3703. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE

3703 QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE 3703.1 To qualify for licensure under this chapter an applicant must meet the following requirements: Be at least eighteen (18) years of age; Have completed the tenth (10th) grade or higher, unless otherwise indicated; Pass the applicable examination(s); Meet the educational and experience requirements for the license applied for, as set forth in this section; and Provide the board with verification of completion of the above requirements. 3703.2 An applicant for a license by examination as a cosmetologist shall furnish proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has successfully completed: One thousand two hundred fifty (1,250) hours of training in a licensed school or school otherwise acceptable to the Board, which shall include the following courses of study and hours: SUBJECT HOURS Manicuring/Pedicuring 50 Pressing 50 Croquinole Wave/Styling 70 Braiding 20 Shampooing 40 Permanent Wave 100 Wet Curls 70 Facials/Massage 50 Scalp Treatments 25 Dye and Bleach 100 Haircutting 100 Hairpieces 10 Chemical Straightening 200 Electrology 75 Waxing 50 Personal Hygiene 20 Ethics, Salesmanship, Courtesy, and Conduct 25 D.C. Law 20 Anatomy, Physiology, Bacteriology, Pathology, Chemistry, and Electricity 125 Sanitation 50 Total hours 1,250 or (b) Training and experience equivalent in the judgment of the Board to one thousand two hundred fifty (1,250) hours. 3703.3 The equivalency requirement of § 3703.2(b) shall be met by furnishing proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant is licensed in another jurisdiction within the United States of America and has one thousand two hundred fifty (1,250) hours in combined experience and training. 3703.4 An applicant for a license by examination as a hairstylist shall furnish proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has successfully completed: One thousand (1,000) hours of training in a licensed school or school otherwise acceptable to the Board, which shall include the following courses of study and hours: SUBJECT HOURS Pressing 50 Croquinole Wave/Styling 70 Braiding 20 Shampooing 40 Permanent Wave 100 Wet Curls 70 Scalp Treatments 25 Dye and Bleach 100 Haircutting 100 Hairpieces 10 Chemical Straightening 200 Personal Hygiene 20 Ethics, Salesmanship, Courtesy, and Conduct 25 D.C. Law 20 Anatomy, Physiology, Bacteriology, Pathology, Chemistry, and Electricity 100 Sanitation 50 Total hours 1,000 or (b) Training and experience equivalent in the judgement of the Board to one thousand (1,000) hours. 3703.5 The equivalency requirement of § 3703.4(b) shall be met by furnishing proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant is licensed in another jurisdiction within the United States of America and has one thousand (1,000) hours in combined experience and training. 3703.6 A cosmetologist may not hold himself or herself out to the public as a specialist in any cosmetology specialty unless the cosmetologist has passed the examination for that specialty. A cosmetologist may take the examination(s) for any specialty cosmetology license at any time after passing the cosmetologist examination(s). 3703.7 An applicant for a license by examination as a barber shall furnish proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has acquired: One thousand two hundred fifty (1,250) hours of training in a licensed school or school otherwise acceptable to the Board, which shall include the following courses of study and hours: SUBJECT HOURS Shaving/Beard Trimming 100 Styling 100 Shampooing 40 Permanent Wave 100 Wet Curls 70 Facials/Massage 50 Scalp Treatments 25 Dye and Bleach 100 Haircutting 210 Chemical Straightening 200 Personal Hygiene 20 Ethics, Salesmanship, Courtesy, and Conduct 25 D.C. Law 20 Anatomy, Physiology, Bacteriology, Pathology, Chemistry, and Electricity 100 Sanitation 50 Hairpieces 10 Shop Management 30 Total hours 1,250 or Training and experience equivalent in the judgement of the Board to one thousand two hundred fifty (1,250) hours. 3703.8 The equivalency requirements of § 3703.7(b) shall be met by furnishing proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant is licensed in another jurisdiction within the United States of America and has one thousand two hundred and fifty (1,250) hours in combined experience and training. 3703.9 Upon application, the Board shall give a licensed barber who wishes to become a licensed cosmetologist in accordance with § 3703.2 up to one thousand (1,000) hours of credit for subjects previously covered in the barber training course as set forth in § 3703.7. Before being permitted to take the cosmetology practical and theory exam, the applicant shall have successfully completed two hundred fifty (250) training hours in pressing, waxing, electrology, and manicuring and pedicuring. 3703.10 Upon application the Board shall give a licensed cosmetologist who wishes to become a licensed barber in accordance with § 3703.7 up to one thousand (1,000) hours of credit for subjects previously covered in the cosmetology class A training course. Before being permitted to take the barber practical and theory exam, the applicant shall have successfully completed an additional two hundred fifty (250) training hours in haircutting, shaving/beard trimming, and shop management, and shall have passed both the theory and practical portions of the Board’s cosmetology examination. 3703.11 Upon application, the Board shall give a licensed hairstylist who wishes to become a licensed cosmetologist in accordance with § 3703.2 up to one thousand (1,000) hours of credit for subjects previously covered in the hairstylist training course. Before being permitted to take the cosmetology practical and theory exam, the applicant shall have successfully completed an additional two hundred fifty (250) training hours in manicuring and pedicuring, facials/massage, electrology, and waxing, and shall have passed both the theory and practical portions of the Board’s hairstylist examination. 3703.12 Upon application, the Board shall give a licensed hairstylist who wishes to become a licensed barber in accordance with § 3703.7 up to one thousand (1,000) hours of credit for subjects previously covered in the hairstylist training course. Before being permitted to take the barber practical and theory exam, the applicant shall have successfully completed an additional two hundred fifty (250) training hours in haircutting, shaving/beard trimming, shop management, and facial/massage, and shall have passed both the theory and practical portions of the Board’s hairstylist examination. 3703.13 An applicant for a specialty license by examination as a natural hair and braider shall furnish proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has successfully completed: Two hundred (200) hours of training in a licensed school or school otherwise acceptable to the Board which shall include the following courses of study and hours: SUBJECT HOURS Bacteriology and Sanitation 12 Safety, Health and DC law 6 Basic Anatomy and Physiology 5 Shampoo, Rinses, and Procedure 10 Natural Hair Coloring (No Chemicals) 6 Structure of Hair 6 Scalp Disorders and Diseases 8 Hair and Scalp Care (applications Procedures) 15 Braiding 16 Extensions 16 Twisting/Locing 16 Blowdrying 16 Cutting and Trimming 60 Ethics, Salesmanship, Courtesy, and Conduct 8 Total 200 Or Training and experience equivalent in the judgment of the Board to two hundred (200) ours of training. 3703.14 The equivalency requirement of § 3703.13(b) may be met by furnishing proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant is licensed in another jurisdiction and has two hundred (200) hours combined experience and training. 3703.15 An applicant for a specialty license by examination as a manicurist shall furnish proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has acquired: Three hundred and fifty (350) hours of training in a licensed school or school otherwise acceptable to the Board, which shall include the following courses of study and hours: SUBJECT HOURS Manicuring (water and oil) 100 Pedicure 25 Personal Hygiene 25 Ethics, Salesmanship, Courtesy, Conduct, Communications Skills, D.C. Law 35 Anatomy, Physiology 25 Bacteriology, Pathology 30 Chemistry 35 Electricity 20 Sanitation ` 30 Total hours 350 or Training and experience equivalent in the judgement of the Board to three hundred and fifty (350) hours. 3703.16 The equivalency requirement of § 3703.15(b) shall be met by furnishing proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant is licensed in a jurisdiction within the United States of America and has three hundred and fifty (350) hours in combined experience and training. 3703.17 An applicant for a specialty license by examination as an electrologist shall furnish proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has completed high-school or passed the GED and acquired: (a) Six hundred (600) hours of training in a licensed school or school otherwise acceptable to the Board, which shall include the following courses of study and hours: SUBJECT HOURS Anatomy and Physiology of Skin & 100 Infection Control 50 Clinical Observation & Application 300 Modalities 50 Equipment Operation and Safety 30 Professional, Ethical and Legal Responsibilities 70 ` Total hours 600 or (b) Training and experience equivalent in the judgment of the Board to six hundred (600) hours. 3703.18 The equivalency requirement of § 3703.17(b) shall be met by furnishing proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant is licensed in another jurisdiction within the United States of America and has six hundred (600) hours in combined experience and training. 3703.19 An applicant for an esthetician license by examination shall furnish proof, satisfactory to the Board, that the applicant has Completed six hundred (600) hours of instruction at a licensed school, or school otherwise acceptable to the Board, in a combination of the following subjects: Infection control; Physiology and anatomy; Skin histology; Skin diseases and disorders; Hair and its growth cycle; Basic chemistry and cosmetic ingredients; Basic facials; Facial massage; Electricity and facial machines; Methods of hair removal; Make-up; Advanced topics and treatments; and Scope of practice and regulatory rules; or Training and experience equivalent in judgement of the Board to six hundred (600) hours. 3703.20 The equivalency requirement in § 3703.19(b) shall be met by furnishing proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant is licensed in another jurisdiction within the United States of America and has six hundred (600) hours in combined experience and training. 3703.21 An applicant for a master esthetician license may apply for licensure by examination by meeting the following requirements: Applicants for licensure by examination shall furnish proof, satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has the training necessary to sit for the master esthetician’s examination. Applicants shall furnish such proof by completing the application provided by the Board and providing all information requested by the Board. Proof shall include documentation that the applicant has completed the basic esthetician training set forth in 3703.23, passed the basic esthetics examination, and completed six hundred (600) hours of master esthetician training in the following subjects: Advanced sciences: Skin histology; Anatomy and physiology; Chemistry and biochemistry; Skin analysis (classification systems); Cosmetic ingredients (health, lifestyle, and nutrition); Physics (advanced modalities); Esthetics: Advanced facials; Advanced facial massage; Advanced body treatments; Advanced make-up; Advanced facial machines; Medical: Surgical procedures (i) Plastic surgery procedures; and (ii) Pre- and post-operation care; Non-surgical procedures; Medical terminology and intervention; Business: Business plan; Marketing; Business operations; Industry relations; and Compliance and safety. The Board may waive the training and examination requirements for a master esthetician license if the applicant holds: Either a current District esthetician license or cosmetologist license; and A National Esthetician Certification issued by the National Coalition of Estheticians Association. 3703.22 An applicant for a license by examination as a full wax and nails technician shall furnish proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has successfully completed: Four hundred (400) hours of training in a licensed school or school otherwise acceptable to the Board, which shall include the following courses of study and hours: SUBJECT HOURS Skin Care/Treatment 30 Manicure/Pedicure 125 Waxing 50 Personal Hygiene 25 Anatomy 25 Bacteriology 25 Chemistry 35 Electricity 20 Sanitation 30 Ethics, Salesmanship, Courtesy, and Conduct 25 D.C. Law 10 Total 400 or Training and experience equivalent in the judgement of the Board to four hundred (400) hours. 3703.23 An applicant for a license by examination as a Wax Technician shall furnish proof satisfactory to the Board that the applicant has successfully completed: One hundred fifteen (115) hours of training in a licensed school or school otherwise acceptable to the Boad, which shall include the following courses of study and hours: SUBJECT HOURS Skin Care 15 Skin Theory 15 Waxing 47 Wax Treatment 20 Salon Management 5 Client Consultation 8 D.C. Law 5 Total 115 or Training and experience equivalent in the judgement of the Board to one hundred fifteen (115) hours. 3703.24 An applicant may obtain an instructor’s license from the Board by passing the examination and providing proof satisfactory to the Board that they: (a) (1) Hold an active license as a barber, cosmetologist, or specialty cosmetologist in good standing from the Board (2) Have at least two (2) years of full-time, verifiable work experience, in the practice of barbering, cosmetology, or a cosmetology specialty; and Provide the following documents: (i) Sample lesson plans and training materials; (ii) At least two (2) letters of recommendation or professional references from a licensed barber, cosmetologist, or specialty cosmetologist, or employer; and (iii) Proof of satisfying the continuing education requirements as set forth in § 3730 or other similar professional development training approved by the Board; or (b) (1) Are a recent graduate from a Board-approved barber or cosmetology school; (2) Is a licensed barber, cosmetologist, or specialty cosmetologist; and (3) Has completed a five hundred (500) hour course of instruction in teaching techniques that includes the following topics: (i) Educational theory and pedagogy; (ii) Lesson planning and curriculum development; (iii) Classroom management and professional ethics; and (iv) Teaching practical demonstrations and evaluating student performance. 3703.25 Each instructor’s license shall be valid only for the specific practice area indicated on the license. 3703.26 Estheticians, cosmetologists, and specialty cosmetologists may manage a shop that provides services that must be provided by and supervised by individuals who possess a master esthetician license. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 7699 (September 12, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 57 DCR 512 (January 8, 2010); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 73 DCR 007846 (May 22, 2026). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Business, Occupations, and Professionals 17 DCMR § 3703