By Frank Trieu, Vice President of Business Development & Industry Relations,
Evergreen Beauty College | Updated May 2026
Want to work as a manicurist or pedicurist in Washington? You’ll need to obtain a state-issued nail technician license. To get your license, you’ll need to complete 600 hours of training at a Washington State Department of Licensing–approved cosmetology school, pass the two-part state board exam, and submit a $35 license application to the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL). Most students can finish training and complete the licensure process in less than a year.
Below is a step-by-step guide to earning your nail technician license. Evergreen Beauty College has trained Washington nail technicians for decades. Evergreen Beauty College’s Nail Technology program is fully licensed by the Washington DOL and meets every state requirement to sit for the manicurist exam.
What Are the Requirements for a Washington Nail Technician License?
To qualify for a Washington manicurist license, the Washington State Department of Licensing requires you to:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Hold a high school diploma or GED
- Complete 600 hours of training at a Washington DOL-licensed cosmetology school
- Pass both the written and practical portions of the state board exam
When looking for a cosmetology school, it’s important to choose one that is licensed by the state and also accredited. Evergreen Beauty College, for example, is approved by the Washington Department of Licensing and accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). This means our graduates enter the job market with credentials Washington employers recognize and respect.
Where Can You Train for a Nail Tech Career in Washington?
There are many approved programs in Washington state. You can search for schools using Beauty Schools Directory, a national database of programs, or CareerBridge Washington, a state-run resource where you can find approved training programs in all types of fields.
Evergreen Beauty College offers a Washington DOL-approved Nail Technology program designed to meet every state licensing requirement. Our campuses are located across Washington with varying program offerings, with sites in Bellingham, Mount Vernon, Everett, North Seattle (Shoreline), Renton, Olympia, and Yakima so you can train close to home.
How Many Hours Do You Need for a Nail Tech License in Washington?
Washington requires 600 clock hours of supervised training at a state-approved cosmetology school. As an alternative pathway, applicants can complete 2,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 144 hours of related supplemental instruction (RSI).
Most aspiring nail techs decide that formal training is the better option, because it’s faster. Nail Technology students at Evergreen Beauty College can finish the 600-hour program in less than a year. Plus, our EverFlex class schedule combines online and hands-on learning, so you can better balance school with your other responsibilities.
What Will You Learn in a Washington Nail Technology Program?
The 600-hour Nail Technology curriculum at our Washington DOL-approved school is mapped to the Washington state licensure exam. Topics include:
- Natural and artificial nail care
- Infection control and sanitation
- Nail and skin disorders
- Anatomy and physiology of the hand and foot
- Nail extensions and wraps
- Polish application and nail art
- Client consultation
- Salon safety
- Business practices
You’ll also gain hands-on experience working with real manicure and pedicure clients in our student salons. As you come to the end of your program, our instructors will run mock practical exams so you’re prepared for what proctors might ask you to do on your test day.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Nail Tech in WA?
Most students complete a 600-hour nail technician program in five to six months. The apprenticeship path can take much longer, because students need to complete 2,000 hours of on-the-job training plus instructional hours around their current work and family responsibilities. This can take a year or more. Washington state law says that eligible students may sit for the exam within 100 hours of completing their training. Most of our graduates typically take their exam within a few weeks of finishing the Nail Technician program with us.
What Are the Steps to Get Your Washington Nail Tech License?
Follow these six steps to earn your Washington nail technician license:
- Confirm your eligibility to start training: Be at least 17 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED.
- Enroll in a Washington DOL-approved nail technology program.
- Complete 600 hours of supervised nail technician training.
- Apply to take the Washington manicurist state board exam. The exam has both a written portion and a practical portion.
- Pass both exam portions on the same day, then submit a $35 manicurist license application to the Washington State Department of Licensing.
- Receive your license and begin working anywhere in Washington. Renew every two years for $66 to keep your license active.
How Do You Renew Your Washington Nail Technician License?
Nail technicians in Washington must renew their licenses every two years. You don’t have to take continuing education classes to maintain your license, but we recommend it. Learning new skills helps you stay current with what your nail clients may want and makes you more competitive if you’re looking for jobs.
The nail tech license renewal fee is $66, and it is payable to the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). You can complete your renewal online or by mail. The late renewal fee is $131. However, you should never delay your license renewal. The Washington Board of Cosmetology will cancel it after a year, and you will have to re-apply and re-take the nail technician exam. In addition, practicing with an expired license is illegal. You could pay a fine of up to $1,000.
Can You Transfer a Nail Tech License to Washington from Another State?
If you have trained and earned licensure in another state, you do not have to go back to school in order to practice in Washington. You can transfer your existing license to Washington through the Department of Licensing’s reciprocity process.
Nevertheless, you must have a valid and current license that allows you to practice in your home state. If you meet this requirement, you can apply to the Washington Department of Licensing and pay a transfer fee of $50.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a nail tech license in Washington?
Most Evergreen students finish the required 600 hours of manicurist training in five
to six months, plus a few weeks to schedule and pass the state board exam.
How many hours of training do you need for a Washington manicurist license?
Washington requires 600 hours at a state-approved cosmetology school, or
alternatively 2,000 hours of on-the-job training plus 144 hours of related
supplemental instruction.
How old do you have to be to become a nail technician in Washington?
You must be at least 17 years old to obtain a Washington manicurist license.
Do you need a high school diploma to become a nail tech in Washington?
Yes. A high school diploma or GED is required to enroll in an approved and
accredited nail technology program and apply for licensure.
What is the Washington nail technician exam like?
The Washington nail technician exam has two parts: a written theory exam and a
hands-on practical exam. Topics cover everything from client services and sanitation
to business practices.
Does Evergreen Beauty College’s nail tech program qualify me for Washington licensure?
Yes. Evergreen Beauty College is licensed by the Washington State Department of
Licensing and accredited by NACCAS. Graduates of our 600-hour Nail Technology
program meet the requirements to sit for the Washington manicurist exam.
Ready to Start Your Nail Tech Career in Washington?
Explore the Evergreen Beauty College Nail Technology program or schedule a tour
at one of our campuses to see the classroom and student salon. Our admissions
team can walk you through tuition, financial aid, and class schedules. We can’t wait
to help you start pursuing your manicurist license in Washington
