California esthetician exam
State-specific examWhat it takes to get licensed as an esthetician in California, from the state's official board and exam vendor.
- License
- Esthetician
- Training hours
- 600
- Written exam
- State-specific exam
- Exam vendor
- PSI
Exam details & notes
State-specific case confirmed: California does NOT use the NIC exam. Since July 1, 2022 the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology uses national examinations developed by PSI Services, reviewed and deemed valid for California by DCA. Written-only licensure — the practical exam was eliminated for all license types effective January 1, 2022 (SB 803). Esthetician written: 75 scored + 10 pretest questions, 90 minutes, passing 57/75 (75%); offered in English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Simplified Chinese. Revised content outlines effective April 1, 2026 (Safety & Infection Control weighted 40%). No separate state-law section published. California is listed as a theory-only participant in PSI's national exam program.
Preparing for the California exam
PrepTempo's Esthetician course covers the NIC national theory core — infection control, skin sciences, skin analysis, and treatments. California runs its own written exam, but it covers largely the same core science and safety material, so the course is strong preparation. Study your California law-and-rules section from the board on top of the core.
Start the Esthetician course →Official sources
Educational information only, researched July 2026 — not legal or licensing advice. Requirements change; confirm with the California board. PrepTempo is not affiliated with any state board, the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC), or any exam vendor, and they do not endorse this product.