Esthetician License Requirements in District of Columbia
- Training hours
- 600 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $175
- Exam
- Esthetician Written Examination, Esthetician Practical Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection)
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 17 years old, pass a criminal background check. DC Code §47-2853.12 sets a minimum age of 17 for a cosmetologist or specialty-cosmetology license (which includes estheticians), versus 18 for most other licensed occupations. The same section requires applicants to establish that they 'have not been convicted of an offense that is directly related to the occupation' sought, subject to the Board's fitness-to-practice determination procedures — a disclosed criminal-history review rather than mandatory fingerprinting. [2]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 600 hours of training at a state-approved program. DC uses a two-tier esthetics structure. This record covers the entry-level practicing license, formally categorized as 'Cosmetology Specialist Operator - Esthetician,' which requires 600 hours of training in a DC-licensed esthetician school and passing both a written and a practical exam. A second tier, Master Esthetician (also 600 hours of master esthetician manager training), is only reachable after first holding the Operator license; the practical exam is waived for Master Esthetician applicants who hold National Coalition of Esthetician Associations (NCEA) certification. A third tier, Master Esthetician Instructor, requires at least 6 months working as a Master Esthetician Manager plus 1,000 hours in an approved instructor program and a 75% exam passing score. [1]
- 3
Esthetician Written Examination
Pass the Esthetician Written Examination. DC's official fee schedule lists a single combined 'Exam/re-examination' fee of $92, payable directly to ProV, without separately itemizing the written vs. practical component costs — so no individual fee is recorded here. Scheduled at provexam.com or 801-733-4455. [1]
- 4
Esthetician Practical Examination
Pass the Esthetician Practical Examination. Required for the entry-level Esthetician Operator license (practical exams are waived only for Master Estheticians, Managers, Owners, and Braiders). Covered by the same combined $92 exam/re-exam fee noted on the Written Examination entry. [1]
- 5
Submit your application
Submit your application to District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) with the $65 application fee. [1]
- 6
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) issues your Esthetician License for District of Columbia.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [1] | $65 |
| License fee [1] | $110 |
| Renewal fee [1] | $110 |
| Esthetician Written Examination [1] | None specified |
| Esthetician Practical Examination [1] | None specified |
| Exam/re-examination fee (paid to ProV) [1] | $92 |
| Letter of license certification request [1] | $30 |
Initial licensure totals $175, made up of a $65 application fee plus a $110 license fee; the $92 ProV exam fee is paid separately, directly to the vendor. Renewal fee for operators is $110.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years. 6 continuing education hours required per cycle.
Esthetician (Cosmetology Specialist) licenses expire April 15 of even-numbered years regardless of issuance date. Renewal/reinstatement requires 6 continuing-education credits from a Board-approved provider (2 hours in a health/safety/welfare course, 4 hours in general elective courses). First-time renewals are waived from the CE requirement.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
DC offers License by Endorsement for out-of-state licensed estheticians who submit a current state license and a Letter of Certification sent directly from their home state board. DC Code §47-2853.12 also authorizes the Board to waive examination requirements for applicants holding equivalent out-of-state licenses or qualifying national certifications (e.g., NCEA), though a DC-specific knowledge component may still be required depending on the occupation. DC is not confirmed as an operational member of any interstate cosmetology/esthetics compact — the Cosmetology Licensure Compact is not yet issuing multistate licenses anywhere — so compacts is empty.
Cost calculator
- $65
- $110
Frequently asked questions
How many training hours does DC require for an Esthetician license?
600 hours at a DC-licensed esthetician school, plus passing both a written and a practical exam administered by ProV.
Is there a higher tier above the basic Esthetician license in DC?
Yes — Master Esthetician (Manager) and, beyond that, Master Esthetician Instructor. You must hold the Operator (basic Esthetician) license before advancing to Master Esthetician, and hold Master Esthetician before becoming an instructor.
How much does it cost to get an Esthetician license in DC?
Initial licensure is $175 ($65 application + $110 license fee) paid to the Board, plus a $92 exam/re-exam fee paid directly to ProV.
Is continuing education required to renew a DC Esthetician license?
Yes, 6 CE credits (2 hours health/safety/welfare + 4 hours general elective) are required at renewal, except for your very first renewal, which is exempt. Licenses expire April 15 of even-numbered years.
Can I transfer an out-of-state esthetician license to DC?
Yes, through License by Endorsement, by submitting your current out-of-state license and a Letter of Certification sent directly from your home state board.
Sources
- [1] dlcp.dc.gov/page/board-barber-and-cosmetology — accessed 2026-07-11
- [2] code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/47-2853.12 — accessed 2026-07-11