posted on: 09/18/2025
Heads up! There are important changes coming to hairstylist licensing fees. The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Board) adopted a new rule that updates the hairstylist fee structure effective October 1, 2025. You can view the full rule adoption on the official notice.
In 2022, a law established hairstyling licensure requirements and capped the application and exam fee at $50. The Board recently announced that this fee didn’t reflect the true cost of developing and administering the hairstylist exam. To address this issue, the Board has aligned hairstylist fees with those of other license types.
Here’s what to expect.
Hairstylist Fees (Effective October 1, 2025):
- Application and examination fee: $75
- Initial license fee: $50
- License renewal fee: $50
- License renewal delinquency fee: $25
The goal of these changes is to ensure the Board can continue to uphold high standards while supporting the growth and professionalism of California’s beauty industry. If you have questions, reach out to barbercosmo@dca.ca.gov.