California Cosmetologist License & PSI Theory Exam Preparation Application Exam Information
CA California Cosmetology GuideTraining · Application · PSI exam · License
California cosmetologist license path

Know the correct path before you pay for school or schedule the PSI exam.

Choose school, apprenticeship, reciprocity, or out-of-state training; prepare the $125 application; study the April 2026 theory outline; and continue from the same practice question without an account.

Build my license pathTake a 10-question diagnostic
School route1,000 hoursBoard-approved cosmetology course
Apprenticeship3,200 OJTPlus related training over two years
Application$125Exam and initial license fee
ExamTheory onlyCalifornia removed the practical exam
Start with your status

Which California license path applies to you?

Choose the problem blocking you

Go directly to the next useful step.

01I need trainingVerify an approved school

Confirm the school and 1,000-hour program before signing an enrollment agreement.

 02I finished my hoursPrepare the $125 application

Match legal name, Proof of Training, disclosures, exam language, and attachments.

 03My application was approvedSchedule through PSI

Use the handbook, select a test date, and make sure your ID exactly matches Board records.

 04I do not know what to studyOpen the 2026 topic guide

Start with safety, infection control, consultation, and hair/skin analysis.

 05I need useful questionsUse the free practice center

Daily 10, 30-question diagnosis, 110-question simulation, categories, and missed questions.

 06I already hold a licenseCheck reciprocity first

Avoid filing the wrong out-of-state examination application.
California application sequence

Seven steps from training to active license.

  1. 1
    Confirm eligibility and route

    Age 17, 10th-grade education or equivalent, and qualifying training or experience.

  2. 2
    Complete approved training

    1,000-hour school course or qualifying apprenticeship/crossover route.

  3. 3
    Submit application and $125 fee

    Include Proof of Training and any required disclosures or accommodation forms.

  4. 4
    Receive PSI scheduling information

    Initial applicants are told to expect scheduling information after Board approval.

  5. 5
    Take the 120-minute theory exam

    Use ID matching the full legal name in Board records.

  6. 6
    Pass and verify license issuance

    The $125 application includes the initial license fee.

  7. 7
    Work within cosmetology scope

    Display the license and follow establishment, health, and worker rules.

Exam priority

Safety and infection control is the largest topic.

The April 2026 update assigns 30% emphasis to safety and infection control and 19% to consultation and hair/skin analysis.

Start with safety
No account required

Leave and continue from the same question later.

The browser saves your route, unfinished simulation, exact question and answer order, remaining time, flags, mistakes, topic results, modules, and application checklist. Export before changing devices.

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