Easiest Licenses in California (2026)

137 licensed professions in California, ranked from easiest to hardest. Scores are based on education hours, exams, fees, apprenticeship requirements, time to complete, and continuing education burden.

#	License	Score	Grade	Label
1	Alcohol Server	1	A	Quick Start
2	Auctioneer	1	A	Quick Start
3	Boiler Operator	1	A	Quick Start
4	CDL Driver	1	A	Quick Start
5	Childcare	1	A	Quick Start
6	CNA	1	A	Quick Start
7	Drone Pilot	1	A	Quick Start
8	EMT	1	A	Quick Start
9	Environmental Scientist	1	A	Quick Start
10	Esthetician	1	A	Quick Start
11	Food Handler	1	A	Quick Start
12	Home Health Aide	1	A	Quick Start
13	Home Inspector	1	A	Quick Start
14	Insurance Agent	1	A	Quick Start
15	Nail Technician	1	A	Quick Start
16	Notary	1	A	Quick Start
17	Phlebotomist	1	A	Quick Start
18	Process Server	1	A	Quick Start
19	Tattoo Artist	1	A	Quick Start
20	Tax Preparer	1	A	Quick Start
21	Bail Bondsman	2	A	Quick Start
22	Crane Operator	2	A	Quick Start
23	Locksmith	2	A	Quick Start
24	Massage Therapist	2	A	Quick Start
25	Optician	2	A	Quick Start
26	Pest Control Operator	2	A	Quick Start
27	Radon	2	A	Quick Start
28	Roofing Contractor	2	A	Quick Start
29	Security Guard	2	A	Quick Start
30	Septic Installer	2	A	Quick Start
31	Arborist	3	A	Quick Start
32	Asbestos	3	A	Quick Start
33	Driving Instructor	3	A	Quick Start
34	Irrigation Technician	3	A	Quick Start
35	Lead Rrp	3	A	Quick Start
36	Low Voltage Installer	3	A	Quick Start
37	Mold	3	A	Quick Start
38	Painting Contractor	3	A	Quick Start
39	Collection Agency	4	A	Quick Start
40	Fire Alarm Technician	4	A	Quick Start
41	Firefighter	4	A	Quick Start
42	Insurance Adjuster	4	A	Quick Start
43	Pharmacy Technician	4	A	Quick Start
44	Polygraph Examiner	4	A	Quick Start
45	Property Manager	4	A	Quick Start
46	Solar Installer	4	A	Quick Start
47	Water/Wastewater Operator	4	A	Quick Start
48	Freight Broker	5	A	Quick Start
49	Hearing Aid Specialist	5	A	Quick Start
50	Pawnbroker	5	A	Quick Start
51	Personal Trainer	5	A	Quick Start
52	Pool Contractor	5	A	Quick Start
53	Surgical Technologist	5	A	Quick Start
54	Auto Mechanic	6	A	Quick Start
55	Mold Inspector	6	A	Quick Start
56	Real Estate Agent	6	A	Quick Start
57	Dental Assistant	7	A	Quick Start
58	LPN	7	A	Quick Start
59	Court Reporter	8	A	Quick Start
60	HVAC Technician	8	A	Quick Start
61	Polysomnographic Technologist	8	A	Quick Start
62	Radiation Therapist	8	A	Quick Start
63	Medical Coder	9	A	Quick Start
64	Nuclear Medicine Technologist	9	A	Quick Start
65	Funeral Director	10	A	Quick Start
66	Real Estate Appraiser	10	A	Quick Start
67	Welder	10	A	Quick Start
68	Private Investigator	11	A	Quick Start
69	Sign Language Interpreter	11	A	Quick Start
70	Substance Abuse Counselor	11	A	Quick Start
71	Well Driller	11	A	Quick Start
72	Electrologist	12	A	Quick Start
73	General Contractor	12	A	Quick Start
74	Paramedic	12	A	Quick Start
75	Real Estate Broker	12	A	Quick Start
76	Respiratory Therapist	12	A	Quick Start
77	Veterinary Technician	12	A	Quick Start
78	Dental Hygienist	13	A	Quick Start
79	OTA	13	A	Quick Start
80	Radiologic Technologist	13	A	Quick Start
81	Registered Nurse	13	A	Quick Start
82	Clinical Laboratory Scientist	14	A	Quick Start
83	PTA	14	A	Quick Start
84	Dietitian	16	A	Quick Start
85	Nurse Practitioner	16	A	Quick Start
86	Occupational Therapist	16	A	Quick Start
87	Counselor	17	A	Quick Start
88	LMFT	17	A	Quick Start
89	Perfusionist	17	A	Quick Start
90	Speech-Language Pathologist	17	A	Quick Start
91	Music Therapist	18	A	Quick Start
92	Nursing Home Administrator	18	A	Quick Start
93	School Counselor	18	A	Quick Start
94	Chiropractor	19	A	Quick Start
95	Midwife	19	A	Quick Start
96	Physical Therapist	19	A	Quick Start
97	Audiologist	20	A	Quick Start
98	Physician Assistant	20	A	Quick Start
99	Acupuncturist	22	B	Clear Path
100	LCSW	22	B	Clear Path
101	Medical Assistant	23	B	Clear Path
102	Pharmacist	23	B	Clear Path
103	Teacher	23	B	Clear Path
104	Architect	24	B	Clear Path
105	Elevator Mechanic	25	B	Clear Path
106	Fire Sprinkler	25	B	Clear Path
107	Irrigation Contractor	25	B	Clear Path
108	Plumber	25	B	Clear Path
109	Swimming Pool Contractor	25	B	Clear Path
110	Barber	26	B	Clear Path
111	Cosmetologist	26	B	Clear Path
112	Interior Designer	27	B	Clear Path
113	Tow Truck Operator	27	B	Clear Path
114	Veterinarian	27	B	Clear Path
115	Anesthesiologist Assistant	30	B	Clear Path
116	Art Therapist	30	B	Clear Path
117	Dentist	30	B	Clear Path
118	Nurse Midwife	32	B	Clear Path
119	Landscape Architect	33	B	Clear Path
120	Surveyor	33	B	Clear Path
121	Athletic Trainer	34	B	Clear Path
122	Behavior Analyst	34	B	Clear Path
123	Genetic Counselor	34	B	Clear Path
124	Psychologist	34	B	Clear Path
125	Electrician	35	B	Clear Path
126	Optometrist	36	B	Clear Path
127	Social Worker	37	B	Clear Path
128	Soil Scientist	38	B	Clear Path
129	Crna	41	C	Structured Path
130	Pilot	41	C	Structured Path
131	Naturopathic Doctor	42	C	Structured Path
132	Physician	42	C	Structured Path
133	Professional Engineer	42	C	Structured Path
134	Geologist	51	C	Structured Path
135	CPA	53	C	Structured Path
136	Orthotist-Prosthetist	64	D	Committed Path
137	Podiatrist	64	D	Committed Path

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FAQ

What is the easiest license to get in California?

Based on our data, the easiest license in California is Alcohol Server with a difficulty score of 1/100.

How many licensed professions are there in California?

We have difficulty data for 137 licensed professions in California.

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