Question 1

Who administers the California Manicurist Examination?

Accepted Answer

California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — exam delivered by PSI Services LLC. PSI's bulletin states that the Board has contracted with PSI Services LLC to conduct its examination programme.

Question 2

How many questions are on the California Manicurist Examination?

Accepted Answer

65 questions (60 scored, 5 unscored pretest). The Board's page gives the Manicurist theory exam as 60 scored questions plus 5 pretest questions.

Question 3

How long is the California Manicurist Examination?

Accepted Answer

90 minutes

Question 4

What is the passing score for the California Manicurist Examination?

Accepted Answer

Not published by California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. 16 CCR § 932(b) says only that the Board sets the passing score by a criterion-referenced method, and PSI's bulletin gives the method with no number; neither publishes a percentage.

Question 5

How much does the California Manicurist Examination cost?

Accepted Answer

$75 — Application and examination fee (Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, one-time)
$35 — Initial license fee (Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, one-time)
$50 — License renewal (Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, every two years)

16 CCR § 998 lists these fees; the Board's combined application collects the application/examination fee and the initial license fee together.

Source: 2026 Barbering and Cosmetology Act and Regulations (PDF) — 16 CCR § 932 (passing grades) and § 998 (schedule of fees) (2026-09-24)

Question 6

What languages is the California Manicurist Examination offered in?

Accepted Answer

English · Korean · Spanish · Vietnamese · Simplified Chinese

The Board says the exam is available in these five languages, each translated into the most universal or neutral version of the language.

Source: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Information Regarding the Examination (2026-09-24)

Administering body	California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — exam delivered by PSI Services LLC PSI's 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 (2026-09-24)
Questions	65 questions (60 scored, 5 unscored pretest) The Board's page gives the Manicurist theory exam as 60 scored questions plus 5 pretest questions. Source: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Information Regarding the Examination (2026-09-24)
Time limit	90 minutes Source: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Information Regarding the Examination (2026-09-24)
Passing score	Not published by California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology 16 CCR § 932(b) says only that the Board sets the passing score by a criterion-referenced method, and PSI's bulletin gives the method with no number; neither publishes a percentage. 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) (2026-09-24) · PSI — California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Candidate Information Bulletin (2026-09-24) · California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Information Regarding the Examination (2026-09-24)
Fees	$75 — Application and examination fee (Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, one-time) $35 — Initial license fee (Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, one-time) $50 — License renewal (Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, every two years) 16 CCR § 998 lists these fees; the Board's combined application collects the application/examination fee and the initial license fee together. Source: 2026 Barbering and Cosmetology Act and Regulations (PDF) — 16 CCR § 932 (passing grades) and § 998 (schedule of fees) (2026-09-24)
Languages offered	English · Korean · Spanish · Vietnamese · Simplified Chinese The Board says the exam is available in these five languages, each translated into the most universal or neutral version of the language. Source: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Information Regarding the Examination (2026-09-24)

California Manicurist Examination — exam facts

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