Pennsylvania license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Pennsylvania
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Pennsylvania: when each expires, the renewal fee, the continuing education it needs, and what to do if you renew late or the license has lapsed. Every answer comes from the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | None required | $97 | Every 2 years | $5 |
| Barber | None required | $184 | Every 2 years | $5 |
| Nail technician | None required | $97 | Every 2 years | $5 |
| Esthetician | None required | $97 | Every 2 years | $5 |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $48.50 a year, renewing costs more than the $32.50 a year typical across the states; it is one of 7 states whose board says no continuing education is required.
Cosmetologist
Pennsylvania cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn January 31 of either an odd-numbered or an even-numbered year, depending on the license.
- Renewal fee
- $97 ($48.50 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew this license.
- Late renewal
- $5A licensee who practices while the license is unregistered pays a penalty of $5 for each month or part of a month since the expiration, and may face discipline or prosecution.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired for less than 5 years is reactivated through PALS by card payment. A license expired for more than 5 years requires retaking the examination.
Barber
Pennsylvania barber license renewal
Renewed through the State Board of Barber Examiners.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn April 30 of every even-numbered year.
- Renewal fee
- $184 ($92 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew this license.
- Late renewal
- $5Practicing while the license is unregistered carries a penalty of $5 for each month or part of a month since the expiration of the biennial registration.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA barber who fails to renew for a 5-year period must take the practical examination and pay applicable back fees before renewal.
Nail technician
Pennsylvania nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn January 31 of every even-numbered year.
- Renewal fee
- $97 ($48.50 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew this license.
- Late renewal
- $5A licensee who practices while the license is unregistered pays a penalty of $5 for each month or part of a month since the expiration, and may face discipline or prosecution.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired for less than 5 years is reactivated through PALS by card payment. A license expired for more than 5 years requires retaking the examination.
Esthetician
Pennsylvania esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsOn January 31 of every odd-numbered year.
- Renewal fee
- $97 ($48.50 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew this license.
- Late renewal
- $5A licensee who practices while the license is unregistered pays a penalty of $5 for each month or part of a month since the expiration, and may face discipline or prosecution.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleA license expired for less than 5 years is reactivated through PALS by card payment. A license expired for more than 5 years requires retaking the examination.
Good to know
What else Pennsylvania says about renewing
- A cosmetology license that is not renewed by its renewal date is classified as unregistered, and the holder may not practice in Pennsylvania while it is unregistered.
- The Board does not send license renewals by mail, so renewal notices go to the email address on file.
- Reactivation of an expired cosmetology license through PALS is paid by card only.
Sources
What Pennsylvania's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026. Fees and deadlines change: confirm with the board before you renew.
- Cosmetologist: renewal period
“Licenses issued by the Board expire at biennial intervals.”
pacode.com “Biennial renewal of license”
pa.gov “Cosmetologist licenses will have an expiration date of January 31st of either an odd-numbered or an even-numbered year.”
pa.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“$97.00 Renewal Fee”
pa.gov - Cosmetologist: continuing education
“No Continuing Education Requirement”
pa.gov “Renewal of the license is accomplished by submission of the license renewal application and the license renewal fee”
pacode.com - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“A licensee who practices during a period in which the license was unregistered shall be required to pay a penalty fee of $5”
pacode.com “A licensee who fails to file the biennial renewal application or pay the required biennial renewal fee by the renewal date shall have the license classified as unregistered.”
pacode.com - Cosmetologist: expired license
“If your license has been expired for less than 5 years,”
pa.gov “the Cosmetology Law states that you must retake the examination in order to reactivate the license.”
pa.gov - Barber: renewal period
“Biennial renewal of license.”
pa.gov “A licensee failing to file a biennial registration application or pay the required registration fee by the registration date shall have his license classified as unregistered.”
pacode.com “Licenses expire April 30 of every even-numbered year.”
pa.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“$184.00 Renewal Fee”
pa.gov - Barber: continuing education
“No Continuing Education Requirement”
pa.gov - Barber: late renewal
“is required to pay a penalty fee of $5 for each month or part of a month since the expiration of the biennial registration”
pacode.com - Barber: expired license
“A barber, manager-barber or barber-teacher who fails to renew a license for a 5-year period is required to take the appropriate practical examination and pay applicable back fees prior to renewal of the license.”
pacode.com - Nail technician: renewal period
“Biennial renewal of license”
pa.gov “Licenses issued by the Board expire at biennial intervals.”
pacode.com “Licenses that Expire on January 31st of Even-Numbered Years”
pa.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“$97.00 Renewal Fee”
pa.gov - Nail technician: continuing education
“No Continuing Education Requirement”
pa.gov “Renewal of the license is accomplished by submission of the license renewal application and the license renewal fee”
pacode.com - Nail technician: late renewal
“A licensee who practices during a period in which the license was unregistered shall be required to pay a penalty fee of $5”
pacode.com “A licensee who fails to file the biennial renewal application or pay the required biennial renewal fee by the renewal date shall have the license classified as unregistered.”
pacode.com - Nail technician: expired license
“If your license has been expired for less than 5 years,”
pa.gov “the Cosmetology Law states that you must retake the examination in order to reactivate the license.”
pa.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“Biennial renewal of license”
pa.gov “Licenses issued by the Board expire at biennial intervals.”
pacode.com “Licenses that Expire on January 31st of Odd-Numbered Years”
pa.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“$97.00 Renewal Fee”
pa.gov - Esthetician: continuing education
“No Continuing Education Requirement”
pa.gov “Renewal of the license is accomplished by submission of the license renewal application and the license renewal fee”
pacode.com - Esthetician: late renewal
“A licensee who practices during a period in which the license was unregistered shall be required to pay a penalty fee of $5”
pacode.com “A licensee who fails to file the biennial renewal application or pay the required biennial renewal fee by the renewal date shall have the license classified as unregistered.”
pacode.com - Esthetician: expired license
“If your license has been expired for less than 5 years,”
pa.gov “the Cosmetology Law states that you must retake the examination in order to reactivate the license.”
pa.gov - Also good to know
“As long as a licensee holds an unregistered license, the licensee is not permitted to practice in this Commonwealth.”
pacode.com - Also good to know
“The Postal Service does not forward licenses.”
pa.gov - Also good to know
“Payment is by credit or debit card only.”
pa.gov
Questions
Pennsylvania license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years for $97, through the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology. When it expires: On January 31 of either an odd-numbered or an even-numbered year, depending on the license. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Pennsylvania cosmetology license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license.
What happens if my Pennsylvania cosmetology license expires?
A licensee who practices while the license is unregistered pays a penalty of $5 for each month or part of a month since the expiration, and may face discipline or prosecution. A license expired for less than 5 years is reactivated through PALS by card payment. A license expired for more than 5 years requires retaking the examination.
How do I renew my barber license in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Barber license renews every 2 years for $184, through the State Board of Barber Examiners. When it expires: On April 30 of every even-numbered year. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Pennsylvania barber license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license.
What happens if my Pennsylvania barber license expires?
Practicing while the license is unregistered carries a penalty of $5 for each month or part of a month since the expiration of the biennial registration. A barber who fails to renew for a 5-year period must take the practical examination and pay applicable back fees before renewal.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Nail technician license renews every 2 years for $97, through the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology. When it expires: On January 31 of every even-numbered year. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Pennsylvania nail technician license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license.
What happens if my Pennsylvania nail technician license expires?
A licensee who practices while the license is unregistered pays a penalty of $5 for each month or part of a month since the expiration, and may face discipline or prosecution. A license expired for less than 5 years is reactivated through PALS by card payment. A license expired for more than 5 years requires retaking the examination.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Esthetician license renews every 2 years for $97, through the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology. When it expires: On January 31 of every odd-numbered year. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Pennsylvania esthetician license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew this license.
What happens if my Pennsylvania esthetician license expires?
A licensee who practices while the license is unregistered pays a penalty of $5 for each month or part of a month since the expiration, and may face discipline or prosecution. A license expired for less than 5 years is reactivated through PALS by card payment. A license expired for more than 5 years requires retaking the examination.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Pennsylvania: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Pennsylvania
- Running your own salon in Pennsylvania: the salon license
- What Pennsylvania inspectors check in a salon
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