Washington license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Washington
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Washington: when each expires, the renewal fee, the continuing education it needs, and what to do if you renew late or the license has lapsed. Every answer comes from the Washington State Department of Licensing's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Not stated | $66 | Every 2 years | $131 |
| Barber | Not stated | $66 | Every 2 years | $131 |
| Nail technician | Not stated | $66 | Every 2 years | $131 |
| Esthetician | Not stated | $66 | Every 2 years | $131 |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $33 a year, renewing costs about the $32.50 a year typical across the states.
Cosmetologist
Washington cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Washington State Department of Licensing.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsTwo years from issuance.
- Renewal fee
- $66 ($33 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Washington State Department of Licensing before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $131Renewing after the expiration date costs $131 per license in total, and a penalty fee applies when the license is not renewed by its expiration date.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed within one year after its expiration date is canceled; reinstatement then requires an application, the license fee, current licensing requirements and any applicable examination.
Barber
Washington barber license renewal
Renewed through the Washington State Department of Licensing.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsTwo years from issuance.
- Renewal fee
- $66 ($33 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Washington State Department of Licensing before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $131Renewing after the expiration date costs $131 per license in total, and a penalty fee applies when the license is not renewed by its expiration date.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed within one year after its expiration date is canceled; reinstatement then requires an application, the license fee, current licensing requirements and any applicable examination.
Nail technician (Manicurist)
Washington nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Washington State Department of Licensing.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsTwo years from issuance.
- Renewal fee
- $66 ($33 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Washington State Department of Licensing before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $131Renewing after the expiration date costs $131 per license in total, and a penalty fee applies when the license is not renewed by its expiration date.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed within one year after its expiration date is canceled; reinstatement then requires an application, the license fee, current licensing requirements and any applicable examination.
Esthetician
Washington esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Washington State Department of Licensing.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsTwo years from issuance.
- Renewal fee
- $66 ($33 a year)
- Continuing education
- Not statedThe official pages we read do not say whether renewal needs continuing education; ask the Washington State Department of Licensing before you renew.
- Late renewal
- $131Renewing after the expiration date costs $131 per license in total, and a penalty fee applies when the license is not renewed by its expiration date.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license not renewed within one year after its expiration date is canceled; reinstatement then requires an application, the license fee, current licensing requirements and any applicable examination.
Good to know
What else Washington says about renewing
- The Department of Licensing considers a license holder unlicensed if the license expires or is canceled, and may fine anyone who practices unlicensed.
- A license can be renewed up to 120 days before it expires.
- A license holder may not practice on an expired license until it is renewed or reinstated.
Sources
What Washington's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Washington State Department of Licensing's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026. Fees and deadlines change: confirm with the board before you renew.
- Cosmetologist: renewal period
“Each operator or instructor license shall be renewed every two years.”
app.leg.wa.gov “Cosmetologist, hair designer, barber, manicurist, esthetician, master esthetician, and instructor licenses expire two years from issuance.”
app.leg.wa.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“Renewal (Washington State only) - $66 per license or $131 per license if late.”
dol.wa.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“Renewal (Washington State only) - $66 per license or $131 per license if late.”
dol.wa.gov “Licenses must be renewed on or before the expiration date. Failure to renew the license by the expiration date shall result in a penalty fee.”
app.leg.wa.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“A person whose license has not been renewed within one year after its expiration date shall have the license canceled and shall be required to submit an application, pay the license fee, meet current licensing requirements, and pass any applicable examination or examinations”
app.leg.wa.gov “Failure to renew a license by its expiration date subjects the holder to a penalty fee and payment of each year's renewal fee, at the current rate”
app.leg.wa.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Each operator or instructor license shall be renewed every two years.”
app.leg.wa.gov “Cosmetologist, hair designer, barber, manicurist, esthetician, master esthetician, and instructor licenses expire two years from issuance.”
app.leg.wa.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“Renewal (Washington State only) - $66 per license or $131 per license if late.”
dol.wa.gov - Barber: late renewal
“Renewal (Washington State only) - $66 per license or $131 per license if late.”
dol.wa.gov “Licenses must be renewed on or before the expiration date. Failure to renew the license by the expiration date shall result in a penalty fee.”
app.leg.wa.gov - Barber: expired license
“A person whose license has not been renewed within one year after its expiration date shall have the license canceled and shall be required to submit an application, pay the license fee, meet current licensing requirements, and pass any applicable examination or examinations”
app.leg.wa.gov “Failure to renew a license by its expiration date subjects the holder to a penalty fee and payment of each year's renewal fee, at the current rate”
app.leg.wa.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“Each operator or instructor license shall be renewed every two years.”
app.leg.wa.gov “Cosmetologist, hair designer, barber, manicurist, esthetician, master esthetician, and instructor licenses expire two years from issuance.”
app.leg.wa.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“Renewal (Washington State only) - $66 per license or $131 per license if late.”
dol.wa.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“Renewal (Washington State only) - $66 per license or $131 per license if late.”
dol.wa.gov “Licenses must be renewed on or before the expiration date. Failure to renew the license by the expiration date shall result in a penalty fee.”
app.leg.wa.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“A person whose license has not been renewed within one year after its expiration date shall have the license canceled and shall be required to submit an application, pay the license fee, meet current licensing requirements, and pass any applicable examination or examinations”
app.leg.wa.gov “Failure to renew a license by its expiration date subjects the holder to a penalty fee and payment of each year's renewal fee, at the current rate”
app.leg.wa.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“Each operator or instructor license shall be renewed every two years.”
app.leg.wa.gov “Cosmetologist, hair designer, barber, manicurist, esthetician, master esthetician, and instructor licenses expire two years from issuance.”
app.leg.wa.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“Renewal (Washington State only) - $66 per license or $131 per license if late.”
dol.wa.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“Renewal (Washington State only) - $66 per license or $131 per license if late.”
dol.wa.gov “Licenses must be renewed on or before the expiration date. Failure to renew the license by the expiration date shall result in a penalty fee.”
app.leg.wa.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“A person whose license has not been renewed within one year after its expiration date shall have the license canceled and shall be required to submit an application, pay the license fee, meet current licensing requirements, and pass any applicable examination or examinations”
app.leg.wa.gov “Failure to renew a license by its expiration date subjects the holder to a penalty fee and payment of each year's renewal fee, at the current rate”
app.leg.wa.gov - Also good to know
“We consider you unlicensed if your license expires or gets canceled, and we may fine you if you engage in an unlicensed activity.”
dol.wa.gov - Also good to know
“You can renew up to 120 days before your license expires.”
dol.wa.gov - Also good to know
“Nothing in this section authorizes a person whose license has expired or is on inactive status to engage in a practice prohibited under RCW 18.16.060 until the license is renewed or reinstated.”
app.leg.wa.gov
Questions
Washington license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Washington?
The Washington Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years for $66, through the Washington State Department of Licensing. When it expires: Two years from issuance. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Washington State Department of Licensing before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Washington cosmetology license?
The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Washington State Department of Licensing before your renewal date.
What happens if my Washington cosmetology license expires?
Renewing after the expiration date costs $131 per license in total, and a penalty fee applies when the license is not renewed by its expiration date. A license not renewed within one year after its expiration date is canceled; reinstatement then requires an application, the license fee, current licensing requirements and any applicable examination.
How do I renew my barber license in Washington?
The Washington Barber license renews every 2 years for $66, through the Washington State Department of Licensing. When it expires: Two years from issuance. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Washington State Department of Licensing before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Washington barber license expires?
Renewing after the expiration date costs $131 per license in total, and a penalty fee applies when the license is not renewed by its expiration date. A license not renewed within one year after its expiration date is canceled; reinstatement then requires an application, the license fee, current licensing requirements and any applicable examination.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Washington?
The Washington Manicurist license renews every 2 years for $66, through the Washington State Department of Licensing. When it expires: Two years from issuance. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Washington State Department of Licensing before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Washington nail technician license expires?
Renewing after the expiration date costs $131 per license in total, and a penalty fee applies when the license is not renewed by its expiration date. A license not renewed within one year after its expiration date is canceled; reinstatement then requires an application, the license fee, current licensing requirements and any applicable examination.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Washington?
The Washington Esthetician license renews every 2 years for $66, through the Washington State Department of Licensing. When it expires: Two years from issuance. The official pages we read do not state a continuing education requirement for it; ask the Washington State Department of Licensing before your renewal date. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
What happens if my Washington esthetician license expires?
Renewing after the expiration date costs $131 per license in total, and a penalty fee applies when the license is not renewed by its expiration date. A license not renewed within one year after its expiration date is canceled; reinstatement then requires an application, the license fee, current licensing requirements and any applicable examination.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Washington: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Washington
- Running your own salon in Washington: the salon license
- What Washington inspectors check in a salon
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