Renew or update your license: Salon/shop, personal service, mobile unit

Learn the requirements and how to renew, reinstate, or update your license to operate a salon or shop that offers cosmetology services.

Renew your license

• You must review your license every year or your business liability insurance expires, whichever comes first.
• You can renew up to 120 days before your license expires.
• There will be a late fee if you don't renew before the expiration.

Renewal requirements

Be ready to answer legal background questions and provide supporting documents if needed.

Update your contact information online, if necessary, before you renew your license.

How to renew your license

Follow these steps to renew your license.

Gather the required documents

• Your license number
• Payment for the license renewal fee
• Documents for legal background questions (if needed)
• Updated business liability insurance

Renew your license online

Get your license faster by renewing online!

Renew your license by mail

To renew your license by mail, follow the instructions on your renewal notice.

Mail your form and a check or money order for the renewal fee (payable to the Department of Licensing) to:

Cosmetology Program
Department of Licensing
PO Box 3856
Seattle, WA 98124-3856

If your license expires or gets canceled

We consider you unlicensed if your license expires or gets canceled, and we may fine you if you engage in unlicensed activity.

If your license has been expired for more than a year, we will cancel it and you must reapply.

Reinstate your license

If your license lapsed or expired, you must reinstate it. We may fine you if you engage in unlicensed activity.

You'll pay the license reinstatement fee when you request reinstatement.

Request reinstatement

Choose the method that works best for you.

Request to reinstate your license online

Request to reinstate your license by mail

Complete a Salon/Shop, Personal Services, or Mobile Unit License Application. Mail your form and a check or money order for the reinstatement fee (payable to the Department of Licensing) to:

Cosmetology Program
Department of Licensing
PO Box 3856
Seattle, WA 98124-3856

If you have a license in another state

We only renew Washington State licenses. To renew your license in another state, please contact the licensing board in that state for instructions. View a list of U.S. licensing boards.

How to update your license

Update your name or contact information

There is no fee to update your name or contact information. You can make these updates by email, mail, or online.

Update your license online

You can update your license online at any time by logging into SAW.

Update your license by mail

Send a letter with your changes to:

Cosmetology Program
Department of Licensing
PO Box 3856
Seattle, WA 98124-3401

Update your license by email

Send an email with your changes to dolcosmo@dol.wa.gov.

Update your physical address

There is a fee to update the physical location for your salon or shop.

Update your location online

You can update your physical address by logging into SAW and paying the application fee.

Update your location by mail

Complete a new Salon/Shop, Personal Services, or Mobile Unit License Application. Mail your form and a check or money order for the application fee (payable to the Department of Licensing) to:

Cosmetology Program
Department of Licensing
PO Box 3856
Seattle, WA 98124-3856

Update your insurance online

Follow these step-by-step instructions to update your insurance information.

Email updates

Subscribe to our mailing list to get the latest rule changes, licensing updates, and board notices by email.