By Frank Trieu, Vice President of Business Development & Industry Relations | Last updated: May 5, 2026
The short answer
In Washington, a cosmetologist trains across hair, skin, and nails (1,600 hours), while an esthetician focuses entirely on skin care (750+ hours). Cosmetologists offer more services. Estheticians go deeper on skin. Both programs lead up to earning a state license through the Washington Department of Licensing.
At a glance: cosmetologist vs. esthetician in Washington
| Cosmetologist | Esthetician | |
|---|---|---|
| What you study | Hair, skin, and nails | Skin care, waxing, and lashes |
| WA training hours (school) | 1,600 hours | 750 hours |
| WA training hours (apprenticeship) | 3,244 hours | 2,144 hours |
| WA exam | State practical + written | State practical + written |
| Common services | Cuts, color, styling, perms, scalp care, basic skin and nails | Facials, peels, masks, waxing, makeup, brows and lashes |
| Career paths | Stylist, colorist, salon owner, educator, platform artist, freelance | Esthetician, spa professional, brand educator, lash/wax specialist, master esthetician (with extra hours) |
| Reported median pay (U.S., BLS, May 2024) | $35,250/yr ($16.95/hr) | $41,560/yr ($19.98/hr) |
What does an esthetician do?
An esthetician is a skincare specialist. If you’re the friend who knows everyone’s skin type by sight and gets fired up about how (or how not) to combine active ingredients, this side of beauty might be the best fit for you.
Day to day, estheticians:
- Analyze skin and recommend treatments and home care
- Give facials, chemical peels, masks, and exfoliating treatments
- Wax brows, lips, and body
- Apply makeup and lash extensions
- Help clients build a long-term skin-care routine
Where do estheticians work?
Estheticians work in day spas, salons, resort and hotel settings, brand education, and on freelance or contract teams. Estheticians with a master license (see below) can work in medical spas.
How do I get an esthetics license in Washington state?
In Washington, you’ll need to complete 750 hours of school (or 2,000 hours of an apprenticeship) to qualify for a basic esthetics license. If you want to work with lasers, intense pulsed light (IPL), and similar devices in a medical-spa setting, Washington also offers a master esthetician license. That’s an additional 450 hours of school on top of your basic license—1,200 hours combined.
Some esthetics devices and treatments require a prescription from a licensed physician. You’ll need to have a doctor’s authorization before you can use these. The Washington Department of Licensing has more information here.
The esthetics curriculum at Evergreen Beauty College offers you skin-specific science, hands-on training with real clients, and business knowledge you’ll need to pursue esthetician opportunities with confidence.
What does a cosmetologist do?
A cosmetologist is the all-rounder of the beauty world. If you can’t pick between hair, skin, and nails—and you don’t want to—cosmetology could be the right choice for you.
Day to day, cosmetologists:
- Cut, style, color, highlight, perm, and relax hair
- Provide scalp treatments and consultations
- Offer basic skin-care services like cleansing facials and brow shaping
- Provide basic nail care
- Recommend products and educate clients on at-home care
Where do cosmetologists work?
Cosmetologists work behind the chair in salons, as educators or color specialists, on photo and film sets, in resorts and on cruise ships, and as salon owners.
How do I get a cosmetology license in Washington state?
To get a cosmetology license in Washington, you’ll need to complete a 1,600-hour program from an approved cosmetology school or complete a 3,000-hour apprenticeship. Then, you’ll need to take the two-part Washington cosmetology exam, which includes a written portion and a practical portion.
At Evergreen Beauty College, you can finish your 1,600 hours in about 13 months on our EverFlex schedule—four hours on campus a day (morning, afternoon, or evening—you pick) plus ten hours online a week. It’s a hybrid format you won’t find at other beauty schools.
How to choose: five questions to ask yourself
When it comes to deciding between cosmetology or esthetics, there’s no single right answer. But these five questions tend to point people in the right direction.
- Are you more interested in hair or skin? Cosmetology spends a lot of time on hair. Esthetics spends almost all of it on skin.
- Do you want one deep specialty, or a wider toolkit? Estheticians go deep on one thing. Cosmetologists learn a little of everything and can specialize later.
- How quickly do you want to be working with paying clients? A 750-hour esthetics program is a faster path to your license than a 1,600-hour cosmetology program.
- Where do you picture yourself working—a salon, a day spa, or a medical spa? Salons usually want cosmetologists. Spas usually want estheticians, and medical spas tend to look for master estheticians.
- Are you thinking about owning your own space someday? Both licenses can lead there. Either way, you’ll want some business training along the way.
If you’re still split, that’s normal. Many of our students come in unsure and figure it out by touring a campus, talking to instructors, and watching real students at work.
Washington licensing requirements
Both licenses are issued by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) Cosmetology Program. Here’s how each one works.
Esthetician license (Washington)
- Minimum age: 17 at time of exam
- Education option 1: 750 hours at a DOL-approved school (Evergreen’s esthetics program meets this)
- Education option 2: 2,000 hours through an approved apprenticeship
- Exams: Must pass the state-approved practical and written exams
- Devices: Estheticians can use over-the-counter FDA-approved devices; lasers, IPL, and other prescriptive devices require a master esthetician license and an authorizing physician
Master esthetician license (Washington)
- Minimum age: 17 at time of exam
- Hours: 450 additional hours of school on top of your basic esthetics hours (1,200 total) or 2,000 hours of apprenticeship
- Scope: Permits use of certain FDA-approved prescriptive devices (lasers, IPL, RF) under a licensed physician’s authority
Cosmetology license (Washington)
- Minimum age: 17 at time of exam
- Education option 1: 1,600 hours at a DOL-approved school (Evergreen’s cosmetology program meets this)
- Education option 2: 3,000 hours through an approved apprenticeship
- Exams: Must pass the state-approved practical and written exams
For full requirements and current fees, visit https://dol.wa.gov/professional-licenses/cosmetology.
Ready to find your fit?
Whether you’re drawn to skin, drawn to hair, or still deciding — Evergreen Beauty College is here when you’re ready. Tour a campus, meet our instructors, and see for yourself what hands-on training with real clients looks like in our student salon and student spa.
Evergreen Beauty College is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS) and welcomes students from all backgrounds and financial standings. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cosmetologist do everything an esthetician does?
No. A cosmetology license in Washington covers basic skin-care services like cleansing facials and brow shaping, but it doesn’t go as deep into advanced skin treatments as an esthetics curriculum. Cosmetologists who want to do high-level skin work usually add an esthetics or master esthetics license later.
Can I hold both licenses?
Yes. Some beauty professionals get cosmetology first, then add esthetics later (or vice versa).
Is it easier to switch from esthetician to cosmetologist, or the other way?
Both directions are common. Estheticians who want to add hair will need the full cosmetology hours. Cosmetologists who want to go deeper on skin can pursue esthetics or master esthetics, which can open the door to medical-spa work.
Can I work while I’m in beauty school?
That depends on your schedule. At Evergreen Beauty College, our EverFlex schedule keeps on-campus hours to four hours a day—scheduled in the morning, afternoon, or evening based on what works for you—plus ten online hours a week. This makes it more possible for you to work or raise a family while you study.
How long is each program at Evergreen?
Our cosmetology program is 1,600 hours and runs about 13 months. Our esthetics program is 750 hours. Both can be completed on our EverFlex schedule.
