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Washington manicurist school bonds.
From $100.

Washington requires every licensed manicurist school to file a tuition-protection bond with the Department of Licensing under RCW 18.16.140. The amount is the greater of $10,000 or 10% of your annual gross tuition, capped at $50,000 — pricing starts from $100, and no credit check up to $25,000.

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Required for your manicurist school license — filed with the Department of Licensing under RCW 18.16.140
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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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No credit check up to $25,000 — above that, a soft pull at most, which never affects your score
From $1000.775% of bond amount, $100 minNo credit check up to $25,000above that, a soft pull at most, never a hard inquiryInstantapproval for most
Trusted by industry leaders
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
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 manicurist 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 the standard school bond — enter your amount, pay, and file with the Department of Licensing. 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.

INSTANTLY

Approved fast

No credit check up to $25,000 — most applications approve instantly. Above $25,000, a soft pull may add a short review.

SAME DAY

File with the Department of Licensing

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

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the school bond actually covers

Washington licenses cosmetology, hair design, barbering, esthetics, and manicuring schools through the Department of Licensing, and conditions a manicurist school license on a surety bond under RCW 18.16.140. The bond runs to the State for the protection of unearned, prepaid student tuition.

If a school closes, defaults on its contracts, or fails to deliver the training a student paid for, the harmed student can recover their prepaid, unearned tuition against the bond. It is a three-party guarantee: you (the principal), the surety, and the State for the benefit of your students.

The amount is the greater of $10,000 or 10% of annual gross tuition collected, and is capped at $50,000 — new schools estimate first-year tuition to set it. Community colleges and vocational-technical schools are exempt. If the surety pays a student claim, you repay the surety.

RCW 18.16.140RCW 18.16.140 requires a school applicant to file a surety bond of not less than $10,000, or 10% of the annual gross tuition collected by the school, whichever is greater, not to exceed $50,000, running to the State of Washington for the protection of unearned prepaid student tuition. This requirement does not apply to community colleges and vocational-technical schools. Confirm your required amount on your Department of Licensing application.

You need this bond if you are

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Opening a manicurist (nail) school licensed by the Department of Licensing
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Renewing a school license whose bond is expiring or whose surety non-renewed
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Adjusting your bond after your annual gross tuition changed your 10% figure
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Adding a manicuring program to an existing cosmetology or barbering school
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 or renewal. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the Department 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.

One application, issued on the spot.

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

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the Washington manicurist school bond?Premium is 0.775% of your bond amount, with a $100 minimum. The amount itself is the greater of $10,000 or 10% of your annual gross tuition, capped at $50,000. Enter your figure at the application and see your exact price.
How do I figure out my bond 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. New schools estimate first-year gross tuition. Send us your number and we’ll confirm.
Why does Washington require it?Under RCW 18.16.140, the bond protects students’ unearned prepaid tuition. If a school closes or defaults before delivering paid-for training, a harmed student can recover against the bond.
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.
Are community colleges exempt?Yes. RCW 18.16.140 exempts community colleges and vocational-technical schools from the bond requirement. Private manicurist schools must file it.
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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Price and requirements checked on the carrier’s application, . Page updated .

Manicurist school bond, issued today.

Pricing from $100. Enter your required amount and file with the Department of Licensing the same day.

Your premiumfrom $100
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