District of Columbia · Cosmetology

Study Cosmetology in District of Columbia From Day One

Don't wait until two weeks before boards to panic. Shear Genius Society is built to work alongside your 1,500-hour cosmetology program from week one — chapter-indexed practice tests, games, flashcards, and video lessons tuned to the PSI exam.

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District of Columbia Cosmetology at a glance

Everything the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology requires — before you even open a textbook.

Program Hours
1,500
Minimum Age
17
Exam Provider
PSI
Exam Type
written + practical
Renewal
Every 2 years
Reciprocity
Yes
Official Board
DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology →

What's actually on the District of Columbia exam

SGS content is weighted the same way the exam is — so you study the heaviest topics the most.

Hair Services (Cutting, Styling, Chemical)35%
Health and Safety (Sanitation, Infection Control)25%
Skin Care15%
Nail Care10%
DC Laws and Rules15%

Your study arc, week by week

SGS isn't a two-week cram kit. It's the study companion that rides shotgun through all 1,500 program hours.

Weeks 1 – 11

Foundations

Your first 11 weeks cover anatomy, chemistry, infection control, and cosmetology basics. Use SGS flashcards and Knowledge Chair chapter by chapter to make the vocabulary stick while it's fresh.

Weeks 12 – 25

Hands-On + Theory

You're in practicals now. Pair every kit check with a quick SGS Shear Squares round on that chapter — the repetition glues clinical skills to the theory behind them.

Weeks 26 – 34

Mid-Program Check

Take a Cosmetology practice test for District of Columbia every week. Your score trend tells you which chapters to loop through TheBoard before you forget material you learned in month 2.

Final 4 weeks

Exam Polish

The District of Columbia exam is PSI's written test. Run full-length Practice Tests in exam conditions, review state-law questions daily, and use ShearForce for quick recall drills between clinic shifts.

Try District of Columbia-specific questions

Three real state-law questions from the SGS bank. Click an answer to reveal the correct one.

DC · Cosmetology · Sample 1

How many training hours does District of Columbia require for a cosmetology license?

DC · Cosmetology · Sample 2

What is the minimum age to obtain a cosmetology license in District of Columbia?

DC · Cosmetology · Sample 3

Which exam provider administers the cosmetology licensing exam in District of Columbia?

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Get your free District of Columbia Cosmetology cheat sheet

Email yourself the one-page summary — District of Columbia's requirements, the exam topic weighting, your week-by-week study arc, and the top 10 District of Columbia-specific state-law questions students miss most.

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Also preparing for another program in District of Columbia?

SGS covers all four tracks — your subscription works across every program you're licensed in.

Barbering in District of ColumbiaEsthetics in District of ColumbiaNail Technology in District of Columbia

Questions beauty students actually ask

How many hours does District of Columbia require for a cosmetology license?
District of Columbia requires 1,500 hours of cosmetology training before you can sit for the state board exam.
Who administers the District of Columbia cosmetology exam?
PSI administers the District of Columbia cosmetology exam. It's a written + practical.
What's the minimum age to get licensed in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia requires candidates to be at least 17 years old to apply for a cosmetology license.
When should I start studying for my cosmetology boards?
Day one of school. SGS is built to work alongside your curriculum from the first chapter — flashcards, games, and practice tests per chapter mean you're reinforcing material while it's still fresh, not cramming two weeks out. Students who study every week from day one walk into boards confident, not panicked.
Does District of Columbia have license reciprocity?
Yes — District of Columbia offers reciprocity for cosmetology licenses from other states, though specific requirements vary. Check with the DC Board of Barber and Cosmetology for the current reciprocity rules.
How often do I renew my District of Columbia cosmetology license?
Licenses in District of Columbia renew every 2 years, with 6 hours of continuing education required each cycle.
Can I use SGS if I'm only in week 3?
Yes — that's exactly what SGS was built for. The platform is chapter-indexed so you can jump to only the chapters you've covered in school. Don't save it for the end; the students who pass first-try use SGS from week 1.

Pass District of Columbia cosmetology boards first try.

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