Licensed jobs in California
California: 11 occupations, 9 licensing agencies, and no state license for massage therapists. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in California
California licenses 10 of the 11 occupations below at the state level; massage therapists is licensed only by cities or counties, if at all. Electricians have the most levels here (7 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist 2 credentials in all | BBC | Training 1,000 clock hours1 | $751 | Every 2 years1 |
| Notary public | Notary Public 2 credentials in all | SOS | – | $404 | Every 4 years5 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Nurse 3 credentials in all | BRN | – | $3006 | Every 2 years7 |
| Insurance agent | Life-Only Agent 5 credentials in all | CDI | Training 12 clock hours10 | $18811 | Every 2 years12 |
| Plumber | C-36 - Plumbing Contractor | CSLB | Experience 4 years14 | $45015 | Every 2 years15 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) | CDPH | Training 60 clock hours17 | – | Every 2 years18 |
| Electrician | General Electrician 7 credentials in all | DIR | Experience 8,000 hours21 | $7522 | Every 3 years23 |
| Security guard | Security Guard Registration 5 credentials in all | BSIS | Training 8 clock hours25 | $6026 | Every 2 years27 |
| Massage therapist | No state license29 | – | – | – | – |
| Real estate agent | Real Estate Salesperson 2 credentials in all | DRE | – | $35030 | Every 4 years31 |
| General contractor | B - General Building Contractor 3 credentials in all | CSLB | Experience 4 years14 | $45033 | Every 2 years15 |
Licensing boards
9 agencies issue the California licenses we cover:
- Contractors State License Board (CSLB): plumbers, electricians and general contractors
- Department of Industrial Relations (DIR): electricians
- California Department of Insurance (CDI): insurance agents
- Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS): security guards
- Board of Registered Nursing (BRN): registered nurses
- Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (BBC): cosmetologists
- California Secretary of State (SOS): notaries
- Department of Real Estate (DRE): real estate agents
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH): nursing assistants
Moving to California with a license
For plumbers and general contractors, the California board names the states whose licenses it accepts. The boards for notaries publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | License by endorsement, Exam waiver and Military service members and spouses23 |
| Notary public | No reciprocity route5 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | License by endorsement and Temporary license or permit89 |
| Insurance agent | Reciprocity agreements and License by endorsement1310 |
| Plumber | Reciprocity agreements16 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement and Exam waiver1920 |
| Electrician | Exam waiver24 |
| Security guard | Military service members and spouses28 |
| Real estate agent | Military service members and spouses32 |
| General contractor | Reciprocity agreements and Exam waiver3416 |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The California license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- Barbering and Cosmetology Act and RegulationsCalifornia Board of Barbering and CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
- Reciprocity Application Instructions and ChecklistCalifornia Board of Barbering and CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
- FAQsCalifornia Board of Barbering and CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
- Take the ExamCalifornia Secretary of StateChecked November 6, 2026
- 2026 Notary Public HandbookCalifornia Secretary of StateChecked November 6, 2026
- Fee ScheduleCalifornia Board of Registered NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code sec. 2811California Legislative CounselDated January 1, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Licensure by EndorsementCalifornia Board of Registered NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- Temporary LicensesCalifornia Board of Registered NursingChecked November 7, 2026
- Cal. Insurance Code sec. 1749California Legislative CounselDated January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Licensing FeesCalifornia Department of InsuranceDated March 3, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
- Life-Only: License TermCalifornia Department of InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
- Cal. Insurance Code sec. 1638.5California Legislative CounselDated July 23, 2021Checked November 7, 2026
- Experience for examContractors State License BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- CaliforniaContractors State License BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Reciprocity RequirementsContractors State License BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- Cal. Health & Safety Code sec. 1337.3California Legislative CounselDated January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Cal. Health & Safety Code sec. 1337.6California Legislative CounselDated July 12, 2006Checked November 7, 2026
- How to Complete Your Reciprocity Application PackageCalifornia Department of Public HealthDated May 19, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- Cal. Health & Safety Code sec. 1337.2California Legislative CounselDated January 1, 2019Checked November 7, 2026
- 8 CCR §291.1Department of Industrial Relations (8 CCR, Title 8 regulations)Dated August 17, 2008Checked November 7, 2026
- 8 CCR §292.0Department of Industrial Relations (8 CCR, Title 8 regulations)Dated August 17, 2008Checked November 7, 2026
- 8 CCR §291.5Department of Industrial Relations (8 CCR, Title 8 regulations)Dated August 17, 2008Checked November 7, 2026
- ECU FAQDepartment of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards EnforcementDated October 22, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Cal. Business and Professions Code sec. 7583.7California Legislative CounselDated January 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Fee Increase NoticeBureau of Security and Investigative ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Cal. Business and Professions Code sec. 7583.20California Legislative CounselDated January 1, 2020Checked November 7, 2026
- Security Guard Registration ApplicationBureau of Security and Investigative ServicesChecked November 7, 2026
- Requirements to CertifyCalifornia Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC), nonprofit council established by Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 4602Checked November 7, 2026
- 2026 Real Estate Law (Business and Professions Code excerpts published by DRE)California Department of Real EstateDated January 1, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
- Renewing Your LicenseCalifornia Department of Real EstateChecked November 6, 2026
- License Options for Military MembersCalifornia Department of Real EstateChecked November 6, 2026
- Apply for a Sole Owner licenseContractors State License BoardChecked November 7, 2026
- General Information on ReciprocityContractors State License BoardChecked November 5, 2026