Important Message in Reference to COVID-19
Licensees,
In accordance with Title III, Section 312 of the “COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020, “the Act”, professional or occupational licenses that expire during the declared public health emergency are considered valid.
As noted on the coronavirus.dc.gov page under the section listed Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, once the public health emergency is over, licensees will have 45 days to renew a license and renewal notices will be sent at that time.
For the latest information on the District Government’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
General Information
The District of Columbia Board of Barber and Cosmetology regulates the practice of barbers, body artists, and cosmetologists, including specialty cosmetology practices such as braiding, electrolysis, esthetics, manicuring and others as the Mayor may from time to time establish by rule, instructors and managers of these practices, and owners of such facilities. The Board works diligently to raise the standards of practice, ensure quality service, establish accepted codes of ethical behavior, and protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens and visitors of the District of Columbia by upholding the city’s Barber and Cosmetology license law, which took effect on May 2001.
The Board of Barber and Cosmetology consists of 14 members, appointed by the Mayor: three barbers; three cosmetologists, three specialty cosmetologists; three body artists; and two consumer members. Eight members constitute a quorum.
The Board meets on the first Monday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs located at 1100 4th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024.
Board meeting minutes are available at www.open-dc.gov.
Applicant
Apply for license
To apply for a license or access the online portal, please click here.
Please contact a customer service representative at 1-866-270-9817 if you have any questions or you do not know the email address linked with your license.
Examination
Schedule an examination: Exams may be scheduled online by clicking here or by phone:
- Dial (800) 733-9267
- Select Option 1 for government and state exams
- Select Option 2 for District of Columbia exams
Fees
Barbers
Application $65.00 License:
- Barber $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Manager $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Instructor $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Owner $110.00 (up to 2 years)
Renewal
- Renewal (Barber & Owner) $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Renewal (Barber, Manager & Instructor) $155.00
- Late Renewal Fee $50.00 Examination/Re-examination See § 3500.3
- Reinstated License $155.00 (up to 2 years)
- Inactive Status $155.00
- Duplicate License $30.00
- Verification of Records $30.00
Cosmetologist
- Application $65.00
- License $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Renewal $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Renewal (Managers & Instructors) $155.00
- Renewal (Specialty Managers & Instructors) $155.00
- Late Renewal Fee $50.00
- Examination/Re-examination (See § 3500.3)
- Reinstated License $110.00 (up to 2 years)
- Reinstated License (Managers & Instructors) $155.00
- Reinstated License (Specialty Managers & Instructors) $155.00
- Inactive Status (All categories) $110.00
- Inactive Status (Managers, Instructors & Specialty) $155.00
- Duplicate License $30.00
- Verification of Records $30.00
- Temporary License (All operators except electrologists) $110.00
Licensee
Letter of Certification/License Verification
Request a Letter of License Certification
License Renewal
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Login to the system using your license number and your password.
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If you do not remember your password; click “Forgot your password?”
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Check your e-mail inbox for a link to reset your password (check your Spam/Junkfolder).
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Once logged in, scroll down to your license type and select Renewal
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Click “Begin” to start the application.
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Answer all the screening questions and make your payment.
PLEASE NOTE – Do not upload Photos and Continuing Education Certificates
Cosmetology License Renewal Information
The biennial license renewal deadline is April 15, 2020 for Body Artists, Cosmetologists and Cosmetology Specialists.
To complete your online renewal, follow the steps below:
- Begin the online renewal process here.
- Login to the system using your license number and your password.
- If you do not remember your password; click “Forgot your password?”
- Check your e-mail inbox for a link to reset your password (check your Spam/Junk folder).
- Once logged in, scroll down to your license type and select Renewal
- Click “Begin” to start the application.
- Answer all the screening questions and make your payment.
PLEASE NOTE – Do not upload Photos and Continuing Education Certificates
Fee schedule (Barber & Cosmetology)
Consumer
Calendar
Virtual Meeting Link - Coming Soon
Meeting Dates
- January 4, 2021
- February 1, 2021
- March 1, 2021
- April 5, 2021
- May 3, 2021
- June 7, 2021
- July 12, 2021
- August – Recess
- September 13, 2021
- October 4, 2021
- November 1, 2021
- December 6, 2021
Contact Us
Publication and Resources
- 2016 Annual Report
- 2017 Annual Report
- 2018 Annual Report
13th Annual Practitioners Forum
View photos from the 2019 Forum are available here.
