WA

Washington Licensing Requirements

Burden Rank: #7 of 51 High Burden
97
Professions Licensed
1,460
Avg Education Hours
$178
Avg Initial Fee
35.0
Burden Score

Agriculture

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Arborist / Tree Surgeon — Yes $50 — 3 yrs
Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) — Yes $50 — 3 yrs
Water Well Driller — Yes $50 — 3 yrs

Animal Care

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Animal Breeder — No $50 — 2 yrs
Farrier / Horseshoer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Veterinarian 5,622 Yes $424 $343 2 yrs
Veterinary Technician 2,311 Yes $212 $172 2 yrs

Construction

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Electrician 7,243 Yes $208 $167 1 yr
Elevator Installer 7,243 Yes $293 $253 2 yrs
Fire Sprinkler Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
General Contractor — Yes $420 $339 2 yrs
Glazier — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
HVAC Technician 5,243 Yes $167 $126 2 yrs
Land Surveyor — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Locksmith — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Mobile Home Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Painter (Contractor) — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Pest Control Applicator 32 Yes $167 $147 3 yrs
Plumber 7,243 Yes $249 $208 1 yr
Roofer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Security Alarm Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Septic System Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs

Cosmetology

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Barber 1,405 Yes $136 $70 2 yrs
Body Piercer 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Cosmetologist 1,486 Yes $157 $78 2 yrs
Electrologist 915 Yes $167 $126 2 yrs
Esthetician 860 Yes $139 $66 2 yrs
Funeral Director / Embalmer 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Hair Braider 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Massage Therapist 873 Yes $170 $87 2 yrs
Nail Technician 596 Yes $122 $61 2 yrs
Tattoo Artist 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs

Design

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Interior Designer — Yes $293 $212 2 yrs
Landscape Architect — Yes $339 $257 2 yrs

Education

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Childcare Center Director 97 No $167 $126 2 yrs
Elementary School Teacher — Yes $209 $128 5 yrs
School Counselor — Yes $250 $169 5 yrs
School Librarian / Media Specialist 2,000 Yes $100 — 5 yrs
Secondary School Teacher — Yes $209 $128 5 yrs
Substitute Teacher 2,000 Yes $100 — 5 yrs

Engineering

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Professional Engineer (PE) — Yes $420 $339 2 yrs
Professional Geologist — Yes $200 — 2 yrs

Finance

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) — Yes $415 $334 2 yrs
Debt Collector — Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Insurance Agent 69 Yes $206 $166 2 yrs
Mortgage Loan Originator 20 Yes $614 $411 1 yr
Tax Preparer — Yes $100 — 2 yrs

Food & Hospitality

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Bartender / Alcohol Server — No $50 — 2 yrs
Food Handler / Food Safety Certification 13 Yes $41 $32 3 yrs

Healthcare

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Athletic Trainer 3,311 Yes $212 $172 2 yrs
Certified Nurse-Midwife 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Dental Assistant 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Dental Hygienist 3,311 Yes $298 $172 2 yrs
Dietetic Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 185 Yes $147 $126 2 yrs
Hearing Aid Specialist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Home Health Aide 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 1,405 Yes $176 $131 2 yrs
Medical Assistant 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Medical Lab Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Occupational Therapist 3,811 Yes $257 $217 2 yrs
Optician (Dispensing) 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Optometrist 4,811 Yes $420 $339 2 yrs
Paramedic 1,849 Yes $212 $172 2 yrs
Pharmacist 5,216 Yes $303 $262 2 yrs
Pharmacy Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Phlebotomist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Physical Therapist 3,811 Yes $298 $257 2 yrs
Physician Assistant 4,216 Yes $343 $303 2 yrs
Radiologic Technologist 2,368 Yes $212 $172 2 yrs
Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist — Yes $253 $212 2 yrs
Registered Nurse 2,811 Yes $217 $151 2 yrs
Respiratory Therapist 2,311 Yes $212 $172 2 yrs
Speech-Language Pathologist 3,811 Yes $298 $217 2 yrs
Surgical Technologist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs

Legal & Security

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Armed Security Guard 66 No $207 $125 2 yrs
Court Reporter / Stenographer — Yes $75 — 4 yrs
Notary Public — Yes $75 — 4 yrs
Private Investigator 4,872 Yes $334 $293 2 yrs
Process Server — Yes $75 — 4 yrs

Mental Health

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 3,811 Yes $217 $176 2 yrs
Licensed Professional Counselor 3,311 Yes $214 $174 2 yrs
Marriage and Family Therapist 3,311 Yes $257 $217 2 yrs
Psychologist 6,622 Yes $424 $343 2 yrs

Miscellaneous

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Amusement Ride Operator — No $50 — 2 yrs
Athletic Agent — No $50 — 2 yrs
Auctioneer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Casino/Gaming Dealer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Sign Language Interpreter — No $50 — 2 yrs

Real Estate

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Home Inspector 170 Yes $334 $253 2 yrs
Real Estate Agent / Salesperson 154 Yes $249 $204 2 yrs
Real Estate Broker 230 Yes $334 $273 2 yrs

Transportation

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Chauffeur / Limousine Driver 32 Yes $125 $85 4 yrs
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) 290 Yes $166 $85 4 yrs
School Bus Driver 105 Yes $125 $85 4 yrs
Taxi/Ride-Share Driver — Yes $50 — 4 yrs
Tow Truck Operator — Yes $50 — 4 yrs
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice. Verify current requirements with Washington licensing authorities.

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

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Data sourced from official state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCredential Editorial