California Board of Cosmetology License Requirements

California Board of Cosmetology License Information

Last Updated: December 27, 2012

In order to obtain a license in cosmetology, esthetics or nail technology in the state of California, students must complete the requirements listed below from the California State Board of Cosmetology. When getting a California cosmetology license or other beauty practitioner certification, you must attend a licensed school and complete the state of California's minimum required training hours and then take the state's cosmetology board exams. After finishing your training, you are required to pass a licensing exam issued by the California State Board of Cosmetology. Once you pass this exam, you will receive your California cosmetology license shortly thereafter. You're now able to work in the state of California. Keep in mind, even though California may not require continuing education to renew some licenses, you may wish to consider taking cosmetology continuing education hours in California annually to stay current on the latest trends. For specific questions, please contact the CA Board of Cosmetology directly for more information. The state of CA does allow apprenticeship to get your training hours for some of the beauty profession licenses, see below. CA uses PSI for its cosmetology board exams, and you may take the exam in English, Spanish or Vietnamese.

Find California beauty schools that can help you obtain a license in cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology and other beauty professions in the State of California.

California Board of Cosmetology License Requirements

• COSMETOLOGIST LICENSE: 1600 Hours / 3200 Apprenticeship
• BARBER LICENSE: 1500 Hours / 3000 Apprenticeship
• NAIL TECHNICIAN LICENSE: 400 Hours
• ESTHETICIAN LICENSE: 600 hours / 1200 Apprenticeship
• MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSE: 250 Hours Practitioner, 500 Hours Therapist

Cosmetology instructors must become accredited through post-secondary education. Permanent makeup, electrology and makeup artist all currently fall under cosmetology licensure.

California Cosmetology License Renewal

Cosmetology licenses in California must be renewed every two years in odd years by the licensee's original licensing date. You may renew your cosmetology license with the CA automated system, which takes 6 to 8 weeks. Or you can renew your CA cosmetology license online, which takes only 15 to 20 days. It costs $50 to renew your license if you're on time, or a $25 late fee will be added - even if you are only one day late. Currently, no continuing education hours are required to renew your cosmetology license in California, but CEUs are always recommended to stay current in the industry.

Cosmetology License Reciprocity (Transfer) in California

The California cosmetology board requires that you must have a cosmetology license in good standing with no citations, violations, convictions or child support issues putting your license on hold in your home state. You must be licensed 3 out of the last 5 years to be eligible to transfer it to CA.

CA State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information

California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
PO Box 944226
Sacramento, CA 94244-2260
Phone Number: 916-574-7570
Fax Number: 916-575-7281
E-mail: barbercosmo@dca.ca.gov

The California State Board of Cosmetology can help you with replacing a lost cosmetology license, updating change of name or change of address information, and acquiring out-of-state and other useful forms, as well as answer additional questions about obtaining a California state cosmetology license.

Cosmetology Licensing Information for Other Nearby States:

• Nevada
• Oregon
• Arizona
• Washington
• Utah