State Licensing Requirements in CALIFORNIA
Cosmetologists
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology shall obtain a license in compliance with the California Code of Regulations and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 17 years of age;
- Applicant shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction or apprenticeship;
- Applicant shall pass the required examinations;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 1,600 hours of instruction; or
- Applicant shall complete 3,200 hours of apprenticeship;
- The examinations shall consist of a practical demonstration and a written test;
- An applicant must obtain a passing score on both exams based on a criterionreferenced method determined by the board;
- An appeal can be made if a failed score is received;
- Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.
There are no continuing education requirements in California. Licenses expire every two years at midnight on the last day of the month that the license was issued.
All persons desiring to enter a program of apprenticeship training in California shall meet the following requirement:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 years old;
- Applicant shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicant shall complete 39 hours of pre-apprenticeship training;
- Applicant shall receive a minimum of 220 hours of class room training for cosmetology over a two-year period;
- Applicant shall complete 3,200 hours of a full-time apprenticeship;
- Full-time apprenticeship means employment and training in an approved program for at least 32 hours per week with a maximum of 42-1/2 hours per week.
- Applicant shall receive minimum wage from an approved cosmetology establishment.
Reciprocity is offered in California. To obtain a license in California, based on holding
a current valid out of state license, an Applicant must submit a reciprocity application.
In order to be eligible for reciprocity:
- Applicants license must not be revoked, suspended, or otherwise restricted;
- Applicant must be in good standing;
- The previous license must have been active for three of the last five years, during which time the applicant has not been subject to disciplinary action or a criminal conviction.
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology instruction shall possess a current cosmetology license. Technical training must be received in order to be licensed. For more information contact the California Board of Barbing and Cosmetology.
Hair Stylists
Barbers
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering shall obtain a license in compliance with the California Code of Regulations and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 17 years of age;
- Applicant shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction or apprenticeship;
- Applicant shall pass the required examinations;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 1,500 hours of instruction; or
- Applicant shall complete 3,200 hours of apprenticeship;
- The examinations shall consist of a practical demonstration and a written test;
- An applicant must obtain a passing score on both exams based on a criterion referenced method determined by the board;
- An appeal can be made if a failed score is received;
- Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.
There are no continuing education requirements in California. Licenses expire every two years at midnight on the last day of the month that the license was issued.
All persons desiring to enter a program of apprenticeship training in California shall meet the following requirement:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 years old;
- Applicant shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicant shall complete 39 hours of pre-apprenticeship training;
- Applicant shall receive a minimum of 216 hours of class room instruction for barbering over a two-year period;
- • Applicant shall complete 3,200 hours of a full-time apprenticeship;
- Full-time apprenticeship means employment and training in an approved program for at least 32 hours per week with a maximum of 42-1/2 hours per week.
- Applicant shall receive at least minimum wage from an approved barber shop.
Reciprocity is offered in California. To obtain a license in California, based on holding a current valid out of state license, an Applicant must submit a reciprocity application.
In order to be eligible for reciprocity:
- Applicants license must not be revoked, suspended, or otherwise restricted;
- Applicant must be in good standing;
- The previous license must have been active for three of the last five years, during which time the applicant has not been subject to disciplinary action or a criminal conviction.
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering instruction shall possess a current cosmetology license. Technical training must be received in order to be licensed. For more information contact the California Board of Barbing and Cosmetology.
Estheticians
Any individual wishing to engage in skin care shall obtain a license in compliance with the
California Code of Regulations and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 17 years of age;
- Applicant shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction or apprenticeship;
- Applicant shall pass the required examinations;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Each Individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 600 hours of instruction; or
- Applicant shall complete 3,200 hours of apprenticeship;
- The examinations shall consist of a practical demonstration and a written test;
- An applicant must obtain a passing score on both exams based on a criterionreferenced method determined by the board;
- An appeal can be made if a failed score is received;
- Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.
There are no continuing education requirements in California. Licenses expire every two years at midnight on the last day of the month that the license was issued.
All persons desiring to enter a program of apprenticeship training in California shall meet the following requirement:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 years old;
- Applicant shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicant shall complete 39 hours of pre-apprenticeship training;
- Applicant shall receive a minimum of 220 hours of class room training for skin care over a two-year period;
- Applicant shall complete 3,200 hours of a full-time apprenticeship;
- Full-time apprenticeship means employment and training in an approved program for at least 32 hours per week with a maximum of 42-1/2 hours per week.
- Applicant shall receive minimum wage from an approved cosmetology establishment.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Reciprocity is offered in California. To obtain a license in California, based on holding a current valid out of state license, an Applicant must submit a reciprocity application.
In order to be eligible for reciprocity:
- Applicants license must not be revoked, suspended, or otherwise restricted;
- Applicant must be in good standing;
- The previous license must have been active for three of the last five years, during which time the applicant has not been subject to disciplinary action or a criminal conviction.
Any individual wishing to engage in skin care instruction shall possess a current cosmetology license. Technical training must be received in order to be licensed. For more information contact the California Board of Barbing and Cosmetology.
Nail Technicians/Manicurist
Any individual wishing to engage in nail care shall obtain a license in compliance with the California Code of Regulations and shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 17 years of age;
- Applicant shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicant shall graduate from a Board approved school and complete the required hours of instruction or apprenticeship;
- Applicant shall pass the required examinations;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall complete 400 hours of instruction; or
- Applicant shall complete 3,200 hours of apprenticeship;
- The examinations shall consist of a practical demonstration and a written test;
- An applicant must obtain a passing score on both exams based on a criterion-referenced method determined by the board;
- An appeal can be made if a failed score is received;
- Upon passing, Applicant shall pay the required fees.
There are no continuing education requirements in California. Licenses expire every two years at midnight on the last day of the month that the license was issued.
All persons desiring to enter a program of apprenticeship training in California shall meet the following requirement:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 years old;
- Applicant shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicant shall complete 39 hours of pre-apprenticeship training;
- Applicant shall receive a minimum of 220 hours of class room training for nail care over a two-year period;
- Applicant shall complete 3,200 hours of a full-time apprenticeship;
- Full-time apprenticeship means employment and training in an approved program for at least 32 hours per week with a maximum of 42-1/2 hours per week.
- Applicant shall receive minimum wage from an approved cosmetology establishment.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Reciprocity is offered in California. To obtain a license in California, based on holding a current valid out of state license, an Applicant must submit a reciprocity application.
In order to be eligible for reciprocity:
- Applicants license must not be revoked, suspended, or otherwise restricted;
- Applicant must be in good standing;
- The previous license must have been active for three of the last five years, during which time the applicant has not been subject to disciplinary action or a criminal conviction.
Any individual wishing to engage in nail care instruction shall possess a current cosmetology license. Technical training must be received in order to be licensed. For more information contact the California Board of Barbing and Cosmetology.
Make-up Artists
Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services
High School Cosmetology Programs
- Body Piercing
- Electrology
- Massage Therapy
- Permanent cosmetics
- Tattooing