Cosmetology / Barber License from Washington to New York: Does It Transfer? (2026)

What's different between Washington and New York

Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into New York. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.

Route, each way

Washington to New York (this page): Licensure by endorsement.

New York to Washington (the reverse move): Licensure by endorsement.

The route is the same in both directions.

Does coming from Washington matter?

Coming from Washington matters here: only 23 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get this result for a move into New York.

The others get: reciprocity agreement (27).

Reciprocity agreements

New York's reciprocity agreement list names 27 states, not including Washington.

Washington's row names no reciprocity agreement states.

CLC membership

Washington has enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact; New York has not.

Application fee

New York lists $40 for an out-of-state applicant and Washington lists $60 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.

Training hours

New York's first-time-applicant standard is 1,000 training hours for the standard license; Washington's is 1,600.

New York's is 600 training hours lower than Washington's.

Exam rules on record

New York and Washington carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.

• New York (this move): New York written and practical exams are not retaken by qualifying applicants from listed reciprocity or endorsement states (certification of licensure required; some states require 1-5 years of licensure); applicants from any other state can qualify without exams only by documenting five years of licensed cosmetology experience, otherwise both New York exams are required
• Washington (the reverse move): No Washington exams if you passed your licensing jurisdiction's approved exams; applicants who have not taken exams must pass the Washington written and practical exams before licensure

What changes, Washington → New York

The destination column is what you must satisfy — New York sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

1. Confirm New York's current requirements on the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (Appearance Enhancement — Cosmetology) website (linked below) — rules change.
2. Submit the endorsement application to the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services (Appearance Enhancement — Cosmetology) (application linked below).
3. Arrange license verification from your current state.
4. Hold a current cosmetology license in a listed reciprocity or endorsement state; Arizona and North Dakota require 1 year, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Vermont 2 years, Idaho 3, Montana 4, Colorado, Missouri, and DC 5 years of licensure.
5. Submit an original certification of licensure from the state board where you are currently licensed (endorsement states require a letter of good standing dated within six months).
6. Massachusetts and Pennsylvania applicants must also submit two experience statements on form DOS-1543 from two different people.
7. Applicants from non-listed states must document five years of licensed experience, or complete a 1,000-hour approved course and pass the New York written and practical exams.
8. Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.

Official links

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