State Licensing Requirements in PENNSYLVANIA
Cosmetologists
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology shall obtain a license in compliance with The Pennsylvania Code and shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 years old;
- Applicant shall be of good moral character;
- Applicant shall disclose and submit an official Criminal History Record Information check with their applications;
- Applicant shall have completed a 10th grade education or equivalent;
- Applicant shall complete the required hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall pass an examination administered through Pearson VUE;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall have completed 1,250 hours as a student in a duly registered school of cosmetology; or
- Applicant shall have been registered and served as an apprentice for at least 2,000 hours in a licensed cosmetology salon;
- Applicant must pass a theory examination;
- Upon passing the exam, Applicant must pay any required licensing fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. Cosmetologist licenses will have an expiration date of January 31st of either an odd-numbered or an even-numbered year. This will be specified on the license.
Apprenticeship Programs
All persons desiring to enter a program of apprenticeship in Pennsylvania must file an application for an apprentice permit and the permit must be issued by the Board before an apprentice may begin practicing in a licensed shop. To be an apprentice the following requirements must be met:
- Applicant must complete 2,000 hours of training;
- Applicant must be of good moral character;
- Applicant shall have completed the 10th grade or equivalent;
- Applicant shall be free from contagious or infectious diseases.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Licensing by Reciprocity is offered in Pennsylvania. In order to obtain a license based on having a current license in another State, Applicant must have had a license for at least 2 years within a State that has an understanding of reciprocity with Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania does NOT have an understanding of reciprocity with the following states: Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, or Utah.
Pennsylvania does NOT have an understanding of reciprocity with the following states: Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, or Utah.
The reciprocity list is subject to change at any time. It is advisable to contact the Pennsylvania State Board prior to submission.
Otherwise any applicant who wishes to obtain a cosmetology license must pass a theory examination.
Requirements for Examination:
- Hold a current, active cosmetology license in a state where Pennsylvania does not have an agreement of reciprocity;
- Provide a certification of their license from the state in which they are licensed on official letterhead bearing the state seal;
- Provide official Criminal History Records Information check with their application.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology teaching shall meet the following qualifications:
- • Applicant shall be at least 18 years old;
- Applicant has a current Cosmetology license;
- Applicant shall have completed a 12th grade education or equivalent;
- Applicant has completed 500 hours of specialized training;
- Applicant has passed the written examination;
- Applicant pays any required fees.
In order to instruct apprentices:
- Applicant must obtain a teacher’s license;
- Applicant shall be at least 23 years old;
- Applicant shall have had a minimum of 5 years of experience as a licensed cosmetologist in Pennsylvania.
Hair Stylists
Hairstylists are licensed under Cosmetology.
Barbers
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 years old;
- Applicant shall disclose and submit an official Criminal History Record Information check with their applications;
- Applicant shall have an 8th grade education or higher;
- Applicant shall complete the required hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall apply for and pass the examinations administered through Pearson VUE;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant must have completed a 1,250-hour course of instruction in barbering in a licensed school; or
- Applicant successfully completed a 1,250-hour course of instruction in a licensed barber shop under the supervision of a barber teacher;
- Applicant must pass a theory examination and a practical examination;
- Upon passing the exams, Applicant must pay any required licensing fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire April 30th of every evennumbered year.
Apprenticeship Programs
Students in barber shops must be instructed in accordance with the curriculum requirements outlined in the Pennsylvania Code. To be an apprentice the following requirements must be met:
- Applicant shall complete 1,250 hours of instruction in a licensed shop;
- Applicant shall be at least 16 years old;
- Applicant shall have completed the 8th grade or equivalent.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Licensing by Reciprocity is offered in Pennsylvania. To qualify for licensure based on holding a
current license in another State, Applicant must have a license from one of the following states:
California, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, New York, South
Carolina, South Dakota, and Virginia.
current license in another State, Applicant must have a license from one of the following states:
California, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, New York, South
Carolina, South Dakota, and Virginia.
The reciprocity list is subject to change at any time. It is advisable to contact the Pennsylvania State
Board prior to submission.
Otherwise any applicant who wishes to obtain a barber license must obtain their license through
endorsement and must pass a theory examination.
Requirements for Examination:
- Hold a current, active barber license in a state where Pennsylvania does not have an agreement of reciprocity;
- Provide a certification of their license from the state in which they are licensed on official letterhead bearing the state seal;
- Provide official Criminal History Records Information check with their application.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in barbering instruction shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant must pass a theory examination and a practical examination;
- Applicant shall be at least 23 years old;
- Applicant shall have 12th grade education or equivalent;
- Applicant must have successfully completed five years of experience as a licensed barber in a licensed shop in Pennsylvania ; or
- Applicant holds a current barber manager license and has trained for 1,250 hours under a licensed teacher in a licensed barber school as teacher trainee.
Estheticians
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to be an esthetician shall obtain a license in compliance with The Pennsylvania Code and shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 years old;
- Applicant shall disclose and submit an official Criminal History Record Information check with their applications;
- Applicant shall have completed a 10th grade education or equivalent;
- Applicant shall complete the required hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall pass an examination administered through Pearson VUE;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall have completed 300 hours as a student in a duly registered school of esthetics;
- Applicant must pass a theory examination through Pearson VUE;
- Upon passing the exam, Applicant must pay any required licensing fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire on January 31st of oddNumbered Years.
Apprenticeship Programs
There is no Esthetician Apprenticeship program in Pennsylvania. An Applicant’s education must be received in a Board approved school.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Licensing by Reciprocity is offered in Pennsylvania. In order to obtain a license based on having a current license in another State, Applicant must have had a license for at least 2 years within a State that has an understanding of reciprocity with Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania does NOT have an understanding of reciprocity with the following States: Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, or Utah.
Pennsylvania does NOT have an understanding of reciprocity with the following States: Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, or Utah.
The reciprocity list is subject to change at any time. It is advisable to contact the Pennsylvania State Board prior to submission.
Otherwise any applicant who wishes to obtain an esthetician license must pass a theory examination.
Requirements for Examination:
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in teaching esthetics shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 18 years old;
- Applicant has a current esthetics license;
- Applicant shall have completed a 12th grade education or equivalent;
- Applicant has completed 500 hours of specialized training;
- Applicant has passed the written examination;
- Applicant pays any required fees.
Nail Technicians/Manicurist
Licensing Requirements
Any individual wishing to be a nail technician shall obtain a license in compliance with The Pennsylvania Code and shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall be at least 16 years old;
- Applicant shall disclose and submit an official Criminal History Record Information check
with their applications; - Applicant shall have completed a 10th grade education or equivalent;
- Applicant shall complete the required hours of instruction;
- Applicant shall pass an examination administered through Pearson VUE;
- Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
- Applicant shall pay any required fees.
Exam Requirements
Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:
- Applicant shall have completed 200 hours as a student in a duly registered school of cosmetology;
- Applicant must pass a theory examination through Pearson VUE;
- Upon passing the exam, Applicant must pay any required licensing fees.
Continuing Education Requirements
There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire on January 31st of EvenNumbered Years.
Apprenticeship Programs
There is no nail technician apprenticeship program in Pennsylvania. An Applicant’s education must be received in a Board approved school.
License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements
Licensing by Reciprocity is offered in Pennsylvania. In order to obtain a license based on having a current license in another State, Applicant must have had a license for at least 2 years within a State that has an understanding of reciprocity with Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania does NOT have an understanding of reciprocity with the following States: Alabama, Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, or West Virginia.
Pennsylvania does NOT have an understanding of reciprocity with the following States: Alabama, Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, or West Virginia.
The reciprocity list is subject to change at any time. It is advisable to contact the Pennsylvania State Board prior to submission.
Otherwise any applicant who wishes to obtain a nail technician license must pass a theory examination.
Requirements for Examination:
- Hold a current, active nail technician license in a state where Pennsylvania does not have an agreement of reciprocity;
- Provide a certification of their license from the state in which they are licensed on official letterhead bearing the state seal;
- Provide official Criminal History Records Information check with their application.
Instructors
Any individual wishing to engage in nail technician teaching shall meet the following qualifications:
- Applicant shall be at least 18 years old;
- Applicant has a current nail technology license;
- Applicant shall have completed a 12th grade education or equivalent;
- Applicant has completed 500 hours of specialized training;
- Applicant has passed the written examination;
- Applicant pays any required fees.
Make-up Artists
Make-up Artists are licensed under Esthetics.
Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services
Mobile salons are not permitted in Pennsylvania.
High School Cosmetology Programs
There are no rules prohibiting high school students from enrolling in a Cosmetology program approved by the Board. The student is required to complete the same number of hours of instruction within as any other non-high school student. Vocational-technical schools can be licensed under the Public School Code in Pennsylvania to teach Cosmetology. Programs are offered on the high school level.
Additional Professions Licensed
- Massage Therapy
- Natural Hair Braiding
There are no licenses required for Tattooing and Body Piercing in Pennsylvania.