Professional Licenses in California
California requires licenses for 92 professions tracked by LicenseCompass. Browse requirements, estimated costs, and timelines below.
Accountants, Certified Public
certification Est. $2,630 5-7 years (including degree)
Adjuster, Independent Insurance
license Est. $460 1-3 months
Applicator License (Structural Pest Control)
license Est. $175 1-6 months (Applicator); 2-4 years (Operator)
Asbestos Certification
certificationAudiology
license Est. $249 6-8 weeks processing time
Bail Agent
licenseBail Agent
license Est. $500 2-4 months
Barber
license Est. $325 9-12 months (including barber school)
Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting Contractor
licenseBoiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting Contractor
license 4-5 years apprenticeship + contractor licensing
California Radiologic Technologist (CRT)
licenseCertified Nurse Assistant
certificationCertified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) Certificate
certificationCertified Shorthand Reporters License
certificationChiropractor
license Est. $565 Approximately 5 months processing time
Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist
licenseCommercial Drivers License (CDL)
license 2-6 weeks
Contact Lens Dispenser
licenseCosmetologist
license Est. $175 9-14 months
Custom Upholsterer
licenseDental Assistant - Registered
registration Est. $301 2-4 months after completing training
Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
licenseElevator Contractor
licenseEpinephrine Auto-injector Certification (EPI), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), and Paramedic License (EMT-P)
certification Est. $129 4-8 weeks (varies by county)
Epinephrine Auto-injector Certification (EPI), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), and Paramedic License (EMT-P)
certification Est. $474 12-18 months
Esthetician
license Est. $165 4-8 months
Funeral Director
licenseGeneral Engineering Contractor
license Est. $650 3-6 months
Hearing Aid Dispenser License
licenseHome Health Aide Certification
certificationHospital Inspector Certification
certificationKinesiological Electromyography (KEMG) Certificate
license Est. $400 2-4 months
Land Surveyor
licenseLand Surveyor
license 8-10 years (LSIT + 6 years experience + exams)
Landscape Architect, Licensed
license Est. $2,010 7-12 years (education + 5 years experience + exam)
Landscape Architect, Licensed
licenseLicensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
license Est. $849 6-8 years (MSW + supervised experience) + 3-6 months (licensing)
Licensed Psychologist
license Est. $1,194 2-3 years post-doctorate
Licensed Vocational Nurse
license Est. $700 12-24 months
Locksmith Company License
licenseLow Voltage Systems Contractor
license Est. $700 4-6 years
Manager of Athletic Professionals
licenseMarriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), License
license Est. $679 5-7 years (master's/doctoral degree + 3,000 hours supervised experience + 120-day processing)
Matchmakers
licenseMedical Laboratory Technician
licenseMental Health Counselors
license 2-4 years (including supervised experience)
Mental Health Counselors
licenseModerate Sedation Permit
permit 4-8 years (dental school) + 3-6 months (licensing)
Mortgage Loan Originator
license Est. $700 1-3 months
Naturopathic Doctor
licenseNaturopathic Doctor
licenseNurse Midwife
licenseNurse Practitioner
license Est. $900 6-8 weeks processing after MSN/DNP graduation
Nurse, Registered
registration Est. $549 2-4 years (education) + 2-3 months (licensing)
Nursing Home Administrator
licenseNursing Home Administrator
licenseOccupational Therapist
license Est. $369 3-6 months
Occupational Therapy Assistant
licenseOccupational Therapy Assistant
licenseOptometry License
license Est. $779 1-3 weeks processing after application
Pest Control Aircraft Pilot Certificate
license Est. $110 1+ year (Journeyman level)
Pest Control Dealer Designated Agent
licensePetroleum Engineer
license 8-10 years (4-year degree + 6 years experience without EIT, or 4 years with ABET degree)
Pharmacist, Intern
license Est. $1,229 3-6 months after PharmD graduation
Pharmacy Technician
license Est. $244 90 days once application is complete
Physical Therapist
license Est. $1,178 4-6 months (120 days processing)
Physician Assistant
license Est. $1,562 3-6 months after residency completion
Physician Assistant
license Est. $225 1-3 months after PA program graduation
Private Investigator
license Est. $774 60-125 days (processing time)
Private Patrol Operator
licenseProfessional Geologist
licenseProperty Broker-Agent
license Est. $495 4-8 months
Property Taxes Appraiser Certification
certification Est. $1,030 6-24 months depending on tier
Psychiatric Technician
license Est. $160 3-6 months
Public Health Microbiologist
license 4-8 weeks
Real Estate Appraisal License
license Est. $1,195 90 days processing + experience time
Real Estate Salesperson
license Est. $354 3-6 months
Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC), Registration
registration Est. $199 3-5 years (master's degree + supervised experience)
Registered Dental Hygienist - Extended Functions (RDHEF)
registration 2-3 years (education) + 3-6 months (licensing)
Registered Polysomnographic Technologist
registrationRespiratory Care Practitioner
license Est. $300 2-6 weeks processing after application
Roofing Contractor
licenseSecurity Guard Registration
registrationSpeech-Language Pathology
license Est. $199 6-8 weeks processing time
Stock Agent (Insurance)
license Est. $4,800 2-6 weeks
Stock Agent (Insurance)
license Est. $600 1-3 months
Teacher Credentials
license Est. $650 4-5 years (including degree)
Technician's License
licenseTitle Marketing Representative
licenseVeterinarian
license Est. $950 4-8 years (veterinary school) + 3-6 months (licensing)
Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor
license Est. $1,100 4+ years (journeyman experience)