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How to get a Cosmetologist license in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania licenses cosmetologists statewide through the State Board of Cosmetology.1 For the Cosmetologist license you need at least 1,250 clock hours2 of education, a passing score on the Pennsylvania Cosmetology Licensure Examination (state theory exam), administered by Pearson VUE3 and a criminal background check4. The board lists $26 for the application5. You renew every 2 years6.

Last checked · 22 official sources

Who issues it

State Board of Cosmetology

Training and experience

Training: at least 1,250 clock hours2

Exam

Pennsylvania Cosmetology Licensure Examination (state theory exam), administered by Pearson VUE3

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $265
Exam fee: $937

Renewal

Every 2 years6

From another state

Reciprocity agreements4 Details

On this page
  1. Pennsylvania cosmetologist licenses
  2. Rules shared by several license levels
  3. Who needs a Cosmetologist license
  4. Requirements for a Cosmetologist license
  5. How much a Cosmetologist license costs
  6. How to apply
  7. Renewal and continuing education
  8. Moving to Pennsylvania with a license from another state
  9. Apprentice Cosmetologist permit
  10. Cosmetology Teacher
  11. Check a license or report a problem
  12. Laws and rules
  13. Rule changes since January 2024
  14. Common questions
  15. Cosmetologist licenses in other states

Pennsylvania cosmetologist licenses

Pennsylvania issues 3 cosmetologist credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversTraining or experienceExamApplication or license fee
Apprentice Cosmetologist (apprentice permit)Train for the cosmetologist exam inside a licensed salon under a licensed cosmetology teacher instead of attending school. No hours or services may begin until the permit has been issued and received by the salon.8Experience 2,000 hours9–$798
CosmetologistFor pay: cutting, coloring and styling hair (with or without chemicals), removing unwanted hair, using mechanical or electrical appliances on the upper body, applying make-up and creams, and manicures/pedicures. A cosmetologist may also do the work of an esthetician, nail technician or natural hair braider without another license. The board has ruled permanent make-up, microblading, dermaplaning, Botox/fillers and microneedling outside cosmetology.10Training 1,250 clock hours2Yes11$265
Cosmetology TeacherTeach cosmetology, and perform the work of a cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician or natural hair braider without further licensure. Esthetics and nail technology have separate limited practice teacher licenses.12Training 500 clock hours13Yes11$2614

Rules shared by several license levels

These rules are the same for several of the Pennsylvania cosmetologist licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level except Cosmetology Teacher

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
Not required28

2. Every license level except Apprentice Cosmetologist (apprentice permit)

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$26514State Board of CosmetologyNot refundable. Effective July 1, 2024
Exam fee$93714Pearson VUE–
License verification to another state$215State Board of CosmetologyNot refundable. Effective July 1, 2024

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Create an account or sign in at PALS (www.pals.pa.gov), choose the State Board of Cosmetology and the license type, and answer the plain-language questions.4 pals.pa.gov4
  2. Review, pay the application fee online and submit; track status by email or on PALS.4
Apply online
pals.pa.gov4

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years6
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $56 (per month (or part) practiced while the license was unregistered; disciplinary action or prosecution may also follow)
If it expires
Expired less than 5 years: reactivate on PALS (card payment only). Expired or escrowed 5 years or more: you must retake the exam before renewing.15
A licensee who stops practicing should ask the board in writing to escrow the license; it is reactivated by application and the renewal fee.16
Renew online
pals.pa.gov15

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

For pay: cutting, coloring and styling hair (with or without chemicals), removing unwanted hair, using mechanical or electrical appliances on the upper body, applying make-up and creams, and manicures/pedicures. A cosmetologist may also do the work of an esthetician, nail technician or natural hair braider without another license. The board has ruled permanent make-up, microblading, dermaplaning, Botox/fillers and microneedling outside cosmetology.10

Requirements for a Cosmetologist license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Minimum age
16 years old2
Education or training
At least 1,250 clock hours2
At least 1,250 hours of cosmetology instruction in a licensed Pennsylvania school of cosmetology, over at least 8 consecutive months as a day student or 15 consecutive months as a night student; or 2,000 hours in a board-approved apprentice program in a salon.2
Alternative: Apprenticeship: 2,000 hours in a licensed salon under a cosmetology teacher; school and apprentice hours cannot be combined.3
Alternative: Holders of active limited licenses get credit toward the 1,250 hours: esthetician up to 160 hours, nail technician up to 100, natural hair braider up to 125; the full 1,250 must be completed within 4 consecutive years.2
Exam
Pennsylvania Cosmetology Licensure Examination (state theory exam), administered by Pearson VUE3
Given by: Pearson VUE3
When you can take it: You may take the written exam after at least 900 hours in a licensed school; the license is issued once all 1,250 hours are done and the school certifies completion. Apprentices apply for the exam at the end of the apprenticeship.17
Theory (written) examination only; no practical exam since November 25, 2014.3
Retakes: Re-examinees pay the testing organization's exam fee again. A failed portion must be passed within 1 year of passing the other portion (rule written when there were two portions).18
Exam waived: No exam for applicants who qualify for licensure by reciprocity under section 9 of the act.11
Background check
Background check required4
Upload a Criminal History Records Check from each state where you lived, worked or trained in the past 5 years, dated within 180 days of applying; a volunteer record check is not accepted. Pennsylvania checks come from PATCH (epatch.pa.gov).4
Social Security number
The board posts a "DOS SSN Attestation Form" among its application forms.19
Also required
The examination application includes a physician's certificate that you are free of contagious, communicable or infectious disease.18

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Certification of student or apprentice training hours$585State Board of CosmetologyWhen certification of hours is requested. Not refundable. Effective July 1, 2024

How to apply

  1. Complete 1,250 hours at a licensed Pennsylvania cosmetology school (or 2,000 hours as a registered apprentice).4
  2. Get a Criminal History Records Check (Pennsylvania: PATCH) for every state where you lived, worked or trained in the last 5 years; it must be dated within 180 days of your application.4
  3. Upload the required documents, including a Criminal History Records Check from each state where you lived, worked or trained in the past 5 years (dated within 180 days) and your school code (CS00000 if you trained outside Pennsylvania).4
  4. Schedule and pass the state theory exam with Pearson VUE. Early testers (after 900 hours) must upload the school's Final Affidavit and Final Transcript before the license is issued.1
Temporary or provisional license
A 9-month temporary license can be issued to an applicant eligible for the exam who pays the exam and license fees; the holder works under a licensed cosmetology teacher or cosmetologist until passing.20

Renewal and continuing education

When it expires
Expires January 31 every two years; cosmetologist licenses may expire in odd- or even-numbered years (check your license), cosmetology teacher licenses in even-numbered years. Renewal notices are emailed.15
Renewal fee
$9715

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Pennsylvania Cosmetologist license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

Moving to Pennsylvania with a license from another state

These are the routes the State Board of Cosmetology publishes for the Cosmetologist license. The other cosmetologist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Route
Reciprocity agreements
What the board says
License by reciprocity without the exam (and without the age and education rules) if you hold a current license from a state Pennsylvania has a reciprocal agreement with and have at least 2 years of licensed work experience there, shown on an employer certification. The board reciprocates with every state except Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Utah.4
States on Pennsylvania's list
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming4
This is the list of states whose licenses Pennsylvania accepts for this route. It does not say those states accept a Pennsylvania license.
Condition for Connecticut
No reciprocal agreement with Pennsylvania (board guide); use Act 41 endorsement or the exam route.4
Condition for Colorado
No reciprocal agreement with Pennsylvania (board guide); use Act 41 endorsement or the exam route.4
Condition for Florida
No reciprocal agreement with Pennsylvania (board guide); use Act 41 endorsement or the exam route.4
Condition for Hawaii
No reciprocal agreement with Pennsylvania (board guide); use Act 41 endorsement or the exam route.4
Condition for New Jersey
No reciprocal agreement with Pennsylvania (board guide); use Act 41 endorsement or the exam route.4
Condition for New Mexico
No reciprocal agreement with Pennsylvania (board guide); use Act 41 endorsement or the exam route.4
Condition for Rhode Island
No reciprocal agreement with Pennsylvania (board guide); use Act 41 endorsement or the exam route.4
Condition for Utah
No reciprocal agreement with Pennsylvania (board guide); use Act 41 endorsement or the exam route.4
Conditions
Have each employer complete and sign the board's Employers' Certification with start and end dates.4
The other jurisdiction's standards must be the same or substantially the same, Pennsylvania licensees must get similar privileges there, and a physician's affidavit that you are free of contagious disease is required by the act.17
Criminal History Records Check from each state of residence/work/training in the past 5 years, dated within 180 days.4
Fee
$897

Apprentice Cosmetologist permit

Train for the cosmetologist exam inside a licensed salon under a licensed cosmetology teacher instead of attending school. No hours or services may begin until the permit has been issued and received by the salon.8

Requirements

Education or training
Proof of at least a 10th-grade education or equivalent.8
Experience
At least 2,000 hours of on-the-job training9
The board's words

“An apprentice shall work a minimum of 25 hours per week to acquire the minimum 2,000 hours of apprenticeship training.”


Supervision: Licensed cosmetology teacher with at least 5 years of licensed Pennsylvania cosmetology experience (resume submitted with the application).8
Background check
Background check required8
CHRC dated within 180 days from each state of residence/work/training in the last 5 years; applicants from California, Arizona or Ohio submit an FBI Identity History Summary Check instead.8

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$798State Board of CosmetologyNot refundable. Effective July 1, 2024
Certification of student or apprentice training hours$585State Board of CosmetologyCertification of completed apprentice hours. Not refundable. Effective July 1, 2024
Processing fee: for any check or money order returned unpaid$208State Board of CosmetologyReturned check

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

  1. Find a licensed salon whose owner-teacher qualifies to train apprentices and has two other full-time licensees available for you.8
  2. Complete the paper Apprentice Registration Application (45-CA100) with the salon; attach proof of 10th-grade education, the teacher's resume, your CHRC(s) and a $79 check or money order to "Commonwealth of PA", and mail it to the board (P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649).8 Form (PDF, pa.gov)19
  3. Start training only after the permit reaches the salon; the salon owner files quarterly hour reports.8
  4. After 2,000 hours, return the permit to the board for a certification of apprentice hours, then apply for the cosmetologist exam (you can get a temporary license until the exam).8
Application form
Form (PDF, pa.gov)19

Renewal

How often
Every 21 months8
When it expires
Permit issued for 21 months; no renewal procedure is described. The application itself stays active for one year from receipt.8

From another state

Route
No reciprocity
What the board says
No out-of-state route: the apprentice permit is for training in a Pennsylvania licensed salon under a Pennsylvania-licensed teacher.17

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Cosmetology Teacher

Teach cosmetology, and perform the work of a cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician or natural hair braider without further licensure. Esthetics and nail technology have separate limited practice teacher licenses.12

Requirements

Minimum age
18 years old13
High school diploma or GED
Required13
Education or training
At least 500 clock hours13
At least 500 hours in a cosmetology teacher curriculum at a licensed school of cosmetology, on top of the hours used for the cosmetologist license.13
Who may teach it: A school of cosmetology licensed by the board.3
Experience
Hold a current Pennsylvania cosmetologist license (no minimum years of practice stated).13
License you must hold first: Current Pennsylvania cosmetologist license3
Exam
Pennsylvania Cosmetology Teacher examination (theory only), administered by Pearson VUE14
Given by: Pearson VUE3
When you can take it: You may take the written exam after at least 400 of the 500 teacher-training hours; license issued after all 500 hours and school certification.17
Theory (written) examination only; no practical exam since November 25, 2014.3
Retakes: Re-examinees pay the testing organization's exam fee again. A failed portion must be passed within 1 year of passing the other portion (rule written when there were two portions).18
Exam waived: No exam for applicants who qualify for licensure by reciprocity under section 9 of the act.11
Also required
Physician's certificate of freedom from contagious disease with the exam application.18

How to apply

  1. Hold a current Pennsylvania cosmetologist license and complete 500 hours of teacher training at a licensed cosmetology school.14
  2. Gather proof of 12th-grade education (high-school or GED diploma).14
  3. Upload the required documents shown in the PALS application checklist and follow the prompts.4
  4. Pass the theory-only teacher exam with Pearson VUE.14

Renewal

When it expires
Cosmetology teacher licenses expire on January 31 of even-numbered years (every two years). Renewal notices are emailed.15
Renewal fee
$1355

From another state

Route
Reciprocity agreements
What the board says
License by reciprocity without the exam (and without the age and education rules) for a person who has practiced or taught cosmetology under a license for at least 2 years in another state, territory or DC, shown on an employment certification; the other jurisdiction must have the same or substantially the same standards and give Pennsylvania licensees similar privileges.11
States on Pennsylvania's list
The pages cited here give no list of partner states for this route; the board's words above say who qualifies. Ask the board which states it has agreements with.
Conditions
Submit an employment certification showing at least 2 years of licensed work experience in the jurisdiction where you hold a current license.14
The other jurisdiction's standards must be the same or substantially the same, Pennsylvania licensees must get similar privileges there, and a physician's affidavit that you are free of contagious disease is required by the act.17
Fee
$8914

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 2 under Rules shared by several license levels.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a cosmetologist in Pennsylvania, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Pennsylvania is on the Pennsylvania license lookup page.

Look up a license
pals.pa.gov22

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Rule changes since January 2024

  • December 15, 2024: Act 100 of 2024 removed licensing for natural hair braiders (effective 60 days from October 16, 2024).1
  • July 1, 2024: Second step of the 2022 fee increase took effect: initial application $26 (from $25), biennial renewal $97 (from $82), reciprocity $89 (from $85).5

Common questions

How long does it take to get a Cosmetologist license in Pennsylvania?

The rules set at least 1,250 clock hours2 before you can be licensed. The board does not publish how long it takes to process an application.

Can I transfer my cosmetologist license to Pennsylvania?

The State Board of Cosmetology publishes this route for the Cosmetologist license: reciprocity agreements4. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a Cosmetologist license in Pennsylvania?

Every 2 years6. The renewal fee is $9715.

Cosmetologist licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. Cosmetology | Department of State | Commonwealth of PennsylvaniaCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaChecked November 7, 2026
  2. 49 Pa. Code § 7.32dPennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
  3. Cosmetology Licensing Requirements (PDF)Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, State Board of CosmetologyDated November 13, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  4. Cosmetology Licensure GuidePennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  5. 49 Pa. Code § 7.2Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
  6. 49 Pa. Code § 7.43Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
  7. Cosmetologist Licensure SnapshotPennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  8. Application for Registration as an Apprentice Cosmetologist in a SalonPennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, State Board of CosmetologyDated July 1, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
  9. 49 Pa. Code § 7.136Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
  10. 49 Pa. Code § 7.14Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
  11. 49 Pa. Code § 7.31Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
  12. 49 Pa. Code § 7.12Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
  13. 49 Pa. Code § 7.32bPennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
  14. Cosmetology Teacher Licensure SnapshotPennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  15. Renewal Information - State Board of CosmetologyPennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  16. 49 Pa. Code § 7.44Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
  17. Cosmetology Law (Act of May 3, 1933, P.L. 242, No. 86) board compilationPennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  18. 49 Pa. Code § 7.32aPennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
  19. Salon Licensure ProcedurePennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  20. 49 Pa. Code § 7.32gPennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
  21. Cosmetology Board Resources and DocumentsPennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
  22. Skip to main contentCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaChecked November 7, 2026