Title 18 — Title 18 BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS

The legislature recognizes that the practices of cosmetology, hair design, barbering, manicuring, and esthetics involve the use of tools and chemicals which may be dangerous when mixed or applied improperly, and therefore finds it necessary in the interest of the public health, s…

As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires otherwise:(1) "Apprentice" means a person who is engaged in a state-approved apprenticeship program and who must receive a wage or compensation while engaged in the progra…

In addition to any other duties imposed by law, including RCW 18.235.030 and 18.235.040, the director shall have the following powers and duties:(1) To set all license, examination, and renewal fees in accordance with RCW 43.24.086;(2) To adopt rules necessary to implement this c…

(1) There is created a state cosmetology, hair design, barbering, esthetics, and manicuring advisory board consisting of a maximum of ten members appointed by the director. These members of the board shall include: A representative of private schools licensed under this chapter; …

(1) It is unlawful for any person to engage in a practice listed in subsection (2) of this section unless the person has a license in good standing as required by this chapter. A license issued under this chapter shall be considered to be "in good standing" except when:(a) The li…

This chapter shall not apply to persons licensed under other laws of this state who are performing services within their authorized scope of practice and shall not be construed to require a license for students enrolled in a school or an apprentice engaged in a state-approved app…

Nothing in this chapter prohibits any person authorized under the laws of this state from performing any service for which the person may be licensed, nor prohibits any person from performing services as an electrologist if that person has been otherwise certified, registered, or…

Examinations for licensure under this chapter shall be conducted at such times and places as the director determines appropriate. Examinations shall consist of tests designed to reasonably measure the applicant's knowledge of safe and sanitary practices and may also include the a…

(1) Upon completion of an application approved by the department and payment of the proper fee, the director shall issue the appropriate license to any person who:(a) Is at least seventeen years of age or older;(b)(i) Has completed and graduated from a school licensed under this …

(1) The director shall issue the appropriate license to any applicant who meets the requirements as outlined in this chapter.(2) Except as provided in RCW 18.16.260:(a) Failure to renew a license by its expiration date subjects the holder to a penalty fee and payment of each year…

(1) Any person who is properly licensed in any state, territory, or possession of the United States, or foreign country shall be eligible for examination if the applicant submits the approved application and fee and provides proof to the director that he or she is currently licen…

In administering and managing Washington single-state cosmetology licenses in accordance with chapter 18.16 RCW and multistate licenses under the cosmetology licensure compact as described in RCW 18.16.400, the department shall track and manage revenues and costs generated by eac…

(1) Any person wishing to operate a school shall, before opening such a school, pay the license fee and file with the director for approval a license application containing the following information:(a) The names and addresses of all owners, managers, and instructors;(b) A copy o…

Schools shall be audited and inspected by the director or the director's designee for compliance with this chapter at least once a year. If the director determines that a licensed school is not maintaining the standards required according to this chapter, written notice thereof s…

In addition to any other legal remedy, any student or instructor-trainee having a claim against a school may bring suit upon the approved security required in RCW 18.16.140(1)(d) in the superior or district court of Thurston county or the county in which the educational services …

(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, licenses issued under this chapter expire as follows:(a) A salon/shop, personal services, or mobile unit license expires one year from issuance or when the insurance required by RCW 18.16.175(1)(g) expires, whichever occurs first;(b)…

(1) A salon/shop or mobile unit shall meet the following minimum requirements:(a) Maintain an outside entrance separate from any rooms used for sleeping or residential purposes;(b) Provide and maintain for the use of its customers adequate toilet facilities located within or adja…

(1) The director shall prepare and provide to all licensed salons/shops a notice to consumers. At a minimum, the notice shall state that cosmetology, hair design, barber, esthetics, master esthetics, and manicure salons/shops are required to be licensed, that salons/shops are req…

It is a violation of this chapter for any person to engage in the commercial practice of cosmetology, hair design, barbering, esthetics, master esthetics, or manicuring, except in a licensed salon/shop or the home, office, or other location selected by the client for obtaining th…

In addition to the unprofessional conduct described in RCW 18.235.130, the director may take disciplinary action against any applicant or licensee under this chapter if the licensee or applicant:(1) Has been found to have violated any provisions of chapter 19.86 RCW;(2) Has engag…

If, following a hearing, the director finds that any person or an applicant or licensee has violated any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted under it, the director may impose one or more of the following penalties:(1) Denial of a license or renewal;(2) Revocation or sus…

Any person aggrieved by the refusal of the director to issue any license provided for in this chapter, or to renew the same, or by the revocation or suspension of any license issued under this chapter or by the application of any penalty under RCW 18.16.210, shall have the right …

The department shall immediately suspend the license of a person who has been certified pursuant to RCW 74.20A.320 by the department of social and health services as a person who is not in compliance with a support order. If the person has continued to meet all other requirements…

The legislature finds that the practices covered by this chapter are matters vitally affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW. A violation of this chapter is not reasonable in relation to the development and preserva…

(1)(a) Prior to July 1, 2005, (i) a cosmetology licensee who held a license in good standing between June 30, 1999, and June 30, 2003, may request a renewal of the license or an additional license in barbering, manicuring, and/or esthetics; and (ii) a licensee who held a barber, …

The uniform regulation of business and professions act, chapter 18.235 RCW, governs unlicensed practice, the issuance and denial of licenses, and the discipline of licensees under this chapter.[ 2002 c 86 s 218.]Notes:Effective dates—2002 c 86: See note following RCW 18.08.340.Pa…

(1) An approved cosmetology apprenticeship program is hereby created. The apprenticeship program allows for the direct entry of individuals into a training program approved as provided in this chapter and chapter 49.04 RCW.(2) The department of licensing shall adopt rules, includ…

(1) If the holder of an individual license in good standing submits a written and notarized request that the licensee's cosmetology, hair design, barber, manicurist, esthetician and master esthetician, or instructor license be placed on inactive status, together with a fee equiva…

An applicant with military training or experience satisfies the training or experience requirements of this chapter unless the director determines that the military training or experience is not substantially equivalent to the standards of this state.[ 2011 c 351 s 3.]

Schools shall be recognized as institutions of postsecondary study under the following conditions:(1) The school admits as regular students only those individuals who have earned a recognized high school diploma or the equivalent of a recognized high school diploma, or who are be…

(1)(a) For the purpose of providing relief to students impacted by the voluntary or involuntary closure of schools regulated under this chapter, the director shall establish, maintain, and administer a department of licensing tuition recovery trust fund created in RCW 18.16.320. …

The department of licensing tuition recovery trust fund is created in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts from each school owner under RCW 18.16.310 must be deposited into the fund. Expenditures from the fund may be used only for the purposes in RCW 18.16.310. Only t…

ARTICLE 1PURPOSEThe purpose of this compact is to facilitate the interstate practice and regulation of cosmetology with the goal of improving public access to, and the safety of, cosmetology services and reducing unnecessary burdens related to cosmetology licensure. Through this …

(1) By enacting the cosmetology licensure compact in RCW 18.16.400, Washington state hereby adopts the compact as of June 1, 2028.(2) This compact only applies to multistate licenses for the practice of cosmetology as defined in RCW 18.16.020.[ 2025 c 238 s 4.]Notes:Effective dat…

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Washington cosmetologists, hair designers, barbers, manicurists, and estheticians act."[ 2015 c 62 s 12; 2002 c 111 s 17; 1984 c 208 s 20.]Notes:Effective date—2002 c 111: See note following RCW 18.16.010.

This act shall take effect July 1, 1984.[ 1984 c 208 s 23.]