California Cosmetologist License: Requirements, Cost & Timeline
California requires a state license for this trade. Here is every step, fee and hour it takes — and what it pays once you are licensed.
Do you need a license?
Yes. The credential is the Cosmetologist License, issued by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC), Department of Consumer Affairs. Working without it is a violation in California and can carry fines or a stop-work order, so the sequence below matters: training first, then the exam, then the application.
Steps to get licensed
- Be at least 17 years old and have completed the 10th grade (or equivalent)
- Complete a 1,000-hour cosmetology course at a Board-approved school and obtain the Proof of Training document
- Submit the Cosmetologist Application for Examination and Initial License with the $125 non-refundable fee (online via BreEZe or by mail)
- Pass the PSI written licensing exam (available in English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese and Simplified Chinese) — no practical exam is currently required
- Receive the license and renew every 2 years for $50 (a $25 delinquent fee applies after expiry)
What it costs
The figures below are what the state charges. Training is separate and quotes vary by provider — a community-college programme and a private trade school can differ by thousands for the same licence.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $125 |
| Renewal fee | $50 |
| Total state fees | $125 |
The exam fee is set by the testing vendor, not the state, and is not included above.
Full cost breakdown for California →
How long it takes
The state requires 1,000 hours of training or supervised work before you can sit the exam. At 40 hours a week that is about 5.8 months of full-time work — most people take longer because they train part-time while earning.
Keeping it valid
The licence renews every 2 years and the renewal fee is $50. Out-of-state licensees can obtain a California license through the Board's reciprocity application without taking the California written exam, provided they submit the complete reciprocity application and fees.
What it pays in California
Median annual wage for Cosmetologist in California: $46,600 ($22.40/hour), across 20,450 jobs. That is the midpoint — half of people in this trade earn more, half less.
Pay detail for California, and how it compares →
Other states
| State | State fees | Time | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $95 | 6.9 mo | $39,050 |
| Texas | $50 | 5.8 mo | $38,050 |
Common questions
Do you need a license to be a Cosmetologist in California?
Cosmetologist License. Yes — issued by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC), Department of Consumer Affairs.
How much does a Cosmetologist license cost in California?
$125 in state fees. Exam retakes cost extra.
How long does it take to get a Cosmetologist license in California?
About 5.8 months of full-time work: the state requires 1,000 hours of training or supervised experience before the exam.
What does a Cosmetologist make in California?
The median is $46,600 a year ($22.40 an hour) statewide, per BLS OEWS May 2024.
Sources
- https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/forms_pubs/publications/faqs.shtml“Cosmetologist = 1000 hours, Barber = 1000 hours, Esthetician = 600 hours, Electrologist = 600 hours, Hairstylist = 600, Manicurist = 400 hours.”
- https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/forms_pubs/forms/cosmetologist_app.pdf“Cosmetologist APPLICATION FOR EXAMINATION AND INITIAL LICENSE FEE $125.00 Fee (non-refundable)”
- https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/licensees/license_renewals.shtml“Cosmetologist $50.00 $25.00 2 years”
- https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/applicants/index.shtml“Candidates only need to pass the written exam to become licensed.”
- https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/applicants/index.shtml“The Board issues out of state licensees a California license through reciprocity without taking the California written exam”
- https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/applicants/license_requirements.shtml“The board shall admit to examination for a license as a cosmetologist to practice cosmetology any person who has made application to the board in proper form, paid the fee required by this chapter”