Licensed jobs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania: 11 occupations, 10 licensing agencies, and no state license for plumbers and electricians. For each one: the board, the main credential, its training, application fee and renewal cycle, from the boards' own pages.
On this page
Occupations we cover in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania licenses 8 of the 11 occupations below at the state level; for general contractors the state credential we show is a registration, not a license; plumbers and electricians are licensed only by cities or counties, if at all. Insurance agents have the most levels here (4 credentials); each occupation page covers every level.
| Occupation | Main license | Board | Training or experience | Application fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Cosmetologist 3 credentials in all | State Board of Cosmetology | Training 1,250 clock hours1 | $262 | Every 2 years3 |
| Notary public | Notary Public 2 credentials in all | Pennsylvania Department of State, Office of Notaries, Commissions & Legislation | Training 3 clock hours5 | $425 | Every 4 years5 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Registered Nurse – single state license 2 credentials in all | State Board of Nursing | – | $956 | Every 2 years6 |
| Insurance agent | Insurance Producer Resident - Individual 4 credentials in all | PID | – | $5510 | Every 2 years10 |
| Plumber | No state license12 | – | – | – | – |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Nurse Aide (enrolled on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry); Pennsylvania does not use the title "certified nursing assistant" on its official pages | DOH | Training 80 clock hours13 | – | Every 24 months14 |
| Electrician | No state license12 | – | – | – | – |
| Security guard | Act 235 Lethal Weapons Agent certification (Lethal Weapons Training Act) | PSP | – | – | Every 5 years15 |
| Massage therapist | Licensed Massage Therapist (L.M.T.) 2 credentials in all | State Board of Massage Therapy | Training 600 clock hours17 | $10018 | Every 2 years19 |
| Real estate agent | Real Estate Salesperson 3 credentials in all | State Real Estate Commission | Training 75 clock hours20 | $2521 | Every 2 years20 |
| General contractor | Home Improvement Contractor Registration | Office of Attorney General | – | $10025 | Every 2 years26 |
Licensing boards
10 agencies issue the Pennsylvania licenses we cover:
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID): insurance agents
- State Board of Cosmetology: cosmetologists
- State Real Estate Commission: real estate agents
- Pennsylvania Department of State, Office of Notaries, Commissions & Legislation: notaries
- State Board of Nursing: registered nurses
- State Board of Massage Therapy: massage therapists
- Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry (DOH): nursing assistants
- State Police (PSP): security guards
- Office of Attorney General: general contractors
- Department of Labor and Industry (L&I): general contractors
Moving to Pennsylvania with a license
For cosmetologists and real estate agents, the Pennsylvania board names the states whose licenses it accepts. The boards for notaries, security guards and general contractors publish no transfer route, so you apply as a new applicant. Conditions, fees and forms are on each occupation page.
| Occupation | Routes the board publishes |
|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Reciprocity agreements4 |
| Notary public | No reciprocity route5 |
| Registered nurse (RN) | License by endorsement, Interstate compact privilege, Temporary license or permit and Military service members and spouses7869 |
| Insurance agent | Exam waiver11 |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | License by endorsement14 |
| Security guard | No reciprocity route16 |
| Massage therapist | Reciprocity agreements and Military service members and spouses179 |
| Real estate agent | Reciprocity agreements, Exam waiver and Temporary license or permit222324 |
| General contractor | No reciprocity route26 |
Check a license
Every board above runs its own license search. The Pennsylvania license lookup page lists them in one place, with the links to report an unlicensed or problem provider.
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- 49 Pa. Code § 7.32dPennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
- 49 Pa. Code § 7.2Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
- 49 Pa. Code § 7.43Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Checked November 7, 2026
- Cosmetology Licensure GuidePennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, State Board of CosmetologyChecked November 7, 2026
- 57 Pa.C.S. Chapter 3 Revised Uniform Law on Notarial Acts (PDF)Pennsylvania General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
- 49 Pa. Code Chapter 21. State Board of NursingPennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Dated September 5, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- Nursing Licensure GuidePennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational AffairsChecked November 8, 2026
- Nurse Licensure CompactPennsylvania Department of State, State Board of NursingChecked November 8, 2026
- Military and Veterans LicensurePennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational AffairsChecked November 7, 2026
- The Insurance Department Act of 1921 (Act 1921-285), as amended, incl. Article VI-A Insurance ProducersPennsylvania General AssemblyChecked November 8, 2026
- Update Your Producer/Agent License InformationPennsylvania Insurance DepartmentChecked November 7, 2026
- Contractor Licensing (state and local requirements pertaining to certain contractors)Pennsylvania Department of Labor & IndustryChecked November 7, 2026
- Teaching the Educator (TTE) ManualPennsylvania Department of EducationDated November 1, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Nurse Aide Enrolling and Testing (PA DOH)Pennsylvania Department of HealthChecked November 7, 2026
- Lethal Weapons Training Act, Act of Oct. 10, 1974, P.L. 705, No. 235 (22 P.S. 41-50)Pennsylvania General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
- Act 235 FAQPennsylvania State PoliceChecked November 7, 2026
- 49 Pa. Code Chapter 20. State Board of Massage TherapyPennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Dated September 5, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- 49 Pa. Code § 20.3. FeesPennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Dated September 5, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Massage Therapy Law, Act of Oct. 9, 2008, P.L. 1438, No. 118Pennsylvania General AssemblyChecked November 7, 2026
- Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act (Act of Feb. 19, 1980, P.L. 15, No. 9)Pennsylvania General AssemblyChecked November 6, 2026
- 49 Pa. Code § 35.203Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Dated September 5, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
- Real Estate Commission Licensure GuidePennsylvania Department of StateChecked November 6, 2026
- 49 Pa. Code § 35.223Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Dated September 5, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
- 49 Pa. Code § 35.231Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin (Legislative Reference Bureau)Dated September 5, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
- The Fiscal Code, Act of Apr. 9, 1929, P.L. 343, No. 176 (72 P.S.) incl. Section 1603-UPennsylvania General AssemblyDated November 12, 2025Checked November 6, 2026
- Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, Act of Oct. 17, 2008, P.L. 1645, No. 132 (73 P.S. 517.1 et seq.)Pennsylvania General AssemblyChecked November 6, 2026