Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology License Requirements

Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology License Information

Last Updated: December 27, 2012

In order to obtain a license in cosmetology, esthetics or nail technology in the state of Pennsylvania, students must complete the requirements listed below from the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology. When getting a Pennsylvania cosmetology license or other beauty practitioner certification, you must attend a licensed school and complete the state of Pennsylvania's minimum required training hours and then take the state's cosmetology board exams.

After finishing your training, you are required to pass a licensing exam issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology. Once you pass this exam, you will receive your Pennsylvania cosmetology license shortly thereafter. You're now able to work in the state of Pennsylvania. Keep in mind, even though Pennsylvania may not require continuing education to renew some licenses, you may wish to consider taking cosmetology continuing education hours in Pennsylvania annually to stay current on the latest trends. For specific questions, please contact the PA Board of Cosmetology directly for more information. The state of PA does allow apprenticeship to get your training hours. PA uses an outside agency to administer board exams. Cosmetology, esthetics and nail technician boards can be taken in English, Spanish, Vietnamese or Korean languages. Cosmetology instructor boards may be taken in English language only.

Find Pennsylvania beauty schools that can help you obtain a license in cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology and other beauty professions in the State of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology License Requirements

• COSMETOLOGIST LICENSE: 1250 Hours
• BARBER LICENSE: 1250 Hours (695 Hours if Already a Licensed Cosmetologist)
• ESTHETICIAN LICENSE: 300 Hours
• NAIL TECHNICIAN LICENSE: 200 Hours
• PERMANENT MAKEUP LICENSE: Contact County Health Departments
• COSMETOLOGY INSTRUCTOR LICENSE: Cosmetology License + 500 Hours
• MASSAGE THERAPIST LICENSE: 600 Hours

Pennsylvania Cosmetology License Renewal

Cosmetology license renewal in Pennsylvania happens every 2 years. Practitioner licenses cost $35 to renew and cosmetology instructor licenses cost $55 to renew. Cosmetology continuing education hours are not currently required to renew licenses in PA, but cosmetology CEUs are always recommended to stay current in the industry.

Cosmetology License Reciprocity (Transfer) in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has beauty practitioner license reciprocity with most states, but does not have reciprocity with Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Mexico, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Utah. Nail technician licenses have no reciprocity with South Carolina, Alabama or West Virginia. There is a $20 fee to transfer your license to PA.

PA State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information

Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
2601 North 3rd Street
PO Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105
Phone Number: 717-783-7130
Fax Number: 717-705-5540
E-mail Address: st-cosmetology@pa.gov

The Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology can help you with replacing a lost cosmetology license, updating change of name or change of address information, and acquiring out-of-state and other useful forms, as well as answer additional questions about obtaining a Pennsylvania state cosmetology license.

Cosmetology Licensing Information for Other Nearby States:

• New York
• New Jersey
• Delaware
• Maryland
• Ohio