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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9902 East Roosevelt Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19115
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 $36,220 ($17.41/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 $36,220 per year ($17.41 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 2019, the highest-paying metro areas for cosmetologists in Pennsylvania are:
Only one nonmetropolitan area in Pennsylvania has reported their median esthetician salary. Residents of the southern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area earned an average of $32,860 in 2019.
Data from O*Net (2021)
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. Due to the coronavirus emergency, 60 hours of training may be completed online.
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.
You have to pass a theory/procedural skills exam; there isn't a practical exam. The test costs $93 to take.
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 through the Pearson VUE web reservations site. You must schedule your exam at least 48 hours in advance.
Testing sites are located in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Allentown, Eerie, Plymouth Meeting, and Scranton. Testing frequency varies at each site. You may also take the test in Newark, Delaware; Cumberland, Maryland; or Morgantown, West Virginia.
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. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, special rules are in place, like permitting fewer test-takers and enforcing social distancing. Candidates may not enter the test center without a face mask.
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 is consists of the following sections:
A passing score is 75, 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.
States Pennsylvania doesn't have reciprocity with are:
If you're from one of those states, you must take the Pennsylvania esthetician licensure test.
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 complementing treatments they're receiving from medical professionals. 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 skincare, facials, or waxing. Waxing specialists are extremely popular and often develop long-term relationships with their clients, given their services are needed every few weeks. Skincare specialists may help their clients treat certain skin conditions such as acne or rosacea. Facial specialists may have advanced knowledge of different facial treatments like exfoliation and deep cleansing techniques.
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 Esthetics
- 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