California Cosmetology License Requirements

California

California Cosmetology, Nail Technician and Esthetician Requirements

Compare training hours, written and practical exam requirements, and verified guide status for the three California beauty licenses.

Practice after you verify the path

Choose the written exam you are preparing for

Use the state requirements first, then start the matching course with 10 free questions and explanations.

700+ questions · CaliforniaNail Technician practiceSanitation, nail anatomy, manicure, pedicure, acrylic, gel and wraps.

400 hrs · Written: required · Practical: not required

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500+ questions · CaliforniaEsthetician practiceSkin science, infection control, facials, hair removal, makeup and machines.

600 hrs · Written: required · Practical: not required

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At a glance

Compare California requirements side by side

These owner-verified hour and exam flags come from the state dataset. Open a full guide for source-linked fees, renewal, reciprocity and exam details where approved.

RequirementCosmetologyNail TechnicianEsthetician
Training hours1,000 hrsTraining400 hrsTraining600 hrsTraining
Written examRequiredExam statusRequiredExam statusRequiredExam status
Practical examNot requiredExam statusNot requiredExam statusNot requiredExam status

Cosmetology

Training hours
1,000 hrsTraining
Written exam
RequiredExam status
Practical exam
Not requiredExam status
Open full guide →

Nail Technician

Training hours
400 hrsTraining
Written exam
RequiredExam status
Practical exam
Not requiredExam status
Open full guide →

Esthetician

Training hours
600 hrsTraining
Written exam
RequiredExam status
Practical exam
Not requiredExam status
Open full guide →

Licensing board

Who issues these licenses

California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC) Licenses renew every 2 years.

California board website →

Full guides

Open the verified guide for your license

1,000 hrs · Written: required · Practical: not requiredCalifornia Cosmetology guideExam details, official sources, fees where verified, and the matching course next step.Open full guide →400 hrs · Written: required · Practical: not requiredCalifornia Nail Technician guideExam details, official sources, fees where verified, and the matching course next step.Open full guide →600 hrs · Written: required · Practical: not requiredCalifornia Esthetician guideExam details, official sources, fees where verified, and the matching course next step.Open full guide →

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