Esthetician Schools in California

Between California's thriving beauty industry and outdoorsy population, estheticians are in high demand in the state. In fact, California employs more estheticians than any other state in the country.

Browse our directory of esthetician schools in California, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.

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Bellus Academy – Accredited

970 Broadway
Chula Vista, CA 91911

16194746607
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Makeup Artistry, Barbering
Bellus Academy – Accredited

1073 East Main Street
El Cajon, CA 92021

(619) 442-3407
Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry
Bellus Academy – Accredited

13266 Poway Road
Poway, CA 92064

(858) 748-1490
Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry, Nail Technology

1024 East March Lane
Stockton, CA 95210

(209) 952-5318
Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology

72-840 Highway 111
Palm Desert, CA 92260

(760) 365-8222
Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics

1679 East Monte Vista Avenue
Vacaville, CA 95688

(707) 425-2288
Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology
Milan Institute – Accredited

2822 F Street Suite H
Bakersfield, CA 93301

Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy, Nail Technology
Milan Institute – Accredited

731 West Shaw Avenue Suite A
Clovis, CA 93612

(559) 323-2800
Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy, Nail Technology
Milan Institute – Accredited

780 Loughborough Drive
Merced, CA 95348

209-230-9420
Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology
Milan Institute – Accredited

75-030 Gerald Ford Drive Suite 203
Palm Desert, CA 92211

760-469-4545
Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology
Milan Institute – Accredited

6500 South Mooney Boulevard
Visalia, CA 93277

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy, Nail Technology

16852 Devonshire Street
Granada Hills, CA 91344

(818) 366-3211
Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics
Paul Mitchell – Accredited

3100 Mchenry Avenue
Modesto, CA 95350

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Barbering
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1st Academy of Beauty – Accredited

8819 Garvey Avenue
Rosemead, CA 91770

AAA Beauty College

4774 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92117

ABA Beauty School – Accredited

8428 Van Nuys Boulevard
Panorama City, CA 91402

Academy for Salon Professionals – Accredited

19520 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91324

Academy of Beauty – Accredited

3834 Main Street
Culver City, CA 90032

Academy of Esthetics and Cosmetology – Accredited

1116 San Fernando Road
San Fernando, CA 91340

Adrian's Beauty College – Accredited

3000 West Grantline Road
Tracy, CA 95304

Adrian's Beauty College – Accredited

1340 West Main Street
Turlock, CA 95380

Advance Beauty College – Accredited

10121 Westminster Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92843

Advance Beauty College – Accredited

25332 McIntyre Street Laguna
Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Advance Beauty Techs Academy – Accredited

2191 Sampson Avenue
Corona, CA 92583

American Beauty Institute – Accredited

4625 Convoy Street
San Diego, CA 92111

Asian-American International Beauty College – Accredited

7871 Westminster Boulevard
Westminster, CA 92683

Bamboo Advance Beauty College – Accredited

14624 East 14th Street
San Leandro, CA 94578

Bellflower Beauty College of Lakewood – Accredited

5438 Woodruff Avenue
Lakewood, CA 90713

Beyond 21st Century Beauty Academy – Accredited

13640 Imperial Highway
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

Borner's Barber College – Accredited

1284 North Lake Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91104

California Advanced Esthetics

7851 Mission Center Court
San Diego, CA 92108

California Beauty School – Accredited

1115 15th Street
Modesto, CA 95354

California Cosmetology Academy – Accredited

1760 Fremont Boulevard
Seaside, CA 93955

Career Academy of Beauty – Accredited

12471 Valley View
Garden Grove, CA 92845

Cen Beauty Academy – Accredited

7900 Limonite Avenue
Riverside, CA 92509

Cerritos College – Accredited

11110 Alondra Boulevard
Norwalk, CA 90650

Cinta Aveda Institute – Accredited

305 Kearny Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Cinta Aveda Institute – Accredited

111 West St. John Street
San Jose, CA 95113

Citrus College – Accredited

1000 West Foothill Boulevard
Glendora, CA 91741

Citrus Heights Beauty College – Accredited

7518 Baird Way
Citrus Heights, CA 95610

Coachella Valley Beauty College – Accredited

3643 West Florida Avenue
Hemet, CA 92545

Coachella Valley Beauty College – Accredited

79450 Highway 111
La Quinta, CA 92253

Coba Academy – Accredited

663 North Euclid Street
Anaheim, CA 92801

Cosmo Beauty Academy – Accredited

3500 Fulton Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95821

Cosmotek College – Accredited

2188 Del Franco Street
San Jose, CA 95131

D'Lacreme School of Cosmetology and Barbering

1787 North Texas Street
Fairfield, CA 94533

Design's School of Cosmetology – Accredited

2727 Buena Vista Drive
Paso Robles, CA 93446

Diamond Beauty College – Accredited

10301 Garvey Avenue
South El Monte, CA 91733

Extensions R Us Academy

2137 West Manchester Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90047

Federico Beauty Institute – Accredited

1515 Sports Drive
Sacramento, CA 95834

Federico College – Accredited

5660 North Blackstone Avenue
Fresno, CA 93710

Flair Beauty College – Accredited

23754 Valencia Boulevard
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Fredrick and Charles Beauty College – Accredited

831 F Street
Eureka, CA 95501

Fremont Beauty College – Accredited

4164 Technology Drive
Fremont, CA 94538

Georgiykot Academy USA

20855 Ventura Boulevard Suite 7
Woodland Hills, CA 91364

Hesperia Alternative Education Center – Accredited

16527 Lemon Street
Hesperia, CA 92345

Hoss Lee Academy – Accredited

200 Whyte Avenue
Roseville, CA 95661

Inspire Academy of Barbering and Cosmetology – Accredited

445 West Weber Avenue
Stockton, CA 95203

Institute of Beauty Culture – Accredited

325 East Betteravia
Santa Maria, CA 93454

International Academy of Cosmetology & Barbering – Accredited

4085 Tweedy Boulevard
South Gate, CA 90280

International Beauty College – Accredited

1224 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

International College of Beauty Arts & Sciences – Accredited

5225 San Fernando Road West
Los Angeles, CA 90039

International College of Cosmetology – Accredited

3701 International Boulevard
Oakland, CA 94601

International School of Beauty – Accredited

72-261 Highway 111
Palm Desert, CA 92260

Jama's Beauty & Barber College – Accredited

8300 Valley Circle Boulevard
Canoga Park, CA 91304

Jasmine Beauty School – Accredited

5911 University Avenue
San Diego, CA 92115

JD Academy of Salon and Spa – Accredited

520 San Ramon Valley Boulevard
Danville, CA 94526

JLC Beauty School – Accredited

16025 Gale Avenue
City of Industry, CA 91745

Katie Skills Center – Accredited

415 East 12th Street
Oakland, CA 94606

KC Beauty Academy – Accredited

706 East First Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Lancaster Beauty School – Accredited

44646 North 10Th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534

Lawrence & Company College of Cosmetology – Accredited

2048 Grant Street
Selma, CA 93662

Learning Institute of Southern California – Accredited

769 Park Avenue
El Centro, CA 92243

Letty's Barbering and Cosmetology College – Accredited

4926 Whittier Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90022

Lu Ross Academy – Accredited

470 East Thompson Boulevard
Ventura, CA 93001

Lyle's College of Beauty – Accredited

2935 F Street
Bakersfield, CA 93301

Lyle's College of Beauty – Accredited

6735 North First Street
Fresno, CA 93710

Lytles Redwood Empire Beauty College – Accredited

186 Wikiup Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Marmel Beauty Academy – Accredited

6444 Bellingham Avenue
North Hollywood, CA 91606

Moler Barber College – Accredited

22425 Main Street
Hayward, CA 94541

My Beauty & Barber College – Accredited

6100 Mack Road
Sacramento, CA 95823

National Cosmetology School – Accredited

315 11Th Street
Oakland, CA 94607

Neihule Academy of Beauty – Accredited

305 East 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014

North Adrian's College of Beauty Inc – Accredited

124 Floyd Avenue
Modesto, CA 95350

Nouveau Contour USA

1427 Lincoln Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Organic Permanent Makeup

12113 Santa Monica
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Palace Beauty College – Accredited

1517 South Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90006

Paris Beauty College – Accredited

1655 Willow Pass Road
Concord, CA 94520

Paul Mitchell the School Costa Mesa – Accredited

3309 Hyland Avenue Suite J
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Paul Mitchell – Accredited

3309 Hyland Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Paul Mitchell – Accredited

825 East Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101

Paul Mitchell – Accredited

2100 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95825

Princess Institute of Beauty – Accredited

1605 East Manning Avenue
Reedley, CA 93654

Professional Schools of Beauty, Fashion and Arts – Accredited

18573 Sherman Way
Reseda, CA 91335

Redondo Beach Beauty College – Accredited

2205 West Artesia Boulevard
Redondo Beach, CA 90278

Rosemead Beauty School – Accredited

8531 East Valley Boulevard
Rosemead, CA 91770

RTC College – Accredited

10427 San Sevaine Way
Jurupa Valley, CA 91752

SABA Beauty School – Accredited

23635 El Toro Road
Lake Forest, CA 92630

Salinas Beauty College – Accredited

916 South Main
Salinas, CA 93901

Salon Success Academy – Accredited

2097 Compton Avenue
Corona, CA 92881

Salon Success Academy – Accredited

1915 West Redlands Boulevard
Redlands, CA 92373

Salon Success Academy – Accredited

1385 East Foothill Boulevard
Upland, CA 91786

Salon Success Academy – Accredited

112 Plaza Drive
West Covina, CA 91790

San Bernardino Beauty College – Accredited

600 North Sierra Way
San Bernardino, CA 92410

San Francisco Institute of Esthetics & Cosmetology Inc – Accredited

1067 Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

San Jose City College – Accredited

2100 Moorpark Avenue
San Jose, CA 95128

Santa Ana Beauty Academy – Accredited

2231 North Tustin Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Santa Ana Beauty College – Accredited

1926 West 17th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706

Santa Clara Beauty College – Accredited

2630 El Camino Real
San Jose, CA 95051

Selective Esthetics

22600 Ventura Boulevard Stacks
Woodland Hills, CA 91364

Shasta School of Cosmetology – Accredited

678 North Market Street
Redding, CA 96003

Sierra Beauty College – Accredited

1340 West 18th Street
Merced, CA 95340

Simi Valley Cosmetology School

3340 East Los Angeles Avenue
Simi Valley, CA 93065

Skyline College – Accredited

3300 College Drive
San Bruno, CA 94066

Southern California College of Barber and Beauty – Accredited

641 North Broadway
Escondido, CA 92025

Straight Perm Beauty School – Accredited

3863 West 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90020

The Salon Professional Academy – Accredited

1600 Saratoga Avenue
San Jose, CA 95129

Vanity Pro

18821 Delaware Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Victory Career College – Accredited

19401 South Vermont Avenue G100
Torrance, CA 90502

Wayne's College of Beauty – Accredited

1271 North Main Street
Salinas, CA 93906

Western Barber Institute – Accredited

18442 Sherman Way
Reseda, CA 91335

ZMS The Academy – Accredited

2228 East Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Accredited School

You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.

Esthetician Schools Near Me

How to Become a Esthetician in California

California Esthetician Careers At a Glance
  • 600 education hours or 600 apprentice hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 2 years.
  • 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • The average salary for estheticians in California is $32,050 ($15.41/hour). This is higher than the national average of $34,090 ($16.39/hour).
  • There is a predicted 17% job increase between 2016–2026 for estheticians. This is higher than the expected national growth of 11%.

To become an esthetician in California, you need to meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 17 years old
  • Finished 10th grade or the equivalent
  • Undergone an approved 600-hour training program or meet reciprocity mandates if coming from another state
  • Passed a written and a skills exam
  • Aren't in violation of certain restrictions, including (but not limited to):
    • Criminal convictions relevant to job duties within the past seven years
    • Serious felony convictions
    • Providing false information on your application

Note: Some violations may be overridden with proper documentation.

Esthetician Salary in California and Projected Job Growth

$32,050

Average yearly salary for esthetics in California

California estheticians earn an average of $32,050 per year ($15.41/hour). The number of esthetician jobs is expected to grow by 17% between 2016 and 2026.

The highest-paying metro areas for estheticians in California are:

  • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara: $52,750
  • Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura: $40,810
  • Santa Rosa: $38,610
  • Modesto: $37,210
  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara: $36,870

What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in California

600 Education Hours OR 600 Apprentice Hours

Required to earn a esthetics license

To become an esthetician in California, you need to undergo 600 clock hours of training. Schools are expected to break these hours down as follows:

  • Facials: 350 hours
  • Health and Safety: 200 hours
  • Hair Removal and Makeup: 50 hours

Schools are given substantial flexibility in meeting these criteria. For instance, regarding facials, schools need to provide a minimum of 70 hours in manual, electrical, and chemical facials and 15 hours in preparation skills—leaving them 265 hours to divide up how they see fit.

A unique requirement for the health and safety coursework is instruction in physical and sexual abuse awareness. California recognizes beauty professionals work closely with clients and have a unique opportunity to spot signs of abuse, such as bruising. If you work in the industry in the state, you're legally required to report suspected abuse to the proper authorities.

In addition to training hours, you'll need to perform specific types of treatments a minimum number of times:

  • Manual, Electrical, and Chemical Facials: 140 operations
  • Eyebrow Beautification: 50 operations
  • Makeup: 40 operations

In addition to ensuring your school provides training that follows those rules, you need to verify your school is approved by the state board. A school can have its license revoked if the following occurs:

  • Unprofessional conduct
  • Repeated non-compliance with health and safety rules
  • Repeated non-compliance with board rules
  • Practice by someone who knows they have an infectious or contagious illness
  • Frequent intoxication or use of controlled substances
  • Faking their qualifications
  • Disallowing or interfering with inspections
  • Any other issues deemed problematic by the board

California doesn't allow estheticians to do the following, so you shouldn't be trained in these at your esthetician school:

If you want to perform these treatments, you may need to seek additional endorsements or licenses. Be sure to determine if the practice is legal in the state.

Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in California?

You may receive your California esthetics training via an apprenticeship program. To qualify for the program, you need to be at least 17, have completed 10th grade or the equivalent, and complete training at a licensed establishment under an approved licensee. You must also obtain an apprentice license, which expires after two years or if you fail the examination twice.

Before working with the public, you must complete pre-apprentice training. You're required to complete the same number of minimum hours and operations as those in schools, covering the same topics.

California Esthetician Licensing Requirements

You may sit for your esthetician practical and written licensing exams after you've completed all of your training. However, you may also apply to take the exams when you're done with 75% of your training, which may allow you to take the tests more quickly after completing your training.

The $125 fee, which you must pay before taking your test, covers both the exams and your license. While there are only two permanent testing sites in California—Fairfield and Glendale—you may be able to reschedule your written portion at a different site. Your practical exam doesn't have this option.

Tests can be taken in English, Korean, Spanish, or Vietnamese. If you speak a different language and don't speak, read, and write English at a minimum of a 10th grade level, you can request to have an interpreter present during your tests.

If you have an officially diagnosed disability requiring accommodations, you may request to have those accommodations during your tests. Your application needs to include information about the professional who diagnosed you, details and documentation of your disability and why it allows for accommodations, and which accommodation(s) you need. Accommodation options include the following:

  • American Sign Language interpreter (provided by the board)
  • Extended time (written exam only)
  • Physical accessibility, e.g., wheelchair access or special seating or equipment
  • Private testing space
  • Reader (provided by the board)

For the practical examination, you need to bring your photo ID and supply kit with all supplies labeled in English. This test generally takes a maximum of one and a half hours to complete, and the order of skill demonstration is as follows:

  1. Work area preparation and setup: 10 minutes
  2. Client preparation and facial: 25 minutes
  3. Work area preparation and setup for a new client: 10 minutes
  4. New client preparation and eyebrow hair removal via simulated soft wax and tweezing: Five minutes to set up; the procedure isn't timed
  5. Makeup: 20 minutes
  6. Blood exposure procedures: 10 minutes
  7. Forehead particle microdermabrasion: 10 minutes
  8. Eyelash enhancement: 10 minutes

The written test consists of 100 multiple choice questions covering scientific concepts and skincare as well as other services. You have two hours to finish the test. Be sure to bring your photo ID and stow away any electronic devices or notes.

California Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity

If you move to California from another state and were trained or licensed as an esthetician in your former state, you may be eligible for reciprocity.

Those who trained as an esthetician elsewhere but didn't receive their licenses need to complete the following steps to potentially be granted a California license:

  • Turn in an exam application and Out of State Applicant School Training Form B.
  • If you're approved to move forward but don't have 600 hours of school training, you can enroll in a California training program to make up the difference. Apprenticeships don't transfer.
  • If you needed to go through step two, submit proof of your additional training once it's completed.
  • Take your written and practical exams.
  • You'll receive your license on the day you pass your tests.

If you're a licensed esthetician in another state and your license isn't considered an apprentice license, follow these steps:

  • Submit a reciprocity application and any required fees. If you do this online through their BreEZe program, it takes an average of three fewer weeks to process than if you send your application via the mail.
  • Provide proof you've been licensed for at least three of the past five years and, in that time, you never received disciplinary action or were convicted of a crime.
    • If you haven't been licensed for this long, you may be able to avoid taking classes if you've worked long enough for the state to consider you fully trained—three months of professional, licensed work equals 100 hours of training.
  • If you're a spouse or domestic partner of an active duty military member stationed in California, submit your marriage license or domestic partnership certificate and proof of your significant other's current service along with the items above to have your application expedited.

How to Become a Medical Esthetician in California

There is no separate license for medical estheticians in California or any other state—you can become one with your standard license, though advanced training is recommended.

California has a massive market for medical esthetics, so they have strict rules surrounding the practice. Medical estheticians may not perform microblading, laser treatments, Botox or other fillers, microneedling, or dermaplaning. Microdermabrasion procedures are allowed if the treatments don't go any deeper than the epidermis.

How to Become a Nurse Esthetician in California

Nurse estheticians are registered nurses who provide esthetics treatments, so you need to obtain your RN degree to work in this area.

All nurse estheticians in California must practice under the supervision of physicians. Unlike medical estheticians, they may use lasers, perform Botox treatments, and do microdermabrasion that goes deeper than the epidermis. Only licensed tattoo artists can perform microblading in the state, so this is off-limits to all estheticians.

License Renewal

2 Years

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

You need to renew your California esthetician license every two years. If your renewal application is postmarked on or before the expiration date, renewal is $50; if it's postmarked later, it's $75. Renewing online is also an option. Active duty military or California National Guard members may have their renewal fees waived.

There are no continuing education requirements for esthetician license renewal, though it's always a good idea to keep learning.

If you don't renew your license within five years of its expiration, it will be canceled by the state and can't be renewed simply by paying the fee. If you're in this situation, you need to reapply for a license and sit for your tests again.

Contact the California State Board of Esthetics

California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology

Resources for Estheticians in California

California State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
This is the official state resource for all licensure and legal aspects of California's beauty industry.

Professional Beauty Federation of California
This membership organization strives to improve the California beauty industry's image and professionalism.

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Esthetics/Skin Care
California

How to Become a Esthetician in Your State