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How to renew your license: Salon/shop, personal service, or mobile unit

We have a new online service for managing professional and business licenses. Learn how to set up account access and manage your license. If you need help with the new service, please contact your professional licensing program.

We expect a processing delay for mailed applications and renewals. Renew or apply online for faster processing of your license. Thank you for your patience and we apologize for any inconvenience.

Things to know

  • License expires 1 year after it is issued, or when your business liability insurance expires, whichever comes first. You can renew 120 days before your license expires.
  • There will be a late fee if you don't renew before it expires.
  • If your license has been expired for more than 1 year, it's canceled and you must reapply.
  • We consider your shop, mobile unit, or event location unlicensed if your license expires or gets canceled. You can receive a fine for engaging in unlicensed activity.
  • We can only accept payments by mail with a check or money order or online with a debit or credit card. We can't accept payments over the phone.

Before you renew

  • If this is your first time to access your account online, or if your last online renewal was before June 29, 2020, you must set up account access before you renew.
  • Be ready to answer legal background questions and provide documents if needed.

What you'll need

  • Username/User ID and Password for account access (see Before you renew above).
  • Visa, MasterCard, or American Express credit or debit card to pay renewal fee.
  • If needed, documents for legal background questions, ready to upload.
  • You'll need a SecureAccess Washington (SAW) account to renew online.
Start renewal

Want to renew by mail?

If you have changed the physical location for your salon or shop, and you're renewing by mail, you must submit the appropriate fees with a completed Salon/Shop, Personal Services, or Mobile Unit License Application (English, Español, Русский, and more) and check the “Change of Location” box.

When will I get my license?

We won't mail your license unless you request a printed copy. Your license is available to print online.

If you renewed online

  • We'll process your request within 14 business days. It will be available to print online at any time.
  • Check your email for notifications about your license.
  • See how to self-print your license.

If you renewed by mail

  • We'll process your request within 45 business days and send a copy of your license to the email address listed on the application.
  • You can print your license online at any time. See how to self-print your license

Get a printed license by mail

  • To get a printed license when applying by mail, you must send the license print fee with your application.
  • To request a printed copy of your license, send us the following information:
    • Name
    • Mailing address
    • Email address
    • Phone number
    • License type
    • License number
    • Check or money order for the license print fee, payable to Department of Licensing
    • Mail to:

      Cosmetology Program
      Department of Licensing
      PO Box 3856
      Seattle, WA 98124-3856

If you have a license in another state

We only renew Washington state licenses. To renew your license in another state, please contact the licensing board in that state for instructions. See the NIC website for a list of U.S. licensing boards.

Related information

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