Washington State Board of Cosmetology: Who Actually Handles Your License?
Washington cosmetology licensing is administered by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). Washington also has a Cosmetology, Hair Design, Barbering, Esthetics, and Manicuring Advisory Board, but that board advises the DOL Director rather than serving as the application, renewal or payment portal.
Use this page to reach the correct state service for licensing, renewal, verification, salon or mobile-unit licensing, examinations, complaints, laws, fees and Advisory Board information.
Fast Answer: Washington DOL Is the Licensing Authority
If you searched for the “Washington State Board of Cosmetology,” the practical licensing authority you usually need is the Washington State Department of Licensing Cosmetology Program. DOL handles professional and business licensing, applications, renewals, reciprocity, license records and related transactions.
Washington DOL vs the Cosmetology Advisory Board
These two government entities have different jobs. Understanding that distinction prevents applicants from sending licensing work to the wrong place.
Washington State Department of Licensing
DOL administers cosmetology-related professional and business licenses. Use DOL when you need to:
- Apply for a practitioner license
- Renew or reinstate a license
- Apply by reciprocity
- Verify license status
- License a salon, shop or mobile unit
- Access forms and fees
- Report unlicensed activity
Cosmetology Advisory Board
The official name is the Cosmetology, Hair Design, Barbering, Esthetics, and Manicuring Advisory Board.
Its mission includes consumer protection and giving recommendations to the Director of the Department of Licensing. It does not replace DOL’s licensing system.
Washington Cosmetology License Lookup
Use Washington DOL’s professional license lookup to check the current status of a practitioner or business before hiring someone, renting space, relying on a wall certificate or booking a regulated service.
Verify the practitioner
Check the professional’s legal name, license type, current status and other identifying details in the state record.
Verify the location separately
A practitioner’s individual credential does not automatically license the salon, shop, personal-service business or mobile unit from which services are offered.
Open official cosmetology verification guidance
Use our Washington Cosmetology License Search guide for detailed lookup troubleshooting.
Which Washington Cosmetology License Applies?
Washington regulates several separate beauty-industry credentials. The exact license matters because training hours and legal scope differ.
Cosmetologist
Washington’s broad cosmetology credential follows a 1,600-hour minimum licensed-school route or an approved apprenticeship route.
Hair Designer
A separate Washington credential for hair-design services with its own training requirements.
Barber
Barbering is regulated through Washington’s DOL cosmetology licensing framework rather than a separate standalone barber licensing agency.
Manicurist
Use the manicurist licensing route for regulated nail services.
Esthetician
Washington licenses estheticians separately from cosmetologists.
Master Esthetician
Master esthetics is a separate credential with additional scope and training requirements.
Instructor
Professionals who teach regulated cosmetology disciplines use the instructor licensing route.
Salon / Shop
The operating location requires its own business-side licensing where covered services are performed for a fee.
Personal Service / Mobile Unit
Washington separately licenses qualifying personal-service arrangements and mobile units.
How to Get a Washington Cosmetology License
For the standard practitioner route, applicants generally must be at least 17, complete an approved education or apprenticeship route, pass Washington’s required examinations and submit the application and fee to DOL.
Choose the exact profession
Decide whether you need Cosmetologist, Hair Designer, Barber, Manicurist, Esthetician or Master Esthetician licensing. Do not choose by job title alone; choose according to the services you plan to perform.
Complete approved education or apprenticeship
Use a Washington-approved licensed school or approved apprenticeship program and complete the minimum training requirements for the credential.
Become eligible for testing
DOL says students and apprentices may become eligible to take the examinations when they are within 100 hours of completing the required instruction.
Pass the written and practical examinations
Washington currently uses Prov to administer its state-approved cosmetology examinations. Current applicants must pass both required exams.
Finish every required training hour
Being permitted to test within the final 100 hours does not eliminate the requirement to complete the full training program before applying for the license.
Submit the DOL application and fee
Apply online where available or follow the current mail instructions on the official DOL application.
Open official Washington cosmetology application instructions
Washington Cosmetology Training Hours
| License | Licensed-school minimum | Approved apprenticeship minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,600 hours | 3,000 hours |
| Barber | 1,000 hours | 2,000 hours |
| Manicurist | 600 hours | 2,000 hours |
| Esthetician | 750 hours | 2,000 hours |
| Master Esthetician | 450 hours | 2,000 hours |
| Combined Master Esthetician | 1,200 hours | Check current DOL program structure |
| Hair Designer | 1,400 hours | 2,000 hours |
A school or apprenticeship program may require more than the state minimum. Verify the program before relying on advertised training hours.
Washington Cosmetology Exams: Prov Is the Current 2026 Vendor
Washington changed cosmetology examination vendors in 2026. As of May 1, 2026, Prov administers the examinations for the Department of Licensing.
NIC Written Exam
Current first-license applicants must pass the state-approved written examination.
NIC Practical Exam
Current first-license applicants must also pass the state-approved practical examination.
75%
DOL lists a 75% minimum for the current NIC written and practical examination period.
Current Washington Cosmetology License Fees
The following DOL amounts were current when this page was verified on September 29, 2026. DOL also has professional-license fee rulemaking in progress, so users paying later should recheck the live fee page.
| License / transaction | Initial | Reciprocity | Renewal | Late renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | $35 | $60 | $66 | $131 |
| Barber | $35 | $60 | $66 | $131 |
| Manicurist | $35 | $60 | $66 | $131 |
| Hair Designer | $35 | $60 | $66 | $131 |
| Esthetician | $35 | $60 | $66 | $131 |
| Master Esthetician | $35 | $60 | $66 | $131 |
| Instructor | $35 | $60 | $66 | $131 |
| Salon / Shop | $121 | Not applicable | $121 | $181 |
| Mobile Unit | $121 | Not applicable | $121 | $181 |
| Personal Service | $121 | Not applicable | $121 | $181 |
| School | $330 | Not applicable | $330 | $523 |
Washington Cosmetology License Renewal
DOL says cosmetology-related practitioner licenses must be renewed every two years and may be renewed up to 120 days before expiration. Be ready with the license number, renewal payment and documents for legal-background questions when required.
Moving a Cosmetology License to Washington
Washington calls its out-of-state route reciprocity. An applicant must be at least 17 and hold an active license from another jurisdiction.
Application
Complete the Washington application for the exact credential you want.
Good-standing proof
Provide proof that the out-of-state license is active and in good standing.
Exam proof
Provide evidence of the approved examination or examinations used for the existing license.
The current published reciprocity fee for the listed individual cosmetology-related licenses is $60.
Washington Salon, Shop, Personal Service and Mobile Unit Licensing
Washington separately licenses business locations and mobile or off-site service arrangements. An individual’s professional license does not replace the applicable location license.
Salon / Shop
A building, structure, suite or leased space where covered cosmetology services are performed for a fee may require the applicable salon/shop license.
Personal Service
This covers applicable services performed in a client’s home, event venue, office or another convenient location.
Mobile Unit
This applies where regulated services are offered from a qualifying mobile structure.
Applicants also need a Washington business-license application through the Department of Revenue to obtain a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) before completing the DOL location-license process.
Open official salon, personal-service and mobile-unit requirements
How to File a Washington Cosmetology Complaint
DOL accepts complaints about licensed professionals or businesses and reports of unlicensed activity. Complaints may be submitted through the available online route or using the state’s complaint process.
Identify the person or business
Use the legal or licensed name when possible and include the profession or type of business involved.
Explain what happened in chronological order
Include relevant dates, people involved, the service provided and steps already taken to resolve the issue.
Attach supporting records
Include copies of documents related to the complaint, such as contracts, correspondence, photographs or other relevant records.
Submit through the official DOL route
Use the current complaint form or online complaint service and retain a copy of what you submit.
Washington Cosmetology Laws and Rules
Chapter 18.16 RCW
This is the main Washington statutory chapter covering cosmetologists, hair designers, barbers, manicurists and estheticians.
Chapter 308-20 WAC
Washington’s administrative rules cover additional licensing, examination, curriculum, sanitation and business requirements.
Washington Cosmetology Advisory Board
The official Advisory Board has 10 positions. Its structure includes industry professionals, education representatives and a consumer representative. Board members serve three-year terms.
Advises the DOL Director
The Board’s stated mission includes protecting consumers and addressing licensees’ legal concerns by giving recommendations to the Director of the Department of Licensing.
Meetings, agendas and minutes
DOL publishes future meeting dates and past meeting materials. The Board’s current meeting structure provides virtual participation, with an Olympia location available for viewing when specified.
Washington Cosmetology Contact Information
Cosmetology Program
Phone: 360-664-6626
TTY: 711
Email: dolcosmo@dol.wa.gov
Call-center hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Forms with payments
Cosmetology Program
Department of Licensing
PO Box 3856
Seattle, WA 98124-3401
Mail without payments
Cosmetology Program
Department of Licensing
PO Box 9026
Olympia, WA 98507
Cosmetology Education Unit
Phone: 360-664-6651
Email: csap@dol.wa.gov
Call-center hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
UPS / FedEx licensing deliveries
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98504-2283
Use the address printed on the current DOL form whenever it differs from a general contact address.
Use the Correct Washington Service for Your Task
| Your task | Best official route |
|---|---|
| Apply for an individual beauty license | DOL cosmetology application instructions |
| Verify a practitioner or business | DOL professional license lookup |
| Renew or reinstate an individual license | DOL renewal / reinstatement service |
| Apply from another state | DOL reciprocity route |
| Open a salon or shop | DOR business licensing + DOL salon/shop license |
| Operate a mobile unit | DOL mobile-unit license |
| Ask about school or training requirements | DOL Cosmetology Education Unit |
| Schedule current exams | Prov |
| File a licensing complaint | DOL Business and Professions Complaint |
| Read current cosmetology law | Chapter 18.16 RCW and Chapter 308-20 WAC |
| View Advisory Board meetings | DOL Advisory Board page |
Related Washington Cosmetology Guides
Washington Cosmetology License
Use the full license guide for application requirements, detailed training hours, Prov testing, reciprocity, renewal and license-status problems.
Washington License Search
Use the lookup guide when your main goal is verifying an individual practitioner, salon, mobile unit or other license record.
Washington State Board of Cosmetology FAQs
Does Washington have a State Board of Cosmetology?
Washington has the Cosmetology, Hair Design, Barbering, Esthetics, and Manicuring Advisory Board. Professional and business cosmetology licenses are administered by the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Who issues Washington cosmetology licenses?
The Washington State Department of Licensing administers cosmetologist, barber, manicurist, esthetician, master-esthetician, hair-designer and related business licenses.
What is the Washington cosmetology phone number?
For licensing, renewal and update questions, call the DOL Cosmetology Program at 360-664-6626. The published call-center hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
How do I verify a Washington cosmetology license?
Use Washington DOL’s professional license lookup and confirm the legal name, license category and current status. Verify the practitioner and salon or business separately when both matter.
How old do I need to be for a Washington cosmetology license?
DOL states that applicants for the listed practitioner licenses must be at least 17 years old.
How many hours are required for Washington cosmetology?
The licensed-school route requires at least 1,600 cosmetology hours. The approved apprenticeship route lists 3,000 hours for cosmetology.
Who gives Washington cosmetology exams in 2026?
Prov became Washington’s cosmetology examination vendor on May 1, 2026. Current applicants should follow DOL and Prov instructions for scheduling.
How often is a Washington cosmetology license renewed?
DOL states that individual cosmetology licenses are renewed every two years and may be renewed up to 120 days before expiration.
How much is Washington cosmetology renewal?
The current published standard renewal fee for the listed individual cosmetology-related licenses is $66, with a current late-renewal amount of $131. Because DOL has licensing-fee rulemaking in progress, verify the current fee before paying.
Can I file a complaint against a Washington cosmetologist?
Yes. Washington DOL accepts complaints against licensed professionals and businesses and reports of unlicensed activity. Provide a detailed chronology and copies of supporting documents.
Is Washington State the same as Washington, D.C. for cosmetology licensing?
No. Washington State licenses these professions through Washington DOL. Washington, D.C. uses a separate District licensing system and different requirements.
Official Washington Cosmetology Resources
Washington Cosmetology Licensing Checklist
- Use Washington DOL—not the Advisory Board—as the licensing transaction authority.
- Choose the exact license according to the services being performed.
- Verify the school or apprenticeship program before counting training hours.
- Use Prov for current 2026 Washington cosmetology examinations.
- Verify practitioner and business licenses separately.
- Check the live DOL fee page before paying.
- Renew an individual license every two years and begin up to 120 days before expiration.
- Do not continue regulated paid practice after a license expires or is canceled.
- Use the DOL complaint process for licensed-professional issues or unlicensed activity.
- Use the Advisory Board page for meetings, members, agendas and recommendations—not license renewal.
Board-of-Cosmetology.org is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with the Washington State Department of Licensing, the Cosmetology Advisory Board or Prov. Current Washington laws, DOL records, forms and agency decisions control.