To practice cosmetology in Washington State, you will require the appropriate license. Naturally, there are some requirements you must meet before you can obtain the Washington State cosmetology license. If you are thinking of applying, or simply need more information, please read the overview below.
What Are the Requirements for Graduates of a School or an Apprenticeship Program?
Students who recently graduated from their cosmetology education can in principle apply for the Washington State cosmetology license. Naturally, there are some minimum requirements that these graduates must meet before their application is approved.
The licensing requirements of Washington State indicate that applicants must be at least seventeen years old before applying for a cosmetology license. The applicant must also have graduated from a school that is approved and licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing. In this framework, the applicant must have completed a certain number of hours before they will be considered for a cosmetology license.
If the applicant has not enjoyed education at a licensed school, but has followed an approved apprenticeship program, applicants can still acquire the Washington State cosmetology license. However, the applicant will need to pass a practical and written examination provided and organised by the state board.
What Are the Minimum Number of Hours Required for a Washington State Cosmetology License?
Applicants who want to obtain their cosmetology license require at least 1,600 hours of education. Please note that this amount of training is different for other licenses, because a barber license only requires 1,000 hours.
If you have followed an apprenticeship program, you usually require more hours than if you would have followed formal education. Applicants who want to apply for a Washington State cosmetology license will require at least 2,000 hours if they obtained their training from an apprenticeship.
How Do I Get My Washington State Cosmetology License?
To get your Washington State cosmetology license, you first need to determine if you are eligible to take the state exam. If you are eligible for the exam, you can submit your application to the Washington State board.
In Washington State, applicants must ask their school or their apprenticeship program to create an account with the Washington State board for them. When the account is created, you will receive a username and a password. Then, follow the instructions on your screen to schedule an examination date and to pay for your exam.
Once you have passed your exam, you will need to log in on your account and apply for the license with the Washington State board. You will also be required to pay a fee for your license.
What Happens If I Fail the Exam?
If you fail the exam that is required for you to obtain a cosmetology license, you will need to retake the exam. Applicants can only execute one exam per day, so you will have to wait 24 hours before you attempt to take the exam again.
Applicants who have failed their first exam will be required to pay the examination fee again; this because the exam is organised by an external party hired by the Washington State board.
Can I Get a Reimbursement If I Am a U.S. Veteran?
If you are a U.S. veteran, you might be eligible for a partial reimbursement of the cost you incur during your training and your Washington State cosmetology license application. For more information, please refer to the government website of veteran affairs.
Can I Transfer an Out-of-State Cosmetology License to Washington State?
It is possible for license holders to transfer their cosmetology license from another state to Washington State. However, to transfer their license, the license the applicant holds must be of equal or higher value than the Washington State cosmetology license. There are also other requirements applicants must meet.
To transfer your license from another U.S. state, you will need the special application form for a license transfer; this form is available on the Washington State website for licenses. On the application, you will need to select reciprocity on the form if you already executed a practical and written exam to acquire your license. These applicants must also pay an application fee of $50 to get their license transferred to Washington State.
Applicants who did not execute a written or practical exam to obtain their license will be required to sit a written and practical exam in Washington State before they can acquire their cosmetology license. If you need to take these exams, you should not pay the license fee yet.
Before the Washington State board can approve or decline your application, you must also contact your current state and ask them to send the Washington State board a certification of your active license. Without this certification, you cannot transfer your license to Washington State.
Most applications can be done online, but applicants can also file their application and supporting documentation via mail.
Can I Transfer a License from Another Country to Washington State?
Applicants can transfer a cosmetology license from another country to Washington State. To do this, you will need to fill in the appropriate application form available on the website for licensing of Washington State.
When filling in the application, be sure to tick the ‘out-of-country” box on the application form. In addition to filling in the form, you will need to provide prove of your license originating from a different country; this includes English documentation of your education and exams taken. You must also get a licensed translator to translate the documents for documents which are not in English.
If all your documentation and certifications are accepted, you will be required to sit the Washington State exam. However, the type of exam may vary depending on the kind of license you are currently holding.
To complete your application to transfer your license to Washington State from a different country, you will need to send your application, supporting documentation, and fees, to the Department of Licensing of Washington State.