StateLicensed

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Washington

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1600 hrs
Upfront cost
$323
Exam
NIC Written (Theory) Examination, NIC Practical Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), Cosmetology Program

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 17 years old, pass a criminal background check. DOL's general professional-licensing services include criminal conviction screening, and license renewal requires the licensee to answer legal/background questions and provide supporting documents if flagged; the Board's own out-of-state page also has applicants disclose licensure/disciplinary history. No high school diploma/GED requirement was found published on DOL's licensing page. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1600 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,600 hours at an approved cosmetology school; candidates become exam-eligible within 100 hours of completing required instruction. Washington offers a genuine apprenticeship alternative: 3,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 244 hours of related classroom instruction, substantially more total hours than the school pathway. [1]

  3. 3

    NIC Written (Theory) Examination

    Pass the NIC Written (Theory) Examination (fee: $169). Computer-based; minimum passing score 75%. Washington's testing vendor changed to Prov effective 2026-05-01 (previously D.L. Roope Administrations) — verify the current vendor before publishing, since this changed recently. Exam fees are paid directly to Prov, not to DOL. [1]

  4. 4

    NIC Practical Examination

    Pass the NIC Practical Examination (fee: $119). Hands-on skills demonstration; minimum passing score 75%. Washington's testing vendor changed to Prov effective 2026-05-01 (previously D.L. Roope Administrations). Exam fees are paid directly to Prov, not to DOL. [1]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), Cosmetology Program with the $35 application fee. [2]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), Cosmetology Program issues your Cosmetologist for Washington.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] $35
License fee [2] None specified
Renewal fee [2] $66
NIC Written (Theory) Examination [1] $169
NIC Practical Examination [1] $119
Reciprocity application fee (out-of-state, both exams already passed) [2] $50
Late renewal penalty [2] $65

The $35 application fee is paid to DOL when applying; PROV's exam fees ($169 written + $119 practical) are separate and paid directly to Prov (see exams). No separate license-issuance fee beyond the application fee was found.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 0 continuing education hours required per cycle.

License renews every 2 years; DOL allows renewal up to 120 days before expiration. No continuing education is required for a Cosmetologist renewal. A $65 late penalty applies on top of the $66 renewal fee ($131 total) if renewed after expiration.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Washington enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact (HB 1023, 2025) and is shown as an 'Enacted' member state on the Compact Commission's official Compact Map (cosmetologycompact.gov/compact-map/) as of 2026-07-11 — but the Commission's own FAQ states it only 'hopes to activate the compact for licensees in early 2026' and had not begun issuing multistate licenses as of this research date, so no compact is listed here pending verified operational status. In the meantime, Washington offers two out-of-state pathways: a Reciprocity Application ($50 fee) for an applicant who already passed both a practical and a written exam in their home state and can have that state certify their active license; or an Out-of-State Application (no separate application fee) for an applicant who did not take both exams, who must instead take the Washington exam(s).

17 state-approved training providers in Washington — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $35
  • $169
  • $119
Total$323

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does Washington require for a cosmetology license?

1,600 hours at an approved school, or an apprenticeship of 3,000 on-the-job hours plus 244 hours of related classroom instruction.

Who administers Washington's cosmetology exam?

Prov, as of May 1, 2026 (the vendor recently changed from D.L. Roope Administrations). The written exam costs $169 and the practical exam costs $119, each with a 75% passing score.

What does it cost to get licensed in Washington?

A $35 application fee to DOL, plus separate Prov exam fees. Renewal is $66 every 2 years, with no continuing education required.

Can I transfer an out-of-state cosmetology license to Washington?

Yes. If you already passed both a practical and written exam elsewhere, apply for Reciprocity ($50 fee) with certification from your home state. If you didn't take both exams, you'll need to take Washington's exam(s) instead.

Is Washington part of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact?

Washington has enacted the compact, but as of mid-2026 the Compact Commission had not yet activated multistate licensing under it.

Sources

  1. [1] dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/cosmetology/get-your-license-cosmetology — accessed 2026-07-11
  2. [2] dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/cosmetology/fees-cosmetologists — accessed 2026-07-11
  3. [3] dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/cosmetology/renew-or-reinstate-your-license-cosmetologists — accessed 2026-07-11
  4. [4] alt.dol.wa.gov/business/cosmetology/get_outofstate.html — accessed 2026-07-11