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Consumer Assistance
The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Board) can be reached at (800) 952-5210, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The hearing-impaired may call TDD (800) 326-2297 or TDD (916) 322-1700.
In over 140 different languages, our representatives can assist with:
- Filing Complaints
- Mailing Publications i.e., Performance Criteria, Rules and Regulations, Barbering and Cosmetology Act, Health & Safety Poster, etc.
- Mailing Forms and Applications i.e., Name Change, Address Change, Certification Request, Affidavit of Loss, etc.
- Performing Address Changes for Licensees
- Answering Consumer Inquiries
- Answering Licensee Inquiries (regarding renewals, payments received, etc.)
- Answering Applicant Inquiries (regarding examination requirements, schools, apprenticeships, externships, etc.)
Automated services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
General Contact Information
Headquarters Location
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
2420 Del Paso Road Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
1-800-952-5210
Fax (916) 575-7281
Driving Directions
Office Hours
Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm excluding State
Holidays
By Mail:
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology
PO Box 944226
Sacramento, CA 94244-2260
Web site: barbercosmo.ca.gov
E-mail: barbercosmo@dca.ca.gov
Licensing
Any person providing certain services for a fee is required to be licensed by the Board. Those services include (but are not limited to): hair cutting, hairdressing and styling, nail care, skin care, removal of superfluous hair, permanent removal of unwanted hair and the application of make-up.
The Board's licensing categories are:
- Cosmetologists
- Barbers
- Estheticians
- Manicurists
- Electrologists
- Apprentices
- Establishments
The Board ensures that individuals and establishments possess competency to practice these trades independently and safely pursuant to the Barbering and Cosmetology Act.
After successful completion of the required courses for each discipline from a Board approved school, all qualified persons seeking a California license must submit an examination application along with the associated fees. Applicants must pass both a written and practical examination.
Enforcement Program
The mission of the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology is to ensure the health and safety of California Consumers by promoting ethical standards and by enforcing the laws of the beauty industry. This mission is accomplished in two ways. First, through the Board's inspection program and second, through the investigation of complaints regarding licensees.
Inspection Program
Throughout California, Board Inspectors conduct inspections to determine the licensee's compliance with current Health and Safety laws and the Board's rules and regulations. The inspection process consists of the following:
- Confirmation of licensure for the individuals performing services and the location.
- Compliance with current laws and regulations pertaining to health and safety.
- Verification that all licensees are performing services authorized by their license.
If the inspection reveals areas of non-compliance, a citation and fine is issued to the responsible licensee. The citation and fine is made a part of the licensee's record and is available to any interested party upon receipt of a written request.
Complaints
The Board receives and responds to over 1600 consumer and industry complaints a year. Each complaint is carefully reviewed and evaluated to determine if the matter is within the jurisdiction of the Board and to determine the possible violations of law. Issues that should be reported to the Board include:
- Consumer harm, such as an infection, following a service.
- Unlicensed activity.
- Unsanitary conditions within the establishment.
- Misrepresentation/false advertising of services.
- Gross negligence and/or incompetence.
Types of complaints that are not within the authority of the Board include pricing issues and dissatisfaction with a service in which the consumer was not harmed or injured.
All complaints must be submitted in writing. To submit a complaint regarding a licensee you may complete the Board's complaint form and mail it to the address below:
California Board of Barbering and
Cosmetology
P.O. Box 944226
Sacramento, CA 94244-2260
(916) 574-7574
You may also submit your complaint electronically through the Department of Consumer Affairs On-line Complaint Form.
Upon receipt of your complaint, the Board will send you written notification and advise you of your case number.
To submit any comments and complaints about the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, you may use the Citizens Complaint Form.
Directions to the Board's Headquarters Office in Sacramento From the Bay Area.
From I-80
Take the I-80 EAST ramp towards SACRAMENTO
Merge on I-80 EAST
Continue on I-80-BR EAST towards CAPITAL CITY FWY/SACRAMENTO/SOUTH
LAKE TAHOE
Take the I-5 NORTH exit towards LOS ANGELES/REDDING (stay
in your left lane)
Continue on I-5 NORTH RAMP towards REDDING
Continue towards REDDING (passing Arco Arena)
Exit DEL PASO ROAD and go right
Continue on DEL PASO ROAD
Turn right at: 2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 100
From Southern California
From I-5
Take I-5 NORTH towards SACRAMENTO
Continue on I-5 NORTH towards REDDING/SACRAMENTO You will
pass Downtown Sacramento and Arco Arena
Exit DEL PASO ROAD and go right
Continue on DEL PASO ROAD
Turn Right at: 2420 DEL PASO ROAD, Suite 100
From Northern California
Take the I-80 WEST ramp towards SACRAMENTO
Merge on I-80 WEST
Take the I-5 NORTH exit towards REDDING
Continue on I-5 NORTH
Exit DEL PASO ROAD and go right
Continue on DEL PASO ROAD
Turn Right at: 2420 DEL PASO ROAD, Suite 100
