Washington · Instructor License

Washington Cosmetology Instructor License Exam Prep

Become a licensed beauty educator in Washington. 18 SGS-original study units cover pedagogy, lesson planning, classroom management, student assessment, and the business of running a beauty program — built to mirror state educator exam topics.

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The Washington instructor exam, at a glance

Baseline licensing details for beauty educator candidates in Washington.

Instructor Training Hours
500 hrs
Exam Provider
PSI (NIC National Instructor Written Examination)
Exam Format
written
Minimum Age
18
Prerequisite
Current cosmetology, barber, or equivalent pro license in good standing
Renewal
Every 2 years
CE Hours
0
Reciprocity
Varies

Topic breakdown — Instructor exam

SGS practice tests mirror these five areas so you know exactly where to spend study time.

How SGS gets educator candidates licensed

The five study modes instructor candidates use nightly in the 30 days before their exam.

The Final Look
Full 100-question mixed-unit mock exam. Every wrong answer tagged back to the unit so weak areas surface fast. Eight different versions so you don't memorize.
Practice Tests
Unit-by-unit timed quizzes. ~100 SGS-original questions per unit. Scoreboards track per-topic progress.
Worksheets + Flash & Know
Printable knowledge-check worksheets with answer keys + digital flashcard decks. 15 minutes a night covers a full unit.
The Board, Chair, Squares
Three study games turn pedagogy review into addictive play. 18 themed categories per unit.

FAQ — Washington instructor licensing

Do I need an instructor license to teach in a Washington beauty school?

Yes. Washington requires beauty school instructors to hold a current instructor license covering the program they teach. Candidates typically must already hold a valid cosmetology, barber, esthetics, or nail tech license before enrolling in an instructor program.

How many instructor training hours does Washington require?

The baseline shown here is 500 hours. Because instructor hour requirements change more often than student licensing rules, always confirm the current number with the Washington State Department of Licensing before enrolling.

What's on the Washington instructor license exam?

The educator exam focuses on pedagogy (how adults learn), lesson planning, classroom & clinic floor management, student assessment, and the business side of running a beauty program. SGS practice tests are weighted to mirror that topic split.

Does SGS content match Milady's Professional Educator textbook?

SGS covers the same 18 core educator topics that Milady's Pro Ed track covers, but every practice question, flashcard, worksheet, and study-game item on SGS is SGS-original content. Students can use SGS alongside any standard educator textbook.

Can I study on my phone?

Yes. SGS works in any mobile browser — no app install required. Practice tests, flashcards, worksheets, and The Final Look all work on iPhone, Android, and tablet.

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