District of Columbia Cosmetology License Requirements

Earning a Washington DC cosmetology license requires 1,500 hours of approved training followed by PSI written and practical examinations. The DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology — operating under the Office of Professional Licensing (OPL) within the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) — issues all cosmetology licenses in the District. Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Enroll in a board-approved cosmetology school. Find licensed programs in DC or surrounding states that meet DC's training requirements. Visit dlcp.dc.gov/page/board-barber-and-cosmetology for approved school information or call (202) 671-4500.
2. Complete 1,500 hours of training. Your school tracks and certifies your hours. DC's curriculum covers hair design, skin care, nail technology, sanitation, and DC law and regulations.
3. Submit your license application and fee. Apply online through the OPL portal at govservices.dcra.dc.gov/oplaportal. The application fee is $65. Submit all required documentation including school transcripts confirming your training hours.
4. Schedule and pass both PSI examinations. Once the board approves your application, register at psiexams.com or call PSI at 1-855-557-0616. The written exam tests theory and DC law. The practical exam is administered at Bennett Career Institute, 700 Monroe Street NE, Washington, DC 20017. Both must be passed.
5. Receive your license. PSI transmits passing scores to OPL electronically. Once approved, OPL issues your DC cosmetology license through the govservices portal.

Washington DC requires 1,500 hours of cosmetology training at a board-approved school. The program must cover all areas tested on the PSI examinations and prepare students for the full DC cosmetologist scope of practice:

• Hair design services: Haircutting techniques, wet and thermal styling, chemical waving and relaxing, hair coloring, highlighting, and bleaching
• Skin care: Basic facials, skin analysis, client consultation, and cosmetic product application
• Nail technology: Manicures, pedicures, nail enhancements, and nail product chemistry and safety
• Sanitation and infection control: Proper disinfection procedures, bloodborne pathogen safety, and compliance with DC health and safety regulations
• Anatomy and physiology: Structure and function of hair, skin, and nails as they relate to cosmetology services
• DC law and professional ethics: DC Barber and Cosmetology Act, DLCP/OPL regulations, and professional conduct standards

DC-based schools must be licensed by the DLCP. Training completed at schools in Maryland or Virginia may be accepted if the program meets DC's hour and curriculum requirements — confirm eligibility with the board at (202) 671-4500 before enrolling.

Washington DC requires two PSI-administered examinations before a cosmetology license is issued:

Written Theory Examination

• Administrator: PSI Services
• Registration: Online at psiexams.com or by phone at 1-855-557-0616
• Format: Computer-based multiple-choice questions covering cosmetology theory, sanitation, DC law, and professional practices
• Scoring: Pass/fail; passing scores transmitted electronically to the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology via OPL

Practical Examination

• Administrator: PSI Services
• Location: Bennett Career Institute, 700 Monroe Street NE, Washington, DC 20017
• Registration: Same PSI portal as written exam
• Format: Hands-on demonstration of cosmetology services including hair, skin, and nail techniques within DC's scope of practice
• Scoring: Pass/fail; results reported to OPL upon completion

Both examinations must be passed before OPL will issue a DC cosmetology license. Candidates who fail may reschedule through PSI after paying the applicable exam fee again.

Washington DC cosmetology licenses renew on a biennial (two-year) cycle. Licenses expire on April 15 of even-numbered years. Here is what you need to know:

• Renewal fee: $110 per renewal period
• Renewal portal: Renew online at govservices.dcra.dc.gov/oplarenewallicense
• Continuing education: DC requires 6 CE hours per renewal cycle — at least 2 hours must cover health and safety topics, and at least 4 hours must be in cosmetology-related subjects. CE must be completed at a board-approved provider.
• Late renewals: Licenses not renewed by April 15 of even-numbered years are subject to late fees. Contact the board at (202) 671-4500 for current penalty information.
• License verification: Verify any DC cosmetology license at govservices.dcra.dc.gov/oplaportal.

The DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology recommends completing CE and renewing well before the April 15 deadline to avoid any gap in authorization to practice in the District.

The DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology — under the Office of Professional Licensing — issues the following cosmetology-related license categories:

• Cosmetologist: Full-scope license covering hair design, coloring, chemical services, skin care, and nail technology. Requires 1,500 school hours and passage of PSI written and practical examinations.
• Esthetician: Limited to skin care services including facials, makeup application, and related treatments. Requires school training hours as specified by the board.
• Nail Technician: Limited to nail services including manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements. Requires school training hours as specified by the board.
• Cosmetology Instructor: Required to teach at a licensed DC cosmetology school. Requires an active cosmetology license plus completion of instructor training requirements set by the board.
• Cosmetology Salon/Establishment License: Required for any business offering cosmetology services to the public in the District of Columbia. Separate from individual practitioner licenses.

For specific training hour requirements, fees, and application instructions for each license type, visit dlcp.dc.gov/page/board-barber-and-cosmetology or call (202) 671-4500.