Cosmetology and Barbering

Age and education

To earn a Cosmetologist license and practice in California, you must be 17 years of age or older to take the state exam, have completed the 10th grade or its equivalent, successfully complete the required course of study, and pass the state licensing exam.

California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology

Apply to Butte College

Complete all the steps to apply, including in-person or online orientation. Clear any holds and be ready to enroll when it is your scheduled registration time.

Apply Now

Enroll in courses

There is no separate cosmetology program application — registration is first-come, first-served at your scheduled registration time. If the courses you want are full, take general education courses that count toward the Associate Degree; this keeps you in continuing-student status so you receive an earlier registration appointment when a new class opens.

Enrollment Fees

Course enrollment fees are $46 per unit for California residents, plus Service Fees each session.
View complete fee information here:

Tuition and Fees

Student Kits

There is a student kit fee for each lab class. The kit fee is added to your student account when you register and can be paid online along with your course fees. Once the kit has been opened it will be considered used and no refund will be made if you choose to drop the course.

2025-2026 Cosmetology Kit Fees

Spring 2026, Summer 2026
COS-11 Health, Safety & Sanitation Practicum $28.17
COS-19 Hair Styling Services I $1401.28
COS-23 Skin Care $106.50
COS-12 Manicuring & Pedicuring $168.44
COS-21 Chemical Hair Services Practicum $234.77
COS-29 Hair Styling Services II $124.60
Total kit fee for Cosmetology program $2063.76

COS-17 Trimming & Shaving I $362.54


* It is the student's responsibility to purchase any additional required equipment and supplies and replace any broken or lost items.
**Kit fees are subject to change based on price increases.

Estimated 2026-2027 Cosmetology Kit Fees

Starting Fall 2026
COS-11 Health, Safety & Sanitation Practicum $28.86
COS-19 Hair Styling Services I $1495.97
COS-23 Skin Care $110.21
COS-12 Manicuring & Pedicuring $173.83
COS-21 Chemical Hair Services Practicum $261.53
COS-29 Hair Styling Services II $140.23
Total kit fee for Cosmetology program $2210.63

COS-17 Trimming & Shaving I $362.54


* It is the student's responsibility to purchase any additional required equipment and supplies and replace any broken or lost items.
**Kit fees are subject to change based on price increases.

Books

Required textbooks are visible in Search for Classes and in your student portal upon enrollment in classes. The cost will be approximately $562 for the Cosmetology program and approximately $270 for the COS-17 class.

The book bundle includes printed books and a digital learning seat and must be purchased new. Students must bring the required books on the first day of class. Purchase books at the main campus bookstore in person to ensure you have them before the first day. Contact the bookstore at 530-895-2331 to confirm open hours and book availability before you go.

Uniforms

Students are responsible for purchasing and wearing the required uniform on the first day of class. Uniforms will consist of 100% solid black scrub pants and tops. Information and requirements will be provided upon enrollment. Be sure to apply for financial aid at least eight weeks before the semester starts if costs need to be covered by financial aid.

State Board Examination & License Fee

The California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Application for Examination and Initial License Fee is $125.

Apply for Financial Aid

There are many financial aid resources available to help you fund your academic program. Complete details are available at Financial Aid Office.

Financial Aid

Read the Financial Aid website for complete details about how the process works. Once your course fees and kit charges are on your student account, all financial aid disbursed will first be applied to the balance you owe before you receive any remaining funds. If your financial aid is disbursed in two payments for the semester and you have a balance on your account, you might not receive funds until the second disbursement, so planning ahead is important.

Apply for Alliance for Workforce Development funding

The Alliance for Workforce Development provides financial assistance in their mission to help students access education and training, explore career opportunities, and get jobs. They may provide funds to eligible students for fees, books, uniforms, and more.

Funds are limited and run out early. Contact them as soon as you register to see if you qualify.

Chico AFWD office phone: 530-961-5125
Oroville AFWD office phone: 530-538-7301

Location

ATTENTION!!!   We are moving starting Spring Term 2027!

Location up to and including Winter 2027:

• All Cosmetology Classes are located at 2201 Pillsbury Road in Chico.  General education courses may be completed online or at the Chico Center, Glenn Center or Main Campus.

Location Spring 2027 and beyond:

• All Cosmetology Classes will be located at the Chico Center at 2320 Forest Avenue in Chico at our new facility.  General education courses may be completed online or at the Chico Center, Glenn Center or Main Campus.

Cosmetology courses

The next Cosmetology classes begin August 2026
View the required courses

There are three cohorts available for registration in Fall 2026.

Cohorts 1 and 2
   - Daytime cohorts with four courses in Semester 1 and four courses in Semester 2.
   - Begin in August, finish in May.
   - Register in either cohort that has a seat available for Semester 1.
   - Select course #C2000 for Cohort 1 or #C4000 for Cohort 2.
   - You will have a guaranteed spot in your cohort for Semester 2.
   - You must register for all four courses each semester.
         Semester 1:  COS-10, 11, 19, 23
         Semester 2:  COS-12, 20, 21, 29  
   - Semester 1 schedule: Mon - Thu  8:00am - 3:35pm
   - Semester 2 schedule: Mon - Thu 8:00am - 4:00pm, Fri 8:00am - 2:15pm
   - Students who do not pass all four classes in Semester 1 may not be able to continue to Semester 2. The required repeat class(es) may be taken in a future semester if there are seats available.
   - Fall 2026 courses will be held at 2201 Pillsbury Road in Chico.
   - Spring 2027 courses will be held at our new building on the Chico Center campus at 2320 Forest Avenue in Chico.

     * Course times are estimates and subject to change.

Cohort 3
   - Evening courses for 12 consecutive months.
   - Begin August 2026 and finish at the end of the month in August 2027. 
   - Select course #C3019 for Cohort 3.
   - You will have a guaranteed spot in your cohort for the remaining terms.
   - You must register for all courses each term.
         Fall semester:  COS-10, 11, 19  (Mon - Thu 4:00pm - 8:35pm)
         Winter term in January:  COS-20   (Schedule to be determined, could include Fridays)
         Spring semester:  COS-21, 29   (Schedule to be determined, could include Fridays)
         Summer term:  COS-12, 23   (Schedule to be determined, could include Fridays)
   - Classes are from approximately 4:00pm each term until 9:00 - 10:00pm.
   - Students who do not pass all classes each term may not be able to continue to the next term. The required repeat class(es) may be taken in a future semester if there are seats available.
   - Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 courses will be held at 2201 Pillsbury Road in Chico.
   - Spring 2027 courses will be held at our new building on the Chico Center campus at 2320 Forest Avenue in Chico.

     * Course times are estimates and subject to change.

Barber Crossover course

The next Barber Crossover class will be Summer 2026

Qualify to take the barber exam and add a barber license with one class!

COS-17 Trimming & Shaving I prepares licensed cosmetologists and students who have completed a California-approved cosmetology program for licensing as a barber.
   - A daytime program for just one summer.
   - Begin in June and finish in August.
   - Anticipated schedule Mon-Thu 8:00am - 2:05pm.

How to Register
1. You must already have a California cosmetology license or have completed a California cosmetology program and have the required documentation.

A valid California Cosmetology License or a California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Proof of Training document and a school transcript verifying completion of a California board-approved cosmetology program must be submitted prior to enrollment.

2. Send an email to us at cosmo@butte.edu and request to register for this course. We will reply with instructions and assistance to complete the admission and registration process. 

If you are a licensed cosmetologist who did not attend our school on Pillsbury Road in Chico and complete our current program, we will walk you through the steps to challenge prerequisites and get registration approval.

Be aware that we will only use your Butte College email address for all correspondence.