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Cosmetologist
Exam: Yes
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
Renewal Cycle
Gov. Fees
Get the Washington Cosmetologist Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Application Fee
$35
Initial cosmetologist license application fee
Exam Fee
$294
Written ($180) + Practical ($114), paid directly to D.L. Roope Administrations. Credit card processing fee of $8 per exam may apply.
License Fee
$0
License fee is included in the $35 application fee
Education / Training Cost
$5,000–$20,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee
Renewal Fee
$66
Every 2 years (biennial)
CE Required
Not required
No continuing education needed for renewal
Renewal Cycle
2 years (biennial)
Renewal Fee
$66
Be at least 17 years old and possess a high school diploma or equivalent
Complete 1,600 hours of cosmetology training at a DOL-approved school, OR 2,000 hours through an apprenticeship program
Register for and pass the NIC written exam through D.L. Roope Administrations ($180 fee)
Register for and pass the NIC practical exam through D.L. Roope Administrations ($114 fee)
Complete the official cosmetologist license application form
Submit application with $35 fee online via SecureAccess Washington (SAW) for faster processing, or by mail
Receive your Washington cosmetology license
Minimum Age
17 years old
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Residency
No residency requirement; out-of-state applicants may apply via reciprocity
Background Check
Not required
Not sure if you need a cosmetology license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1,600 hours
Cosmetology school (DOL-approved)
Apprenticeship Alternative
2,000 hours required
Apprenticeship pathway requires 2,000 hours of supervised training. Full-time school typically takes 9-12 months, while apprenticeship takes longer.
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified in official sources. Contact the Department of Licensing for clarification.
Curriculum Includes
See our picks for the best cosmetology programs in Washington.
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Hair, skin, and nail services including hair cutting, styling, coloring, chemical waving, chemical relaxing, thermal curling, hair lightening, shampooing, conditioning, skin care and facials, hair removal, manicuring, pedicuring, and infection control procedures.
NIC Cosmetologist Written Examination
NIC (National Interstate Council) written exam with 110 multiple-choice questions (100 scored items). 90 minutes allowed. Must score at least 75% to pass. Students may schedule exams when within 100 hours of completing required instruction. Training hours expire after 3 years if not applied toward licensure.
NIC Cosmetologist Practical Examination
NIC practical examination lasting approximately 4-5 hours. Evaluates competence in hair shaping, chemical waving, chemical relaxing, thermal curling, hair lightening and coloring, and infection control procedures. Performed on mannequins only (models not permitted). Practical exam is only offered in English. Retakes available with additional fee.
Ready to pass the Cosmetology State Board Exam?
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Didn't pass on your first try? Read our guide on what to do if you fail the cosmetology state board exam.
Overall licensing difficulty: 39/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Cosmetology State Board Exam
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Cosmetology Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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NIC Cosmetologist Written Examination
Questions
110 questions
Time Limit
90 minutes
Passing Score
75%
Administered By
D.L. Roope Administrations Inc. (a Prometric company)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $180Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the NIC Cosmetologist Written Examination.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — National Cosmetology Written Examination
Prepare for your National Cosmetology Written Examination with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, online courses, and practice tests.
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Initial cosmetologist license application fee | |
Exam Fee Written ($180) + Practical ($114), paid directly to D.L. Roope Administrations. Credit card processing fee of $8 per exam may apply. | |
License Fee License fee is included in the $35 application fee | |
Total Government Fees Application ($35) + exam ($294). Exam fees paid separately to D.L. Roope Administrations. |
Cosmetology School Tuition: $5,000–$20,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Initial License Term
2 years
Renewal Cycle
2 years (biennial)
Renewal Fee
$66
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
$131 (late renewal within one year of expiration; license cancelled if expired more than one year)
Regulatory Board
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our cosmetology license renewal guide.
Washington offers license reciprocity for cosmetologists licensed in other states. Applicants must provide proof of active license in good standing. If the originating state uses NIC examinations, retesting may not be required. Otherwise, Washington state exams may be needed.
Additional Requirements: Reciprocity application fee of $60. Must provide proof of current license in good standing from home state.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Washington with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Skin care, facials, and related services
Manicures, pedicures, and nail services
Hair cutting, shaving, and barbering services
Washington's $294 combined exam fee is notably higher than many states. The state uses NIC exams administered by D.L. Roope Administrations (a Prometric company), and also offers a separate 'Hair Designer' license (1,400 hours) for those who only want to do hair services without the full cosmetology scope. Training hours expire after 3 years if not used.
Students may schedule exams when within 100 hours of completing their required instruction hours.
Training hours expire after 3 years if not applied toward licensure.
Retakes are available for failed exams (one retake per day allowed) with an additional fee.
The practical exam is only offered in English.
Licenses expired more than 1 year are cancelled and require full reapplication, potentially including exams.
Washington uses the NIC (National Interstate Council) exams, which may facilitate reciprocity with other NIC states.
Online application via SecureAccess Washington (SAW) is faster than mail-in.
HB 1874 (effective March 1, 2026): All cosmetology school curricula must include training on care, styling, and treatment of textured hair.
Cosmetology Licensure Compact adopted in 2025, effective June 1, 2028. Washington will become a compact member state for multistate cosmetology licensing.
Professional License Review Act: Cosmetology licensing under review 2025-2026; report to legislature due August 31, 2026.
Cosmetologist Schools in Washington
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Cosmetologist requirements in nearby states
See how Washington compares: Cosmetologist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Transferring Your License?
Compare cosmetologist requirements across all states →
Cosmetologist licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure cosmetologist is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Washington compare to other states for cosmetologist? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your cosmetologist license →
Study guides and practice tests for the cosmetology licensing exam.
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Other professional licenses in Washington
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Official Sources
Cosmetologist requirements in Washington verified against Washington State Department of Licensing - Cosmetology Program, April 2026.
Moving to Washington? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Cosmetologist license to Washington →