Nail Technician Schools in California

Now may be the perfect time to become a nail technician in California. Not only is it considered the 9th most beauty-obsessed state in the country, but it's also experiencing more than double the national anticipated growth for manicurist jobs. Read on to learn about becoming a nail specialist in the state, including everything you need to know about getting and maintaining your California nail technician license.

Browse our directory of nail technician schools in California, or skip ahead to learn about the state's nail technician licensing requirements and job outlook.

Browse All Nail Technician Schools in California

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970 Broadway Suite 110
Chula Vista, CA 91911

(619) 474-6607
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology

13266 Poway Road
Poway, CA 92064

(858) 748-1490
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology

1024 East March Lane
Stockton, CA 95210

(209) 952-5325
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology

111 West St. John Street
San Jose, CA 95113

(408) 549-1465
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Makeup Artistry

2822 F Street
Bakersfield, CA 93301

(661) 437-4019
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy

731 West Shaw Avenue Suite A
Clovis, CA 93612

(559) 323-2802
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy

780 Loughborough Drive
Merced, CA 95348

(209) 205-2823
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology

75-030 Gerald Ford Drive Suite 203
Palm Desert, CA 92211

(760) 565-4988
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy

6500 South Mooney Boulevard
Visalia, CA 93277

(559) 302-5938
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy

1679 East Monte Vista Avenue Suite 200
Vacaville, CA 95688

(707) 430-4323
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology

3100 McHenry Avenue
Modesto, CA 95350

(209) 577-0644
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology

18442 Sherman Way
Reseda, CA 91335

(818) 578-6344
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology
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1st Academy of Beauty – Accredited

8823 Garvey Avenue Unit B1
Rosemead, CA 91770

AAA Beauty College – Accredited

4774 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92117

ABA Beauty School – Accredited

8428 Van Nuys Boulevard
Panorama City, CA 91402

Abram Friedman Occupational Center – Accredited

1646 South Olive Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Academy of Esthetics and Cosmetology – Accredited

1116 San Fernando Road
San Fernando, CA 91340

Adrian's Beauty College – Accredited

3000 West Grantline Road
Tracy, CA 95304

Adrian's Beauty College of Turlock – Accredited

1340 West Main Street
Turlock, CA 95380

Advance Beauty College - Garden Grove – Accredited

10121 Westminster Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92843

Advance Beauty College - Laguna Hills – Accredited

25322 McIntyre Street
Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Advance Beauty Techs Academy – Accredited

2191 Sampson Avenue Suite 105
Corona, CA 92879

Allan Hancock College

800 South College Drive
Santa Maria, CA 93454

American Beauty Academy – Accredited

558 Main Street
Brawley, CA 92227

American Beauty College - Palmdale – Accredited

641 West Palmdale Boulevard Suites A-C
Palmdale, CA 93551

American Beauty College - West Covina – Accredited

652 South Sunset Avenue
West Covina, CA 91790

American Beauty Institute - San Diego – Accredited

4625 Convoy Street Suites A & B
San Diego, CA 92111

American Empire College – Accredited

1168 San Gabriel Boulevard Suites K, L, Q & R
Rosemead, CA 91770

Amy Beauty School – Accredited

290 Corporate Terrace Circle 104
Corona, CA 92879

Asel Beauty College - Garden Grove – Accredited

9240 Garden Grove Boulevard Suite 10
Garden Grove, CA 92844

Asian-American International Beauty College – Accredited

7871 Westminster Boulevard
Westminster, CA 92683

Bamboo Advance Beauty College – Accredited

14624 East 14th Street
San Leandro, CA 94578

Barstow Community College – Accredited

2700 Barstow Road
Barstow, CA 92311

Bellflower Beauty College of Lakewood – Accredited

5438 Woodruff Avenue Suite B
Lakewood, CA 90713

Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy – Accredited

13640 Imperial Highway Suites 6, 7 & 8
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

Bridges Beauty College - Rancho Cucamonga – Accredited

9170 Foothill Boulevard
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

Bridges Beauty College - Victorville – Accredited

16515 Mojave Drive
Victorville, CA 92395

Butte College – Accredited

3536 Butte Campus Drive
Oroville, CA 95965

California Beauty Academy – Accredited

1828 East Collins Avenue Suite A
Orange, CA 92867

California Beauty School – Accredited

1115 15th Street
Modesto, CA 95354

California Hair Design Academy – Accredited

8011 University Avenue Suite A-2
La Mesa, CA 91942

Cen Beauty Academy – Accredited

7900 Limonite Avenue Suite D
Riverside, CA 92509

Citrus Heights Beauty College – Accredited

7518 Baird Way
Citrus Heights, CA 95610

Coachella Valley Beauty College - Hemet – Accredited

3643 West Florida Avenue
Hemet, CA 92545

Coachella Valley Beauty College - La Quinta – Accredited

79450 Highway 111
La Quinta, CA 92253

Coastline Beauty College - Fountain Valley – Accredited

16151 Harbor Boulevard
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Coastline Beauty College - Hemet – Accredited

2627 West Florida Avenue Suite 100
Hemet, CA 92545

Cosmetica Beauty and Barbering Academy

9050 Telegraph Road Suites 101, 103-105, & 201-203
Downey, CA 90240

Cosmo Beauty Academy - Sacramento – Accredited

3500 Fulton Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95821

Cosmotek College – Accredited

2188-B Del Franco Street
San Jose, CA 95131

D'Lacreme School of Cosmetology and Barbering – Accredited

1787 North Texas Street
Fairfield, CA 94533

Diamond Beauty College – Accredited

10301 Garvey Avenue Suites 200-204-302
South El Monte, CA 91733

Estes Institute of Cosmetology – Accredited

324 East Main Street
Visalia, CA 93291

Extensions R Us Academy

2137 West Manchester Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90047

Fantasy Beauty College – Accredited

216 East Second Street
Pomona, CA 91766

Federico College – Accredited

3117 West Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93711

Flair Beauty College – Accredited

23754 Valencia Boulevard
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Fredrick and Charles Beauty College – Accredited

831 F Street
Eureka, CA 95501

Fremont Beauty College – Accredited

4164 Technology Drive
Fremont, CA 94538

Georgiykot Academy USA – Accredited

20855 Ventura Boulevard Suite 7
Woodland Hills, CA 91364

Get Faded Barber College – Accredited

2500 New Stine Road Suites 201 & 203
Bakersfield, CA 93309

Hilltop Beauty School – Accredited

6317 Mission Street
Daly City, CA 94014

Inspire Academy of Barbering and Cosmetology – Accredited

445 West Weber Avenue Suite 223
Stockton, CA 95203

Institute of Beauty Culture – Accredited

325 East Betteravia Suite B1
Santa Maria, CA 93454

International Academy of Cosmetology & Barbering – Accredited

4085 Tweedy Boulevard
South Gate, CA 90280

International Beauty College

1224 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94577

International College of Beauty Arts & Sciences – Accredited

5225 San Fernando Road West
Los Angeles, CA 90039

International College of Cosmetology – Accredited

3701 International Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94601

International School of Beauty - Palm Desert – Accredited

72261 Highway 111 Suite 121 B
Palm Desert, CA 92260

Jade Beauty and Barber College – Accredited

1045 East Capitol Expressway
San Jose, CA 95121

Jama's Beauty & Barber College – Accredited

8300 Valley Circle Boulevard Unit A
West Hills, CA 91304

Jasmine Beauty School – Accredited

5911 University Avenue Suites 318 & 319
San Diego, CA 92115

JLC Beauty School – Accredited

16025 Gale Avenue Unit A14
City of Industry, CA 91745

Katie Skills Center – Accredited

415 East 12th Street
Oakland, CA 94606

KC Beauty Academy – Accredited

706 East First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

KZ Academy – Accredited

1221 East Calaveras Boulevard
Milpitas, CA 95035

Lancaster Beauty School – Accredited

44646 North 10Th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lawrence & Company College of Cosmetology - Hanford – Accredited

810 North 10th Avenue
Hanford, CA 93230

Lawrence & Company College of Cosmetology - Selma – Accredited

2048 Grant Street
Selma, CA 93662

Letty's Barbering and Cosmetology College – Accredited

4926 Whittier Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90022

Los Angeles College of Aesthetics – Accredited

1517 South Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90006

Lu Ross Academy – Accredited

470 East Thompson Boulevard
Ventura, CA 93001

Lyle's College of Beauty - Bakersfield – Accredited

2935 F Street
Bakersfield, CA 93301

Lyle's College of Beauty - Fresno – Accredited

6735 North First Street Suite 112
Fresno, CA 93710

Maiquela's Cosmetology Academy - South Gate – Accredited

8511 Long Beach Boulevard
South Gate, CA 90280

Maiquela's Cosmetology Academy - Upland – Accredited

1434 East Foothill Boulevard Suites D-E
Upland, CA 91786

Maiquela's Cosmetology Academy - Whittier – Accredited

12221 Whittier Boulevard
Whittier, CA 90602

Marmel Beauty Academy – Accredited

6444 Bellingham Avenue
North Hollywood, CA 91606

Mixed Institute of Cosmetology and Barbering – Accredited

5950 Florin Road Suite 103
Sacramento, CA 95823

Modern Beauty Academy - Oxnard – Accredited

699 South C Street
Oxnard, CA 93030

My Le's Beauty College - Sacramento – Accredited

4516 Florin Road
Sacramento, CA 95823

National Cosmetology Beauty School – Accredited

315 11th Street 1st Floor
Oakland, CA 94607

Neihule Academy of Beauty – Accredited

305 East 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014

North Adrian's College of Beauty – Accredited

124 Floyd Avenue
Modesto, CA 95350

Palomar Institute of Cosmetology – Accredited

355 Via Vera Cruz Suite 3
San Marcos, CA 92078

Paris Beauty College – Accredited

1655 Willow Pass Road
Concord, CA 94520

Paul Mitchell The School Pasadena – Accredited

825 East Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101

Paul Mitchell The School Sacramento – Accredited

2100 Arden Way Suite 265
Sacramento, CA 95825

Princess Institute of Beauty – Accredited

1605 East Manning Avenue
Reedley, CA 93654

Professional Schools of Beauty, Fashion and Arts – Accredited

18573 Sherman Way Boulevard
Reseda, CA 91335

Redondo Beach Beauty College – Accredited

23800 Hawthorne Boulevard Suite 200
Torrance, CA 90505

Rosemead Beauty School – Accredited

8531 East Valley Boulevard
Rosemead, CA 91770

RTC College – Accredited

10427 San Sevaine Way
Jurupa Valley, CA 91752

SABA Beauty School – Accredited

23635 El Toro Road Suites J-2 and K
Lake Forest, CA 92630

Saddleback Beauty Academy – Accredited

23565 Moulton Parkway Suite B
Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Salon Success Academy - Corona – Accredited

2097 Compton Avenue Suite 201
Corona, CA 92881

Salon Success Academy - Fontana – Accredited

16803 Arrow Highway
Fontana, CA 92335

Salon Success Academy - Redlands – Accredited

1915 West Redlands Boulevard Suite 111 & 105
Redlands, CA 92373

Salon Success Academy - Riverside – Accredited

6780 Indiana Avenue Suite 200
Riverside, CA 92506

Salon Success Academy - Upland – Accredited

1385 East Foothill Boulevard
Upland, CA 91786

Salon Success Academy - West Covina – Accredited

112 Plaza Drive Suite 166
West Covina, CA 91790

San Bernardino Beauty College – Accredited

600 North Sierra Way
San Bernardino, CA 92410

San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology – Accredited

1067 Folsom Street Second Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103

San Luis Obispo Beauty College – Accredited

285 South Street Suite N
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Santa Ana Beauty Academy – Accredited

2231 North Tustin Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 93401

Santa Ana Beauty College – Accredited

1926 West 17th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706

Santa Clara Beauty College – Accredited

2630 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95051

Santa Monica College – Accredited

1900 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Shasta School of Cosmetology – Accredited

678 North Market Street
Redding, CA 96003

Sierra College of Beauty – Accredited

1340 West 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340

Simi Valley Cosmetology School – Accredited

3340 East Los Angeles Avenue
Simi Valley, CA 93063

Southern California College of Barber and Beauty – Accredited

641 North Broadway
Escondido, CA 92025

Straight Perm Beauty School – Accredited

3863 West 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90020

Thanh Le College School of Cosmetology – Accredited

12875 West Chapman Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92840

Victory Career College – Accredited

19401 South Vermont Avenue Suite G100, L101 & L103
Torrance, CA 90502

Wayne's College of Beauty – Accredited

1271 North Main Street
Salinas, CA 93906

West Valley Occupational Center – Accredited

6200 Winnetka Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA 91367

ZMS The Academy – Accredited

2228 East Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Accredited School

You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.

Find a Nail Technician School Near You

How to Become a Nail Technician in California

California Nail Technician Careers At A Glance
  • 400 education hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 2 years.
  • 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • The average salary for manicurists in California is $26,940 ($12.95/hour). This is higher than the national average of $25,770 ($12.39/hour).
  • There is a predicted 21% job increase between 2016–2026 for manicurists. This is higher than the expected national growth of 10%.

To qualify for a California nail technology license, you need to have:

  • Reached at least 17 years of age
  • Completed the 10th grade
  • Completed a 400-hour training program in an approved training school
  • Passed the California State Board written and practical examinations or the National Interstate Council (NIC) written and practical examinations

What to Expect From a Nail Technician Program in California

400 Hours

Time to complete a Nail Technician program in California

A California nail technician program—also called a manicurist or pedicurist training program—must provide at least 400 hours of technical instruction and practical training.

Technical instruction in a nail technician training program includes demonstrations, lectures, class participation, and exams. Nail technician training programs are divided into the following subjects:

  • Manicures and pedicures
  • Laws and regulations
  • Health and safety considerations
  • Disinfection and sanitation
  • Bacteriology, anatomy, and physiology

Check the accreditation of a training program before enrolling. The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology offers a list of approved schools.

Can You Be Licensed Via a Nail Technician Apprenticeship in California?

Manicurist apprenticeships aren't permitted in California.

California Nail Technician Licensing Requirements

To perform manicures, pedicures, and other nail services for a fee, you need to pass the California State Board examinations or the National Interstate Council (NIC) examinations and receive your state license after completing your training.

The exam is split into two portions: a written part and a practical part, which you'll take on the same day. You'll need to submit an application to take the exam and receive your license. You'll also need to pay the exam and licensing fee. The cost of the exam and your initial license is $110 total.

The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology has two permanent testing sites. One is in Fairfield (Northern California), and the other is in Glendale (Southern California). The practical portion of the exam must take place at one of these two sites. You may be able to reschedule the written portion of your exam to another location. The California manicurist licensure exam is available in English, Korean, Vietnamese, and Spanish. If the exam isn't available in your native language, you may be able to bring an interpreter.

When preparing to take the California State Board examination, visit the California state licensure exam website to ensure you have up-to-date guidelines. This is important, as some exam criteria are routinely updated. For example, in 2021, updates to the guidelines meant disinfectant sprays will no longer be allowed at the testing site. Instead, test candidates are expected to bring EPA-registered disinfectant wipes.

California Nail Technician Licensure Reciprocity

If you're licensed as a nail technician in another state and are in good standing, you may be eligible for licensure reciprocity when you move to California. If your out-of-state license was active for three of the last five years and you have no disciplinary action or criminal convictions on your record, you may be granted a California manicurist license without having to take the examinations.

Nail Technician License Renewal in California

2 Years

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

You need to renew your California nail technician license every two years. Renewing your license doesn't require any additional continuing education hours. The cost to renew your California manicurist licensure is $50 for two years, as long as you renew your license before it expires. If you renew your license after it expires, the cost to renew is $75.

Nail Technician Salary in California and Projected Job Growth

$26,940

Average yearly salary for Nail Technician in California

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for manicurists and pedicurists in California $26,940 ($12.95/hour) as of 2019.

California has the country's highest employment of manicurists and pedicurists, and the number of these jobs is increasing. Positions are expected to grow by 21% from 2016-2026, compared to 19% in the greater U.S. from 2019-2029.

Contact the California State Board of Nail Technology

California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology

Resources for Nail Technicians in California

California Board of Barbering & Cosmetology
BarberCosmo is the central resource for all information about the beauty field in California. Here, you can find all information about exams, licensure, and all other rules and laws associated with your career.

Associated Nail Professionals (ANP)
This is a membership-based organization offering liability insurance, discounts, resources, educational materials, and website hosting for nail professionals.

California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA or DOSH)
This state agency sets and enforces safety standards; provides outreach, education, and assistance; and issues permits, licenses, certifications, registrations, and approvals.

California Safe Cosmetics Program (CSCP)
Administered through the California Department of Public Health, this program collects information on hazardous or potentially hazardous ingredients in cosmetic products and makes this information available to the public.

National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC)
NIC is a collection of state licensing boards. It promotes standardization of regulations in cosmetology fields throughout the U.S. and Guam. NIC also develops and maintains licensure examinations for cosmetology fields, including the National Nail Technology Practical Examination (PDF).

Professional Beauty Association (PBA)
This organization provides paying members resources, support, advocacy, and connections to grow their careers. Members include stylists, makeup artists, manufacturers, freelancers, salons, spas, employees, beauty schools, and students.

Professional Beauty Federation of California (PBFC)
This organization works on behalf of California's beauty industry to promote and raise the field's professionalism through public relations and image-building activities.

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Nail Technology
California

How to Become a Nail Technician in Your State