Written exam
Cosmetology written exam in California
What the paper holds, how long you get, what it costs to take it, and a free practice test drawn by this state's own topic weights.
The paper at a glance
- Testing vendor
- PSI
- Questions
- 110
- Scored questions
- 100
- Minutes
- 120
- To pass
- Criterion-referenced passing score. The number of correct answers needed is not published; the failure notice states it.
- Fee
- $125
- Languages
- English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Simplified Chinese
- People who pass
- 65% first time, 33% on a retake
- Hands-on exam
- No practical exam for any California license type since January 1, 2022.
- Outline version
- PSI California Candidate Information Bulletin, April 2026 (2026-04-01)
What the paper weighs
The share of the paper each topic carries, as this state publishes it.
| Topic | Share of the paper | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| I. Safety and Infection Control | 30% | 30 |
| II. Client Consultation and Hair, Skin, and Nail Analysis | 19% | 19 |
| VI. Chemical Texture Services | 12% | 12 |
| V. Haircoloring | 10% | 10 |
| IX. Hair Removal | 8% | 8 |
| X. Nail Care | 8% | 8 |
| VII. Skin Care | 4% | 4 |
| VIII. Eyelash and Eyebrow | 4% | 4 |
| IV. Haircutting | 3% | 3 |
| III. Hairstyling | 2% | 2 |
Take the free practice test
20 questions drawn by these weights. No account needed.
Take the free practice testRead from the candidate bulletin published by PSI (2026-10-10)
Questions people ask
- How many questions is the Cosmetology written exam in California?
- 110 questions, 100 of them scored. You get 120 minutes.
- What do I need to pass?
- Criterion-referenced passing score. The number of correct answers needed is not published; the failure notice states it.
- Which languages can I take it in?
- English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Simplified Chinese. You pick the language when you book.
- What does it cost to take the exam?
- The exam itself costs $125. That is what you pay to take it, and it is not what you pay us.
- How many people pass?
- 65% of first-time takers passed and 33% of those taking it again, in January to March 2026.
- Is there a hands-on exam too?
- No practical exam for any California license type since January 1, 2022.
- Can I take it again if I fail?
- Your own state decides how many times you may take the written exam and what each try costs. The rule for this state and license appears here as soon as that state publishes it.
- Where do I take it?
- At a PSI test center. California has centers in 20 cities.