All four Washington beauty licenses in one place. Washington uses NIC exams — now via Prov as of May 1, 2026 — administered by the DOL (no separate cosmetology board). No CE required for any license. One important restriction: a cosmetology license does not cover sculptured or artificial nails — that requires a separate manicurist license.
Washington · Cosmetology
1,600 hours (or 2,000-hour apprenticeship), NIC exams now via Prov (changed May 1, 2026), 75% passing. Can sit for exams within 100 hours of completing training (HB 1017). Important: cosmetology does not cover sculptured nails — that requires a separate manicurist license.
Washington uses NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations. As of May 1, 2026, exams are administered by Prov (replacing D.L. Roope Administrations as the vendor). NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built directly from the NIC CIB and is a direct-fit study resource for Washington cosmetology licensing. Passing score: 75%.
A Washington cosmetology license covers basic manicures and pedicures, but does not authorize sculptured nail application, artificial nail application, or artificial nail removal. Those services require a separate Washington manicurist license. Most cosmetologists who offer full nail services in Washington hold both licenses.
Washington is one of the few states where beauty licensing is administered directly by the Department of Licensing (DOL) — there is no separate cosmetology board. The DOL Cosmetology Program handles all applications, renewals, and school approvals. Apply through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) at dol.wa.gov.
Verify school approval at dol.wa.gov. Programs typically run 12–16 months full-time. Under HB 1017, you can apply for exams when within 100 hours of completing all required hours.
Apply online at dol.wa.gov and pay the $35 application fee. Or complete the paper application and mail it with payment. You'll receive exam scheduling instructions after the DOL processes your application.
As of May 1, 2026, scheduling goes through Prov at provexam.com. Previously D.L. Roope — confirm current scheduling process at dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/cosmetology. Pay exam fees to Prov.
License issued by WA DOL after passing both exams and completing all training hours. Biennial renewal — no CE required. Late renewal (within 1 year of expiration): $131 instead of $66. Expired over 1 year: cancelled, must reapply.
Built from the NIC CIB — the exam Prov now administers in Washington. Try 10 free questions with full rationales, no signup.
Washington offers reciprocity for out-of-state cosmetologists with an active license in good standing. Submit a reciprocity application ($60 fee) and provide proof of current licensure. If your home state uses NIC examinations, you may not need to retake Washington's exams. If your home state uses state-specific exams, you may need to pass the Washington NIC exam. Contact DOL to confirm for your specific home state.
Washington is a member of the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. Once fully operational, compact membership allows Washington cosmetologists with multistate licenses to practice in all compact member states without additional licensing. The Compact applies to cosmetology only — not barber, manicurist, or esthetics licenses.
Washington · Esthetics
750 hours school (or 800-hour apprenticeship). Two tiers: standard Esthetician and Master Esthetician. NIC exams via Prov, 75% passing. Master Estheticians can use FDA-prescriptive devices under licensed physician delegation. Apply through DOL SecureAccess Washington.
Washington uses NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations administered by Prov (new vendor May 1, 2026). NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built directly from the NIC Esthetics CIB and is a direct-fit study resource for Washington esthetics licensing. Passing score: 75%.
Standard estheticians may use medical devices that the FDA has approved as over-the-counter (without a prescription). Master Estheticians may use medical devices listed with the FDA as prescriptive devices, but only under the authority of a licensed physician. For prescriptive laser devices, estheticians may alternatively get a laser technician license under the Department of Health (DOH). Confirm current device categories at dol.wa.gov before purchasing new equipment.
Verify school approval at dol.wa.gov. Programs typically run 6–9 months full-time. Can apply for exams within 100 hours of completion.
Apply online at dol.wa.gov or by mail. Receive exam scheduling instructions from DOL.
As of May 1, 2026, scheduling through provexam.com. Pay exam fees to Prov. Both written and practical required, 75% passing on each.
Biennial renewal, no CE required.
Built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — the exam Prov now administers in Washington. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Washington · Hair Designer & Barber
Washington calls its hair-focused license the "Hair Designer" — 1,400 school hours or 1,750 apprenticeship hours. This is the hair-only equivalent to cosmetology. A full cosmetology license requires 1,600 hours but covers more services including skin and nail basics. NIC exams via Prov, 75% passing.
Washington uses NIC examinations administered by Prov for hair designer and barber licensing. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB and is a direct-fit study resource for Washington hair designer and barber licensing. Passing score: 75%.
Washington distinguishes between a Hair Designer (hair services only) and a Cosmetologist (hair, skin basics, nail basics — but not sculptured nails). The Hair Designer license requires 1,400 hours vs 1,600 for cosmetology, but covers a narrower scope. Most candidates who want the broadest scope pursue a cosmetology license. Licensed cosmetologists can qualify for a hair designer license by crossover.
Washington licenses barbers through the same DOL Cosmetology Program. Barber training focuses on haircutting, shaving, and beard grooming. Contact DOL at 360-664-6651 for specific barber hour requirements and exam format — the DOL's current page lists hair designer and cosmetology most prominently, but barber licensing is also available under the same program.
Washington's apprenticeship programs are certified by the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council and DOL. Apprentices work at licensed training salons, earn wages (cannot be charged for training), and submit monthly reports signed by their trainer. Contact the Department of Labor & Industries at 360-902-5320 or apprentice@lni.wa.gov for apprenticeship information.
Programs typically run 10–14 months full-time. Verify school approval at dol.wa.gov. Eligible to sit for exams within 100 hours of completion.
Apply at dol.wa.gov. Receive exam scheduling instructions.
Both written and practical required through Prov (new vendor May 1, 2026). Pay exam fees to Prov.
Biennial renewal, no CE required.
Built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — the exam Prov administers in Washington. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Washington · Manicurist
Washington calls nail technicians "manicurists" — 600 school hours or 800 apprenticeship hours. NIC Nail Technology exams via Prov, 75% passing. This is the only Washington license that covers sculptured and artificial nails. No CE required. Apply through SecureAccess Washington.
Washington uses the NIC National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations administered by Prov (new vendor May 1, 2026). NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB and is a direct-fit study resource for Washington manicurist licensing. Passing score: 75%.
Manicures, pedicures, nail shaping, cuticle care, gel and polish application, sculptured and artificial nail application and removal (the key service not covered by a cosmetology license), nail art. This is the only Washington license that authorizes artificial nail services.
Verify school approval at dol.wa.gov. Programs typically run 4–7 months full-time. Eligible to apply for exams within 100 hours of completion.
Apply online at dol.wa.gov. Receive exam scheduling instructions from DOL. Or mail paper application with check payable to Department of Licensing.
Schedule through provexam.com (new vendor as of May 1, 2026). Both written and practical required. 75% passing on each.
Biennial renewal — renewal window opens 120 days before expiration. No CE required. Renew online through SecureAccess Washington or by mail.
Built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — the exam Prov now administers in Washington. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Washington uses NIC exams via Prov — the same content NICPrep is built from. No CE required after you pass. Try 10 real questions with full rationales, no signup required.