Esthetician Schools in Pennsylvania
With only 300 hours of training at a board-approved esthetician school required for state licensure, Pennsylvania can be an ideal state to start a career as an esthetician. You could be in a job helping clients to achieve healthy, glowing skin without a huge upfront investment in education.
Browse our directory of esthetician schools in Pennsylvania, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Esthetician Schools in Pennsylvania
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50 Ranck Avenue
Lancaster, PA 17602
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology – Accredited
Pleasant Gap, PA 16823
You must attend school in the state you want to practice in. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited school. Learn more about the requirements in your state.
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
Esthetician Schools Near Me
Check out the Esthetics/Skin Care schools these cities in Pennsylvania have to offer.
How to Become a Esthetician in Pennsylvania
- 300 education hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average salary for estheticians in Pennsylvania is $35,510 ($17.07/hour).
- There is a predicted 12% job increase between 2018 - 2028 for estheticians.
To become an esthetician in Pennsylvania, you must fulfill the following requirements:
Esthetician Salary and Projected Job Growth in Pennsylvania
Average yearly salary for esthetics in Pennsylvania
The esthetician profession in Pennsylvania is expected to grow by 12% by 2028. On average, Pennsylvania's skincare specialists earn $35,510 per year ($17.07 per hour).
Your salary as an esthetician depends on your skills, location, amount of experience, and education. Your earning potential may be higher you're employed as a medical or nurse esthetician (which requires you to be a registered nurse) as well.
As of 2021, the highest paying areas for estheticians in Pennsylvania by median salary are:
Data from O*Net (2022)
What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in Pennsylvania
Required to earn a esthetics license
Prospective estheticians in Pennsylvania must complete at least 300 education hours at a licensed cosmetology school.
The esthetician curriculum is made up of:
The same rules govern esthetics programs as cosmetology schools in Pennsylvania. For a cosmetology school to remain licensed, it must:
In Pennsylvania, estheticians are only licensed to perform esthetics services such as massage, cosmetic application, facials, and hair removal. You need a separate license to do manicures and pedicures.
Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Pennsylvania?
Apprenticeships for prospective estheticians are not allowed in Pennsylvania. Students must attend a state board-approved esthetician program for their education.
Pennsylvania Esthetician Licensing Requirements
You need to take the state board examination to become a licensed esthetician in Pennsylvania. Before you can take the exam, you must complete 300 hours of training in esthetics at a licensed cosmetology school.
The best way to get started on the examination process is to go to the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) website. Use their application checklist to ensure you've met all requirements. When you're sure you have, create an account to get further instructions.
You have to pass a theory/procedural skills exam; there isn't a practical exam. You must pay a $10 application fee and $93 exam fee before taking the test.
After submitting a completed application and relevant documents and fees, you will receive an approval to test notice via email. Once you receive your notice, you can schedule your exam date online via Pearson VUE. You must schedule your exam at least 48 hours in advance.
The test is offered in English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. You are allotted 1 hour and 45 minutes to take the test.
There are 100 questions on the test, 85 which of scored and 15 of which are questions they're vetting for future exams. You can't take the test online.
On the day of the test, check in with the test center administrator. You should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled exam. If you're late, you won't be allowed in.
You need to bring two forms of signature identification with you. The first form of identification must include a photo, and accepted options are:
Your second form of ID must also have a signature, but a photo isn't required unless it's a school ID. Other options are your social security card, credit card, or debit card.
If you need accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you can request these by submitting documentation regarding your condition and why you need these accommodations.
The exam consists of the following sections:
A passing score is75, and you'll find out your exam results right after completing your test. After passing the exam, you'll receive your license in the mail in 10-15 business days.
If you don't pass, you can apply to retake the exam 24 hours after the failed exam. You must pay the $93 exam fee each time.
Pennsylvania Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity
Licensure reciprocity is available in Pennsylvania. If you're a licensed esthetician in most other states for at least two years, you may not need to take the state board test. You must submit a licensure application with relevant documents. The board may take up to a month to respond, so plan ahead.
Estheticians licensed in other states need to show proof of two years of licensed work and of their good standing in the field. The application fee is $60.
Esthetician Specialties in Pennsylvania
You have several options for specialties as an esthetician in Pennsylvania.
A spa esthetician provides esthetics treatments meant to relax their clients, like aromatherapy or non-therapeutic massage.
Medical estheticians offer services that support medical treatments. Their clientele may need assistance with severe skin conditions or during recovery from trauma such as burns or plastic surgery. They aren't allowed to do in-depth medical procedures but may be trained to perform treatments standard estheticians aren't. Medical estheticians do not have a separate license.
If you're interested in deepening your medical knowledge and expertise, becoming a nurse esthetician may be the right career path for you. Nurse estheticians are registered nurses who perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures to enhance a patient's appearance.
You can also consider specializing in waxing. Waxing specialists are extremely popular and often develop long-term relationships with their clients, given their services are needed every few weeks.
For any specialized treatments you wish to perform, investigate continuing education opportunities. The more skills you have, the more clients you may attract.
License Renewal
License renewal period
Continuing education required
Esthetician licenses in Pennsylvania expire on Jan. 31 of every odd-numbered year. The renewal fee is $67, and renewals are typically processed within three business days.
There are no continuing education requirements for estheticians in Pennsylvania.
Contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
- 2601 North 3rd Street, PO Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17110
- Website: Pennsylvania Department of State
- Email: st-cosmetology@pa.gov
- Call: 717-783-7130
- Fax: 717-705-5540