Washington · Department of Licensing
Washington cosmetology license lookup.
Washington's Department of Licensing issues cosmetologist, barber, manicurist, esthetician and related licences. It publishes the hours each requires and a status lookup.
Short answer: use the Department of Licensing's “Look up the status of a business or professional license” page. Washington licences renew every two years, and one that has been expired for more than a year is cancelled and the holder must reapply.
At a glance
- Regulator: Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL)
- Where to check: DOL: Look up the status of a business or professional license
- Cosmetologist: 1,600 school hours or 3,000 apprenticeship hours
- Renewal: Every 2 years; renew up to 120 days before expiry
- Expired over a year: Licence is cancelled; you must reapply
- Exams: Practical and written, administered by Prov
Official links
How to check a Washington licence
The cosmetology licensing page links to the Department of Licensing's status lookup, “Look up the status of a business or professional license”. DOL's page does not describe the search steps, so open it and search by name. Licensees manage their own licence in a business or professional license account at professions.dol.wa.gov.
Washington is clear on one point that affects what a lookup means: once a licence expires or is cancelled, the holder is considered unlicensed, and practising without a licence can lead to a fine. A licence record that has lapsed is therefore not a minor paperwork gap.
Hours for each Washington licence
DOL lists the minimum school hours as: cosmetologist 1,600; barber 1,000; manicurist 600; esthetician 750; master esthetician 450; combined master esthetician 1,200; hair designer 1,400. The minimum apprenticeship hours are: cosmetologist 3,000; barber 2,000; manicurist 2,000; esthetician 2,000; master esthetician 2,000; hair designer 2,000 (the page lists none for the combined master esthetician). Applicants must be at least 17 and pass the state-approved practical and written exams, which DOL says are administered by Prov (the exam vendor changed to Prov as of May 1, 2026). DOL's page does not list fee amounts and refers to its Fees page.
Renewal, late fees and reinstatement
You must renew every 2 years and can renew up to 120 days before expiration. A late fee applies if you renew after expiration, even if you never received a renewal notice. If a licence has expired for more than a year, DOL cancels it and the person must reapply. Reinstatement is requested online through SecureAccess Washington or by mail, and the applicant must pass the practical and written exams. DOL's renewal page does not mention continuing education and does not list fee amounts.
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot confirm that a person is licensed. Use DOL's lookup for that; hours and fees can change.
Sources
- DOL: Cosmetology (Retrieved November 2026)
- DOL: Get your license, cosmetology (Retrieved November 2026)
- DOL: Renew or reinstate your license, cosmetologists (Retrieved November 2026)
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Washington cosmetologist's licence?
Use the Department of Licensing's page to look up the status of a business or professional license, linked from DOL's cosmetology pages.
How many hours does Washington require for a cosmetology licence?
DOL lists a minimum of 1,600 school hours or 3,000 apprenticeship hours for a cosmetologist, plus practical and written exams.
How often must a Washington cosmetology licence be renewed?
Every 2 years. You can renew up to 120 days before expiration, and a late fee applies after it.
What happens if a Washington cosmetology licence expires for over a year?
DOL says it will cancel the licence and the person must reapply.
Does this page confirm a licence?
No. It links to DOL and summarises DOL's published rules. Only DOL's lookup shows a licence record.
A guide, not a verification
TNAADO is not a licensing board and this page does not check anyone's licence or imply official verification. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere. This is general information, not legal advice. Use the official links to confirm status, and check the regulator's site for current rules and fees.