StateLicensed

Cosmetologist License Requirements in California

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1000 hrs
Upfront cost
$125
Exam
Written Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 17 years old, Completion of the 10th grade in a public school (or its equivalent), pass a criminal background check. Applicants must be at least 17 years old and have completed 10th grade or equivalent, and must not be subject to denial under Business and Professions Code Section 480 (criminal/disciplinary grounds). The application requires applicants to disclose any prior criminal convictions or no-contest pleas via a background information section; convictions are evaluated case-by-case (rehabilitation, relevance to licensed duties) rather than resulting in automatic denial. [3]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1000 hours of training at a state-approved program. California reduced the cosmetologist training-hour requirement to 1,000 hours (from a formerly much higher figure). Curriculum breakdown: 100 hrs health/safety, 100 hrs disinfection/sanitation, 200 hrs chemical hair services, 200 hrs hairstyling services, 150 hrs skin care, 50 hrs hair removal/lash-brow beautification, 100 hrs manicure/pedicure. Alternative qualification pathways exist: completing the cosmetology apprenticeship program (Article 4), out-of-state practice credit (3 months of practice = 100 hours), or holding a barber license plus an approved cosmetology crossover course. [1]

  3. 3

    Written Examination

    Pass the Written Examination. 100 scored questions + 10 pretest questions, 120 minutes; available in English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Simplified Chinese. Cosmetologist candidates only need to pass the written exam to become licensed — there is no separate state practical exam. The $125 Application for Examination and Initial License fee (paid to the Board) covers exam approval and initial licensing; PSI's own administration cost for the written exam itself is not separately published on the Board's site, so it is left null rather than guessed. [2]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC) with the $125 application fee. [3]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC) issues your Cosmetologist License for California.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] $125
License fee [3] None specified
Renewal fee [3] $50
Written Examination [2] None specified
Delinquent renewal fee [3] $25

The $125 'Application for Examination and Initial License Fee' is a single non-refundable combined fee covering both the exam application and the initial license — the Board's official application form does not itemize a separate license-issuance fee beyond this $125. Renewal is $50 biennially, with a $25 delinquent fee (bringing a late renewal to $75).

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years.

Licenses renew every two years for $50. The Board explicitly does not require continuing education to maintain a license (CE is optional). Licenses delinquent for 5 years are automatically cancelled.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

California offers reciprocity for applicants holding a current license from another state that is not revoked, suspended, or otherwise restricted and is in good standing; the applicant's state board must send certification of licensure directly to the California Board, and the written exam can be waived. A separate expedited-processing pathway exists for honorably discharged veterans, military spouses/domestic partners, active-duty DoD SkillBridge participants, and refugees/asylees/Special Immigrant Visa holders. California was not found among the enacted states listed on cosmetologycompact.gov, so no interstate compact is listed.

116 state-approved training providers in California — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $125
Total$125

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does California require for a cosmetologist license?

1,000 hours at an approved school — reduced from California's formerly much higher hour requirement. Alternative paths include the cosmetology apprenticeship program, out-of-state practice credit, or a barber license plus an approved crossover course.

Who administers California's cosmetology licensing exam?

PSI administers the written examination (100 scored + 10 pretest questions, 120 minutes). Cosmetologist candidates only need to pass the written exam — there is no separate state-administered practical exam.

How much does a California cosmetologist license cost?

A single $125 non-refundable Application for Examination and Initial License fee covers both the exam application and initial licensing. Renewal is $50 every two years.

Does California require continuing education to renew a cosmetologist license?

No. The Board explicitly does not require continuing education to maintain a license; CE classes are optional.

Can I transfer my out-of-state cosmetology license to California?

Yes, through reciprocity, if your current license is active, in good standing, and not revoked, suspended, or restricted. Your issuing state board must send certification of licensure directly to the California Board, and the written exam requirement can be waived.

Sources

  1. [1] barbercosmo.ca.gov/applicants/license_requirements.shtml — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] barbercosmo.ca.gov/applicants/national.shtml — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] barbercosmo.ca.gov/forms_pubs/forms/cosmetologist_app.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] barbercosmo.ca.gov/forms_pubs/publications/faqs.shtml — accessed 2026-07-10