Cosmetology / Barber License from Washington to Michigan: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing — Cosmetology ↗
A cosmetology license transfers from Washington to Michigan by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing — Cosmetology, verify your Washington license, and meet Michigan's endorsement requirements. Michigan does not re-examine licensure-by-endorsement applicants; instead you must show your licensing state's requirements were substantially equal — a theory and practical examination plus at least 1,500 hours of prelicensure training or a 2-year apprenticeship (training-hour shortfalls may be substituted with work experience at 100 hours of training per 6 months of work experience).
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
This move runs downhill. Washington trained you to 1,600 hours; Michigan requires only 1,500. With the hour test cleared by a margin, your transfer is administrative — license verification, application, fee — and the requirements below read as a checklist rather than an obstacle course.
What changes, Washington → Michigan
| Washington (current) | Michigan (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| CLC status | CLC enacted — not yet issuing | Licensure by endorsement |
| Training hours | 1,600 | 1,500 |
| Application fee | $60 (reciprocity application fee per license; no application fee if applying via the out-of-state (no-exam) path, but Washington exams are then required) | $63 (application fee plus 2-year license fee; same $63 total for licensure by examination or reciprocity) |
| Processing time | not published; DOL states online applications are issued faster than mail | LARA does not publish a processing timeframe in the cosmetology licensing guide |
| Licensing authority | Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) — Cosmetology Program | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing — Cosmetology |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Michigan sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Michigan's current requirements on the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing — Cosmetology website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing — Cosmetology (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold an active license or registration in good standing from another state authorizing you to perform cosmetology services.
- Establish education equivalent to completion of the ninth grade.
- Have license verification submitted directly to LARA by the licensing agency of every state where you hold or ever held a cosmetology-related license.
- Apply and pay fees through the MiPLUS online licensing portal.
- Pay the fees ($63 (application fee plus 2-year license fee; same $63 total for licensure by examination or reciprocity)) and allow LARA does not publish a processing timeframe in the cosmetology licensing guide.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Michigan accept a Washington cosmetology license?
A cosmetology license transfers from Washington to Michigan by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Professional Licensing — Cosmetology, verify your Washington license, and meet Michigan's endorsement requirements. Michigan does not re-examine licensure-by-endorsement applicants; instead you must show your licensing state's requirements were substantially equal — a theory and practical examination plus at least 1,500 hours of prelicensure training or a 2-year apprenticeship (training-hour shortfalls may be substituted with work experience at 100 hours of training per 6 months of work experience).
Will Michigan make me retake the cosmetology exams?
Michigan does not re-examine licensure-by-endorsement applicants; instead you must show your licensing state's requirements were substantially equal — a theory and practical examination plus at least 1,500 hours of prelicensure training or a 2-year apprenticeship (training-hour shortfalls may be substituted with work experience at 100 hours of training per 6 months of work experience).
What does the Washington-to-Michigan transfer cost and how long does it take?
$63 (application fee plus 2-year license fee; same $63 total for licensure by examination or reciprocity); processing LARA does not publish a processing timeframe in the cosmetology licensing guide.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- LARA — Cosmetology (profession page) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- LARA — Michigan Cosmetology Licensing Guide (PDF) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Michigan Admin Code R 338.2121b — Licensure by endorsement ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WA DOL — Get your license: Cosmetology (reciprocity and out-of-state paths, 1,600 hours) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- WA DOL — Fees: Cosmetologists ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]