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District of Columbia Cosmetology — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Cosmetology Apprentice Registration

Two-year, nonrenewable registration for supervised cosmetology training; examination is required at the conclusion of the qualifying apprenticeship.

Licensing authority: District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology · Application information

Cosmetology apprenticeship registration

All of the following:

Extension
The Board may allow up to 180 days for documented good cause upon a timely written request (§ 3704.8-3704.11).
Issuance
Register before beginning supervised training; registration is limited to two years and is nonrenewable (§ 3704.3 and § 3704.7). The licensing examinations are taken after qualifying apprenticeship completion, not before apprentice registration.
Testing
Within six months of completion take the cosmetology licensing examinations (§ 3704.2).
Training
500 classroom theory hours preceding at least 2,000 work experience hours; 20 or more hours weekly over one to two years; supervision by licensed cosmetology instructor in a licensed salon.

Cosmetologist

Individual practice license issued under 17 DCMR Chapter 37. The ordinary cosmetologist license does not itself authorize master esthetics; specialist representation requires the specialty examination under § 3703.6.

Licensing authority: District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology · Application information

Licensure by examination — completed cosmetology apprenticeship

All of the following:

Age
D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2) permits cosmetology applicants at age 17; 17 DCMR § 3703.1 states age 18. The statute controls the legal minimum; the Board rule states the additional application demand.
Apprentice registration
Register before serving; practice in a licensed salon under a licensed cosmetology instructor and comply with the program requirements of 7 DCMR Chapter 11. Shampooer work earns no apprenticeship credit.
Education
Completion of tenth grade or higher unless the particular license specifies otherwise (17 DCMR § 3703.1).
English competency
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit satisfactory evidence of English competency (§ 3707.12); this is an applicant condition, not an examination leaf.
Practical passing
70% for operators; partial practical credit and re-examination operate under § 3707.16-3707.18.
Testing window
Take the cosmetology examinations within six months of apprenticeship completion or lose training credit (§ 3704.2).
Training
Complete 500 Board-approved classroom theory hours before work experience, plus at least 2,000 apprenticeship work hours at 20 or more hours weekly, over one to two years (§ 3704.1 and § 3704.5(b)).
Verification
Provide the Board with verification of the applicable education, experience and examinations; submit the prescribed application and applicable fees.
Licensure by examination — licensed barber converting to cosmetology

All of the following:

Additional training
Complete 250 hours in pressing, waxing, electrology, manicuring and pedicuring before the cosmetology practical and theory examinations (§ 3703.9).
Age
D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2) permits cosmetology applicants at age 17; 17 DCMR § 3703.1 states age 18. The statute controls the legal minimum; the Board rule states the additional application demand.
Education
Completion of tenth grade or higher unless the particular license specifies otherwise (17 DCMR § 3703.1).
English competency
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit satisfactory evidence of English competency (§ 3707.12); this is an applicant condition, not an examination leaf.
Practical passing
70% for operators; partial practical credit and re-examination operate under § 3707.16-3707.18.
Prior license
A licensed barber may receive up to 1,000 hours of credit for previously covered subjects.
Testing window
Students must take the licensing examination within two years after completing an approved program; apprentices within six months (17 DCMR § 3707.11).
Verification
Provide the Board with verification of the applicable education, experience and examinations; submit the prescribed application and applicable fees.
Reinstatement after suspension or revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Provide all accrued CE required by § 3730.7 for the relevant license.
Controlling order
Comply with the suspension/revocation order or final reviewing judgment. Under § 47-2853.24 the individual order controls eligibility; this finding concerns the generic reinstatement route and does not excuse any individual order condition.
Fitness
After revocation, ordinarily wait one year unless the order provides otherwise; submit application, fee, integrity, competency and District/federal-law knowledge evidence. The Board may require additional education or training (§ 3309).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-05-22.

Licensure by examination — equivalent out of state training and experience

All of the following:

Age
D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2) permits cosmetology applicants at age 17; 17 DCMR § 3703.1 states age 18. The statute controls the legal minimum; the Board rule states the additional application demand.
Board application instructions
The official Board applicant page, independently opened in this session at https://dlcp.dc.gov/page/board-barber-and-cosmetology, states "Barbers and Cosmetologists – 1500 hours". The May 22, 2026 rule § 3703.2 states 1,250 hours and controls. The page also requests an official school transcript and, for DC schools, a formal education certificate.
Education
Completion of tenth grade or higher unless the particular license specifies otherwise (17 DCMR § 3703.1).
English competency
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit satisfactory evidence of English competency (§ 3707.12); this is an applicant condition, not an examination leaf.
Practical passing
70% for operators; partial practical credit and re-examination operate under § 3707.16-3707.18.
Testing window
Students must take the licensing examination within two years after completing an approved program; apprentices within six months (17 DCMR § 3707.11).
Training
Hold a license in another US jurisdiction and establish 1,250 combined hours of training and experience acceptable to the Board (§ 3703.3).
Verification
Provide the Board with verification of the applicable education, experience and examinations; submit the prescribed application and applicable fees.
New licensure following expiration more than five years earlier

All of the following:

Age
D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2) permits cosmetology applicants at age 17; 17 DCMR § 3703.1 states age 18. The statute controls the legal minimum; the Board rule states the additional application demand.
Applicant pathway
Use the applicable initial examination, qualifying reciprocity, or expressly provided no-exam owner/demonstrator pathway and satisfy its current applicant conditions.
Education
Completion of tenth grade or higher unless the particular license specifies otherwise (17 DCMR § 3703.1).
English competency
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit satisfactory evidence of English competency (§ 3707.12); this is an applicant condition, not an examination leaf.
Practical passing
70% for operators; partial practical credit and re-examination operate under § 3707.16-3707.18.
Qualification
Meet current initial licensing requirements. For inactivity of five years or more, the Board may excuse failure to renew for reasonable cause or excusable neglect (§ 47-2853.14(d)); expiration beyond five years requires initial licensure (§ 47-2853.15(b)).
Reciprocity waiver
Applicants independently eligible under § 47-2853.12(b)(1) may use the separate reciprocal-license waiver pathway.
Testing window
Students must take the licensing examination within two years after completing an approved program; apprentices within six months (17 DCMR § 3707.11).
Training
Meet the appropriate current § 3703 or § 3704 cosmetology education/training conditions; the initial-examination routes specify the qualifying curricula and alternative credits.
Verification
Provide the Board with verification of the applicable education, experience and examinations; submit the prescribed application and applicable fees.
Reinstatement of expired license within five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Submit six hours of approved CE (two health/safety/welfare, four general electives); first renewal is exempt. Reinstatement requires accrued credits per license cycle (§ 3730). Equivalent outside credits may be accepted at Board discretion.
Eligibility
Apply within five years of expiration, comply with renewal requirements, pay reinstatement fees and submit satisfactory evidence of fitness and competency; the Board may prescribe additional training (§ 47-2853.15(a), § 3308.2-3308.5).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-05-22.

Licensure by examination — foreign education

All of the following:

Age
D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2) permits cosmetology applicants at age 17; 17 DCMR § 3703.1 states age 18. The statute controls the legal minimum; the Board rule states the additional application demand.
Education
Completion of tenth grade or higher unless the particular license specifies otherwise (17 DCMR § 3703.1).
English competency
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit satisfactory evidence of English competency (§ 3707.12); this is an applicant condition, not an examination leaf.
Foreign documents
Submit an official transcript or notarized degree, diploma or certificate proving a foreign cosmetology program, satisfactory English competency, and signed/dated translations on an acceptable translation service’s official stationery; the Board may interview the applicant (§ 3712).
Practical passing
70% for operators; partial practical credit and re-examination operate under § 3707.16-3707.18.
Testing window
Students must take the licensing examination within two years after completing an approved program; apprentices within six months (17 DCMR § 3707.11).
Verification
Provide the Board with verification of the applicable education, experience and examinations; submit the prescribed application and applicable fees.
Licensure by examination — licensed hairstylist converting to cosmetology

All of the following:

Additional training
Up to 1,000 hours of prior training credit; complete 250 additional hours in manicuring/pedicuring, facials/massage, electrology and waxing before the cosmetology examinations (§ 3703.11).
Age
D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2) permits cosmetology applicants at age 17; 17 DCMR § 3703.1 states age 18. The statute controls the legal minimum; the Board rule states the additional application demand.
Education
Completion of tenth grade or higher unless the particular license specifies otherwise (17 DCMR § 3703.1).
English competency
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit satisfactory evidence of English competency (§ 3707.12); this is an applicant condition, not an examination leaf.
Practical passing
70% for operators; partial practical credit and re-examination operate under § 3707.16-3707.18.
Prior license
Hold a hairstylist license and have passed the theory and practical portions of the Board hairstylist examination; those prerequisite slots are not resolved to currently offered registered versions by the supplied evidence.
Testing window
Students must take the licensing examination within two years after completing an approved program; apprentices within six months (17 DCMR § 3707.11).
Verification
Provide the Board with verification of the applicable education, experience and examinations; submit the prescribed application and applicable fees.
Late renewal within sixty days
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Submit six hours of approved CE (two health/safety/welfare, four general electives); first renewal is exempt. Reinstatement requires accrued credits per license cycle (§ 3730). Equivalent outside credits may be accepted at Board discretion.
Deadline
Renew within sixty days after expiration and pay the late fee; renewal treats the intervening period as licensed (§ 3305.5).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-05-22.

Return from inactive status of five years or more

All of the following:

Age
D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2) permits cosmetology applicants at age 17; 17 DCMR § 3703.1 states age 18. The statute controls the legal minimum; the Board rule states the additional application demand.
Applicant pathway
Use the applicable initial examination, qualifying reciprocity, or expressly provided no-exam owner/demonstrator pathway and satisfy its current applicant conditions.
Education
Completion of tenth grade or higher unless the particular license specifies otherwise (17 DCMR § 3703.1).
English competency
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit satisfactory evidence of English competency (§ 3707.12); this is an applicant condition, not an examination leaf.
Practical passing
70% for operators; partial practical credit and re-examination operate under § 3707.16-3707.18.
Qualification
Meet current initial licensing requirements. For inactivity of five years or more, the Board may excuse failure to renew for reasonable cause or excusable neglect (§ 47-2853.14(d)); expiration beyond five years requires initial licensure (§ 47-2853.15(b)).
Reciprocity waiver
Applicants independently eligible under § 47-2853.12(b)(1) may use the separate reciprocal-license waiver pathway.
Testing window
Students must take the licensing examination within two years after completing an approved program; apprentices within six months (17 DCMR § 3707.11).
Training
Meet the appropriate current § 3703 or § 3704 cosmetology education/training conditions; the initial-examination routes specify the qualifying curricula and alternative credits.
Verification
Provide the Board with verification of the applicable education, experience and examinations; submit the prescribed application and applicable fees.
Return from inactive status of less than five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Submit six hours of approved CE (two health/safety/welfare, four general electives); first renewal is exempt. Reinstatement requires accrued credits per license cycle (§ 3730). Equivalent outside credits may be accepted at Board discretion.
Inactive status
Pay reactivation fees, meet current CE and renewal requirements; no practice while inactive (§ 47-2853.14(b)-(c)).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-05-22.

Licensure by reciprocity — qualifying license held elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board application instructions
The official Board page calls licensure held elsewhere License by Endorsement (exam waiver) and requires a current out-of-state license plus certification sent directly by the licensing board, not the applicant. The statutory and regulatory reciprocity conditions still apply.
Board review
The Board may interview the applicant and review disciplinary history and fitness (§ 3711.2-3711.3).
Existing license
Currently licensed and in good standing in the same or substantially similar occupation; the other jurisdiction’s standards at issuance must be at least as high as DC’s, and it must admit DC professionals in like manner (§ 47-2853.12(b)(1)).
Unnamed district law slot
Section 47-2853.12(c)(1) permits a District-law assessment where the Board determines one is necessary. The supplied current materials do not identify a separate cosmetology District-law examination; this unnamed discretionary slot is a condition, not an invented leaf.
Verification
Provide the required fee and letter of good standing, and prove active practice in the other jurisdiction (§ 3711.1(a) and § 3711.4).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-05-22.

Timely renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a timely application, remain eligible, pay fees and meet all current renewal requirements (§ 47-2853.13).
Continuing education
Submit six hours of approved CE (two health/safety/welfare, four general electives); first renewal is exempt. Reinstatement requires accrued credits per license cycle (§ 3730). Equivalent outside credits may be accepted at Board discretion.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-05-22.

Licensure by examination — approved school

All of the following:

Age
D.C. Code § 47-2853.12(a)(2) permits cosmetology applicants at age 17; 17 DCMR § 3703.1 states age 18. The statute controls the legal minimum; the Board rule states the additional application demand.
Board application instructions
The official Board applicant page, independently opened in this session at https://dlcp.dc.gov/page/board-barber-and-cosmetology, states "Barbers and Cosmetologists – 1500 hours". The May 22, 2026 rule § 3703.2 states 1,250 hours and controls. The page also requests an official school transcript and, for DC schools, a formal education certificate.
Education
Completion of tenth grade or higher unless the particular license specifies otherwise (17 DCMR § 3703.1).
English competency
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit satisfactory evidence of English competency (§ 3707.12); this is an applicant condition, not an examination leaf.
Practical passing
70% for operators; partial practical credit and re-examination operate under § 3707.16-3707.18.
Testing window
Students must take the licensing examination within two years after completing an approved program; apprentices within six months (17 DCMR § 3707.11).
Training
Complete 1,250 hours in a licensed or Board-acceptable school, including the prescribed curriculum in § 3703.2.
Verification
Provide the Board with verification of the applicable education, experience and examinations; submit the prescribed application and applicable fees.

Prelicensure Supervised Practice Authorization

Board letter permitting an applicant who meets qualifications other than the licensing examination to practice under immediate supervision pending the required examination. Student practice is authorized directly by the rule and does not involve a separately issued letter.

Licensing authority: District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology · Application information

Prelicensure supervised practice — cosmetology applicant

All of the following:

Examination timing
Take the first licensing examination after application; good-cause waiver requires taking the next examination (§ 3714.5-3714.8).
Failure
A failed examination ends authorization to practice under this section; comply with the ordinary re-examination provisions (§ 3714.4).
Qualification
Initial application pending and all qualifications demonstrated except sitting for the examination; obtain the Board’s written letter before practice (§ 3714.1(b) and § 3714.4).
Supervision
Practice only in a licensed school/salon/shop under immediate supervision of a licensed instructor, wear a student/applicant name tag, receive no customer compensation beyond hourly supervised salary, and do not assume management duties (§ 3714.10-3714.14).

District of Columbia Cosmetology Practical Examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Examination sources

National Cosmetology Theory Examination

Provider
Developed by the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC); computer-based testing administered by test administration companies and states upon approval and authorization of NIC
Format
Multiple-choice theory examination; each question has four answer options, only one of which is correct
Exam questions
110 items, of which 100 items are weighted and contribute to the final score
Time limit
90 minutes
Examination outline
  • Scientific Concepts (35% of items) (35%)
    • Infection control and safety practices — Identify cause/transmission of diseases and infections
    • Infection control and safety practices — Identify the purpose and differentiate among the categories of infection control: Sanitation; Disinfection; Sterilization
    • Infection control and safety practices — Recognize how cross-contamination occurs and how it can be prevented (e.g., single use and multi-use items)
    • Infection control and safety practices — Apply blood exposure procedures
    • Infection control and safety practices — Identify requirements of government agencies: OSHA; EPA
    • Human anatomy and physiology — Identify function and structure of the: Hair and scalp; Skin; Nails
    • Human anatomy and physiology — Recognize signs and symptoms of conditions, disorders, and diseases related to: Hair and scalp; Skin; Nails
    • Human anatomy and physiology — Identify muscles and joints and their functions related to: Head and face; Arms and hands; Legs and feet
    • Human anatomy and physiology — Identify functions of: Nervous system; Circulatory system
    • Basic chemistry used in Cosmetology — Recognize purpose and effects of ingredients
    • Basic chemistry used in Cosmetology — Recognize interactions between chemicals
    • Basic chemistry used in Cosmetology — Recognize chemical reactions (e.g., overexposure, chemical burn)
    • Basic chemistry used in Cosmetology — Recognize the values of the pH scale
  • Hair Care and Services (45% of items) (45%)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Evaluate condition of client’s hair and scalp
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Utilize preliminary tests (e.g., predisposition and strand tests)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Recommend services or products based on client needs
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Hair care and services- Tools used in hair care services — Identify purpose, function, and infection control procedures of items: Equipment (e.g., chair, workstation); Implements (e.g., razors, shears, combs/brushes); Supplies and materials (e.g., towels, drapes, neck strips); Electrical tools (e.g., irons, blow dryers, clippers)
    • Hair care and services- Tools used in hair care services — Demonstrate safe practices: Tools/Implements; Ergonomics
    • Hair care principles and procedures — Demonstrate shampooing and conditioning
    • Hair care principles and procedures — Demonstrate scalp treatments and scalp massage
    • Hair care principles and procedures — Demonstrate draping (e.g., chemical, shampoo, cutting, styling)
    • Hair care principles and procedures — Recognize differences in hair care principles and procedures based on various hair types and textures
    • Hair design principles and procedures — Demonstrate hair cutting and shaping
    • Hair design principles and procedures — Demonstrate hair styling: Wet styling; Thermal styling; Natural hair styling (e.g., braiding)
    • Hair design principles and procedures — Apply, maintain, and remove hair enhancements: Wigs and hairpieces; Hair additions (e.g., taping, bonding, fusion, linking)
    • Hair design principles and procedures — Apply principles of balance and hair design (e.g., facial shape, physical structure)
    • Hair design principles and procedures — Recognize differences in hair design principles and procedures based on various hair types and textures
    • Chemical services principles and procedures — Perform hair color services (e.g., virgin, retouch, lightening, foiling, balayage, color formulation, color correction)
    • Chemical services principles and procedures — Perform chemical hair relaxer/restructurizer and curl reduction (e.g., hydroxide, thio, keratin) service
    • Chemical services principles and procedures — Perform chemical waving/texturizing (e.g., alkaline, acid, non-thio) services
    • Chemical services principles and procedures — Understand the chemical products used for the various hair texture types
  • Skin Care and Services (10% of items) (10%)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Evaluate client’s skin: Type; Condition
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Recommend services or products based on client needs
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Tools used for skin care services — Identify purpose, function, and infection control procedures of items: Equipment (e.g., chair, steamer); Implements (e.g., tweezers, brushes, extractors); Supplies, products, and materials (e.g., creams, masks, towels, wax, head coverings)
    • Tools used for skin care services — Demonstrates safe practices: Tools/Implements; Ergonomics
    • Skin care principles and procedures — Apply knowledge of a basic facial
    • Skin care principles and procedures — Apply knowledge of hair removal
    • Skin care principles and procedures — Apply knowledge of makeup application
    • Skin care principles and procedures — Apply knowledge of electrical equipment
  • Nail Care and Services (10% of items) (10%)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Evaluate condition of client’s nails
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Recognize conditions that would prohibit service (i.e., contraindications)
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Recommend services or products based on client needs
    • Client consultation, analysis, and documentation — Establish/Maintain client records (e.g., service history, client card, medical history)
    • Tools used for nail care services — Identify purpose, function, and infection control procedures of items: Equipment (e.g., workstation, pedicure basin); Implements (e.g., nippers, file); Supplies, products, and materials (e.g., towels, creams, polish)
    • Tools used for nail care services — Demonstrates safe practices: Tools/Implements; Ergonomics
    • Nail care service principles and procedures — Apply knowledge of a basic manicure and pedicure
    • Nail care service principles and procedures — Apply, maintain, and remove nail enhancements
Examination sources