HowToGetLicensed

Professional License Requirements in California

Browse all professional licensing guides available for California.

Acupuncturist

3000 hours education $64,500 - $65,500 California Acupuncture Board

Architect

4000 hours education $99,500 - $100,500 California Architects Board

Audiologist

5000 hours education $89,500 - $90,500 California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board

Barber

1500 hours education $11,625 - $12,625 California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology

Chiropractor

4200 hours education $139,500 - $140,500 Board of Chiropractic Examiners, State of California

Contractor

0 hours education $500 - $1,200 California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

Cosmetologist

1600 hours education $8,000 - $22,000 California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology

Court Reporter

2400 hours education $21,500 - $22,500 Court Reporters Board of California

Cpa

150 hours education $2,000 - $4,000 California Board of Accountancy (CBA)

Dental Assistant

0 hours education $3,000 - $4,000 Dental Board of California

Dental Hygienist

2400 hours education $44,500 - $45,500 Dental Hygiene Board of California

Dietitian

1800 hours education $59,500 - $60,500 California Department of Consumer Affairs — Dietetics

Electrician

720 hours education $600 - $1,500 California Department of Industrial Relations — Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) and Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

Funeral Director

2400 hours education $24,500 - $25,500 California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau

Home Inspector

120 hours education $3,300 - $4,300 California Bureau of Real Estate (CalBRE) — Home Inspection Activity

Hvac Technician

2000 hours education $5,000 - $6,000 Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

Insurance Adjuster

40 hours education $500 - $1,350 California Department of Insurance

Insurance Agent

40 hours education $350 - $700 California Department of Insurance (CDI)

Landscape Architect

4000 hours education $64,500 - $65,500 California Landscape Architects Technical Committee (LATC)

Locksmith

0 hours education $500 - $1,300 California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)

Massage Therapist

500 hours education $7,500 - $8,500 California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC)

Medical Assistant

720 hours education $11,500 - $12,500 Medical Board of California

Mortgage Loan Officer

20 hours education $1,000 - $2,000 California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation

Notary Public

6 hours education $150 - $300 California Secretary of State

Nursing

1500 hours education $19,500 - $20,500 California Board of Registered Nursing

Occupational Therapist

3500 hours education $94,500 - $95,500 California Board of Occupational Therapy

Optician

0 hours education $7,500 - $8,500 California State Board of Optometry

Paralegal

900 hours education $14,500 - $15,500 California Business and Professions Code § 6450

Paramedic

170 hours education $1,700 - $2,700 California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA)

Personal Trainer

100 hours education $800 - $1,800 No state licensing required

Pest Control

40 hours education $2,000 - $3,000 California Department of Pesticide Regulation / Structural Pest Control Board

Pharmacy Technician

240 hours education $2,000 - $3,000 California State Board of Pharmacy

Phlebotomist

80 hours education $1,700 - $2,700 California Department of Public Health — Laboratory Field Services

Physical Therapist

4500 hours education $94,500 - $95,500 Physical Therapy Board of California

Pilot

80 hours education $15,500 - $16,500 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Plumber

0 hours education $500 - $1,200 California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

Private Investigator

6000 hours education $3,000 - $4,000 California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS)

Real Estate Appraiser

150 hours education $5,000 - $6,000 California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers

Real Estate Broker

360 hours education $800 - $2,000 California Department of Real Estate (DRE)

Respiratory Therapist

2200 hours education $29,500 - $30,500 Respiratory Care Board of California

Security Guard

40 hours education $500 - $900 California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services

Social Worker

3000 hours education $69,500 - $70,500 California Board of Behavioral Sciences

Speech Pathologist

2400 hours education $84,500 - $85,500 California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board

Surveyor

3000 hours education $49,500 - $50,500 California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists

Tax Preparer

60 hours education $700 - $1,700 California Tax Education Council (CTEC)

Teacher

3500 hours education $44,500 - $45,500 California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)

Truck Driver

160 hours education $5,300 - $6,300 California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Veterinary Technician

2000 hours education $11,950 - $12,950 California Veterinary Medical Board

Welder

720 hours education $7,000 - $8,000 California Division of Industrial Relations (DIR) / Cal-OSHA

Neighboring States