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Esthetician Schools in California

There are many reasons to become an esthetician in California. The state is home to some of the best esthetician schools in the country, and the climate is perfect for practicing skin care year-round. In addition, California has a large and growing market for skin care services, which means there are plenty of opportunities for employment after graduation.

If you’re interested in a career in skin care, attending one of California’s esthetician schools is a great way to get started. Estheticians in California must complete an accredited training program and pass a state licensing exam before they can begin practicing. You’ll find that many of the state’s esthetician schools offer comprehensive programs that cover everything from basic skin care principles to advanced treatments like microdermabrasion and chemical peels.

State requirements for esthetician licensing in California

  • Must be at least 17 years of age.
  • Has successfully finished 10th grade or equivalent.
  • Has met the 600 hours of training or reciprocity requirements if coming from another state.
  • Has acquired a passing score from both the written and practical portions of the exams.
  • Has not committed any violation under certain restrictions.

Estimated cost

The cost of esthetician education within the state of California varies from school to school. With that being said, the average cost is estimated to be around $7,993.00 according to the estheticianedu.org website.

Required skills and classes

To successfully become an esthetician in California, applicants will need to complete a 600-hour program which can be broken down into the following.

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

To meet the said criteria, schools are given flexibility. Facials are given a minimum of 70 hours and 15 hours in preparation skills which leaves 265 hours for the program to be divided up how they see fit.

Additionally, certain types of treatment will need to be performed a certain number of times:

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

State licensing exam

Before being permitted to take the exam, applicants will be required to provide the following:

  • Admission letter
  • One (1) valid ID issued by the government
  • Mannequin head(s) for the practical portion of the exam

Written Exam

The written portion of the exam is composed of 100 questions that should be completed within two (2) hours. Topics covered in the said exam are as follows:

  • Functions of the skin
  • Infection control
  • Disorders of the skin
  • Chemistry
  • Anatomy and physiology

Practical Exam

The practical portion of the exam needs to be completed within ninety (90) minutes and covers the following areas:

  • Client setup and protection
  • Hair removal of the eyebrows
  • Massaging of the face
  • Facial mask
  • Facial makeup

Average salary

The average salary of an esthetician working in California is $44,830 per year or $21.55 per hour.

Continuing education requirements

There are zero (0) continuing education hours required to renew your license.

Contact information for state licensing boards

You can reach the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology through the following:

Address: 2420 Del Paso Road Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 94244
Website: https://www.barbercosmo.ca.gov/
Email: [email protected]
Call: 800-952-5210
Fax: 916-575-7281