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California made major changes in 2022: training hours dropped from 1,600 to 1,000, and the practical exam was eliminated entirely. Here is everything you need to know to get licensed in 2026.
1,000
Training Hours
No
Practical Exam
$50
Renewal Fee
17+
Minimum Age
California is one of the most accessible states for cosmetology licensing. After SB 803 took effect in 2022, the state reduced its training requirement from 1,600 hours to 1,000 hours and eliminated the practical exam entirely. You only need to pass a written exam to get your license.
The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC), which operates under the Department of Consumer Affairs, oversees all licensing. California is also one of the few states that offers the exam in five languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Tagalog.
You must be at least 17 years old and have completed the 10th grade or its equivalent. A high school diploma or GED is not required.
Enroll in a Board-approved cosmetology school and complete 1,000 hours of training. At full-time enrollment, this takes roughly 7-8 months. Previously 1,600 hours were required, but SB 803 reduced this in 2022.
Your school will typically help you submit an application to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. The application fee is $50. You can also apply online through the BreEZe portal.
Schedule and pass the NIC (National-Interstate Council) written cosmetology exam through PSI. The exam has 110 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit. It is offered in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Tagalog.
After passing the exam, the Board processes your license. You can verify your license status through the BreEZe system. You are not legally allowed to work until your license is issued.
Senate Bill 803, signed into law by Governor Newsom, made two significant changes to California cosmetology licensing. Both went into effect in 2022 and are still the current law in 2026.
The required training hours dropped from 1,600 to 1,000. This saves students roughly 4-5 months of schooling and significantly reduces tuition costs. California's previous 1,600-hour requirement was one of the highest in the nation.
The hands-on practical exam was removed entirely. You now only need to pass the NIC written exam. This eliminates the cost of a live model, reduces scheduling delays, and removes a barrier that was disproportionately difficult for non-native English speakers to navigate.
California uses the NIC (National-Interstate Council) cosmetology written exam, administered by PSI. The exam has 110 multiple-choice questions and a 90-minute time limit. Of those 110 questions, 100 are scored and 10 are unscored pilot questions being tested for future exams. You will not know which questions are pilot questions.
The passing score is set by the NIC, typically around 70-75%. The exam covers four domains: Scientific Concepts (35%), Hair Care and Services (45%), Skin Care and Services (10%), and Nail Care and Services (10%). Scientific Concepts is by far the hardest section for most students.
California offers the exam in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Tagalog. Request your preferred language when scheduling through PSI. This is one of the broadest language selections in the country and reflects California's diverse population.
California makes renewal straightforward. Your cosmetology license renews every 2 years, and there are no continuing education requirements. Just pay the $50 renewal fee and you are good for another two years.
Licenses expire on the last day of the birth month every other year. You can renew up to 60 days before expiration.
Pay through the BreEZe online portal at the Department of Consumer Affairs. No continuing education hours or additional exams are needed.
If you hold a valid cosmetology license in another state, California allows you to apply for a license by endorsement. You will need to provide proof of your current license, proof that you completed training hours equivalent to California's requirements, and pass the California written exam. California does not waive the exam requirement for out-of-state licensees.
Since California reduced its hours to 1,000, most out-of-state cosmetologists meet the training hour requirement. However, you still need to pass the NIC written exam, even if you passed it in another state. The application fee for licensure by endorsement is the same $50.