Licensed jobs in District of Columbia
District of Columbia: 10 occupations, 8 licensing agencies. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in District of Columbia
District of Columbia licenses 10 of the 10 occupations below at the state level. Electricians have the most levels here (5 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist 3 credentials in all | Board of Barber and Cosmetology | – | $651 | Every 2 years2 |
| Notary public | DC Notary Public (traditional commission) 3 credentials in all | ONCA | – | $753 | Every 5 years4 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Nurse (RN) license | Board of Nursing | – | $856 | Every 2 years7 |
| Insurance agent | Resident insurance producer license, life and health group of lines (life; accident and health or sickness; variable life and variable annuity) 2 credentials in all | DISB | – | $1009 | Every 2 years10 |
| Plumber | Journeyman Plumber / Journeyman Gasfitter 4 credentials in all | Board of Industrial Trades | Experience 8,000 hours12 | $6513 | Every 2 years13 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Certified Nurse Aide | Board of Nursing | Training 125 clock hours15 | $10016 | Every 2 years17 |
| Electrician | Journeyman Electrician 5 credentials in all | Board of Industrial Trades | Experience 8,000 hours19 | $6520 | Every 2 years13 |
| Security guard | Security Officer 4 credentials in all | Security Program | Training 24 clock hours21 | $10322 | Every 2 years23 |
| Massage therapist | Massage Therapist 2 credentials in all | Board of Massage Therapy | Training 500 clock hours24 Experience 50 clock hours24 | $8520 | Every 2 years25 |
| Real estate agent | Real Estate Salesperson 3 credentials in all | DLCP | Training 60 clock hours27 | $6520 | Every 2 years28 |
Licensing boards
8 agencies issue the District of Columbia licenses we cover:
- Board of Industrial Trades: plumbers and electricians
- Security Program: security guards
- Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP): massage therapists and real estate agents
- Board of Barber and Cosmetology: cosmetologists
- Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications (ONCA): notaries
- Board of Nursing: registered nurses and nursing assistants
- Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB): insurance agents
- Board of Massage Therapy: massage therapists
Moving to District of Columbia with a license
For nursing assistants and electricians, the District of Columbia board names the states whose licenses it accepts. The boards for notaries and security guards publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement1 |
| Notary public | No reciprocity route5 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | License by endorsement8 |
| Insurance agent | Reciprocity agreements, Exam waiver and Temporary license or permit1011 |
| Plumber | License by endorsement14 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement and Temporary license or permit1817 |
| Electrician | Reciprocity agreements and License by endorsement1314 |
| Security guard | – |
| Massage therapist | License by endorsement26 |
| Real estate agent | License by endorsement and Reciprocity agreements2729 |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The District of Columbia license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Board of Barber and CosmetologyDepartment of Licensing and Consumer Protection — Board of Barber and CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
- 17 DCMR § 3706 Term of LicensesDistrict of Columbia Office of Documents (DCRegs) — D.C. Municipal RegulationsDated September 12, 2003Checked November 7, 2026
- 17 DCMR § 2400 Application requirements and process for notary public commission; endorsement as an…District of Columbia Office of Documents and Administrative IssuancesDated November 3, 2023Checked November 6, 2026
- 17 DCMR § 2402 Term of commissionDistrict of Columbia Office of Documents and Administrative IssuancesDated November 3, 2023Checked November 6, 2026
- D.C. Code § 1-1231.19 Commission as notary public; endorsement as an electronic notary; qualificationsCouncil of the District of ColumbiaChecked November 6, 2026
- Registered Nurse Examination RequirementsDC Health Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- 17 DCMR 5406 Renewal Of LicenseDC Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DC Register/DCMR)Dated September 2, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- 17 DCMR 5405 Licensure By EndorsementDC Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DC Register/DCMR)Dated December 26, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- 26-A DCMR 105District of Columbia Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Dated January 2, 2009Checked November 7, 2026
- General Information for Producers / AgentsDistrict of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and BankingChecked November 7, 2026
- D.C. Code 31-1131.11Council of the District of ColumbiaChecked November 7, 2026
- D.C. Code § 47-2853.122 Eligibility requirements (plumbers/gasfitters)Council of the District of ColumbiaChecked November 7, 2026
- Board of Industrial TradesDistrict of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionChecked November 7, 2026
- § 47–2853.12. License, certification, and registration criteria; waiver. | D.C. Law LibraryCouncil of the District of Columbia (D.C. Law Library)Checked November 7, 2026
- 17 DCMR 9627 NURSING ASSISTANT TRAINING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTSOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Dated August 23, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
- Certified Nurse Aide Checklist - Pre-Registry by ExaminationDC Health, Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- Board of NursingDC Health, Board of NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- 17 DCMR 9606 REQUIREMENTS FOR NURSING ASSISTANT CERTIFICATION BY ENDORSEMENTOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Dated August 23, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
- D.C. Code 47-2853.92Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Code, D.C. Law Library)Checked November 7, 2026
- 17 DCMR 3500 FeesOffice of the Secretary of the District of Columbia, Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DCMR)Checked November 8, 2026
- 17 DCMR 2108District of Columbia Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DC Register / DCMR)Checked November 7, 2026
- Security ProgramDepartment of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Occupational and Professional LicensingChecked November 7, 2026
- 17 DCMR 2100District of Columbia Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances (DC Register / DCMR)Checked November 7, 2026
- 17 DCMR 7502 (Massage Therapy)DC Office of Documents and Administrative IssuancesDated September 14, 2007Checked November 7, 2026
- 17 DCMR 7506 (Massage Therapy)DC Office of Documents and Administrative IssuancesDated June 7, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
- D.C. Code § 3-1205.07 Reciprocity and endorsementCouncil of the District of ColumbiaChecked November 7, 2026
- Real Estate Commission | dlcpDepartment of Licensing and Consumer ProtectionChecked November 6, 2026
- 17-2605 DCMR CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR REAL ESTATE BROKERS, PROPERTY MANAGERS, AND SALESPERSONSOffice of Documents and Administrative Issuances, District of ColumbiaDated December 25, 2020Checked November 6, 2026
- 17-2611 DCMR LICENSURE BY WAIVER OR RECIPROCITYOffice of Documents and Administrative Issuances, District of ColumbiaDated July 29, 2005Checked November 6, 2026