Cosmetology / Barber License from West Virginia to Washington: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Does Washington accept a West Virginia cosmetology license?
Both West Virginia and Washington have enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, but multistate licenses are not yet being issued (as of 2026-10-29). Until the compact activates, transfer your cosmetology license the standard way: apply for licensure by endorsement.
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Compact enacted — not yet issuing
Interim path until the compact activates: licensure by endorsement.
This move runs downhill. West Virginia trained you to 1,800 hours; Washington requires only 1,600. 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.
Both states have enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. That changes nothing today — the compact is not yet operating as a multistate network — but once the compact activates, a multistate license could cover work in Washington without a separate Washington license (changing your home state would still mean licensing there). If your timeline is flexible, check cosmetologycompact.gov before filing.
What's different between West Virginia and Washington
Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Washington. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.
- Route, each way
West Virginia to Washington (this page): Compact enacted — not yet issuing; until it issues, licensure by endorsement.
Washington to West Virginia (the reverse move): Compact enacted — not yet issuing; until it issues, licensure by endorsement.
The route is the same in both directions.
- Does coming from West Virginia matter?
Coming from West Virginia matters here: only 12 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get this result for a move into Washington.
The others get: licensure by endorsement (38).
- CLC membership
West Virginia and Washington have both enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, which is not issuing yet, so it does not cover this move today.
- Application fee
Washington lists $60 for an out-of-state applicant and West Virginia lists $100 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.
- Training hours
Washington's first-time-applicant standard is 1,600 training hours for the standard license; West Virginia's is 1,800.
Washington's is 200 training hours lower than West Virginia's.
- Exam rules on record
Washington and West Virginia carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.
- Washington (this 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
- West Virginia (the reverse move): No West Virginia written or practical exam retake; under W. Va. Code 30-1-27 a reciprocity license is granted when the out-of-state license is in the same discipline at the same practice level
What changes, West Virginia → Washington
| West Virginia (current) | Washington (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| CLC status | CLC enacted — not yet issuing | CLC enacted — not yet issuing |
| Training hours | 1,800 | 1,600 |
| Application fee | $100 (reciprocity fee, check or money order) | $60 (Reciprocity/Out-of-jurisdiction fee, $60 per license (DOL form 638-040); third-party exam fees apply if Washington exams are required) |
| Processing time | board states the license certification from your current state board alone may take 3-6 weeks; overall reciprocity timeline may vary | not published; DOL states online applications are issued faster than mail |
| Licensing authority | West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists | Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) — Cosmetology Program |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Washington sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Washington's current requirements on the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) — Cosmetology Program website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) — Cosmetology Program (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Be at least 17 years old.
- Hold an active cosmetology license in good standing from another jurisdiction.
- Submit a copy of your current, valid out-of-state license with the application.
- Provide verification from your licensing board showing the license is in good standing and proof of the exams you passed.
- Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Related guides
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-10-29.
- WA DOL — Get your license: Cosmetology (license by reciprocity, 1,600 hours) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- WA DOL — Fees: Cosmetologists ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- WA DOL form 638-040 — License, Renewal, Reinstatement, or Reciprocity Application ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- RCW 18.16.410 — cosmetology licensure compact adopted as of June 1, 2028 ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- WVBBC — How to Transfer License to WV ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- WVBBC — Application for Registration by Reciprocity (rev. July 2025) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- WVBBC — How To Become Licensed (1,800 cosmetology hours) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- West Virginia Legislature — HB 5087 (2026 RS) bill history (approved April 1, 2026; effective June 10, 2026) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
- Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission — FAQ (compact not yet active) ↗ (accessed 2026-10-29)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-10-29
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