PRIA Logo™
WashingtonHB 18742025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Requiring training for cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, and hair designers on the care, styling, and treatment of textured hair.

Sponsored By: Melanie Morgan (Democratic)

Became Law

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Set training hours for beauty licenses

Beginning March 1, 2026, Washington sets minimum school hours: Cosmetologist 1,600; hair design 1,400; barber 1,000; manicurist 600; esthetician 750; master esthetician 1,200 (or esthetician license plus 450 hours). Instructor‑trainee: 500 hours, with up to 300 hours credit for prior licensed experience. Apprenticeship hours: Cosmetologist 2,000; hair design 1,750; barber 1,200; manicurist 800; esthetician 800; master esthetician 1,400. Programs must meet these floors in schools or approved apprenticeships.

Start cosmetology school at 16

Beginning March 1, 2026, you can enroll in a state‑licensed cosmetology school at age 16. This applies to all Washington beauty school programs.

Textured hair training required for beauty licenses

Beginning March 1, 2026, all cosmetology, hair design, barber, and esthetics programs must teach textured hair care. Training covers styling and chemical services, products and tools, scalp and hair health, and cultural history. This applies in schools and state‑approved apprenticeships.

New rules start March 1, 2026

The law takes effect March 1, 2026. That is when textured‑hair training, the new hour minimums, and the age‑16 student rule start.

Free Policy Watch

You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.

Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.

Pick a topic to get started

My TaxesMy HealthMy BudgetMy MoneyMy Freedom
Or tell us something more specific

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Melanie Morgan

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • April Berg

    Democratic • House

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Brandy Donaghy

    Democratic • House

  • Brianna Thomas

    Democratic • House

  • Chipalo Street

    Democratic • House

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

  • Davina Duerr

    Democratic • House

  • Debra Entenman

    Democratic • House

  • Edwin Obras

    Democratic • House

  • Gerry Pollet

    Democratic • House

  • Greg Nance

    Democratic • House

  • Jamila Taylor

    Democratic • House

  • Janice Zahn

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Kristine Reeves

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Mia Gregerson

    Democratic • House

  • Michelle Valdez

    Republican • House

  • My-Linh Thai

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Shaun Scott

    Democratic • House

  • Strom Peterson

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 217 • No: 23

House vote • 4/18/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 88 • No: 7 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 4/8/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 37 • No: 11 • Other: 1

House vote • 3/3/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 92 • No: 5 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 3/1/2026.

    5/2/2025House

  2. Chapter 194, 2025 Laws.

    5/2/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/2/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/24/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/23/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 88; nays, 7; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    4/18/2025House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/18/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 37; nays, 11; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/8/2025House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/8/2025House

  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    4/8/2025House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/4/2025House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/24/2025House

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/21/2025House

  15. Minority; do not pass.

    3/21/2025House

  16. LC - Majority; do pass.

    3/21/2025House

  17. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

    3/5/2025House

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/3/2025House

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/3/2025House

  20. Third reading, passed; yeas, 92; nays, 5; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/3/2025House

  21. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/28/2025House

  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/21/2025House

  23. PEW - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/19/2025House

  24. PEW - Majority; do pass.

    2/19/2025House

  25. First reading, referred to Postsecondary Education & Workforce.

    2/6/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in