Important School Information

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 you can file an anonymous complaint by clicking the following link: https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/enforcement/complaint.shtml.

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.