Washington State Board of Cosmetology
Information verified:About the Washington State Board of Cosmetology
Cosmetology licensing in Washington State is administered by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), not a standalone cosmetology board. The Cosmetology, Hair Design, Barbering, Esthetics, and Manicuring Advisory Board serves in an advisory capacity only — its mission is to protect consumers and address licensees' legal concerns by giving recommendations to the Director of the Department of Licensing. The DOL handles all licensing operations directly.
Washington's licensing program is notable for its breadth of license types. The state maintains separate categories for cosmetologists (full scope), hair designers (hair only), barbers, estheticians, master estheticians, and manicurists, allowing practitioners to hold narrower licenses matching their specialization. Training requirements range from 600 hours for manicurists to 1,600 hours for full cosmetologists, with a distinctive "Hair Designer" mid-tier license at 1,400 hours that no other state offers under that name.
As of May 1, 2026, all Washington cosmetology examinations are administered by Prov, which replaced Prometric as the testing vendor. Prov administers the NIC (National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology) written and practical examinations at expanded testing locations across Washington. The minimum passing score is 75% on both components.
All licensing transactions — applications, renewals, and address changes — are processed through SecureAccess Washington (SAW). Washington does not require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal, and the advisory board meets quarterly via Microsoft Teams to discuss rules and standards.
Licenses Regulated
The Washington State Department of Licensing regulates the following cosmetology-related license types:
- Cosmetologist — Full scope of hair, skin, and nail services. Requires 1,600 school hours or 3,000 apprenticeship OJT hours + 244 RSI hours. The most comprehensive individual license Washington offers.
- Hair Designer — Hair cutting, styling, and chemical services only. Requires 1,400 school hours or 2,000 apprenticeship OJT hours + 144 RSI hours. Does not authorize skin or nail services. A distinctive Washington license type.
- Barber — Barbering services including hair cutting, shaving, and facial hair grooming. Requires 1,000 school hours or 2,000 apprenticeship OJT hours + 144 RSI hours.
- Esthetician — Skin care services including facials, makeup application, and basic hair removal. Requires 750 school hours or 2,000 apprenticeship OJT hours + 144 RSI hours.
- Master Esthetician — Advanced skin care including use of prescriptive devices under physician authority. Requires 450 additional school hours beyond the esthetician license, or 1,200 combined hours for a standalone path.
- Manicurist — Nail care services including manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements. Requires 600 school hours or 2,000 apprenticeship OJT hours + 144 RSI hours.
- Cosmetology Instructor — Teaching in a Washington-licensed school. Requires an active practitioner license plus 500 hours of instructor training and passing the instructor exam through Prov.
- Salon/Shop — Required for all establishments where cosmetology services are performed for a fee. Fee: $121 new/$121 renewal.
- Mobile Unit — Required for mobile cosmetology services. Fee: $121 new/$121 renewal.
- Personal Service — Required for personal service providers at specific locations. Fee: $121 new/$121 renewal.
- School/Post-Secondary School — Schools offering approved cosmetology training must hold a valid school license. Fee: $330 new/$330 renewal.
All individual licenses cost $35 for initial application and $66 for biennial renewal. No continuing education is required for any license type. Licenses must be posted at the work location and available for DOL inspection.
Renew Your Washington Cosmetology License
Washington cosmetology licenses renew on a two-year cycle. The renewal fee is $66.00 for all individual license types. Washington does not require continuing education (CE) hours for cosmetology license renewal — one of approximately fifteen states without a CE mandate.
How to Renew Online
Renewals are processed through the DOL's SecureAccess Washington (SAW) portal. Log in with your SAW account, locate your cosmetology license, and complete the renewal with payment. The portal accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express (no gift cards). You can renew up to 120 days before your license expires. The DOL cannot accept payments over the phone.
Renewal by Mail
To renew by mail, follow the instructions on your renewal notice or complete the Cosmetologist, Hair Designer, Barber, Manicurist, Esthetician, or Master Esthetician License Renewal Application. Mail your form and a check or money order payable to the Department of Licensing to: Cosmetology Program, P.O. Box 3856, Seattle, WA 98124-3856.
Late Renewal
If you do not renew before your expiration date, a $131 late renewal fee applies (replacing the regular $66 fee). Failure to receive a renewal notice is not an acceptable reason for late renewal — you are responsible for renewing on time regardless.
Expired Over One Year — License Cancelled
If your license has been expired for more than one year, the DOL will cancel it. You must apply for reinstatement, which requires passing both the NIC written and practical examinations again through Prov, plus paying reinstatement fees. You may not practice on an expired or cancelled license — the DOL may fine you for unlicensed activity.
File a Complaint
The Washington State Department of Licensing's Centralized Investigations and Audits Unit investigates complaints against licensed cosmetologists, hair designers, manicurists, estheticians, barbers, and cosmetology establishments. The DOL has authority over violations of Chapter 18.16 RCW — including practicing without a license, operating an unlicensed establishment, sanitation violations, and professional misconduct.
How to File a Complaint
You can file a complaint three ways:
- Online: File through the DOL professions complaint portal.
- Email: Complete a Business and Professions Complaint form and email it with supporting documents to dolbpdcomplaints@dol.wa.gov.
- Mail: Send the completed form to Centralized Investigations and Audits Unit, Department of Licensing, P.O. Box 1098, Olympia, WA 98507-1098.
Include copies of all documents related to your complaint: dates, others involved, what you have already tried to resolve, and a description of events in order. Photos, medical documentation, and correspondence are helpful supporting evidence.
What Happens After Filing
The DOL determines whether your complaint falls within its regulatory authority. If so, investigators act as impartial fact-finders — they do not represent you or the service provider. The licensee may receive a copy of your complaint and will be given an opportunity to respond. Disciplinary actions can include reprimands, fines, license suspension, or revocation. The DOL cannot recover funds or award damages — seek legal advice for those situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Washington require continuing education to renew a cosmetology license?
- No. Washington does not require continuing education (CE) hours for cosmetology license renewal. Pay the $66 biennial renewal fee through the SecureAccess Washington (SAW) portal at professions.dol.wa.gov.
- What is the difference between a cosmetologist and hair designer license in Washington?
- A cosmetologist license covers hair, skin, and nail services and requires 1,600 school hours. A hair designer license covers only hair cutting, styling, and chemical services (1,400 hours) and does not authorize skin or nail services. Washington is one of the few states with this distinct mid-tier hair-only license.
- Who administers the Washington cosmetology exam?
- As of May 1, 2026, Prov administers the NIC (National Interstate Council) written and practical examinations for Washington. The written exam costs $169 and the practical costs $119, both paid directly to Prov at provexam.com. Passing score is 75%.
- How do I verify a Washington cosmetology license?
- Use the DOL's professional license lookup tool to check the status of any cosmetology license, view issue dates, and see disciplinary history.
- What happens if my Washington cosmetology license expires?
- If you renew after expiration, the late renewal fee is $131 (replacing the standard $66). If your license has been expired for more than one year, it is cancelled and you must apply for reinstatement, which requires passing both NIC exams again.
- What are the two mailing addresses for Washington cosmetology?
- Mail with payments goes to: Cosmetology Program, P.O. Box 3856, Seattle, WA 98124-3856. Mail without payments goes to: P.O. Box 9026, Olympia, WA 98507. UPS/FedEx deliveries go to 1125 Washington Street SE, Olympia, WA 98504-2283.