By Frank Trieu, Vice President of Business Development & Industry Relations | Updated May 2026
Thinking about a career in skincare? You’ll need to become a licensed esthetician. In Washington State, getting an esthetician license requires you to complete 750 clock hours at a state-approved cosmetology school and pass the written and practical sections of the state board exam. Then, you’ll need to apply for your esthetician license through the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).
That’s the short version. The longer version—what to expect at each step, how much it costs, and how long it takes—is what this guide is for. Whether you’re a high schooler mapping out your future or a career changer ready to follow your passion, you’ll find every milestone on the road to becoming a licensed esthetician laid out below.
Step 1: Make Sure You Meet the Age and Education Requirements
Before you enroll in esthetics school, confirm you meet Washington State’s basic requirements:
- You must be at least 16 years old (above the age of compulsory education in Washington State).
- You’ll need a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
- You’ll need a valid state or federal photo ID.
Most schools, including Evergreen Beauty College, also include a short admissions interview. This lets us get to understand your goals—and allows you to ask us questions.
Step 2: Enroll in a 750-Hour Esthetics Program
Washington state requires 750 training hours at a state-approved cosmetology school for esthetician licensure. At Evergreen Beauty College, our esthetics program is built to meet that requirement—and to fit into the life you’re already living.
Program length and schedule
Our EverFlex Hybrid schedule keeps you on campus for just four hours a day. You’ll also complete 10 hours of online coursework per week. With morning, afternoon, and evening options, you can build a schedule that works around family, work, or whatever else you’ve got going on. Plus, EBC has seven campuses across Washington to reduce your commute time.
Total program cost
The full esthetics program at Evergreen is $15,052.95*. That breaks down into:
- Tuition: $13,312.50
- Digital books, kit, equipment, and fees: $1,490.45
- Student technology fee: $150
- Registration: $100
*Does not include local sales tax on books, kits, or equipment.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Eligible students may also be able to access Worker Retraining Funds. Our financial aid team will sit down with you and walk through your options.
What we teach
The curriculum runs across three phases:
- Phase I builds your foundation in skin physiology, sanitation, and hair removal.
- Phase II moves into advanced techniques like facials, superficial chemical peels, galvanic and high-frequency treatments, and individual eyelash extensions.
- Phase III covers state board prep, portfolio building, an externship, and the business side of running your own practice.
You’ll work with real clients in our student spa long before graduation, so the skills you’ll lean on during your exams will be ones you’ve practiced for months.
Step 3: Pass the Washington State Board Exams
After you complete your 750 hours, the next step is the Washington State Board exam. It has a written section and a practical section. You’ll have to pass both parts to qualify for your license.
The written exam
You’ll have an hour and a half to answer multiple-choice questions covering skin physiology, sanitation, electricity, chemistry, and Washington State law and rules. The questions track closely with what we teach in class.
The practical exam
You’ll demonstrate live techniques in front of an examiner—facials, hair removal, sanitation procedures, and more. You need a score of 75% or higher to pass.
Phase III of our program includes prep for both parts of the exam—including mock practicals. By the time you sit for the exam, you’ll already have done the work hundreds of times on mannequins, on classmates, and on paying customers in our student spas. That repetition is what builds your confidence, so you can walk into exam day ready.
Step 4: Apply for Your License Through the WA Department of Licensing
Once you’ve passed both exams, the final step is your formal license application through the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).
Here’s what you’ll need:
- License application fee: $35
- The Cosmetologist, Hair Designer, Barber, Manicurist, Esthetician, or Master Esthetician License Application (DOL form 638040)
- Proof you’ve completed your school hours
- Your exam results
- Photo ID
- Answers to a few legal background questions
You can apply online or through the mail. Online applications process more quickly than mail-in submissions. Once your license is issued, you’re officially a licensed Washington State esthetician.
Step 5: Renew Your License Every Two Years
Your Washington esthetician license is valid for two years. To keep it active:
- Renewal fee: $66 per license
- Late renewal fee: $131 per license
- Renewal window: Up to 120 days before your license expires
Washington doesn’t require continuing education to renew an esthetician license. As long as you renew on time, you’re set for the next two-year cycle. If your license expires for more than a year, however, the DOL will cancel it, and you’ll need to reapply.
Take the First Step at Evergreen Beauty College
Becoming a licensed esthetician in Washington State is a step-by-step process—and it starts with picking the school that’s going to be in your corner for every one of those steps.
At Evergreen Beauty College, you’ll find a close and caring family atmosphere, educators who know your name, and hands-on training with real clients across seven campuses in Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Everett, Shoreline, Renton, Olympia, and Yakima.
Come see for yourself. Tour our campus or apply online—we’d love to show you around.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed esthetician in Washington State?
You’ll complete 750 training hours at a state-approved cosmetology school. Full-time students typically finish in about six to nine months, depending on the schedule they choose.
How much does esthetician training cost at Evergreen Beauty College?
The full 750-hour esthetics program is $15,052.95 plus sales tax which varies by campus. This includes $13,312.50 in tuition, $1,490.45 for books, kit, equipment, and fees, a $150 student technology fee, and a $100 registration fee. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
What does the Washington State Board exam include?
There are two parts: a written exam with multiple choice questions, and a practical exam where you demonstrate live techniques. The passing score on the practical is 75%.
Do I need to renew my Washington esthetician license?
Yes—every two years. The standard renewal fee is $66, and you can renew online or by mail.
Does Washington require continuing education for esthetician renewal?
No. Washington doesn’t have a CE requirement for esthetician license renewal (though we do recommend it). Just stay on top of your two-year renewal cycle and you’re good.
Where do I apply for my Washington esthetician license?
You apply through the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). After your 750 hours and both exams are complete, submit DOL form 638040 along with the $35 application fee—online through SAW or by mail.
