State Board Prep

For State Board type questions with answers and explanations check out these study guides that this website has to offer. Prepare today and pass tomorrow!

State Board FAQs

This section of the page is under construction. Check back AFTER May 1st for a complete list of questions and answers to the most frequently asked questions about state board.

When can I pre-apply for state-board? Are pre-applications still being filed during this COVID-19 lockdown? Is it true that the state board is allowing Cosmetology students to pre-apply at 1500 hours because of the shutdowns?

No pre-applications at this time. The State Board is not allowing people to do pre-applications online. You can apply online only when you are completely done with the program. No pre-applications until the Fall.

What all needs to be done in the package for the application for state board?

As soon as you are done (with all classes including salon hours) let Ray know for your proof of training. Copy of ID and payment needed if in person. Online application cuts 3 weeks processing time.

When do we get our state board date? What is the turnaround time when you apply to getting your test date?

When you apply it should be within 3 months pre-COVID. After COVID it’s been all over the place. They are catching up on exams that were rescheduled.

What is the cost of each exam? Who do we make the check or money order out to?

Barbering $125 Cosmetologist $124 Esthetician $124 Manicurist $119 $9 filing fee inluded

Check/Money Order: “BBC” (Board of Barbering & Cosmetology)

How can we find more information in regards to applications for international students?

Same process for international students, but you will need a SSN.

Does Ray have Zoom office hours for walk-in personal questions regarding their applications and timecards?

Ray does not have any official office hours at this time, but it is possible to schedule a meeting, just send him an e-mail ( with your school email account to schedule one.

I applied and my check cleared but I haven’t received any notices from the state board? Who do I contact to follow up about my application and test date?

Email the board barbercosmo@dca.ca.gov

Subject line: “Application Status”

If you pre-applied type in the Subject line: “Pre-application Status”

I am trying to get a hold of Ray. When can I expect a response back to my e-mail?

Typically within 3 days, currently having e-mail issues. If you are sending an e-mail from a gmail or hotmail it is going straight to Spam. If you don’t hear back from Ray within 3 days send a follow up email and make sure to email from your student email account to make sure that the e-mail gets through.

For timecard updates and pre-application are students that are close to being completed with their prospective programs prioritized?

If you’re almost done, let Ray know. If you are reaching a certain amount of hours like 200 hours left, let him know to get the paperwork ready. If you are taking a class other than Salon it will take time due to waiting on grades to be posted and processed in the system.

Does Ray have Zoom office hours for walk-in personal questions regarding their applications and timecards?

He does not have any official office hours at this time, but it is possible to schedule a meeting, just send me an e-mail to valdiviezo_raymond@smc.edu using your school email.

Why are my hours not updated on my timecard? What is the turnaround time for timecard updates? When the time card is updated in the main system, is there a lag or is the update instant?

It varies. Processing time for Ray is about 2 days upon receiving the hours and operations from instructors.

Is it possible for instructors to share and upload what the paper time cards would be for each class on their canvas shells or as part of the syllabus, so that students would be aware of technical hours and practical operations will be earned within that class? It would help us track what we know we will learn and earn versus what we might need to make up if we were absent or if there is a flex day.

Possibility to post on Canvas. Will need to confirm with Ms. Perret.

Explain how the time cards work when you have been in more than one program?

Let's say you were in Cosmo whether you finished or didn’t finish and now you want to do skin care, you will get all your technical hours and practical operations when you were a Cosmo and it will be transferred over to the Esthetician program.

If you do cosmetology first and are done, and want to start the Esthetician program next, your Esthetician timecard will be added on to the bottom of your cosmetology timecard.

NOTE: You must wait to start a new program in the beginning of a new term.

(A term is defined as either 1st 8 weeks in Fall/Spring, or 2nd 8 weeks in Fall/Spring, 8 weeks in Summer, or 6 weeks in Winter)

When do we receive our test scores? Do the results explain what we need to do to fix if we fail?

You get your test score the same day as you take your test. If you failed they will give you a packet with instructions on how to schedule your retest along with some notes on what you failed on, but nothing too specific.

I failed one part of my examination. How many times can I take the examination in a year? Do I have to pay the whole fee again?

There is no limit on how many times you can retake a portion of the examination within a year, however, if you have not passed both portions within one year you will be required to complete both the written and practical again. You must submit a re-exam fee to be scheduled for a re-exam.

What kinds of questions do we expect in the written portion?

Are there written instructions provided for the practical exam for people with a language barrier?

Yes. There is a binder with the written instructions of the practical exam in a few languages.

State board kit? Buy? Rent? Build your own?

We recommend to either buy or build your own so that you have a kit you are able to practice with and are familiar with on the day of the test. When you rent a kit, you may have no idea how that kit is set up. Please see state board kit lists in the prospective State Board Prep Pages based on your Area of Study.

How has the exam changed in regards to regulations and COVID?

The only difference is the ratio of examinees and examiner in each testing room. It is a maximum of 4 examinees in one room with 1 examiner. Testing procedures are the same as before COVID except for the ratio.

How long can we expect the practical and written exam to be?

It varies. If your cohort of examinees are small and everyone finishes each section of the test quickly, you will get out quicker. The written exam is about 110 questions, most students get through the written exam relatively quickly as well, approximately 20-40 minutes.

Can we take both written and practical the same day or choose to split it up into different days? Do you get to decide or do they decide for you?

It is typically scheduled to take both written and practical exam together.

What is the plan to catch up with all those waiting to be tested? Will there be additional proctors hired on to help?

No information on that at this time. As soon as we hear any news we will let you all know.

My State Board exam date is going to be delayed due to COVID and will most likely be scheduled several months after I have taken the State Board Prep classes. Will SMC provide any state board practice refreshers for graduates?

Cosmetology students can contact Mr. Ceballos via E-mail (ceballos_brandon@smc.edu) to schedule refresher mock practical exams.