California State Board of Cosmetology
Information verified:About the California State Board of Cosmetology
The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC) is a unit of the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and is one of the largest cosmetology regulatory bodies in the United States. The board licenses and regulates cosmetologists, barbers, hairstylists, estheticians, manicurists, and electrologists across California — a state with hundreds of thousands of active licensees.
The BBC was established under the California Business and Professions Code and is governed by a board of directors appointed by the Governor and the Legislature. Its core mission is consumer protection: ensuring that practitioners are properly trained, that establishments maintain health and safety standards, and that consumers have recourse when violations occur.
California's cosmetology industry is one of the most heavily regulated in the nation. The BBC administers a written examination through PSI for all license types, conducts random inspections of licensed establishments, and enforces strict infection control standards codified in Title 16 of the California Code of Regulations.
The board's headquarters is located at 1625 N. Market Blvd, Suite 202 in Sacramento. License applications, renewals, and most board communications are handled through the DCA's BreEZe online licensing system at breeze.ca.gov.
Licenses Regulated
The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology issues licenses in six individual categories plus establishment and mobile unit licenses:
- Cosmetologist — Full-service license covering hair, skin, and nail services. Requires 1,000 hours of approved training.
- Barber — Hair cutting, shaving, coloring, and styling. Requires 1,000 hours of approved training.
- Hairstylist — Shampooing, cutting, blow-drying, styling, and waving or straightening with hot tools. Requires 600 hours of training.
- Esthetician — Skin care services including facials, makeup, waxing, and eyelash application. Requires 600 hours of training.
- Electrologist — Permanent hair removal using electric current. Requires 600 hours of training.
- Manicurist — Nail services including manicures, pedicures, and artificial nails. Requires 400 hours of training.
- Establishment License — Required for any premises where BBC-regulated services are provided.
All individual license types require passing a PSI-administered written examination. California does not currently require a practical (hands-on) exam. Candidates who pass the written exam are issued their license on the day of the exam at the PSI testing center.
Renew Your California Cosmetology License
California cosmetology licenses renew every two years. The renewal fee is $50.00 for all individual license types. California does not require continuing education hours for renewal.
Renewing Online Through BreEZe
The DCA's BreEZe system handles online license renewals at breeze.ca.gov. Log in with your BreEZe account credentials, select your license, and follow the renewal prompts. Renewal is available within 60 days of your expiration date. BreEZe accepts credit/debit cards.
Delinquent License Renewal
If your license has expired, you can still renew by paying the $50 renewal fee plus a $25 delinquency fee. The board cancels licenses that are not renewed for five years. If your license is cancelled, you must reapply and pass the examination again to become relicensed.
Name and Address Updates
Update your address through BreEZe at any time. Name changes require submitting a Change of Name application through BreEZe with a copy of your government-issued ID and a legal name change document. A duplicate license with your new name costs $10.
File a Complaint
The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology investigates complaints involving licensed practitioners and establishments. The board has authority over violations of California Business and Professions Code related to cosmetology — including practicing without a license, gross negligence, unsanitary conditions, and misrepresentation.
File a complaint online through the BreEZe system by clicking "File a Complaint," or mail a completed Consumer Complaint Form to: Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, PO Box 944226, Sacramento, CA 94244-2260. Include the establishment name and address, the practitioner's name if known, a description of the violation, the date it occurred, and any photos or documentation.
The board assigns complaints to an analyst who reviews the licensee's history and may request an inspection. Consumer harm complaints require disclosure of the complainant's name to the licensee. General complaints remain anonymous. Substantiated complaints can result in citations, administrative fines, probation, suspension, or license revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I contact the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology?
- Call (800) 952-5210, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time. You can also email barbercosmo@dca.ca.gov or visit the headquarters at 1625 N. Market Blvd, Suite 202, Sacramento, CA 95834.
- How do I renew my California cosmetology license?
- Log in to BreEZe at breeze.ca.gov, select your license, and follow the renewal prompts. The renewal fee is $50. Renewal is available within 60 days of your expiration date. No continuing education is required.
- Does California have reciprocity with other states?
- Yes. California issues licenses to out-of-state licensees through reciprocity without requiring the California written exam, provided you hold a current license in good standing from another state. Submit a Reciprocity Application through BreEZe along with a certification of licensure sent directly from your current state.
- What happens if my California cosmetology license expires?
- You can renew a delinquent license by paying the $50 renewal fee plus a $25 delinquency fee. If your license remains unrenewed for five years, it is cancelled and you must reapply and pass the examination again.
- How do I verify a California cosmetology license?
- Use the Department of Consumer Affairs license search tool at search.dca.ca.gov. You can search by name or license number to verify the status of any California cosmetology license.