CA
California Licensing Requirements
Burden Rank: #1 of 51 High Burden
97
Professions Licensed
1,559
Avg Education Hours
$206
Avg Initial Fee
28.5
Burden Score
Agriculture
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arborist / Tree Surgeon | — | Yes | $50 | — | 3 yrs |
| Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) | — | Yes | $50 | — | 3 yrs |
| Water Well Driller | — | Yes | $50 | — | 3 yrs |
Animal Care
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Breeder | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Farrier / Horseshoer | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Veterinarian | 5,973 | Yes | $495 | $396 | 2 yrs |
| Veterinary Technician | 2,486 | Yes | $247 | $198 | 2 yrs |
Construction
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | 7,946 | Yes | $247 | $198 | 1 yr |
| Elevator Installer | 7,946 | Yes | $346 | $297 | 2 yrs |
| Fire Sprinkler Installer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| General Contractor | — | Yes | $494 | $396 | 2 yrs |
| Glazier | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| HVAC Technician | 5,946 | Yes | $198 | $148 | 2 yrs |
| Land Surveyor | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Locksmith | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Mobile Home Installer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Painter (Contractor) | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Pest Control Applicator | 39 | Yes | $198 | $173 | 3 yrs |
| Plumber | 7,946 | Yes | $296 | $247 | 1 yr |
| Roofer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Security Alarm Installer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
| Septic System Installer | — | Yes | $150 | — | 2 yrs |
Cosmetology
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barber | 1,493 | Yes | $158 | $79 | 2 yrs |
| Body Piercer | 1,500 | Yes | $75 | — | 2 yrs |
| Cosmetologist | 1,592 | Yes | $183 | $89 | 2 yrs |
| Electrologist | 1,087 | Yes | $198 | $148 | 2 yrs |
| Esthetician | 990 | Yes | $163 | $74 | 2 yrs |
| Funeral Director / Embalmer | 1,500 | Yes | $75 | — | 2 yrs |
| Hair Braider | 1,500 | Yes | $75 | — | 2 yrs |
| Massage Therapist | 991 | Yes | $198 | $99 | 2 yrs |
| Nail Technician | 693 | Yes | $143 | $69 | 2 yrs |
| Tattoo Artist | 1,500 | Yes | $75 | — | 2 yrs |
Design
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior Designer | — | Yes | $346 | $247 | 2 yrs |
| Landscape Architect | — | Yes | $396 | $297 | 2 yrs |
Education
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childcare Center Director | 118 | No | $198 | $148 | 2 yrs |
| Elementary School Teacher | — | Yes | $247 | $148 | 5 yrs |
| School Counselor | — | Yes | $296 | $198 | 5 yrs |
| School Librarian / Media Specialist | 2,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 5 yrs |
| Secondary School Teacher | — | Yes | $247 | $148 | 5 yrs |
| Substitute Teacher | 2,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 5 yrs |
Engineering
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Engineer (PE) | — | Yes | $494 | $396 | 2 yrs |
| Professional Geologist | — | Yes | $200 | — | 2 yrs |
Finance
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | — | Yes | $494 | $395 | 2 yrs |
| Debt Collector | — | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Insurance Agent | 79 | Yes | $247 | $198 | 2 yrs |
| Mortgage Loan Originator | 20 | Yes | $740 | $494 | 1 yr |
| Tax Preparer | — | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
Food & Hospitality
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bartender / Alcohol Server | 16 | Yes | $74 | $49 | 3 yrs |
| Food Handler / Food Safety Certification | 16 | Yes | $49 | $39 | 3 yrs |
Healthcare
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | 3,486 | Yes | $247 | $198 | 2 yrs |
| Certified Nurse-Midwife | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Dental Assistant | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Dental Hygienist | 3,486 | Yes | $346 | $198 | 2 yrs |
| Dietetic Technician | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | 199 | Yes | $173 | $148 | 2 yrs |
| Hearing Aid Specialist | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Home Health Aide | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | 1,493 | Yes | $198 | $149 | 2 yrs |
| Medical Assistant | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Medical Lab Technician | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Occupational Therapist | 3,986 | Yes | $297 | $248 | 2 yrs |
| Optician (Dispensing) | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Optometrist | 4,986 | Yes | $494 | $396 | 2 yrs |
| Paramedic | 1,989 | Yes | $247 | $198 | 2 yrs |
| Pharmacist | 5,480 | Yes | $347 | $297 | 2 yrs |
| Pharmacy Technician | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Phlebotomist | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
| Physical Therapist | 3,986 | Yes | $346 | $297 | 2 yrs |
| Physician Assistant | 4,480 | Yes | $396 | $347 | 2 yrs |
| Radiologic Technologist | 2,491 | Yes | $247 | $198 | 2 yrs |
| Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist | — | Yes | $297 | $247 | 2 yrs |
| Registered Nurse | 2,986 | Yes | $248 | $173 | 2 yrs |
| Respiratory Therapist | 2,486 | Yes | $247 | $198 | 2 yrs |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | 3,986 | Yes | $346 | $248 | 2 yrs |
| Surgical Technologist | 1,000 | Yes | $100 | — | 2 yrs |
Legal & Security
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armed Security Guard | 79 | No | $247 | $148 | 2 yrs |
| Court Reporter / Stenographer | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs |
| Notary Public | — | Yes | $75 | — | 4 yrs |
| Private Investigator | 5,919 | Yes | $395 | $346 | 2 yrs |
| Process Server | 39 | No | $247 | $198 | 2 yrs |
Mental Health
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | 3,986 | Yes | $248 | $198 | 2 yrs |
| Licensed Professional Counselor | 3,486 | Yes | $247 | $198 | 2 yrs |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | 3,486 | Yes | $297 | $248 | 2 yrs |
| Psychologist | 6,973 | Yes | $495 | $396 | 2 yrs |
Miscellaneous
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amusement Ride Operator | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Athletic Agent | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Auctioneer | 198 | Yes | $296 | $198 | 2 yrs |
| Casino/Gaming Dealer | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
| Sign Language Interpreter | — | No | $50 | — | 2 yrs |
Real Estate
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Inspector | 198 | Yes | $395 | $297 | 2 yrs |
| Real Estate Agent / Salesperson | 178 | Yes | $296 | $242 | 2 yrs |
| Real Estate Broker | 267 | Yes | $395 | $321 | 2 yrs |
Transportation
| Profession | Edu. Hours | Exam | Initial Fee | Renewal Fee | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chauffeur / Limousine Driver | 39 | Yes | $148 | $99 | 4 yrs |
| Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) | 318 | Yes | $198 | $99 | 4 yrs |
| School Bus Driver | 119 | Yes | $148 | $99 | 4 yrs |
| Taxi/Ride-Share Driver | — | Yes | $50 | — | 4 yrs |
| Tow Truck Operator | — | Yes | $50 | — | 4 yrs |
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice. Verify current requirements with California licensing authorities.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCredential Editorial
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts |