California Cosmetology Ethics & California Law Practice Questions

1. Which California state agency is responsible for licensing and regulating cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, and manicurists?

The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC) is established under the Department of Consumer Affairs and is the single state body that licenses and regulates beauty professionals and establishments in California.

2. A licensed esthetician is asked by a client to trim split ends on her hair while she is in the chair for a facial. What should the esthetician do?

Under BPC §7316, an esthetician license covers skin care, waxing, and non-invasive facial treatments. Cutting or trimming hair is not within the esthetician scope and would constitute practicing outside the license.

3. Which service is OUTSIDE the scope of practice of every BBC license, even for a full cosmetologist?

Laser hair removal involves a medical device that penetrates the skin and is considered a medical procedure in California. It must be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician and is outside every BBC license, including a full cosmetologist.

4. Which procedure may a licensed cosmetologist NEVER perform?

Botox and other injectable treatments penetrate the skin and are medical procedures. Only licensed medical professionals may inject. Performing injectables under a BBC license is practicing outside scope and unauthorized practice of medicine.

5. A California-licensed manicurist may legally perform which of the following?

A manicurist license is limited to care of the nails and the hands and feet up to and including the elbow and knee. Facials, waxing, and hair cutting are outside the manicurist scope.

6. Which license category was created in 2023 and is limited to hair services only (no skin, no nails)?

California created the Hairstylist license effective 2023. It allows cutting, styling, coloring, and chemical hair services but does not include skin care or nail services.

7. A licensed barber wants to add chemical perms and color services to his menu. May he?

In California, the barber scope of practice covers cutting, styling, shaving, and chemical hair services including color and perms. The license is not restricted to one gender.

8. A salon owner lets her unlicensed cousin do shampoo, blow-dries, and basic haircuts on weekends. Under BPC §7317 this is best described as:

BPC §7317 makes it unlawful both to practice without a license and to aid or abet unlicensed practice. The salon owner can be cited, fined, and have her establishment license disciplined.