District of Columbia State Board of Cosmetology
Information verified:About the District of Columbia State Board of Cosmetology
The DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology is a professional licensing board within the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), specifically housed under the Occupational and Professional Licensing (OPL) division. The board was established under the DC Barber and Cosmetology license law, effective May 2001, and operates under authority codified in the DC Municipal Regulations at Chapter 17-37. Its offices are located at 1100 4th Street, SW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20024.
The board is composed of 14 members appointed by the Mayor: three barbers, three cosmetologists, three specialty cosmetologists, three body artists, and two consumer members. A quorum requires eight members. Board meetings are held virtually on the first Monday of each month at 10:00 AM. The board is chaired by Anwar S. Saleem, Ph.D. Staff includes Program Manager Nicole McClendon, Board Administrator Kimberly Troxler, and an Education Coordinator and Exam Coordinator. The board can be reached by phone at (202) 671-4500 and by email at opla.barberandcosmetology@dc.gov.
What makes the DC board distinctive is its unusually broad scope of regulation. The board oversees not only cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, and braiders, but also body artists — including tattooists, body piercers, and micropigmentation specialists — as well as instructors, managers, and facility owners across all of these categories. Braiding is licensed through a separate Braider license requiring just 100 hours of training, reflecting DC's policy on natural hair services. The board also issues an Esthetician Master/Advanced license, which is waived for holders of a NCEA (National Coalition of Esthetician Associations) certification. Practical examinations are administered exclusively at Bennett Career Institute, 700 Monroe Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017.
Licenses Regulated
The DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology issues a broader set of individual licenses than most jurisdictions, covering not only cosmetology-related disciplines but also body art practices. All applicants must have a valid government-issued photo ID and a 2"×2" passport-style photo (.jpeg format). Theory/written exams are scheduled through PSI at psiexams.com or by calling 1-855-557-0616.
Cosmetologist and Barber
Both cosmetologist and barber licenses require 1,500 hours of school training and passage of theory and practical examinations. The initial application fee is $230 (comprising a $65 application fee, $55 exam fee, and $110 license fee).
Esthetician (Basic)
The Basic Esthetician license covers standard skin care services and requires 600 hours of school training plus theory and practical examinations.
Esthetician (Master/Advanced)
The Master/Advanced Esthetician license covers expanded esthetic services. It also requires 600 hours, but the practical examination is waived for holders of a current NCEA (National Coalition of Esthetician Associations) certification, provided the NCEA certificate is sent directly to the DC Board from NCEA.
Manicurist
The Manicurist license requires 350 hours of school training plus theory and practical examinations.
Braider
The Braider license covers natural hair braiding services and requires just 100 hours of school training. Braiders are not required to take the practical examination — only the theory/written exam applies.
Body Artist (Tattooist, Piercer, Micropigmentation Specialist)
Body artists must provide a letter from a licensed business verifying 500 hours of training under a licensed artist, along with current First Aid, CPR, and Blood Borne Pathogens certificates. No school transcript is required for body artist licensure.
Instructor
Instructor licenses require 1,000 hours of school training. Instructors take theory and practical examinations; the practical exam is not required for braider instructors.
Manager
Manager licenses require either 500 hours of a cosmetology manager training course or proof of a current operator license plus a letter confirming 2 years of licensed experience. Managers take a theory examination but not a practical exam.
Owner/Facility
Facility owners must provide a Certificate of Good Standing, a Basic Business License (BBL) application, Certificate of Occupancy, Federal Tax ID, a copy of the designated manager's license, a Clean Hands Certificate, and a trade name registration if operating under a DBA. Owners are not required to take examinations.
Renew Your District of Columbia Cosmetology License
DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology licenses operate on a two-year renewal cycle. Renewal eligibility opens 90 days before the expiration date.
License Expiration Dates
- Cosmetologist, Cosmetology Specialist, and Body Artist licenses: expire on April 15 of even-numbered years (e.g., April 15, 2026).
- Barber licenses: expire on September 30 of odd-numbered years.
Renewal Fees
- Operators and Owners: $110
- Managers and Instructors: $155
- Late Renewal Fee: $50 (additional)
- Reinstatement (license expired more than 60 days): $210 total ($155 reinstatement + $50 fee + $5 processing)
Continuing Education Requirement
At the time of renewal, all operators and managers must submit proof of 6 Continuing Education (CE) credits: 2 hours in a health, safety, or welfare course and 4 hours in general elective courses from a Board-approved provider. The CE requirement is waived for applicants renewing their license for the first time and for Owner license renewals.
Board-approved CE providers include Bennett Beauty Institute (in-person and online at ceudconline.com), Board Prep Online (boardpreponline.com), CE Training Courses, Inc., 360Training.com, and others listed on the Board's website. The DC Board also accepts CE certifications approved by NIC, NABBA, and NCEA.
How to Renew
Renew online at the DLCP Occupational and Professional License Renewal portal. You must have a free Access DC account. Enter your license number or use the License Lookup option if you do not know your number. Once approved, you can view and print your license from the My Licenses portal.
File a Complaint
The DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology, through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), accepts consumer complaints against any licensee, facility, or unlicensed practitioner regulated under DC barber and cosmetology law. Complaint grounds include sanitation violations, unlicensed practice, unprofessional conduct, fraud, and failure to maintain proper business licensing.
How to File a Complaint
Submit a complaint using the DLCP Online Consumer Complaint Form. You may also contact DLCP directly via the online inquiry form, by phone at (202) 671-4500, or by email at dlcp@dc.gov.
What Happens After You File
After a complaint is submitted, DLCP Occupational and Professional Licensing (OPL) staff review the matter to determine jurisdiction and whether the alleged conduct constitutes a violation of DC barber and cosmetology law or regulations. If the complaint has merit, an investigation is opened and the licensee or facility is notified. Substantiated violations may result in civil fines, mandatory remediation, license suspension, or license revocation. Board orders and disciplinary actions are public record, accessible through the DC Office of Administrative Hearings.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What agency regulates cosmetology in Washington, DC?
- Cosmetology in the District of Columbia is regulated by the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology, which operates under the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), Occupational and Professional Licensing (OPL) division — not DC Health. The board's office is at 1100 4th Street, SW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20024. Phone: (202) 671-4500. Email: opla.barberandcosmetology@dc.gov.
- How many training hours are required for a DC cosmetology license?
- Cosmetologists and barbers each require 1,500 hours of school training. Estheticians (basic and master/advanced) require 600 hours. Manicurists require 350 hours. Braiders require 100 hours. Instructors require 1,000 hours. Managers require 500 hours (education route) or proof of 2 years of licensed work experience.
- How much does a DC cosmetology license cost?
- The initial application fee is $230, which includes a $65 licensing application fee, a $55 examination fee, and a $110 initial license fee. Renewal for operators and owners is $110 per two-year cycle. A $50 late renewal fee applies if you renew after the expiration date. Licenses expired more than 60 days require reinstatement at $210.
- Does DC require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal?
- Yes — 6 CE hours per two-year cycle: 2 hours in a health/safety/welfare course and 4 hours in general elective courses from a Board-approved provider. The CE requirement is waived for first-time renewers and for Owner license renewals.
- When does a DC cosmetology license expire?
- Cosmetologist, specialty cosmetology, and body artist licenses expire on April 15 of even-numbered years. Barber licenses expire on September 30 of odd-numbered years. The renewal period opens 90 days before the expiration date. Renew at the DLCP portal: govservices.dcra.dc.gov/oplarenewallicense.
- Who administers the DC cosmetology examination?
- PSI administers the theory/written examinations. Schedule online at psiexams.com (select District of Columbia exams) or by phone at 1-855-557-0616. Practical examinations are held exclusively at Bennett Career Institute, 700 Monroe Street, NE, Washington DC 20017. After passing the theory exam, the DC Board's Exam Coordinator contacts you with practical exam scheduling instructions.
- Does DC have a separate Braider license?
- Yes. DC issues a distinct Braider license requiring just 100 hours of school training. Braiders are required to take only the theory/written examination — the practical examination is not required for braider licensure. This reflects DC's regulatory approach to natural hair services as a lighter-touch licensing pathway compared to full cosmetology licensure.