Esthetician Schools in Washington
With options to earn both esthetician and master esthetician licenses in Washington, it’s clear that the Evergreen State appreciates the importance of training and licensing beauty professionals. And, as the third-highest paying state for skincare specialists in the U.S., Washington may be the perfect place to begin and grow your esthetician career.
Browse our directory of esthetician schools in Washington, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Esthetician Schools in Washington
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802 East Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98122
Aveda Institute Portland, Vancouver Campus – Accredited
Vancouver, WA 98661
Evergreen Beauty College - Everett – Accredited
Everett, WA 98208
International Beauty Education Center – Accredited
Airway Heights, WA 99001
Southwest Washington Esthetics Institute – Accredited
Longview, WA 98632
Zorganics Institute Beauty and Wellness – Accredited
Bellingham, WA 98226
You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
Esthetician Schools Near Me
Check out the Esthetics/Skin Care schools these cities in Washington have to offer.
Cost of Esthetician School Across WA
| Metro | Average Tuition |
|---|---|
| Yakima / Pasco / Richland / Kennewick | $15,311 |
| Seattle / Tacoma | $14,627 |
| Spokane | $12,125 |
| Portland | $7,500 |
Comparing Program Costs in WA
| Esthetics/Skin Care School Costs |
|---|
| Highest range: $13,565 - $19,630 |
| Lowest range: $7,500 - $13,565 |
| Average: $13,797 |
| Cosmetology School Costs |
| Highest range: $17,114 - $19,728 |
| Lowest range: $14,500 - $17,114 |
| Average: $17,873 |
How to Become a Esthetician in Washington
- 750 education hours or 2,144 apprentice hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average salary for estheticians in Washington is $62,960.
- There is a predicted 23% job increase between 2018–2028 for estheticians.
Estheticians in Washington can perform facials, hair removal, and makeup application. You may also perform more in-depth procedures like microdermabrasion or eyelash enhancement.
To become an esthetician in Washington, you must:
Washington Esthetics Careers
Average yearly salary for esthetics in Washington
In Washington, the job outlook for skin care specialists is very bright, with projected employment growth of 23% through 2028. Washington also has some of the highest esthetician salaries in the nation, but income can vary widely based on industry and location.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average wage for skin care specialists in Washington is $62,960 annually or $30.27 hourly. This wage is much higher than the national average of $41,700 per year or $20.05 per hour.
The highest-paying metro areas for estheticians in Washington are:
| Metro Area | 2021 Median Salary |
| Olympia-Tumwater, WA | $76,100 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $62,480 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $52,100 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $43,390 |
Table information sourced from O*Net (2022)
How to Become an Esthetician in Washington
Required to earn a esthetics license
Washington requires a minimum of 750 training hours to become an esthetician, but your school or program may require you to complete more than this minimum. An esthetician license in the state won’t allow you to use medical devices or lasers without a master esthetician license and physician supervision. You also cannot perform manicures or permanent makeup without additional licensure.
Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Washington?
Washington does allow apprenticeships for aspiring estheticians as an alternative to traditional school. You must complete at least 2,144 training hours and pass the practical and written exams to apply for licensure. This apprenticeship training includes 144 related supplemental instruction hours and 2,000 on-the-job training hours in a salon or shop.
Washington Esthetician Licensing Requirements
After you complete at least 750 hours at an esthetician school or 2,144 apprenticeship hours and your school or supervisor submits proof of your training hours, you’re ready for the state-approved practical and written exams. You can apply for your exams online at DL Roope and pay the exam fees with a credit card or mail your application with a check.
The 3-hour practical exam for estheticians and advanced estheticians is $114, and the 90-minute written exam fee is $180. If you want to take the combined esthetician and advanced esthetician exams, the fee is $228 for the practical and $270 for the written. There’s also an $8 processing fee.
You can schedule your practical and written exams on the same day in three testing locations: Fife, Spokane, and Yakima. When you arrive for your test, you must show government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, immigration ID, tribal ID card, or birth certificate. Arrive in professional attire and bring a mannequin head and all supplies needed for the examination.
The esthetics practical exam encompasses core services performed on two clients, typically including:
The practical exam is only available in English. However, you can take the written examination in several languages. You can also submit a request for a dictionary to use during testing or submit the appropriate forms to the Department of Licensing for ADA accommodations before scheduling your exam.
To pass, you need a score of at least 75 on both exams. If you take your written exam online, you can expect to see your scores on the same day on the DL Roope website. A copy of the test results will be sent to the Washington Department of Licensing for you, but you may want to print a copy for your records.
You can re-take each exam once per day. If you fail, you must reschedule your exam and repay the fees. Once you’ve passed the tests, you can apply for your license.
Washington Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity
If you have an active esthetician license in another state, you can apply for licensure reciprocity in Washington. You need to be at least 17 years old and have passed the approved exams in your jurisdiction to qualify. Mail your application, supporting documents, and a $50 check payable to the Department of Licensing.
Veterans or military personnel and their partners can also earn a temporary license if you move from another state in which you hold a current license. You may even qualify for partial fee reimbursement through the military assistance program.
Esthetician Specialties in Washington
Many cosmetology or esthetician schools in Washington offer specialties like hair design, permanent cosmetics, or master esthetician.
If you want to someday work with medical prescriptive devices or lasers or provide medium-depth peels, becoming a master esthetician allows you to do so under the authority of a licensed healthcare professional. To become a master esthetician, you either need an esthetician license plus an additional 450 hours of training, or you can pursue a 1,200-hour master esthetician course.
License Renewal
License renewal period
Continuing education required
Esthetician licenses in Washington expire every two years. You can renew your license 120 days before your expiration date. Any license that’s been expired for over a year is canceled, meaning you must re-apply.
To renew your esthetician license, start your renewal process online or by mail by submitting a reinstatement request and be ready to answer legal background questions. You must also provide your license number and renewal fee. The fee is $55 or $110 for late renewal.
Contact the Washington State Board of Esthetics
- 405 Black Lake Boulevard Southwest, Olympia, WA 98502
- Website: State of Washington Dept. of Licensing, Cosmetology Licensing Program
- Email: DOLCosmo@dol.wa.gov
- Call: 360-664-6626
- Fax: 360-664-2550
Additional Resources
DL Roope
As the esthetics test administrator in Washington, the DL Roope site enables you to take your written exam, register for exams, and view test scores online.
National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors and Associations (NCEA)
This association provides help and resources for esthetician certification, continuing education, and more.
National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC)
The NIC provides resources to help aspiring cosmetologists and estheticians study for examinations.