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Washington Cosmetology Licensing

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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

Seattle, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Federal Way, WA
Cosmetology / Barbering / Hair Design / Teacher Training
Federal Way, WA
Cosmetology
Richland, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering / Nail Technology / Teacher Training
Spokane Valley, WA
Cosmetology / Barbering / Teacher Training

Find Cosmetology Schools Near You

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Everett, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Hair Design
Port Angeles, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering / Nail Technology / Hair Design
Renton, WA
Cosmetology / Hair Design
Sunnyside, WA
Cosmetology
Arts Barber Academy – Accredited
Kennewick, WA
Cosmetology / Barbering / Teacher Training
Vancouver, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering / Hair Design / Teacher Training
Barber Pros Academy – Accredited
Toppenish, WA
Cosmetology
Tacoma, WA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Ellensburg, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Bremerton, WA
Cosmetology
Centralia, WA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Teacher Training
Moses Lake, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering / Nail Technology
Aberdeen, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering / Nail Technology / Teacher Training
Lakewood, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Massage Therapy
Wenatchee, WA
Cosmetology
Pasco, WA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Vancouver, WA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Hair Design
Yakima, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy / Hair Design / Teacher Training
Vancouver, WA
Cosmetology
Sunnyside, WA
Cosmetology
Everett, WA
Cosmetology
Bellingham, WA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Everett, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Make-Up Artist Training / Teacher Training
Mount Vernon, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering
Renton, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Hair Design / Teacher Training
Shoreline, WA
Cosmetology / Barbering / Make-Up Artist Training / Hair Design
Yakima, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering / Nail Technology / Hair Design / Teacher Training
Vancouver, WA
Cosmetology
Seattle, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Make-Up Artist Training / Hair Design
Lakewood, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering / Nail Technology / Hair Design
Airway Heights, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering / Nail Technology / Teacher Training
JD Beauty Academy – Accredited
Wenatchee, WA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Teacher Training
Seattle, WA
Cosmetology
East Wenatchee, WA
Cosmetology
Wenatchee, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Lee's Beauty School – Accredited
Olympia, WA
Cosmetology
Tacoma, WA
Cosmetology / Barbering / Nail Technology
Pasco, WA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Burien, WA
Cosmetology
Lakewood, WA
Cosmetology
Nailcessity Academy – Accredited
Kennewick, WA
Cosmetology
Tumwater, WA
Cosmetology
Pasco, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering / Nail Technology / Teacher Training
NewTewch Prep – Accredited
Spokane, WA
Cosmetology
Olympia, WA
Cosmetology
Bremerton, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Hair Design
Yakima, WA
Cosmetology
Sunnyside, WA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Seattle, WA
Cosmetology
Everett, WA
Cosmetology
Spokane, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Port Angeles, WA
Cosmetology
Spokane Valley, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Teacher Training
Longview, WA
Cosmetology / Barbering / Nail Technology / Teacher Training
Tacoma, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Vega's Academy – Accredited
Vancouver, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering / Nail Technology / Hair Design
Kennewick, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering / Massage Therapy / Hair Design / Teacher Training
Vuu's Beauty School – Accredited
Seattle, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering / Nail Technology / Make-Up Artist Training
Walla Walla, WA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Wenatchee, WA
Cosmetology
Bellingham, WA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy / Teacher Training
School Accreditation

You must attend a school that is approved by your state to provide training in the discipline you want to practice. Check with the school and the state board to be sure that your program of study will prepare you for any applicable state licensure.