Cosmetologists who wish to work in the state of California will need their California cosmetology license from the California state board of barbering and cosmetology. The California cosmetology license can be requested online through a special online service application called “Breeze”. Of course, you can still apply for a California cosmetology license via mail, but it does take a longer time to process. To learn more about your application and everything it entails as listed in the California cosmetology requirements, please read the information below.
How to Become a Cosmetologist in California
This guide includes frequently asked questions about how to get a cosmetology license from the California state license board. We have collated all the necessary information from the cosmetology state board in California that you need to know.
How Many Training or Education Hours Do I Need Before I Can Take the California State Board Exam?
There are several licenses that could be acquired from the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology; this includes cosmetologist, barber, esthetician, electrologist, and manicurist. Naturally, a different amount of training or education hours are required before an applicant can get their respective license. For example, the California manicurist license requires 400 hours of study as mandated by the state board of California cosmetology.
To become a cosmetologist, an applicant requires at least 1600 education hours; this is closely followed by 1500 hours for a barber license and 600 hours for an esthetician license. Therefore, a California cosmetology license will require the most amount of training or education hours. These cosmetology hours in California are very important when applying for a California cosmetologist license.
The California state board of cosmetology makes sure to that these those who want to pursue a career in the cosmetics industry undergo the right kind and duration of training.
Applicants who do not meet the requirements where education hours are concerned, cannot participate in the state exam for the California cosmetology license. Only when an applicant has met all the requirements, can the applicant take the exam organized by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.
What Schools Are Approved by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology?
To ensure your education is accepted by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, you must provide your school is accepted by the California state board. Applicants can find a list of schools on the California state board website. This one of the most important California cosmetology license requirements, so it is advised to check your schools before your formal education starts!
Do I Still Need to Sit an Exam Even If I Have Practical Training?
Applicants must always take an exam provided by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, even if applicants have enjoyed practical training in addition to their formal education.
The exam organized by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology consists of two parts, more specifically a written and a practical examination. Before you can take the exam, you will need to apply and pay a fee to take the exam.
Can I Make Up Missing Hours Through an Apprenticeship Program?
California does not allow applicants to supplement any missing education hours through an apprenticeship program. The same applies to apprenticeship hours being transferred as education hours. In short, applicants need the right amount of education and apprenticeship hours before submitting their application.
Applicants can get their training through a special apprenticeship program. However, the program must be provided by a program sponsor listed in the apprenticeship information program of the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. So, if you wish to obtain your training through an apprenticeship, be sure to check the ones listed on the state board website.
California Cosmetology License Renewal
The California board of cosmetology allows people to renew a license. Continue reading to know the renewal process of a California state cosmetology license at the state board of cosmetology.
Do I Need More Education If I Wish to Renew My Cosmetology License?
Some states require license holders to get an additional education after obtaining their cosmetology license; this to renew their license after a pre-determined time. However, the state of California does not require further education for their license holders. Therefore, license holders can simply apply to get their license renewed and pay the accompanying fees.
How Long Does It Take for the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to Renew My License?
To get your license renewed quicker, it is advised to use the online Breeze application. Processing an application through Breeze is a lot faster than submitting your application via mail. In most cases, applicants receive their new license from the cosmetology licensing in California within seven days after making their application. However, if you make the request via mail, applicants must consider that their request takes some extra time.
Do I Have to Report Name and Address Changes to the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology?
License holders must report a name or address change to keep their license valid. Name and address changes can be reported online through the Breeze application, which has a special section for name and address changes. License holders can also request a name or address change via mail.
Once your request is submitted, the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology will process your request. When the request is accepted, licensees will receive their new license by mail within seven business days. If it has been more than seven days, you can follow up at the designated state board of cosmetology phone number found on the website.
What Does It Mean When the Status of My License Says Withdrawn?
The online application service, provided by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, makes it easier for applicants and licensees to check on the progress of their license CA cosmetology license. If the online application sets your license to withdrawn, it means that your license has been withdrawn because of missing documentation or fees. Make sure to check the California state cosmetology license requirements so you won’t miss on anything.
If you have a withdrawn license, you must attach the correct documentation and pay the necessary fee. To do this, applicants can open a new transaction on the Breeze application, subsequently attaching the missing documentation and paying the required fee.
What Happens If I Do Not Pass the Exam Organized by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology?
Applicants who fail the exam organized by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology will not receive their license after the exam. Instead, the applicant must re-sit the exam and apply to sit the exam again.
Cosmetology License Transfer in California
The cosmetology state board of California grants those who want to have their license transferred. This is allowed by the California state licensing. This will come in handy for those want to transfer and work in California. These are the steps according to the state board of cosmetology California for a California state board license transfer.
Can I Transfer an Out-of-State License to California?
Cosmetologists who work outside the state of California could transfer their existing license and exchange it for a California cosmetology license. However, the transfer will be accompanied by a fee as implemented by the California Department of Licensing.
We do need to mention that not every out-of-state license can be transferred to the state of California. To transfer your current license, the license must be of equal or greater value compared to the California cosmetology license.
Getting the California cosmetology license is not easy so it makes sense that to transfer a license won’t be too.
Cosmetologists who have a license of lesser value compared to the California cosmetology license will need to supplement their application with additional education or training. For more information about the California cosmetology license transfer requirements, please contact the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.