WA cosmetology school bonds.
From $100.

Before opening a cosmetology school in Washington, you file a surety bond with the Department of Licensing under chapter 18.16 RCW. The amount is the greater of $10,000 or 10% of your annual gross tuition, capped at $50,000 — pricing starts from $100, and pricing runs 0.775% of the bond amount, $100 minimum.

Required under chapter 18.16 RCW to open a cosmetology school through DOL
Amount is the greater of $10,000 or 10% of annual gross tuition — capped at $50,000
From $100 — enter the required amount and your exact price appears at the application
From $100most applicants qualify hereNo credit review at the standard amountnot even a soft pull at the standard amountFastissuance for most
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NYCEDC
BDG
Capital
McKinney
Terra
JLL
Triple Five
Georgetown
How it works

Apply to filed in one sitting.

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

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your school details, the bond amount the statute requires, and the effective date — that is the entire application.

INSTANTLY

Issued on the spot

Most applications approve instantly, and no waiting — the executed bond is generated as soon as you pay. Larger amounts may get a quick review, and

SAME DAY

File with the Department of Licensing

Submit the executed bond with your cosmetology school license application. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever DOL insists on them.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the school bond actually covers

Washington licenses cosmetology, barbering, hair design, manicuring, and esthetics schools through the Department of Licensing under chapter 18.16 RCW. Before opening, a school files a surety bond as 'approved security' for its students.

The bond is a student-protection guarantee: it backs the school's contracts with the students and others who pay tuition. If the school closes or defaults, students can recover already-paid tuition and fees for training they didn't receive, up to the bond amount.

The amount is the greater of $10,000 or 10% of the school's annual gross tuition, capped at $50,000 — so it scales with how much tuition you collect. Enter the figure that applies to start the application; pricing starts from $100, and the application collects no credit information at the standard amount. If the surety pays a claim, the school repays the surety.

Chapter 18.16 RCW (Department of Licensing)Under chapter 18.16 RCW, a person applying to operate a cosmetology, barbering, manicuring, or esthetics school files with the Department of Licensing a surety bond in an amount not less than $10,000, or 10% of the annual gross tuition collected by the school, whichever is greater, not to exceed $50,000 — to protect students if the school closes or defaults. Confirm your amount against your gross tuition.

You need this bond if you are

Opening a cosmetology school — or a barbering, hair design, manicuring, or esthetics school
Renewing a school license whose bond is expiring or needs resizing for new tuition
Growing your enrollment and filing a larger bond as gross tuition rises
Reinstating after a lapse that suspended your school license

One application, issued on the spot.

Submit the application with your required bond amount — the executed school bond is generated instantly, ready to file.

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Washington cosmetology school bond?Pricing starts from $100 and depends on the bond amount and your applicant profile. The amount is the greater of $10,000 or 10% of your annual gross tuition, capped at $50,000, and pricing is 0.775% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum. Enter your amount and your exact price appears at the application.
Why does Washington require it?To protect students. Under chapter 18.16 RCW the bond backs your contracts with tuition payers, so if the school closes or defaults, students can recover already-paid tuition for training they didn't receive.
Is there a credit check?The application collects no credit information at the standard amount, and most applications approve instantly. Larger bond amounts may get a quick review, and
How do I calculate my amount?Take 10% of your annual gross tuition. If that is under $10,000, the bond is $10,000; if it is over $50,000, the bond caps at $50,000. Send us your tuition figure and we'll confirm.
Where do I file it?With the Washington State Department of Licensing, alongside your cosmetology school license application. We issue the executed bond ready to submit.
Related bonds

Other Washington bonds.

School bond, issued today.

Pricing from $100. Enter your amount and file with DOL the same day.

Your premiumfrom $100
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