Barber in California
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for CA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, California.
Jobs (CA)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a barber in California
To become a licensed Barber in California, individuals must complete a 1000-hour training program at a Board-approved school or a 3200-hour apprenticeship. After meeting the education prerequisite, applicants must pass the California State Barber Licensing Written Exam. The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology handles licensing, and applicants must be at least 17 years old and have completed the 10th grade or its equivalent. Reciprocity is available for out-of-state licensees with equivalent requirements.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for California. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist California requirements
| Licensing body | California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology |
| State license | Required |
| Education | 1000-hour training program or 3200-hour apprenticeship |
| Exam | California State Barber Licensing Exam (Written) ($125) |
| Application fee | $125 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Reciprocity | California offers reciprocity for out-of-state barber licenses if requirements are equivalent.Reciprocal states: California offers reciprocity for licenses from other states if the requirements are equivalent. The out-of-state licensing board must send certification directly to the California Board. Apprentice licenses, Puerto Rico and Guam licenses, and Florida full, facial, and nail specialist licenses do not qualify for reciprocity. |
| Notes | Minimum age of 17 and completion of 10th grade or equivalent. Apprenticeship requires 39 hours of pre-apprentice training. A background check is required. The practical exam is no longer required as of January 1, 2022. |
Source: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
Already licensed elsewhere and moving to California? See whether California recognizes an out-of-state credential — with the tier and pathway for all 50 states — in our Barber license reciprocity guide.
workspace_premium California license tiers
California offers multiple tiers of barber licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | 2,000 |
| Barber | 1,000 |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleCalifornia license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk
Compare Barber head-to-head
See all comparisons →Considering a Barber vs another career? Side-by-side breakdowns of pay, training time, and licensing.