Barber / Washington
2026 data Washington board official source

Washington Barber License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Cuts and styles hair. Licensed in all 50 states and DC.

What the Washington data shows for Barbers

Washington sets the entry bar for barbers at 1,405 training hours and a passing score on State Barber Board Exam. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 16 or older. The credential is administered under Washington's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Barber School".

Budget $136 to get started, plus $70 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Washington, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

C+
Licensing Ease Score
63/100
Barber · Washington

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,405 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$136
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B
$35/yr
$70 every 2 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Washington

Education / Training Hours
Barber School
1,405 hours
Exam Requirement
State Barber Board Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$136
Renewal Fee
$70
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
16 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Barber All Washington licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Barber in Washington? ▼
Washington's requirements cover 1405 hours of education or training, the State Barber Board Exam exam, and an initial fee of $136. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a Barber in Washington? ▼
To become a licensed barber in Washington, you must meet the state's requirements including 1405 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Washington licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Barber license to Washington from another state? ▼
Reciprocity for barbers nationally works like this: Varies by state — check with state board. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Washington. Verify the specifics with the Washington licensing board.
Does Washington require a background check for Barber licensing? ▼
Yes, Washington requires a criminal background check as part of the barber licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this barber license

Barber in Washington, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a barber-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Washington's barber requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Barber in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state barber license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Washington's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Washington overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Washington licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.