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Cosmetologist
Exam: Yes
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Training Hours
Written
Exam Type
Renewal Cycle
Gov. Fees
Get the California Cosmetologist Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Application Fee
$75
Combined application and examination fee
Exam Fee
Included in $75 application fee
Application and exam fee are combined into a single $75 payment
License Fee
$50
Initial license fee after passing exams
Education / Training Cost
$5,000–$20,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. California cosmetology programs range widely in cost depending on the school. The reduced 1,000-hour requirement (down from 1,600) has lowered tuition costs at many schools.
Renewal Fee
$50
Every 2 years
CE Required
Not required
No continuing education needed for renewal
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Renewal Fee
$50
Complete 1,000 hours of approved cosmetology coursework at a licensed school (or complete an approved apprenticeship program)
Submit application and $75 application/exam fee to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology via BreEZe online system
Schedule and pass the written examination (100 scored questions, 120 minutes, 75% passing score)
Pay the $50 initial license fee upon passing the exam
Receive your cosmetology license
Minimum Age
17 years old
Education Level
Completion of 10th grade or equivalent
Residency
No residency requirement found; out-of-state applicants may apply via reciprocity or out-of-state training transfer
Background Check
Applicants must not be subject to denial under Business and Professions Code Section 480 (criminal or disciplinary grounds). The Board reviews criminal history.
Not sure if you need a cosmetology license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1,000 hours
Cosmetology school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
3,200 hours required
Cosmetology apprenticeship program requires 3,200 on-the-job training (OJT) hours plus a minimum of 220 hours of related classroom instruction over a 2-year period. A minimum of 39 hours of pre-apprentice training in laws, regulations, patron protection, sanitation and disinfection is also required.
Online Hours Allowed
Not specified by the Board; instruction must address diverse hair types and textures
Curriculum Includes
See our picks for the best cosmetology programs in California.
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Hair cutting and styling (across diverse hair types and textures), chemical hair services (coloring, perming, relaxing), skin care services, hair removal and lash/brow services (including lash and brow tinting, lash perming, facial dermaplaning), manicure and pedicure services, and health and safety/disinfection procedures.
California Cosmetology Written Examination
100 scored questions plus 10 pretest (unscored) questions. Computerized exam.
Ready to pass the Cosmetology State Board Exam?
Practice exams built for the Cosmetologist licensing exam — so you can pass faster.
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Didn't pass on your first try? Read our guide on what to do if you fail the cosmetology state board exam.
Overall licensing difficulty: 26/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Cosmetology State Board Exam
Browse study guides
Cosmetology Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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California Cosmetology Written Examination
Questions
100 questions
Time Limit
120 minutes
Passing Score
75%
Administered By
California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (via PSI)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: Included in $75 application/exam feeInvest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the California Cosmetology Written Examination.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — National Cosmetology Written Examination
Prepare for your National Cosmetology Written Examination with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, online courses, and practice tests.
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Compare approved cosmetologist courses available in California. Prices and availability verified 2026.
Paul Mitchell Schools
1,600-hour cosmetology program with Paul Mitchell's three-level curriculum meeting California's licensing requirements.
1600 hours · Full-time ~12-14 months, part-time ~18-24 months
Best for: Students wanting strong brand recognition
Empire Beauty School
1,600-hour cosmetology program covering all California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology requirements.
1600 hours · Full-time ~14-16 months
Best for: Students seeking hands-on salon experience
We may earn a commission if you enroll through links on our site. This does not affect our recommendations or the price you pay.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Combined application and examination fee | |
Exam Fee Application and exam fee are combined into a single $75 payment | |
License Fee Initial license fee after passing exams | |
Total Government Fees Application/exam fee ($75) + initial license fee ($50) |
Cosmetology School Tuition: $5,000–$20,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. California cosmetology programs range widely in cost depending on the school. The reduced 1,000-hour requirement (down from 1,600) has lowered tuition costs at many schools.
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Initial License Term
2 years
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Renewal Fee
$50
Continuing Education
Not required
Late Renewal Fee
$25
Regulatory Board
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our cosmetology license renewal guide.
California grants reciprocity without examination to out-of-state applicants who submit an application, fees, and proof of a current license that has been active for 3 of the last 5 years, with no disciplinary action or criminal conviction during that period.
Additional Requirements: Apprentice licenses, Puerto Rico and Guam licenses, and Florida full/facial/nail specialist licenses do not qualify for reciprocity.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare California with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Skin care, facials, and related services
Manicures, pedicures, and nail services
Hair cutting, shaving, and barbering services
California significantly reduced its cosmetology training requirement from 1,600 to 1,000 hours through SB 803, one of the largest reductions in the nation. The state also combines the application and exam fee into a single $75 payment, and licenses expire based on the licensee's birth month rather than a fixed date.
SB 803 (effective 2023-2024) significantly reduced training hours from 1,600 to 1,000, eliminated the practical exam (written exam only), and created a new 600-hour Hairstylist license for non-chemical services.
California also offers a separate 600-hour Hairstylist license (created by SB 803) for professionals focusing on non-chemical hair services.
California expanded the scope of practice for cosmetologists to include lash and brow tinting, lash perming, and facial dermaplaning.
Licenses expire at midnight on the last day of the licensee's birth month every 2 years.
All instruction must address service provision across diverse hair types and textures.
Current statutory requirement confirmed as 1,000 hours for cosmetology and 600 hours for hairstylist; written exam only confirmed; Hairstylist license confirmed as a separate license type.
Cosmetologist Schools in California
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Cosmetologist requirements in nearby states
See how California compares: Cosmetologist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Transferring Your License?
Compare cosmetologist requirements across all states →
Cosmetologist licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure cosmetologist is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does California compare to other states for cosmetologist? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your cosmetologist license →
Study guides and practice tests for the cosmetology licensing exam.
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Other professional licenses in California
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Official Sources
Cosmetologist requirements in California verified against California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, April 2026.
Expires every 2 years on last day of birth month
Accessed 2026-02-24
Moving to California? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Cosmetologist license to California →