Washington Cosmetology Licensing

Education Requirements for Cosmetologists in Washington

Do you love working with people of all backgrounds, ages, and genders? Do you prefer a fast-paced work environment that keeps you on your feet and busy? Are you passionate about beauty? As a licensed cosmetologist, you can work in any of the approved salons and spas located throughout Washington and work with tourists and residents.

If you’ve never studied cosmetology before, you should get familiar with the licensing process of the Washington State Department of Licensing. The first step, of course, is education! You must be ready to meet strict training requirements. Not only must you complete a specific amount of training hours, your education must cover specific topics.

All accredited schools in Washington follow these curriculum and training requirements:

• Manicuring and pedicuring (100 hours)
• Esthetics (100 hours)
• Shampooing including draping, scalp manipulation, and conditioning
• Scalp and hair analysis
• Hair cutting
• Hairstyling
• Facial hair cutting and trimming
• Artificial hair
• Permanent waving and chemical relaxing
• Hair coloring and bleaching
• Sanitation and disinfecting
• Skin and hair diseases and disorders
• Safety

Requirements for manicuring, pedicuring, and esthetics are set because hair care is the primary focus of cosmetology. Although the other topics in the list above must be covered, the Washington State Department of Licensing does not set specific hour requirements.

Once you’ve gotten plenty of classroom time and practice time, you may be ready for the next step in the licensing process.

To find out more about licensed beauty schools in Washington, scroll down and use our list of schools to contact cosmetology programs in Washington.

Washington Cosmetology License Requirements

The Washington State Department of Licensing has additional WA cosmetology license requirements once you finish your education. You must successfully pass both a written exam and a practical exam. Once your training hours, test scores, and application have all been approved, you may receive your license and begin working independently at any approved beauty employer in Washington.

You’ll need to meet the following standards and fee schedule:

• Practical exam fee of $120 and written exam fee of $60
• Fees paid by Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, money order, or check
• $25 initial licensing fee
• 1600 training hours or 2000 apprenticeship hours
• Tests administered by Ergometrics

Although the licensing process is a lot of work, it benefits you in your career. Requiring licensure of all cosmetologists in Washington allows leaders in the industry to enforce high standards and maintain the strong reputation of the beauty community.

Requirements for Renewing Your Cosmetology License in Washington

Once you have your Washington state cosmetology license, you have to keep it valid if you want to keep working independently. Like most other states, Washington requires you to renew every two years. Your renewal date is the same as your initial licensure date. If you renew your license on time, the fee is $55. If you send your application after the renewal date, the renewal fee is $110.

Currently, there are no continuing education requirements for cosmetologists in Washington. However, continuing education is an expectation throughout the industry, so you should still consider taking advantage of training opportunities in your area.
A WA state cosmetology license can help you get settled in a career you love.

Find out when you can get started by contacting Washington beauty schools below.

Find Cosmetology Programs in Washington