Body Piercer / California
2026 data California board official source

California Body Piercer License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Performs body piercing. Licensed in most states for health/safety.

What the California data shows for Body Piercers

California's path to body piercer licensure runs through 1,500 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on a state-approved exam, plus a criminal history screening. California folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

Upfront cost is $75 on a 2-year cycle. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in California, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

California handles out-of-state credentials on a case-by-case basis instead of a standing reciprocity list.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
53/100
Body Piercer · California

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,500 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$75
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in California

Education / Training Hours
Cosmetology School
1,500 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$75
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Body Piercer All California licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with California licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Body Piercer in California? ▼
California requires 1500 education/training hours, passing an exam, and an initial fee of $75. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Body Piercer in California? ▼
California licenses body piercers who complete its requirements (1500 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the California licensing board.
Can I transfer my Body Piercer license to California from another state? ▼
There's no published blanket reciprocity rule for body piercers in California - applications from other states are reviewed individually. Interstate licensing compacts cover many occupations and may still apply. Reach out to the California licensing board for the current process.
Does California require a background check for Body Piercer licensing? ▼
Yes, California requires a criminal background check as part of the body piercer licensing process. Disqualifying offenses and review criteria are determined by the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this body piercer license

Body Piercer in California is one requirement row in a body piercer-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the California licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.