Your Guide To Working Across Borders: Esthetician Reciprocity in Oregon and Washington

Whether you’ve held your esthetician license for years or just recently passed your board exams, you may now be considering how to transfer your license to another state. 

You’ve worked hard to pass your boards, investing hours in education and hands-on learning. Will your efforts transfer when you move? Will you be allowed to find a job over the border?

Figuring out how to transfer your license between Oregon and Washington can be nerve-racking, but knowing the requirements ahead of time will make the process smoother. 

In this article, we’ll explore the esthetician license requirements in both Washington and Oregon, as well as the factors that affect esthetician license reciprocity. We’ll provide a step-by-step overview of how to transfer your license, giving you a clear understanding of the process to follow.

Table of Contents

• What Is Esthetician License Reciprocity?
• Do Oregon and Washington Have a Reciprocity Agreement?
• How Reciprocity Works Between Oregon and Washington
• The Benefits of Studying in Oregon as a Washington Resident
• Why Washington Students Choose Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics
• Commonly Asked Questions About Washington and Oregon Esthetician License Reciprocity
• Spectrum Advances Aesthetics Offers the Best Training Options for Border-State Students

When a state accepts the license of an esthetician who received their training and board examination in another state, it’s called license reciprocity. Each state has different requirements for accepting licensing from other states due to its specific standards of health and public safety. Some states have reciprocity agreements that indicate they will accept licenses from individuals coming from other states.

Receiving a license that is transferable to other states, especially if you live near the state border, is ideal in case you need to relocate or are hired in the neighboring state. If you are working in a different state without proper licensing, you risk legal penalties such as fines and license suspension. If you work near the border and your license is not accepted, your client base and earning potential may be limited compared to being able to service your entire surrounding area. 

Challenges you may face when transferring your license to another state include:

• Additional hours of education and training may be required.
• You need a specific number of years of work experience.
• You might be required to pass an additional exam.

Yes, in Oregon and Washington, esthetician license reciprocity is available. Both states ask for proof of training hours, but Oregon additionally requires passing written exams.

Oregon and Washington each have their own licensing requirements, as well as esthetician license reciprocity policies. To receive a license by reciprocity in Oregon, your current license must come from a state where estheticians complete at least 500 hours of training, pass the Oregon Laws and Rules examination, and pass a written esthetician exam. Washington’s only requirement is that you provide proof that your current license is in good standing.

Both states require a transfer fee: a $100 fee to transfer to Oregon or $60 fee to transfer to Washington.

Oregon Esthetician Licensure Requirements

To receive an esthetician license in Oregon, you must complete the following:

• Complete an approved esthetician program of at least 500 hours of instruction.
• Submit a practitioner application to the Oregon Health Licensing Office to become eligible to take your licensing exam. You must also provide the following:
  
  • Passing scores from a board-approved practical exam
  • Two forms of identification
  • A $20 application fee
  • Your official transcripts, which must be sent from your esthetician school directly to the Oregon Health Licensing Agency
• Submit an exam application to the Oregon Board
• Pay a $35 fee for the Oregon Laws and Rules exam
• Pay a $35 fee for the Esthetician exam
• Pass the written state law exam given by the Licensing Office in Salem

Once you receive your standard esthetician license, you may want to continue to become an advanced esthetician. Oregon upholds high standards by mandating the following additional requirements:

• Attend at least 500 hours in an advanced esthetic program
• Pass the American Board of Laser Surgery's (ABLS) written examination
• Enter a collaborative agreement with a licensed healthcare professional

Your license is limited to non-ablative treatments. Be sure to stay up to date on which devices and treatments are permitted to be performed under this license.

Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics offers a Standard Esthetics Program that seamlessly integrates into our Advanced Esthetics Program. By enrolling, you gain the opportunity for a direct transition to further training. Both students advancing immediately and those returning later benefit from a high-quality education designed to effectively prepare them for the state board exam, increasing readiness and confidence.

A Step-by-Step Overview of Transferring a License From Oregon to Washington

Steps to receive your Washington esthetician license reciprocity include:

• Complete the reciprocity application.
• Provide proof of a good-standing license from your home state and evidence of your passed exams.
• Submit your application and payment via mail or, if you want it faster, online.

Washington Esthetician Licensure Requirements

To receive an esthetician license in Washington, you must complete the following:

• Complete an approved esthetician program of at least 750 instructional hours.
• Register and schedule your written and practical exams through the Washington State Department of Licensing.
• Pay a fee of $120 for the practical exam and $60 for the written exam.
• Pass the National Interstate Council (NIC) on State Boards of Cosmetology examinations.

Once you have received the standard esthetician licensure, consider furthering your education to obtain your master esthetician license. You will need one if you want to use lasers, chemical peels, or provide medical skincare in Washington. An additional 450 hours of training are required before taking the NIC’s National Advanced Esthetics practical and written examinations.Your Master esthetician license does NOT receive reciprocity in Oregon. You will have to take additional education and training. 

A Step-by-Step Overview of Transferring a License From Washington to Oregon

Transferring your license from Washington to Oregon involves a few more steps, as Oregon has stricter standards. These added measures are designed to ensure that all licensed estheticians in Oregon meet the state’s higher expectations for professional knowledge and safety.

The steps to receive your Oregon esthetician license reciprocity include:

• Review and study the Practitioner Application Information Packet and Oregon Laws and Rules.
• Provide proof of licensure from your home state board or agency, which must be communicated directly to the Health Licensing Office.
• Provide two forms of identification, one of which must be photographic.
• Take the esthetician exam and the Oregon Laws and Rules examination at the Health Licensing Office on a walk-in basis between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
• Pay all required fees for the licensure verification, application fee, both exam fees, and the certification fee.
• Receive your Oregon certification on the same day.

Oregon’s standards for obtaining both an esthetician license and a reciprocity license are higher than Washington’s. For Washington residents, completing their education, graduating, and passing the board exams in Oregon makes it easier to apply for esthetician license reciprocity back in their home state than the other way around.

Attending a school in Oregon helps you build professional connections across both states, providing you with more career opportunities. Oregon has more possibilities to receive advanced training if you want to further your education. Once you have your license in both states, your client and job options expand, giving you more possible income across state lines.

Washington residents choose Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics for our advanced curriculum, experienced educators, and our highest pass rate in the state. Graduating from our school means you’ll exceed Oregon’s requirements, making it easier to apply for esthetician license reciprocity.

Our advanced esthetic program allows you to become a certified advanced technician and is accepted for reciprocity in Washington as a master esthetician. Earning this certification gives you the ability to work with lasers and provide advanced medical skin care treatments in both states, which are not permitted with a standard license.

Advanced skills and devices you will learn at our school include:

• Photo Rejuvenation
• Skin Rejuvenation
• Dyschromia Reduction
• Tattoo Removal
• Body Contouring
• Cellulite Reduction
• Cutera XEO
• RF Microneedling
• Hydrafacial
• Coolsculpting
• Clear+Brilliant
• Ulthera and more!

Can I Transfer My Basic Esthetician License to Oregon?

Being a resident of Washington while attending a school, such as Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics in Oregon, will put you on the path to receiving an Oregon esthetician license. 

Once you’ve passed your board exams and become a licensed esthetician in Oregon, you can apply for esthetician license reciprocity in Washington if you plan to build your career there.

Do I Need To Take Another State Board Exam?

When transferring your license between Washington and Oregon, you won’t be required to take another state board exam. Oregon requires you to pass both the Oregon Laws and Rules examination to obtain reciprocity with your Washington license.

Will the Staff at Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics Help Me With My Reciprocity Application?

Our staff at Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics is here to set you up for success, during your education and beyond. If you need guidance with your esthetician license reciprocity application, reach out to our administration office, and we will be happy to help you through the process.

Spectrum Advanced Aesthetics, the most advanced esthetician school in Portland, Oregon, offers both standard aesthetic programs and advanced medical and laser training. Our school exceeds Oregon state licensing requirements and provides students with skilled educators along with state-of-the-art equipment for the best hands-on experience.

Whether you want to learn in our standard program or are furthering your education and attending our advanced program, our school will set you on the path to a rewarding career.

Programs offered include:

• Clinical Master Standard Esthetics Program
• Advanced Medical Aesthetics & Laser
• Nutrition Certified Esthetician Program
• Phlebotomy Program

Obtaining an Oregon license after attending our program will allow you to apply for reciprocity in Washington. Once you submit the required documents and your application is approved, you will be able to practice in both Washington and Oregon.

Contact us today to schedule a tour and discover the benefits of choosing us to teach you on your journey to becoming an esthetician.

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