Cosmetologists › Washington
Washington cosmetology license lookup
Check a Washington cosmetologist's license against the Washington State Department of Licensing: status, license number, and when it expires.
Opens the Washington State Department of Licensing in a new tab; the board's own record is the source.
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We email you if the status changes, the license lapses, or discipline is filed. $19 a month, cancel anytime.
What each status means
- Active
- The license is current and in good standing. This is what you want to see before booking or hiring.
- Expired or inactive
- The license has lapsed or was placed on inactive status. The cosmetologist cannot practice on it until it is renewed.
- Suspended or revoked
- The state has taken action against the license. The cosmetologist is not authorized to practice, and the action is on the public record.
Verifying a Washington cosmetologist
- Licensing authority
- Cosmetologists in Washington are licensed by the Department of Licensing, the same agency that issues driver licenses, rather than by a standalone cosmetology board or a health department.
- License number
- A Washington license number from the Department of Licensing. Washington does not issue one blanket cosmetology license: it credentials cosmetologists, barbers, manicurists, estheticians, master estheticians, and hair designers separately, so the record names the specific credential the person holds.
- Renewal
- A Washington cosmetology license runs for two years, and the holder can renew it as early as 120 days before it expires.
- Disciplinary history
- Public. The Department of Licensing's license search shows the credential status and whether the state has taken action against it.
Common questions
How do I know a Washington cosmetologist is really licensed?
Find them by license number on the Washington State Department of Licensing's record with an active status. A cosmetologist who cannot be found on the state's record is not licensed in Washington, whatever a website says.
What does an expired or inactive license mean?
The license is on file but not current, so the cosmetologist cannot practice on it until it is renewed or reactivated. The record shows the expiration date.
Can I see if a Washington cosmetologist has been disciplined?
Public. The Department of Licensing's license search shows the credential status and whether the state has taken action against it.
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