Laws and rules: Cosmetologists

Current rulemaking activity

View current or proposed rule changes that may affect you.

Student credit for training in a licensed school (Chapter 308-20-090 WAC)

We removed the requirement for schools to refer students for examination. This change aligns with HB 1017, passed during the 2023 legislative session. Students can now register for or take their exam if they're within 100 hours of completing the required coursework.

• Current rule
• Adopted rule
• Rulemaking order

Minimum instruction guidelines for cosmetology, hair design, barbering, manicuring, esthetics and master esthetics training (Chapter 308-20-080 WAC), Minimum instruction requirements for instructor-trainees (Chapter 308-20-105)

We removed the requirement for schools to refer students for examination. This change aligns with HB 1017, passed during the 2023 legislative session. Students can now register for or take their exam if they're within 100 hours of completing the required coursework.

• Current rules
  • WAC 308-20-080
  • WAC 308-20-105
• Adopted rule
• Rule-making order
• Concise Explanatory Statement
• Director's Memo

Title 308 WAC: Department of Licensing

Adopted rules:

• OTS-3939.1
• OTS-3940.1
• OTS-3941.1
• OTS-3942.1
• OTS-3944.1
• OTS-3946.1
• OTS-3947.1
• OTS-3948.1
• OTS-3949.1
• OTS-3950.1
• OTS-3951.5
• OTS-3952.1
• OTS-3958.1
• OTS-3960.1
• OTS-3961.1
• OTS-3962.1

Public hearings or comments

Public hearing held October 11, 2022

• Public hearing audio*
  (mp3 format: 7 minutes)
• Download audio transcript

Proposed rules related to training

Student credit for training in a licensed school (WAC 308-20-090)
Student credit for training in a licensed salon/shop (WAC 308-20-091)
Apprentice credit for training in an approved apprentice salon/shop (WAC 308-20-101)

• Proposed rule
• Emergency Rule-Making Order

Public hearings or comments

See Emergency Rule-Making Order for information about submitting comments.

Definitions (WAC 308-20-010)

• Current rule
• Proposed rule
• Emergency Rule-Making Order

Public hearings or comments

See Emergency Rule-Making Order for information about submitting comments.

Cosmetology — barber — manicurist — esthetician rules (Chapter 308-20 WAC)

• Current rule
• Adopted Rule
• Concise Explanatory Statement
• Rule-Making Order

Public hearings or comments

Public hearing held on October 6, 2020

• Public hearing audio *
  (mp3 format: 11 minutes)

Cosmetology, barber, manicurist, esthetician rules (Chapter 308-20 WAC)

• Current rule
• Preproposal Statement of Inquiry

Public hearings or comments

Public hearings held on December 04, 2015

• Audio of hearing 1*
  (mp3 format: 5 minutes)
• Audio of hearing 2*
  (mp3 format: 4 minutes)

Cosmetology, barber, manicurist, esthetician rules (Chapter 308-20 WAC)

• Current rule
• Adopted rule
• Rule-Making Order
• Concise Explanatory Statement
• Notice sent to stakeholders
• Notice of Permanent Rule

Public hearings or comments

Public hearing held February 10, 2015

• Audio of the hearing*
  (mp3 format: 8 minutes)

Cosmetology, barber, manicurist, esthetician rules (Chapter 308-20 WAC)

(To implement House Bill 1779: Concerning esthetics, including minimum safety and sanitation standards)

• Current rule
• Adopted rules
• Rule-Making Order
• Concise Explanatory Statement
• Notice of Permanent Rule Changes (overview of adopted rule changes)

Public hearings or comments

Public hearing held November 5, 2013

• Audio of the hearing*
  (mp3 format: 18 minutes)

Request information in an alternative format

*To request this information in an alternative format, please email RulesCoordinator@dol.wa.gov.

**We use the tool SurveyGizmo to collect the comments.

View current laws and rules

• Cosmetologists, barbers, and manicurists (Chapter 18.16 RCW)
• Cosmetology — barber — manicurist — esthetician rules (Chapter 308-20 WAC)

Explanation of abbreviations

• RCW—Revised Code of Washington (Washington State laws)
• WAC—Washington Administrative Code (Washington State agency regulations)