year, you must reapply for a license. To reapply, submit a completed application form.

After you renew
  • If you renewed online: Within 14 business days
  • If you renewed by mail: Within 45 days

How to renew your license: Salon/shop, personal service, or mobile unit

Things to know

  • License expires 1 year after it is issued, or when your business liability insurance expires, whichever comes first. You can renew 120 days before your license expires
  • There will be a late fee if you don't renew before it expires
  • If your license has been expired for more than 1 year, it's canceled and you must reapply
  • They consider your shop, mobile unit, or event location unlicensed if your license expires or gets canceled. You can receive a fine for engaging in unlicensed activity
Before you renew

If this is your first time to access your account online, or if your last online renewal was before June 22, 2017, you must set up account access before you renew. Be ready to answer criminal history questions and provide documents if needed.

What you'll need

Username/User ID and Password for account access (see Before you renew above). Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit or debit card to pay renewal fee. If needed, documents for criminal history questions, ready to upload. See Uploading document instructions.

Start the Renewal Process

Want to renew by mail?

If you have changed the location address for your salon/shop, you can't renew your license. You must reapply for a new license at your new address. To get a license for your new location, submit a completed Salon/Shop, Personal Services, or Mobile Unit License Application (Check the Changing locations box at the top of the form), and the appropriate fees.

After you renew
  • If you renewed online: Within 14 business days
  • If you renewed by mail: Within 45 days

How to renew your license: Cosmetology school

Things to know

  • License expires annually
  • You can submit your renewal fee and documentation 120 days before your license expires
  • A DOL inspector will conduct a site visit before the license expiration date
  • If your license expires before you renew your students can't earn hours towards licensure while your license is in expired status
  • Late fees will apply
  • Your license could be subject to disciplinary action
How to renew
  • Our renewal process has changed. You'll need to answer criminal history questions and provide documents if needed
  • Complete a School Renewal Application and gather all required attachments listed on the form
  • Submit the application, all required attachments, and a check or money order payable to the Department of Licensing for the renewal fee to:

    Cosmetology Program
    Department of Licensing
    PO Box 3856
    Seattle, WA 98124-3856

How to renew your license: Cosmetology instructor

Things to know

  • License expires every 2 years
  • You can renew 120 days before your license expires
  • There will be a late fee if you don't renew before it expires
  • If your license has been expired for more than 1 year, it's canceled and you must reapply
  • They consider you unlicensed if your license expires or gets canceled. You can receive a fine for engaging in unlicensed activity
Before you renew

Be ready to answer criminal history questions and provide documents if needed.

What you'll need

Start the Renewal Process

Want to renew by mail?

If your license has been expired for more than 1 year, you must reapply for a license. To reapply, submit a completed application form.

After you renew
  • If you renewed online: Within 14 business days
  • If you renewed by mail: Up to 90 days

How to renew your license: Tattoo, body piercing, body art, and permanent cosmetic artists

Things to know

  • License expires every year
  • You can renew 120 days before your license expires
  • There will be a late fee if you don't renew before it expires
  • If your license has been expired for more than 1 year, it's canceled and you must reapply
  • They consider you unlicensed if your license expires or gets canceled. You can receive a fine for engaging in unlicensed activity
Before you renew

Be ready to answer criminal history questions and provide documents if needed.

What you'll need
  • Your license number
  • Expiration date of your blood-borne pathogens certificate
  • Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit or debit card to pay renewal fee
  • If needed, documents for criminal history questions, ready to upload. See Uploading document instructions
  • If needed, update your contact information online before you renew

Start the Renewal Process

Want to renew by mail? After you renew
  • If you renewed online: Within 14 business days
  • If you renewed by mail: Within 45 days

Washington Cosmetology School Hours

Type 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

How to change your name or address: Cosmetologists

To update your name on your Washington license, mail us a letter requesting a name change and include all of the following:

  • Your previous name
  • Your current name
  • Your current address and phone number
  • Type of license
  • License number and date of birth
  • If you want an updated license with your new name, also include a check or money order for the $15 fee (payable to the Department of Licensing)
How to change your address

Mailing address:
If you're changing only your mailing address, contact the state board by email, mail, or fax. There's no fee to change your mailing address. When you contact them, be sure to include your:

  • Name
  • Current address and phone number
  • Type of license
  • License number and date of birth
  • For salon/shops, include your business name and Unified Business Identification (UBI) number or tax registration number
  • Business location address: If you're changing the location address of your salon/shop or school you must complete a new license application and pay the application fee
Where can I take my practical and written exams?

All written and performance exams are given by D.L. Roope. For more information, please visit their website at dlroope.com.

Can I laminate my license?

Yes, as long as you make sure both the front and back are visible through the laminate.

I'm moving and am currently licensed in Washington State. How do I get a license in another state?

Contact the cosmetology licensing board in the state you're moving to. The state board does not provide license certification letters, but the state where you're moving can get your Washington license status at their online license search.

How can I reinstate my canceled license?
  • Submit a completed reinstatement form. They will contact you with exam scheduling information once they receive your completed application
  • Pass the written and practical exams (third-party testing fees may apply)
Where can I get technical assistance?

The Cosmetology Section provides technical assistance to applicants and licensees if requested. To schedule an appointment, please email the state board at plssunit@dol.wa.gov. During a technical assistance visit you can learn about:

  • State licensing procedures
  • Compliance with regulation
  • Safety and sanitation procedures
  • Routine inspections