Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania
- 1,250 education hours or 2,000 apprentice hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- Average salary for cosmetology in Pennsylvania is $26,990.
- There is a predicted 10% job increase between 2016 - 2026.
Do you want a career that celebrates your creativity, rather than stifles it? Do you want to show up to work every day knowing that you have the opportunity to improve someones day? If so, you should learn more about the field of cosmetology and how it can change your career path. No matter what your personal style is, it can set you apart from other cosmetologists and help you find loyal clients in your community.
State License Requirements
Required to earn a cosmetology license
You may get your beauty license from the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology. They check your educational records to ensure that you have completed at least 1250 hours of training. After passing the written test and the skills test, you must pay a $10 licensing fee.
Education Details
Getting a thorough education is a huge part of succeeding in the beauty industry. By comparing different cosmetology schools in your area, you can find options that match your learning style and cover the skills that are important to you. However, keep in mind that all cosmetology schools in PA must teach some of the same topics to meet licensing standards.
Courses Taught at Beauty Schools in PA
- Bacteriology, disinfection, and sanitation
- Cosmetology law
- Shampooing and conditioning
- Hair shaping
- Hair styling and finger waving
- Chemical texturizing
- Permanent waving
- Hair coloring
- Hair straightening
- Skin care
- Nail technology
- Temporary hair removal
- Scalp treatments
- Makeup application
License Renewal
License renewal period
Continuing education required
Cosmetology license renewal in Pennsylvania happens every 2 years. Practitioner licenses cost $67 to renew and cosmetology instructor licenses cost $105 to renew. Cosmetology continuing education hours are not currently required to renew licenses in Pennsylvania, but cosmetology CEUs are always good to stay current in the industry.
Pennsylvania Cosmetology Careers
Average yearly salary for cosmetology in Pennsylvania
Demand for cosmetology professionals may swell 10% by the year 2026 (O*Net, 2019). The average salary for a cosmetologist in Pennsylvania is $26,990 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019).
Since cosmetology involves learning about hairstyling, nail technology, esthetics, and many other services that make people look their best, there are lots of ways you can customize your career to fit you. You might get started in a nail salon if you want to focus on creating dazzling nail art designs, or you may rent a chair at a boutique salon if you pride yourself on your knowledge of hair coloring techniques. If youre all about making people look better through healthier skin, a spa could be your perfect place of employment. As a general rule, the future of cosmetology looks bright in Pennsylvania.
Contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
- One Penn Center, 2601 North 3rd Street PO Box 2649
- Email: Fax Number: 717-705-5540
- Call: Harrisburg, PA 17110
- Fax: Phone Number: 717-783-7130
E-mail Address: st-cosmetology@pa.gov Pennsylvania is notable across the nation for keeping to valued traditions. Over time
cosmetology has become one of them. Aspiring professionals get started by checking
out the following information.
Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
Pennsylvania Barber & Cosmetology Association
Professional Beauty Association
Find Other Cosmetology Schools in Pennsylvania
Check out the Cosmetology schools other cities in Pennsylvania have to offer.
You must attend school in the state you want to practice in. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited school. Click here to learn more about the requirements in your state.

1761 Bustleton Pike
Feasterville, PA 19053











396 Pottsville St. Clair Highway
Pottsville, PA 17901


30 Baldwin Boulevard Suite 50
Shamokin Dam, PA 17876








50 Ranck Avenue
Lancaster, PA 17602

215 West Main Street
Lansdale, PA 19446

314 East Washington Street
New Castle, PA 16101


344 Stroud Mall Road Suite 308
Stroudsburg, PA 18360






Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology – Accredited
Pleasant Gap, PA 16823
Divine Crown Academy of Cosmetology – Accredited
Union Square Shopping Center, PA 17109
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center (high school students only)
Altoona, PA 16601
Pittsburgh Multicultural Cosmetology Academy – Accredited
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center – Accredited
Springville, PA 18844