Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 308-20-080 Minimum instruction requirements for cosmetology, hair design, barbering, manicuring, esthetics, and master esthetics training.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The department of licensing (DOL) is conducting rule making to meet the requirements of EHB 1874, passed during the 2025 legislative session, which requires all cosmetology, barber, esthetician, and hair designers to complete training requirements for textured hair prior to licensure.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: EHB 1874, passed during the 2025 legislative session, sets new textured hair training requirements for licenses within the cosmetology industry.
Statute Being Implemented: EHB 1874, passed during the 2025 legislative session.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: DOL, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Kelsey Stone, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, 360-902-0131; Implementation and Enforcement: Sarah Gretza, 405 Black Lake Boulevard S.W., Olympia, WA 98501, 564-233-4313.
This notice meets the following criteria to use the expedited adoption process for these rules:
Content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute.
Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: This rule-making proposal only incorporates statutory requirements of EHB 1874, passed during the 2025 legislative session.
THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Ellis Starrett, DOL, 1125 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, phone 360-902-3846, email rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov, BEGINNING September 17, 2025, AND RECEIVED BY November 4, 2025.
The minimum training requirements for a student or apprentice to be eligible for licensure in the following professions shall include:
(1) For cosmetology:
(a) Theory of the practice of cosmetology including business practices and basic human anatomy and physiology;
(b) At least 100 hours of skills in the application of manicuring and pedicuring services;
(c) At least 100 hours of skills in the application of esthetics services;
(d) Shampooing including draping, brushing, scalp manipulations, conditioning and rinsing;
(e) Scalp and hair analysis;
(f) Hair cutting and trimming including scissors, razor, thinning shears and clippers;
(g) Hair styling including wet, dry and thermal styling, braiding and styling aids;
(h) Cutting and trimming of facial hair including beard and mustache design and eyebrow, ear and nose hair trimming;
(i) Artificial hair;
(j) Permanent waving including sectioning, wrapping, preperm test curl, solution application, processing test curl, neutralizing and removal of chemicals;
(k) Chemical relaxing including sectioning, strand test, relaxer application, and removal of chemicals;
(l) Hair coloring and bleaching including predisposition test and strand test, and measurement, mixing, application and removal of chemicals;
(m) Care, styling, and treatment of textured hair which must include:
(i) Techniques for cutting, styling, and chemically treating textured hair;
(ii) Instruction on products and tools specifically designed for textured hair;
(iii) Best practices for hair health and scalp care for clients with textured hair; and
(iv) Cultural competency and historical education on the significance of textured hair in diverse communities;
(n) Cleaning and disinfecting of individual work stations, individual equipment and tools and proper use and storage of linens;
(((n)))(o) Diseases and disorders of the scalp, hair, skin and nails;
(((o)))(p) Safety including proper use and storage of chemicals, implements and electrical appliances;
(((p)))(q) First aid as it relates to cosmetology; and
(((q)))(r) Not all training may be on mannequins.
(2) For hair design:
(a) Theory of the practice of hair design including business practices and basic human anatomy and physiology;
(b) Shampooing including draping, brushing, scalp manipulations, conditioning and rinsing;
(c) Scalp and hair analysis;
(d) Hair cutting and trimming including scissors, razor, thinning shears and clippers;
(e) Hair styling including wet, dry and thermal styling, braiding and styling aids;
(f) Cutting and trimming of facial hair including beard and mustache design and eyebrow, ear and nose hair trimming;
(g) Artificial hair;
(h) Permanent waving including sectioning, wrapping, preperm test curl, solution application, processing test curl, neutralizing and removal of chemicals;
(i) Chemical relaxing including sectioning, strand test, relaxer application, and removal of chemicals;
(j) Hair coloring and bleaching including predisposition test and strand test, and measurement, mixing, application and removal of chemicals;
(k) Care, styling, and treatment of textured hair which must include:
(i) Techniques for cutting, styling, and chemically treating textured hair;
(ii) Instruction on products and tools specifically designed for textured hair;
(iii) Best practices for hair health and scalp care for clients with textured hair; and
(iv) Cultural competency and historical education on the significance of textured hair in diverse communities;
(l) Cleaning and disinfecting of individual work stations, individual equipment and tools and proper use and storage of linens;
(((l)))(m) Diseases and disorders of the scalp and hair;
(((m)))(n) Safety including proper use and storage of chemicals, implements and electrical appliances;
(((n)))(o) First aid as it relates to hair design; and
(((o)))(p) Not all training may be on mannequins.
(3) For barbering:
(a) Theory of the practice of barbering services and business practices and basic human anatomy and physiology;
(b) Shampooing including draping, brushing, scalp manipulations, conditioning and rinsing;
(c) Scalp and hair analysis;
(d) Hair cutting and trimming including scissors, razor, thinning shears and clippers;
(e) Hair styling, wet, dry and thermal styling and styling aids;
(f) Cutting and trimming of facial hair including shaving, beard and mustache design and eyebrow, ear and nose hair trimming;
(g) Artificial hair;
(h) Care, styling, and treatment of textured hair which must include:
(i) Techniques for cutting, styling, and chemically treating textured hair;
(ii) Instruction on products and tools specifically designed for textured hair;
(iii) Best practices for hair health and scalp care for clients with textured hair; and
(iv) Cultural competency and historical education on the
significance of textured hair in diverse communities;
(i) Cleaning and disinfecting of individual work stations, individual equipment and tools and proper use and storage of linens;
(((i)))(j) Diseases and disorders of the skin, scalp and hair;
(((j)))(k) Safety including proper use of implements and electrical appliances;
(((k)))(l) First aid as it relates to barbering; and
(((l)))(m) Not all training may be on mannequins.
(4) For manicuring:
(a) Theory in the practice of manicuring and pedicuring services, business practices and basic human anatomy and physiology;
(b) Artificial nails including silk, linen, fiberglass, acrylic, gel, powder, extensions and sculpting, preparation, application, finish and removal;
(c) Cleaning, shaping and polishing of nails of the hands and feet and treatment of cuticles;
(d) Cleaning and disinfecting of individual work station, individual equipment and tools and proper use and storage of linens;
(e) Diseases and disorders of the nails of the hands and feet;
(f) Safety including proper use and storage of chemicals, implements and electrical appliances;
(g) First aid as it relates to manicuring and pedicuring; and
(h) Not all training may be on mannequins.
(5) For esthetics:
Theory in the practice of esthetics services, business practices and basic human anatomy and physiology (750 hours):
(a) Care of the skin compresses, massage, facials, wraps, masks, exfoliation, use of electrical or mechanical appliances or chemical compounds;
(b) Temporary removal of superfluous hair of the skin by means including tweezing, waxing, tape, chemicals, lotions, creams, sugaring, threading, mechanical or electrical apparatus and appliances;
(c) Care, styling, and treatment of textured hair which must include:
(i) Techniques for cutting, styling, and chemically treating textured hair;
(ii) Instruction on products and tools specifically designed for textured hair;
(iii) Best practices for hair health and scalp care for clients with textured hair; and
(iv) Cultural competency and historical education on the significance of textured hair in diverse communities;
(d) Cleaning and disinfecting of individual work stations, individual equipment and tools and proper use and storage of linens;
(((d)))(e) Diseases and disorders of the skin;
(((e)))(f) Safety including proper use and storage of chemicals, implements and electrical appliances;
(((f)))(g) First aid as it relates to esthetics; and
(((g)))(h) Not all training may be on mannequins.
(6) Master esthetics (450 additional hours):
Theory in the practice of master esthetics, business practices, and basic human anatomy and physiology including all of subsection (4) of this section and the following:
(a) Laser, light frequency, radio frequency, ultrasound, and plasma practices;
(b) Medium depth chemical peels;
(c) Advanced client assessment, documentation, and indications/contraindications;
(d) Pretreatment and post-treatment procedures;
(e) Lymphatic drainage and advanced facial massage;
(f) Advanced diseases and disorders of the skin; and
(g) Advanced theories; alternative, touch, and spa body treatments.
(h) The use of medical devices during instruction of the master esthetics curriculum must comply with state law and rules, including any laws that require delegation or supervision by a licensed health professional acting within the scope of practice of that health professional. A detailed written explanation of how the course will be taught must be submitted and approved by the department.
(7) Online training curriculums must be approved by the department.