School Information
School owners or administrators may email questions to BBC.Schools@dca.ca.gov.
The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Board) approves schools of barbering, cosmetology, and electrology that offer courses within the Board's jurisdiction (barbering, cosmetology, electrology, esthetician, and manicuring). In order for a school to be approved by the Board, it must meet the Board's minimum curriculum requirements.
Effective January 1, 2022, the cosmetology and barbering programs minimum requirements reduced from 1,600 hours and 1,500 hours, respectively, to 1,000 hours. Schools may still offer programs that exceed 1,000 hours. If the minimum program requirements of the institution exceed the minimum requirements for state licensure, the institution shall disclose this information, including a list of those programs that are not required for state licensure. Please check with schools about which programs they offer.
If a school offers to sell you hours or is not teaching the required curriculum, please email the Board at barbercosmo@dca.ca.gov or file an anonymous complaint through our online complaint form.
Also, if you submit an application stating that you have completed all the required hours to qualify for a Board examination and you have not completed the minimum curriculum requirements at a Board–approved school, that could be grounds for denial to take a Board examination or grounds for revocation of your license (if licensed).
Please review Business and Professions Code sections 7362.5, 7364, 7365, and 7366 for the minimum curriculum requirements to qualify for a Board barber, cosmetologist, esthetician, manicurist, and electrologist examination.
Courses that are taught by non–Board–approved schools will not be recognized by the Board, and any hours obtained taking these courses and any certificates received will not qualify you for a Board examination. Please click on the following link for a list of Board approved schools: Approved Schools.
The Board encourages prospective students to review the following pamphlets regarding What to Know Before Choosing a Barber School and What to Know Before Choosing a Cosmetology School.
Information on Opening a School of Barbering, Cosmetology, or Electrology
- Barbering Course 1000 Hour Minimum Requirements
- Cosmetology Course 1000 Hour Minimum Requirements
- Electrolysis Course 600 Hour Minimum Requirements
- Nail Care Course 400 Hour Minimum Requirements
- Skin Care Course 600 Hour Minimum Requirements
- Hairstyling Course 600 Hour Minimum Requirements
Application for 8–Hour Remedial Training Course
Notification of Participation in the Externship Program
Pre–Approval Application for Criminal Pleas/Convictions
Disciplinary Actions Taken such as Probation, Suspension, and/or Revocation.
- Milpitas Massage College (Milpitas)
Accusation, 02/07/2023
Default Decision and Order, 04/14/2023
The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology is pleased to provide you with the pass and fail rates for all Board examinations.
To become licensed as a Cosmetologist, Barber, Esthetician, Manicurist or Electrologist an individual must take and pass a written examination.
The pass and fail rates provided on this web site are sorted in alphabetical order by school name and are separated by license. This information demonstrates the percentage of students who have successfully passed or failed the examination after completing coursework at a specified school.
Prior to making a commitment, persons who wish to pursue a career in barbering, cosmetology, or electrology may consider the success of school examination results in order to make an informed decision.
When inquiring about a specific school's pass and failure rate it is recommended that the chart for the written examinations results is reviewed as well as the practical examination results. To view results, click on the appropriate link below:
2025
Archive
1. What types of schools do the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Board) approve?
The Board approves schools of barbering, cosmetology, or electrology that offer courses within the Board's jurisdiction (barbering, cosmetology, skin care, nail care, and electrology) that meet the Board's minimum curriculum requirements to qualify for a Board examination. Please see Business and Professions Code (BPC) sections 7362(a) and 7362.1 through 7362.3 for Requirements of a School Approved by the Board. Please see BPC sections 7362.5, 7364, 7365, 7366 (and California Code of Regulations section 950.5) for the minimum curriculum requirements for courses under the Board's jurisdiction. Click here to view the Board's current Laws and Regulations.
2. How do I open a barbering, cosmetology, or electrology school?
You must submit an Application for Barbering, Cosmetology, or Electrology School Approval. Please email the Board at BBC.Schools@dca.ca.gov request information on opening a new school and the application.
3. Can I open a school before obtaining approval from the Board?
No, schools cannot open before obtaining approval from the Board. Schools are considered to be approved once a letter of approval and school code number have been issued by the Board. Any hours a student obtains before a school is approved will not be accepted by the Board.
4. Can I open a school for manicuring, esthetics, make–up, or eyelash extension services only to qualify for a Board examination?
No, The Board does not approve of manicuring, esthetics, make–up, or eyelash extension schools only. Any services that fall under the branch of cosmetology (manicuring, esthetics, make–up, and eyelash extension services) must be taught in an approved school of cosmetology that meets all the space and equipment requirements of a school of cosmetology and offers the full cosmetology course. Please see Business and Professions Code section 7362.1 for Requirements of a School of Cosmetology Approved by the Board. Click here to view the Board's current Laws and Regulations.
Please note individuals performing any manicuring, esthetics, make–up, or eyelash extension services for compensation must have a cosmetology, manicuring, or esthetician license issued by the Board (unless exempt). Please see Business and Professions Code section 7319 for exemptions. Click here to view the Board's current Laws and Regulations.
5. How do I change the name, address, and/or ownership of an approved school?
You must submit an Application for Barbering, Cosmetology, or Electrology School Approval . Please email the Board at BBC.Schools@dca.ca.gov to request the application.
6. How do I add a course to my current curriculum at an approved school?
You must submit an Application to Add Course to Approved School of Barbering, Cosmetology, or Electrology. Please email the Board at BBC.Schools@dca.ca.gov to request the application.
