Pennsylvania beauty licenses
Pennsylvania cosmetology license requirements
To work as a cosmetologist in Pennsylvania you need a Cosmetologist license from the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology. It takes 1,250 hours of school and $26 in state fees. Exams: written theory exam only (no practical exam since 2014). Barbers, nail technicians and estheticians each need a license of their own, below. Every figure is quoted from the state's official pages, read on October 22, 2026.
- Cosmetology hours
- 1,250
- Barber hours
- 1,250
Licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology.How to apply License lookup The state's own words
Cosmetologist
Pennsylvania cosmetology license
- License
- Cosmetologist
- Issued by
- The Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
- Training
- 1,250 hours1,250 hours in a licensed school, or 2,000 hours as an apprentice in a licensed salon About 8 months of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate, not a state rule).
- Apprenticeship route
- 2,000 hours
- Exams
- Written theory exam only (no practical exam since 2014)
- Who can apply
- 16 years old, 10th grade education or equivalent
- State fees, first license
- $26
- Renewal
- Every 2 years, $97
- Continuing education
- None required
Pennsylvania's 1,250 hours are fewer than the 1,500 hours of the middle state.
Barber
Pennsylvania barber license
- License
- Barber
- Issued by
- The State Board of Barber Examiners
- Training
- 1,250 hours1,250 hours in a licensed barber school or licensed barber shop, over at least nine months About 8 months of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate, not a state rule).
- Exams
- Practical and written (theory) exams
- Who can apply
- 16 years old, 8th grade education or equivalent
- State fees, first license
- $173 (application $33 plus theory exam $63 plus practical exam $77)
- Renewal
- Every 2 years, $184
- Continuing education
- None required
Pennsylvania's 1,250 hours are the same as the 1,250 hours of the middle state.
Nail technician
Pennsylvania nail technician license
- License
- Nail technician
- Issued by
- The Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
- Training
- 200 hoursAbout 1 month of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate, not a state rule).
- Exams
- Written theory exam only (no practical exam since 2014)
- Who can apply
- 16 years old, 10th grade education or equivalent
- State fees, first license
- $26
- Exam fees to the testing company
- examination $93Paid to the company that runs the exam, as stated on the state's own pages.
- Renewal
- Every 2 years, $97
- Continuing education
- None required
Pennsylvania's 200 hours are fewer than the 350 hours of the middle state.
Esthetician
Pennsylvania esthetician license
- License
- Esthetician
- Issued by
- The Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
- Training
- 300 hoursAbout 2 months of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate, not a state rule).
- Exams
- Written theory exam only (no practical exam since 2014)
- Who can apply
- 16 years old, 10th grade education or equivalent
- State fees, first license
- $26
- Exam fees to the testing company
- examination $93Paid to the company that runs the exam, as stated on the state's own pages.
- Renewal
- Every 2 years, $97
- Continuing education
- None required
Pennsylvania's 300 hours are fewer than the 600 hours of the middle state.
Doing lashes, lifts, waxing or threading? See which license Pennsylvania requires for each. Microblading or permanent makeup? See what Pennsylvania requires for it. Microneedling, peels, dermaplaning or lasers? See what an esthetician may do in Pennsylvania.
Moving here
Licensed in another state?
By reciprocity (cosmetologist, nail technician and esthetician): a current license from another state plus a minimum of two years of licensed work experience there; Act 41 applicants can also be endorsed.
Good to know in Pennsylvania
- Students who graduate from a licensed cosmetology school may apply for a temporary license to practice until the next regular examination.
- Cosmetology, nail technician and esthetician licensing exams are theory-only; no practical exam is required since November 25, 2014.
- Barber licensing requires a practical exam as well as a written exam.
Sources
What Pennsylvania's official pages say
Each figure above, in the words of the state's own pages, rules or statutes, read on October 22, 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the board before you enroll or apply.
- Cosmetologist: license
“A licensed individual who is engaged in the practice of cosmetology.”
pa.gov - Cosmetologist: training hours
“1250 hours in a licensed cosmetology school (1000 hours prior to 1964), OR”
pa.gov - Cosmetologist: apprenticeship
“2000 hours in an approved apprentice program.”
pa.gov - Cosmetologist: exams
“after this date the exam consists of a theory only exam”
pa.gov - Cosmetologist: who can apply
“shall be at least sixteen years of age and of good moral”
pa.gov “10th Grade Education or Equivalent”
pa.gov - Cosmetologist: fees
“Cosmetologist $25 $26”
pacode.com - Cosmetologist: renewal
“An applicant for biennial renewal shall pay the following fees”
pacode.com “$97.00 Renewal Fee”
pa.gov “No Continuing Education Requirement”
pa.gov - Barber: license
“The examination for license as a barber and barber-teacher include both practical”
pa.gov - Barber: issued by
“The State Board of Barber Examiners.”
pa.gov - Barber: training hours
“study and training period of at least one thousand two hundred fifty (1250) hours and not less than nine months”
pa.gov “1,250 hours in a licensed barber school under a licensed barber teacher”
pa.gov - Barber: exams
“The examination for license as a barber and barber-teacher include both practical”
pa.gov - Barber: who can apply
“be at least sixteen years of age, have completed the eighth grade or its equivalent and have completed a barbering”
pa.gov - Barber: fees
“$33 application fee & $63.00 for theory exam & $77.00 for practical exam”
pa.gov - Barber: renewal
“$184.00 Renewal Fee”
pa.gov “Biennial renewal of license.”
pa.gov “No Continuing Education Requirement”
pa.gov - Nail technician: license
“An individual licensed by the State Board of Cosmetology to engage in the practice of nail technology.”
pa.gov - Nail technician: training hours
“An applicant must complete a minimum of 200 hours of instruction in nail technology in a licensed school of cosmetology.”
pa.gov - Nail technician: exams
“after this date the exam consists of a theory only exam”
pa.gov - Nail technician: who can apply
“years of age, be of good moral character, have completed a tenth grade education or the equivalent thereof”
pa.gov “10th Grade Education or Equivalent”
pa.gov - Nail technician: renewal
“$97.00 Renewal Fee”
pa.gov “Biennial renewal of license”
pa.gov “No Continuing Education Requirement”
pa.gov - Esthetician: license
“An individual licensed by the State Board of Cosmetology to practice esthetics.”
pa.gov - Esthetician: training hours
“An applicant must complete a minimum of 300 hours of instruction in skin care in a licensed school of cosmetology.”
pa.gov - Esthetician: exams
“after this date the exam consists of a theory only exam”
pa.gov - Esthetician: who can apply
“years of age, be of good moral character, have completed a tenth grade education or the equivalent thereof”
pa.gov “10th Grade Education or Equivalent”
pa.gov - Esthetician: renewal
“$97.00 Renewal Fee”
pa.gov “Biennial renewal of license”
pa.gov “No continuing education requirement for licensure.”
pa.gov - Licensed in another state
“showing a minimum of two years of licensed work experience in”
pa.gov “there is a $89 fee.”
pa.gov - Also good to know
“Students, upon graduating from licensed schools of cosmetology, may apply for, and receive from the department, a temporary license to practice in the field of cosmetology”
pa.gov - Also good to know
“As of November 25, 2014 Pennsylvania no longer requires a practical examination for licensure.”
pa.gov - Also good to know
“A passing grade in practical work and in the written test is required before a license will be issued.”
pa.gov
Questions
Pennsylvania beauty licenses, answered
How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Pennsylvania?
1,250 hours of training for a Cosmetologist license, or 2,000 hours as an apprentice. About 8 months of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate). Pennsylvania's 1,250 hours are fewer than the 1,500 hours of the middle state.
How much does a cosmetology license cost in Pennsylvania?
The state's fees for a first Cosmetologist license are $26, and it renews every 2 years, $97. School tuition is the much larger cost, and testing companies may charge their own exam fees.
How do you renew a cosmetology license in Pennsylvania?
The Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years for $97. The official pages say no continuing education is required. Renew with the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology before the license expires.
How do you get a nail technician license in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania calls it a Nail technician license, issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology. It takes 200 hours of training, written theory exam only (no practical exam since 2014), $26 in state fees. It renews every 2 years, $97.
How do you get an esthetician license in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania calls it an Esthetician license, issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology. It takes 300 hours of training, written theory exam only (no practical exam since 2014), $26 in state fees. It renews every 2 years, $97.
How do you get a barber license in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania calls it a Barber license, issued by the State Board of Barber Examiners. It takes 1,250 hours of training, practical and written (theory) exams, $173 (application $33 plus theory exam $63 plus practical exam $77) in state fees. It renews every 2 years, $184.
Can you transfer a cosmetology license from another state to Pennsylvania?
By reciprocity (cosmetologist, nail technician and esthetician): a current license from another state plus a minimum of two years of licensed work experience there; Act 41 applicants can also be endorsed. The fee is $89. Apply with the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology.
Do you need a separate license to open a salon in Pennsylvania?
Usually, yes: the business needs its own establishment license on top of each person's license. See what Pennsylvania requires to open a salon, with its fees, inspection and booth rental rules.
Once you are licensed
Working for yourself, or opening a salon
- What Pennsylvania requires to open a salon of your own
- Every step to opening a salon in Pennsylvania, as a checklist
- Commission or booth rent? Compare what you would take home
- Renting a chair? Start from a booth rental agreement
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