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Washington barber school bonds.
From $100.

Washington conditions a barber, cosmetology, or related school license on a surety bond filed with the Department of Licensing under chapter 18.16 RCW, to protect students’ prepaid tuition. The amount is the greater of $10,000 or 10% of annual gross tuition, capped at $50,000. Premiums are 0.775% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum.

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Required for a WA barber / cosmetology school license under chapter 18.16 RCW
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Amount is the greater of $10,000 or 10% of annual gross tuition — not to exceed $50,000
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From $100 — enter your required bond amount and see your exact price at application
From $1000.775% of bond, $100 minNo credit check up to $25,000above that, a soft pull at most, never a hard inquiryFastinstant underwriting
Trusted by industry leaders
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New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
Price

How much does a Washington barber school bond cost?

0.775% of the bond amount, from $100. Enter your amount in the calculator for the exact price.

How it works

Three steps. One sitting.

No underwriting queue for most standard school bonds — enter your amount, pay, and file with DOL. Here is the whole thing:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your school details, the bond amount your tuition requires, and the effective date — that is the application. No credit check up to $25,000.

MINUTES, USUALLY

Issued on the spot

Most applications approve instantly and no waiting — the executed bond is generated as soon as you pay.

SAME DAY

File with the Department of Licensing

Submit the executed bond with your school license application. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the agency insists.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the school bond actually covers

Washington licenses schools that train barbers, cosmetologists, hair designers, manicurists, and estheticians through the Department of Licensing under chapter 18.16 RCW. Students pay tuition up front, so the state requires the school to post a bond standing behind that money.

The bond is the greater of $10,000 or 10% of the school’s annual gross tuition, and is not to exceed $50,000. It’s made payable to the State of Washington and conditioned on the school’s compliance with chapter 18.16 RCW — guaranteeing the school honors its contracts with students and reimburses already-paid tuition and fees if it closes or defaults.

If a school ceases operating or defaults on its student contracts, harmed students can recover their prepaid tuition against the bond — and if the surety pays, the school repays the surety. We write the amount your tuition requires, from $100, with most applicants qualifying at or near that minimum.

Chapter 18.16 RCWUnder chapter 18.16 RCW, a barber/cosmetology school must file a surety bond with the Department of Licensing, payable to the State of Washington, in an amount no less than $10,000 or 10% of the school’s annual gross tuition, whichever is greater, not to exceed $50,000. The bond guarantees the school’s compliance with chapter 18.16 RCW and reimbursement of prepaid student tuition and fees if the school closes or defaults. Confirm your required amount on your DOL application.

You need this bond if you are

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Opening a barber or cosmetology school licensed under chapter 18.16 RCW
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Running a hair design, manicuring, or esthetics school that collects prepaid tuition
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Renewing your school license whose bond is expiring or whose tuition changed the amount
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Growing your enrollment so 10% of gross tuition now exceeds the $10,000 floor
After you buy

Claims, renewal, filing, and what sets the price.

If a claim is made

A claim comes from the party the bond protects, the obligee named on the form, when the duty the bond guarantees is not met.

The surety investigates and pays a valid claim, up to the bond amount. You then repay the surety: a surety bond is a guarantee of your performance, not insurance for you.

Renewal and term

The premium covers a one-year term from the effective date you choose.

Renew before the expiry date to keep the bond in force: the license, permit or contract it backs expects continuous coverage.

How to file it

File with the Department of Licensing. Submit the executed bond with your school license application. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the agency insists.

What sets the price

The premium is 0.775% of the bond amount, $100 minimum: the amount the obligee sets moves the price, not your business profile.

No credit check up to $25,000. Above that, the carrier may run a soft pull, which never affects your score.

Where a check runs, it decides approval; the rate is the same for everyone approved.

Priced at the application.

Submit the application with your required bond amount — your exact price appears immediately, and the executed school bond is generated on payment, ready to file with DOL.

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Washington barber school bond?Premiums are 0.775% of your bond amount, with a $100 minimum. The bond amount itself is the greater of $10,000 or 10% of your annual gross tuition, capped at $50,000. Enter your required amount at the application and your exact price appears.
How do I figure out my bond amount?Take 10% of your school’s annual gross tuition. If that’s under $10,000, the bond is $10,000; if it’s over $50,000, the bond is capped at $50,000. Otherwise it’s that 10% figure. Confirm it on your DOL application.
Who does the bond protect?Students. It guarantees the school honors its contracts and reimburses prepaid tuition and fees if it closes or defaults. It is not insurance for the school — if the surety pays a claim, the school repays the surety.
Is there a credit check?No credit check up to $25,000. Above that, the carrier may run a soft pull, which never affects your score. Most applications approve instantly.
Does this cover cosmetology schools too?Yes. Chapter 18.16 RCW covers schools for barbers, cosmetologists, hair designers, manicurists, and estheticians — the same bond requirement applies across these school types.
Which A-rated carriers underwrite these bonds?Typically Arch Insurance Company (A.M. Best A+) or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best A). Which one writes your bond depends on the bond type and your state. The carrier's name and official signature are printed on the bond you receive.
How do I contact Light RFP about this bond?Email insurance@lightrfp.com. It reaches the bond team at Light RFP Risk Management Services LLC (NY DFS License # PC-1978982). Write to us about quotes, applications, bond forms or certificates. We will respond within 24 hours.
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