How to Become a Cosmetologist in Pennsylvania

Checked against Pennsylvania Department of State, State Board of Cosmetology · Verified 2026-10-17

Exam: Required
Training: Required
Term: 2 years
State fee: $26 initial cosmetologist license fee (49 Pa. Code 7.2, effective July 1, 2024).
Licensed by: Pennsylvania Department of State, State Board of Cosmetology

Take the free cosmetology practice test →

Who can apply

You must be at least 16 years old (49 Pa. Code 7.32d).
You must have a 10th-grade education or equivalent, or training through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. This does not apply to veterans or applicants age 35 or older.
You must complete 1,250 hours at a licensed school of cosmetology (over at least 8 months as a day student or 15 months as a night student), or 2,000 hours in a Board-approved apprentice program.
Your exam application must include a physician's certification that you are free from contagious, communicable or infectious diseases (49 Pa. Code 7.32a).

Step by step

Complete 1,250 hours of cosmetology instruction at a Board-licensed school (or 2,000 apprentice hours).
Get a criminal history records check for every state where you lived, worked or trained in the past five years, dated within 180 days of applying (for Pennsylvania, use PATCH; volunteer checks are not accepted).
Apply on PALS (pals.pa.gov) with your school code and the $26 license fee.
Schedule and take the computer-based Theory/Procedural Skills exam through Pearson VUE ($93). You may test early after 900 hours.
If you tested early, upload your school's Final Affidavit and Final Transcript to PALS; the license is not issued until they are received.
Receive your license and display it where you work.

Official application →

Training and exam

Training: Pennsylvania requires at least 1,250 hours in the cosmetology curriculum at a licensed school of cosmetology, completed over at least 8 consecutive months (day students) or 15 consecutive months (night students). Alternatively, you can complete 2,000 hours in a Board-approved cosmetology apprentice program, working at least 25 hours a week (49 Pa. Code 7.32d, 7.136). Licensed estheticians get up to 160 hours of credit and nail technicians up to 100 hours toward the 1,250.

Exam: Pennsylvania's cosmetology exam is a single computer-based Theory/Procedural Skills exam of multiple-choice questions, scheduled through Pearson VUE; there is no hands-on practical exam. It is offered in English, Korean, Spanish and Vietnamese. The exam fee is $93 for first attempts and retakes (nonrefundable). You may test early after completing 900 hours, but the license is not issued until your final transcript showing all required hours is received.

Practice for the cosmetology written exam free — infection control, hair care, chemical services, skin and nails →

What it costs in Pennsylvania

Fixed amounts are set by the state. Items marked “your quote” are priced by private sellers, so enter what you’re quoted.

Cosmetology school tuition (1,250 hours)$
Theory/Procedural Skills exam (Pearson VUE)$93
Criminal history records check$
Initial cosmetologist license$26

Estimated total in Pennsylvania$119Plus 2 items with no state-set price. Add your quotes above to complete the total.

Cost details from the state

Exam fee paid to Pearson VUE: $93 per attempt (first time or retake).
Criminal history records check(s): fee set by each state agency.
Physician's certification: cost set by the provider.
Apprentice registration: $79. Certification of student or apprentice training hours: $58.
School tuition varies by school.

Pay in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania adds a local income tax on top of the state rate, so look up the local rate for your area before you budget.

Keeping your license

Renewal: Licenses expire every two years on January 31 (of an odd- or even-numbered year, depending on your license). Renewal costs $97 (49 Pa. Code 7.2). If you do not renew on time, your license becomes unregistered and you may not practice; practicing while unregistered carries a $5 penalty for each month or part of a month, plus possible discipline (49 Pa. Code 7.43). A license expired less than 5 years can be reactivated on PALS; after more than 5 years you must retake the exam. There is no continuing education requirement for cosmetologists.

Good to know in Pennsylvania

Licensed in another state: You can get a license by reciprocity without an exam if you hold a current license from a state Pennsylvania has reciprocity with and have at least two years of licensed work experience (employers complete an Employers' Certification). Pennsylvania has reciprocity with every state except Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Utah. The reciprocity fee is $89.

Temporary license: If you are eligible for the exam and pay the exam and license fees, you may get a temporary license valid for 9 months. You must practice under the supervision of a licensed cosmetology teacher or cosmetologist (49 Pa. Code 7.32g).

Out-of-state school hours: If you trained at a school outside Pennsylvania, use school code CS00000 on your PALS application.

Scope limits: The Board has ruled that permanent makeup, microblading, dermaplaning, microneedling, Botox and fillers are outside the scope of cosmetology and may not be done in a cosmetology salon. Since Act 100 of 2024, natural hair braiders no longer need a license.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change — confirm with Pennsylvania Department of State, State Board of Cosmetology before you apply.