All states · California
Licensing in California
Most professional licenses in California are issued by boards and bureaus of the Department of Consumer Affairs: beauty by the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, nurses by the Board of Registered Nursing, contractors by the CSLB. Nursing assistants are regulated by the CDPH, while tattoo artists and massage businesses are regulated by counties and cities.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,000 hours | Written | Every 2 years | Not required |
| Barber | 1,000 hours | Written | Every 2 years | Not required |
| Hairstylistno chemical services | 600 hours | Written | Every 2 years | Not required |
| Esthetician | 600 hours | Written | Every 2 years | Not required |
| Manicurist | 400 hours | Written | Every 2 years | Not required |
| Electrologist | 600 hours | Written | Every 2 years | Not required |
- Licenses are issued by the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Since 2022 there is no practical exam — only the written one.
- Training hours can also be earned through an apprenticeship program.
- Hair braiding, threading and wig work do not require a license.
| Certificate | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Massage TherapistCMT | 500 hours | Not required | Every 2 years | Not required |
- The certificate is issued by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC). It is voluntary: the state does not require it to work.
- There is no state license for massage therapists. Massage businesses are regulated by cities and counties.
| License | Issued by | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Board of Registered Nursing | NCLEX-RN | Every 2 years | 30 |
| Licensed Vocational NurseLVN | Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians | NCLEX-PN | Every 2 years | 30 |
| Certified Nurse AssistantCNA | CDPH | State exam | Every 2 years, on your birthday | 48 hours of in-service training |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification | — | — |
- California is not in the Nurse Licensure Compact: a nurse from another state needs a California license.
- California uses the LVN license instead of LPN.
- New RNs need a 1-hour implicit bias course within their first 2 years. Nursing assistants need at least 12 training hours in each year.
| Profession | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| General Building Contractor (B) | CSLB | 4 years of experience, exams, $25,000 bond |
| General Engineering Contractor (A) | CSLB | 4 years of experience, exams, $25,000 bond |
| Electrical Contractor (C-10) | CSLB | License for the company or owner |
| General Electrician | DIR, Labor Commissioner | Certification for C-10 employees: 8,000 hours of experience and an exam; renewal every 3 years, 32 CE hours |
| Plumbing (C-36), HVAC (C-20), Roofing (C-39) | CSLB | Specialty contractor license |
| Locksmith | BSIS | Company license and registration for each employee; fingerprints |
- A contractor license is required when the project value is $1,000 or more.
- Active CSLB licenses renew every 2 years.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Salon or barbershop | Board of Barbering and Cosmetology | Establishment license, renewal every 2 years. Booth renters do not need their own establishment license |
| Massage business | Cities and counties | Requirements depend on the city |
| Tattoo, PMU, piercing | Counties (Safe Body Art Act) | Artists register every year and take a 2-hour bloodborne pathogens course annually. Studios need an annual permit |
| Beauty school | BPPE and Board of Barbering and Cosmetology | A private school needs BPPE approval and state board approval |
| LLC | Secretary of State | Registration — $70, Statement of Information — $20 every 2 years. FTB annual tax — $800 |
| Sales tax | CDTFA | Seller’s permit if you sell goods; free |
Your state requires an exam — we prepare you online
An exam-prep platform for Cosmetology, Barber, Esthetician and Nail Technician, as well as state law tests. Questions in the real exam format, a breakdown of every mistake, access from your phone and computer — study whenever it suits you.
Learn about the program- Tests in the real exam format
- An explanation for every answer
- Study materials in your personal account
- Study in Russian and English
California specifics
- Not in the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license is not valid here.
- Written exam only. The practical exam for beauty licenses was eliminated in 2022.
- No CE for beauty. Beauty license renewals do not require training hours.
- Hairstylist — a separate license. 600 hours, cuts and styling without chemical services.
- Massage — voluntary certificate. The CAMTC certificate is valid statewide, businesses are regulated by cities.
- Electricians — worker certification. Besides the C-10 contractor license, workers get a DIR certificate.
What professionals earn in California
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
I have a beauty license from another state. Can I transfer it?
Yes, by reciprocity. The license must be current, in good standing and unrestricted. The state board reviews the documents.
Do I need to take a practical exam?
No. Since 2022, beauty licenses in California require only a written exam.
Do I need a license for hair braiding?
No. Hair braiding, threading and wig work are not regulated by the state board.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in California?
No. California is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a California license is required.
*Current as of September 29, 2026. The information on this page is not official and is for general reference only. Requirements are set by state, county and city authorities and may change — always check the official websites: Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, Board of Registered Nursing, CSLB, California Secretary of State, CDTFA. Wage data — BLS.