While there’s no standalone lash technician license in Washington, you’ll need to have a state esthetician license to apply eyelash extensions for compensation. A short certification course won’t qualify you to take paying clients.
Washington’s cosmetology law calls for an esthetics license in order to provide any service that involves the “application of product to the eyelashes and eyebrows, including extensions, design and treatment”.
If lashes are a service you really want to provide to customers, here’s how the state licensing process works.
Washington lash licensing at a glance
| License that covers lash extensions | Esthetician (a master esthetician license covers it as well) |
| Training required | 750 hours at a licensed school, or 2,000 hours in a state-approved apprenticeship |
| Exam | Washington’s two-part esthetics exam (written and practical exams) |
| Initial license fee | $35 |
| Renewal | Every two years ($66 renewal fee) |
| Lash training at Evergreen | Individual eyelash extensions in Phase II of the 750-hour esthetics program |
| Campuses | Available at all campuses: Bellingham, Everett, Mount Vernon, North Seattle, Olympia, Renton, and Yakima |
What Washington law says about lash extensions
Washington regulates lash extensions the same way it regulates facials and waxing. State law makes it unlawful to engage in commercial esthetics without a license in good standing. The law’s definition of esthetics explicitly includes lash and brow extensions. Put those two together and the person holding the tweezers needs a license from the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Students have a narrow exception. The rule doesn’t apply to students enrolled in a licensed school or apprentices in a state-approved program, which is why you can practice lash sets on real clients in a student spa while you’re still in training.
Note also that the law’s definition of cosmetology services, which doesn’t explicitly mention eyelash extensions, says that services may include “design of the hair of the face, neck, and scalp”, which could include eyelash extensions. However, the specific language of the law focuses on esthetics licenses, so that’s what we’ll cover here. (If you’re interested in cosmetology, you can read more about getting a cosmetology license in our guide, “How to Get a Cosmetology License in Washington.”)
Why esthetics is the license that covers lash extensions
Washington writes a separate scope of practice for each license it issues. The practice of esthetics covers skin care along with products applied to the eyelashes and eyebrows. A master esthetician license includes every method allowed in esthetics and adds medium-depth peels and services that use certain medical devices.
The practice of cosmetology, by contrast, describes hair services, manicuring and pedicuring, a limited set of skin services, and “tinting eyelashes and eyebrows,” with no reference to extensions. That’s why esthetics is the license to aim for if you want to offer lash sets.
What our esthetics program teaches
Washington requires 750 hours of training at a licensed school before you can take the state exams. The state sets the required subject areas, including skin care services, temporary hair removal, disinfection, skin diseases and disorders, and safety with chemicals and equipment.
Evergreen’s esthetics program breaks these requirements down into three phases.
- Phase I: Skin physiology, microbiology, first aid, professional standards, facial massage, makeup, and hair removal methods.
- Phase II: Lash work extractions, superficial chemical peels, and advanced electrical modalities.
- Phase III: State board exam preparation, externship, and portfolio development.
Our eyelash extension training walks through safety and sanitization, product knowledge and lash selection, the bonding and application process, client preparation and removal, and aftercare and troubleshooting.
How to get your esthetics license in Washington
- Finish 750 hours at a school licensed by Washington, or 2,000 hours through a state-approved apprenticeship.
- Pass Washington’s written and practical exams (fees apply).
- Apply to the Department of Licensing and pay the $35 initial license fee.
- Post your license where clients can see it, and renew every two years for $66.
If you’ve just moved to Washington and hold an esthetics license from another U.S. state, you don’t have to train all over again. You can fill out a reciprocity application and pay a $60 fee to transfer your license onto Washington’s books.
Skipping licensure has consequences. The state can impose fines of up to $500 per violation, along with license denial, revocation, probation, or restitution.
Lash certificates vs. licenses: a very important difference
A lash certificate documents that you’ve been trained in a specific technique by a specific instructor. Manufacturers and academies issue them, and many lash artists collect several as they train with new products and techniques.
However, certificates aren’t legally binding the way a license is. The state esthetics license is the separate piece that allows you to provide lash services for compensation in Washington.
Train for lash work at Evergreen
Evergreen Beauty College teaches the 750-hour esthetics program at all seven of our campuses. Lash extensions are built into the curriculum. Classes run on the EverFlex schedule, which requires four hours on campus per day plus 10 hours online per week.
Morning, afternoon, or evening classes are available depending on the campus you choose. You can learn more about the esthetics program at each campus by choosing one below:
The best way to find out if we’re right for you is to come visit an Evergreen campus. Schedule a tour or call (425) 336-5120 whenever you’re ready.
FAQ: Eyelash Extension Licensing in Washington
Do you need a license to do eyelash extensions in Washington?
Yes. Washington includes eyelash extensions in the practice of esthetics, and state law makes it unlawful to engage in commercial esthetics without a license in good standing. A training certificate documents your ability to perform the technique, but the state license is what allows you to charge for the service.
How many hours of training does Washington require for an esthetics license?
750 hours at a licensed school, or 2,000 hours through a state-approved apprenticeship, before you can take Washington’s written and practical exams. Evergreen covers those 750 hours in three phases on the EverFlex schedule of four-hour class days plus 10 hours online per week.
Does a cosmetology license cover eyelash extensions in Washington?
Washington’s definition of cosmetology lists “tinting eyelashes and eyebrows” and does not mention extensions, while the definition of esthetics mentions lash extensions directly.
Can you practice lash extensions while you’re still in school?
Yes. Washington’s cosmetology regulations don’t apply to students enrolled in a licensed school or to apprentices in a state-approved program, so students can practice lash sets on real clients under instructor supervision in the student spa.
What happens if someone does lash extensions in Washington without a license?
The Department of Licensing can impose fines of up to $500 per violation and may also deny, suspend, or revoke a license, order probation, or require restitution.
How much does an esthetics license cost in Washington?
The initial license fee is $35, renewal is $66 every two years, a late renewal is $131, and a reciprocity application from another state is $60 (Department of Licensing).
Disclaimers
Evergreen is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS) and licensed by the Washington State Board of Cosmetology. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
