Home Cosmetology and Beauty Schools by State California Beauty Schools Cosmetology Schools & Programs in California

Cosmetology Schools & Programs in California

A career in cosmetology offers students experience in many areas such as hair styling, color, nail techniques and skin care. California is an ideal state for pursuing a career as a cosmetologist, since it is a large and highly diverse area with constant progress in trends and fashion.

Find Cosmetology Programs in California

Bellus Academy – Accredited
Chula Vista, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Bellus Academy – Accredited
El Cajon, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Bellus Academy – Accredited
Poway, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Stockton, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Palm Desert, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering
Milan Institute – Accredited
Bakersfield, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy / Barbering
Milan Institute – Accredited
Clovis, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy / Barbering
Milan Institute – Accredited
Merced, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Milan Institute – Accredited
Palm Desert, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Milan Institute – Accredited
Visalia, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Massage Therapy / Nail Technology
Vacaville, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Granada Hills, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Hair Design
Modesto, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Reseda, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology

Find Cosmetology Schools Near You

Ad
Rosemead, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
San Diego, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
ABA Beauty School – Accredited
Panorama City, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
ABC Adult School – Accredited
Cerritos, CA
Cosmetology
ABC Adult School – Accredited
Cerritos, CA
Cosmetology
Los Angeles, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Barbering
Northridge, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Academy of Beauty – Accredited
Culver City, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
San Fernando, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Tracy, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Turlock, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Garden Grove, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Teacher Training
Laguna Hills, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Teacher Training
Corona, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Santa Maria, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology
Brawley, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Palmdale, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Nail Technology / Barbering
West Covina, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Barbering
San Diego, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy / Barbering
Rosemead, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy
Amy Beauty School – Accredited
Corona, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Lakeside, CA
Cosmetology / Hair Design / Barbering
Asel Beauty College – Accredited
Garden Grove, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Continuing Education / Barbering
Asel Beauty College – Accredited
Tustin, CA
Barbering / Continuing Education / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Westminster, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Teacher Training
Baldwin Park, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
San Leandro, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Barstow, CA
Cosmetology
Lakewood, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Barbering
Victorville, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Barbering
Butte College – Accredited
Oroville, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology
San Diego, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Sacramento, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Barbering
Modesto, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Seaside, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
La Mesa, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Garden Grove, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering
Cen Beauty Academy – Accredited
Riverside, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
El Dorado, CA
Cosmetology
Cerritos College – Accredited
Norwalk, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Massage Therapy
San Francisco, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Make-Up Artist Training / Barbering
San Jose, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Make-Up Artist Training / Barbering
Citrus College – Accredited
Glendora, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Massage Therapy
Citrus Heights, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Hemet, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
La Quinta, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Fountain Valley, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Massage Therapy / Nail Technology
Hemet, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy / Barbering
Coba Academy – Accredited
Anaheim, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering
San Mateo, CA
Cosmetology
Tulare, CA
Cosmetology
Compton College – Accredited
Compton, CA
Cosmetology
Vallejo, CA
Cosmetology
San Diego, CA
Cosmetology
Sacramento, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Cosmotek College – Accredited
San Jose, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy / Make-Up Artist Training / Barbering
Garden Grove, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Fairfield, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Paso Robles, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
South El Monte, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Massage Therapy / Nail Technology / Teacher Training
Vacaville, CA
Cosmetology / Make-Up Artist Training / Barbering
Thousand Oaks, CA
Cosmetology / Continuing Education / Barbering
Los Angeles, CA
Cosmetology / Hair Design
Los Angeles, CA
Cosmetology / Hair Design
El Camino College – Accredited
Torrance, CA
Cosmetology / Massage Therapy
Visalia, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology
Los Angeles, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Pomona, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Nail Technology
Sacramento, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering
Federico College – Accredited
Fresno, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Santa Clarita, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Eureka, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Fremont, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Fullerton College – Accredited
Fullerton, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Massage Therapy
Gavilan College – Accredited
Gilroy, CA
Cosmetology
Woodland Hills, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Glendale, CA
Cosmetology
Golden West College – Accredited
Huntington Beach, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
La Puente, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Orange, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Barbering
Hesperia, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology
Daly City, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Nail Technology
Vallejo, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Hoss Lee Academy – Accredited
Roseville, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Stockton, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Santa Maria, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Clovis, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
South Gate, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
San Francisco, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy / Barbering
Los Angeles, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Oakland, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Make-Up Artist Training
Palm Desert, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy / Barbering
San Jose, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Canoga Park, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
San Diego, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy / Barbering
Danville, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
JLC Beauty School – Accredited
City of Industry, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Los Angeles, CA
Cosmetology
Long Beach, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Katie Skills Center – Accredited
Oakland, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy / Barbering
KC Beauty Academy – Accredited
Los Angeles, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering
Milpitas, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Barbering
Lancaster, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Laney College – Accredited
Oakland, CA
Cosmetology
Hanford, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology
Selma, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Los Angeles, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Los Angeles, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Massage Therapy / Nail Technology / Teacher Training
Los Angeles, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Lu Ross Academy – Accredited
Ventura, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Make-Up Artist Training / Barbering
Bakersfield, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Fresno, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Santa Rosa, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Upland, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology
Whittier, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology
South Gate, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology
North Hollywood, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Master Academy – Accredited
Long Beach, CA
Cosmetology / Make-Up Artist Training / Barbering
Oceanside, CA
Cosmetology
Sacramento, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Barbering
Oxnard, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Barbering
Hayward, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering
Oakland, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
San Pablo, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Santa Clara, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Sacramento, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Sacramento, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Oakland, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Make-Up Artist Training / Permanent Make-Up / Barbering
Los Angeles, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy
Modesto, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
San Marcos, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Concord, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy
Pasadena, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Massage Therapy
Sacramento, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology
Costa Mesa, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Pleasant Hill, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Fresno, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology
Truckee, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology
Pasadena, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Sacramento, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
San Diego, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Make-Up Artist Training
Sherman Oaks, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Temecula, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Paul Mitchell – Accredited
Costa Mesa, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering
Pomona, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Reedley, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
El Monte, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Nail Technology
Reseda, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Redondo Beach, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Bakersfield, CA
Cosmetology
Bell, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Riverside, CA
Cosmetology
Rosemead, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Massage Therapy / Nail Technology
RTC College – Accredited
Jurupa Valley, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
SABA Beauty School – Accredited
Lake Forest, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Sacramento, CA
Cosmetology / Massage Therapy
Laguna Hills, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy / Barbering
Mission Viejo, CA
Cosmetology
Salinas, CA
Cosmetology / Hair Design / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Corona, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Fontana, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology
Redlands, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Riverside, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Make-Up Artist Training / Barbering
Upland, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Make-Up Artist Training / Barbering
West Covina, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Make-Up Artist Training / Barbering
San Bernardino, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy / Barbering
San Diego, CA
Cosmetology
San Francisco, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
San Jose, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
San Luis Obispo, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Barbering
Santa Ana, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Santa Ana, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Massage Therapy / Nail Technology
Santa Barbara, CA
Cosmetology
San Jose, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Santa Monica, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy
Orange, CA
Cosmetology
Redding, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Merced, CA
Barbering / Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
Simi Valley, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Skyline College – Accredited
San Bruno, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Massage Therapy
Fairfield, CA
Cosmetology / Massage Therapy
Sonora, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Escondido, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Torrance, CA
Cosmetology
Los Angeles, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Barbering
Garden Grove, CA
Cosmetology / Teacher Training / Nail Technology
Oakland, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Barbering
San Jose, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care
Sacramento, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Woodland, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Los Angeles, CA
Cosmetology
Santa Ana, CA
Cosmetology / Nail Technology / Barbering
City of Industry, CA
Cosmetology
Chowchilla, CA
Cosmetology
Torrance, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Massage Therapy / Barbering
Salinas, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Barbering
Woodland Hills, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology
San Francisco, CA
Cosmetology / Barbering
Marysville, CA
Cosmetology
ZMS The Academy – Accredited
Los Angeles, CA
Cosmetology / Esthetics/Skin Care / Nail Technology / Electrology / Barbering
Manteca, CA
Cosmetology
Modesto, CA
Cosmetology
Santa Monica, CA
Cosmetology
School Accreditation

You must attend a school that is approved by your state to provide training in the discipline you want to practice. Check with the school and the state board to be sure that your program of study will prepare you for any applicable state licensure.

According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, California is one of the top five states for employment of cosmetologists!

Since California has many choices for a cosmetology education, prospective students should select an accredited program that not only prepares them for licensure, but also fits their specific career goals.

To be a cosmetologist in the state of California, you first need to get training and become licensed. Click the link below to view the list of all of our schools in California to get some information about each school’s programs (we have direct relationships with over 75 schools in CA!), or read on to learn more about licensing requirements and career opportunities in the state.

Cosmetology License Requirements in California

The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology allows individuals to complete their initial application for licensure online. Applicants must have completed an approved program within the state or have documentation of program completion or experience in other states. This documentation must be mailed to the licensing board and approved before applicants can register for the exam. Applicants must pay a fee of up to $125 for the exam, and a fee of $75 if re-examination is needed. The re-examination fee only applies if applicants retake the exam within the same year; otherwise the full exam fee applies. After initial licensure, renewals are $50 and $40 for personal and establishment licenses, respectively. Late fees and processing fees may also apply.

Passing the National Cosmetology Exam is required for licensure. The exam is approximately three hours long, and is divided into timed sections. The topics include: the initial setup and client protection, blow drying and curling, haircuts, chemical waves, hair coloring, virgin relaxers and retouches, facials, manicures, sculpted nails and hair removal. Each section begins with verbal instructions, and examinees are expected to complete their task within the allotted time.

Candidates for the exam must bring their own supplies for each section of the exam, as well as their own appropriate supplies for disinfection. The California licensing board provides detailed information about the exam, including suggested supplies on their website in the Candidate Information Bulletin.

Career Opportunities

With many metropolitan areas in the state, graduates should find ample career opportunities. For those interested in careers as a celebrity stylist, some high-profile areas of California such as Los Angeles are ideal to begin their career. Depending on the particular career path in cosmetology or specialty, opportunities may vastly differ depending on locality. For more information on what employment looks like for cosmetologists in California, view the Employment Development Department Information Sheet for the barbering and cosmetology industry published by the State of California. It is especially helpful for anyone that is considering owning and operating as a self-employed individual.