Blog Posts Categorized: School Bonds

Washington cosmetology schools need to obtain business licenses and surety bonds before they can accept students and offer classes. Keep reading to learn more about how to get licensed.

Washington cosmetology school licenses

Before you can begin the process of getting a Washington cosmetology school license, you’ll need to apply for a business license with the state Department of Revenue. You’ll receive a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) to include with your cosmetology school application. Schools that will offer instruction in the following services are licensed in the same way as cosmetology schools with the Department of Licensing:

• Hair design
• Barbering
• Esthetics and master esthetics
• Manicuring
• Instructor training

The following is some of the information Washington cosmetology schools need to provide on the application:

• School name, physical and/or mailing addresses, and phone number
• Types of services for which instruction will be offered
• Type of business (LLC, corporation, etc.)
• Name and contact information for authorized owners

In addition to a completed application, schools need to send in some documentation:

• $10,000-$50,000 surety bond�
• $300 licensing fee
• Copy of the school’s curriculum, catalog, brochures, enrollment contract, and cancellation and refund policies
• School data sheet

You’ll mail this information to this address:

Cosmetology Program
Department of Licensing
PO Box 3856
Seattle, WA 98124-3856

Once your school receives its license, it must be displayed in the reception area of the school. Licenses expire every two years, and you can renew up to 120 days before expiration. On-time renewal incurs a $300 renewal fee, while late renewal is $475. Licenses expired more than one year are cancelled. If you are a cosmetology professional, you’ll also apply for a license with the Department of Licensing.

How to get this surety bond

Washington cosmetology schools need a surety bond in an amount determined by finding 10% of the school’s annual gross tuition�the bond cannot be less than that amount or $10,000, whichever is greater, and can’t exceed $50,000. The bond protects students in the event that you, the licensee, unexpectedly close the school or otherwise violate the terms of the bond and cause students to incur financial damages.

Ready to get a Washington cosmetology school license? Get in touch with Single Source Insurance to get your free bond quote today!

Photo by�NeONBRAND on Unsplash

North Carolina SB 257, passed in June 2017, established an Education Savings Account for students in the state. The bill was vetoed by Gov. Roy Cooper, but his veto was overridden by the state’s General Assembly. Keep reading to see where surety bonds come in.

What’s an Education Savings Account?

North Carolina’s Education Savings Account (ESA) is a fund that will award eligible students with disabilities in the state with grants for educational spending. Applications opened on February 1, and the priority deadline is March 1; funds will be disbursed for the 2018-19 school year and recipients will be notified in April. This program is overseen by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA).

No student can receive more than $9,000 from the ESA in a school year, with $3.4 million allocated for the program including administrative costs. The funds can only be used for educational expenses, including private school tuition and fees, textbooks, tutoring, extracurriculars, educational therapy, and approved educational technology. If the funds are used at a private school, it must be an approved school that is registered with the NCSEAA. Students’ eligibility is reevaluated every three years to ensure they are still eligible to receive ESA funds.

When students are granted ESA funds, their parent or guardian receives a debit card onto which their funds are loaded quarterly. Parents are responsible for tracking the money they spend and submitting quarterly expense reports with receipts to the NCSEAA. Any problems with expenses must be resolved each quarter before the student can receive any more funds.

When could a bond be needed?

The NCSEAA may require a bond if a school is receiving a certain amount of ESA funds. The surety bond would protect the state and recipients of ESA funds from loss of those funds should the school close, mishandle funds, or otherwise cause financial damages. While there is no current surety bond mandate by the state, SB 257 gives NCSEAA the option to require the bond if they deem it necessary.

You might not yet need this bond, but get in touch with Single Source Insurance for a quote for another North Carolina surety bond.