California Cosmetologist Written (Theory) Examination — exam facts
California
Every source below was read on 2026-09-03
| Administering body | Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, California Department of Consumer Affairs — exam delivered by PSI Services LLC PSI's own bulletin states that the Board has contracted with PSI Services LLC to conduct its examination programme. Source: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Information Regarding the Examination (2026-09-03) |
|---|---|
| Questions | 110 questions (100 scored, 10 unscored pretest) Cosmetologist only. The Board publishes a different length for each license on the same page, and PSI's bulletin prints the same figures as totals: Barber 95 (85 scored + 10 pretest); Esthetician 85 (75 + 10); Manicurist 65 (60 + 5); Electrologist 55 (50 + 5); Hairstylist 50 scored + 10 pretest. PSI notes that the unscored pretest items still count against examination time. Source: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Information Regarding the Examination (2026-09-03) |
| Time limit | 120 minutes Cosmetologist and Barber are allowed two hours; Esthetician, Manicurist, Electrologist and Hairstylist are allowed 90 minutes. Source: PSI — California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Candidate Information Bulletin (April 2026) (2026-09-03) |
| Passing score | Not published by California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology 16 CCR § 932(b) states only that the Board sets the passing score using a criterion-referenced method, and PSI's bulletin gives the same method with no number. Neither publishes a percentage. Any “75% to pass” claim for this exam is unsourced. What we read and found nothing in: 2026 Barbering and Cosmetology Act and Regulations (PDF) — 16 CCR § 932 (passing grades) and § 998 (schedule of fees) (2026-09-03) · PSI — California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Candidate Information Bulletin (April 2026) (2026-09-03) · California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Information Regarding the Examination (2026-09-03) |
| Fees |
The Board's own combined application form charges the application/examination and initial license fees together as one non-refundable payment. PSI publishes no separate dollar examination fee anywhere in its bulletin, so none is stated here. Source: 2026 Barbering and Cosmetology Act and Regulations (PDF) — 16 CCR § 932 (passing grades) and § 998 (schedule of fees) (2026-09-03) |
| Languages offered | English · Korean · Spanish · Vietnamese · Simplified Chinese PSI states that you verify your preferred language when you call to schedule the written examination. Source: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Information Regarding the Examination (2026-09-03) |
Change log
- 2026-09-04The sibling licenses' lengths were recorded in the question-count note from the Board's page and PSI's bulletin, and PrepPass figures were corrected against them: Barber was published as 100 questions (95), Esthetician as 60 (85), Manicurist as 40, 50 or 70 depending on the page (65). PSI's bulletin was also read in full for a passing percentage and states only that “The theory tests use a criterion-referenced passing score”; the “75% (64 of 85)” that PrepPass published for Barber, Manicurist and Esthetician was sourced to that bulletin and is not in it.
- 2026-09-03Fact sheet created, and the “75% to pass” figure removed: neither the Board nor PSI publishes a passing percentage for this exam.
- 2022-01-01The practical examination stopped being required for all license types. Candidates now only need to pass the written examination to become licensed.