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Cosmetologist
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology - Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
Renewal Cycle
Gov. Fees
Get the Pennsylvania Cosmetologist Roadmap — every step, fee, and deadline mapped out. — every step mapped out.
Get the Roadmap — $20Application Fee
$26
Initial cosmetologist application fee
Exam Fee
$186
Combined written and practical exam fee paid to Pearson VUE
License Fee
Included in application fee
The $26 application fee covers the initial license issuance
Education / Training Cost
$8,000–$22,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Pennsylvania requires 1,250 hours, and program costs vary widely. Apprenticeship may be a lower-cost alternative.
Renewal Fee
$97
Every 2 years
CE Required
Not required
No continuing education needed for renewal
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Renewal Fee
$97
Complete 1,250 hours of training at a PA-licensed cosmetology school (minimum 8 consecutive months) or 2,000 hours in an approved apprenticeship
Obtain Criminal History Records Checks (CHRC) from all states lived/worked/trained in during past 5 years
Submit application and $26 fee to the State Board of Cosmetology
Receive Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE
Schedule and pass written exam (110 questions, 75% passing score) through Pearson VUE ($186 exam fee)
Schedule and pass practical exam (75% passing score) through Pearson VUE
Receive your cosmetology license (processing typically 2-4 weeks)
Minimum Age
Varies
Education Level
Completion of 10th grade or equivalent
Residency
No residency requirement; reciprocity available with most states
Background Check
Applicants must provide a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) from the state police or other agency for every state in which they have lived, worked, or completed professional training in the past 5 years. Reports must be dated within 180 days of application submission.
Not sure if you need a cosmetology license? Check whether your state requires one.
Total Training Hours
1,250 hours
Cosmetology school or apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Alternative
Not availableOnline Hours Allowed
Not specified
Curriculum Includes
See our picks for the best cosmetology programs in Pennsylvania.
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The practice of cosmetology includes the embellishment, cleanliness, and beautification of the human hair, such as arranging, braiding, dressing, curling, waving, permanent waving, cleansing, cutting, singeing, bleaching, coloring, pressing, or similar work thereon and thereabout.
Pennsylvania Cosmetology Theory/Procedural Examination
110 multiple-choice questions covering cosmetology theory, safety, and Pennsylvania state law. Scheduled through Pearson VUE after receiving Authorization to Test (ATT).
Pennsylvania Cosmetology Practical Examination
Hands-on demonstration of cosmetology skills. Must score at least 75% on both written and practical exams.
Ready to pass the Cosmetology State Board Exam?
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Didn't pass on your first try? Read our guide on what to do if you fail the cosmetology state board exam.
Overall licensing difficulty: 32/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Cosmetology State Board Exam
Browse study guides
Cosmetology Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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Pennsylvania Cosmetology Theory/Procedural Examination
Questions
110 questions
Passing Score
75%
Administered By
Pearson VUE
Cost of failing
Retake fee: Included in $186 exam feeInvest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Pennsylvania Cosmetology Theory/Procedural Examination.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — National Cosmetology Written Examination
Prepare for your National Cosmetology Written Examination with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, online courses, and practice tests.
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Initial cosmetologist application fee | |
Exam Fee Combined written and practical exam fee paid to Pearson VUE | |
License Fee The $26 application fee covers the initial license issuance | |
Total Government Fees Application fee ($26) + exam fee ($186) |
Cosmetology School Tuition: $8,000–$22,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee. Pennsylvania requires 1,250 hours, and program costs vary widely. Apprenticeship may be a lower-cost alternative.
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
Initial License Term
2 years (expires January 31 of even-numbered years)
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Renewal Fee
$97
Continuing Education
Not required
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our cosmetology license renewal guide.
Pennsylvania has reciprocal agreements with most states. Applicants must hold a current, active license and have at least 2 years of licensed work experience.
Additional Requirements: Reciprocity is NOT available with Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Utah. Applicants from those states must apply through the standard examination pathway.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Pennsylvania with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Skin care, facials, and related services
Manicures, pedicures, and nail services
Hair cutting, shaving, and barbering services
Pennsylvania requires Criminal History Records Checks from every state where the applicant has lived, worked, or trained in the past 5 years, which is more extensive than most states. The state also has specific reciprocity exclusions for 8 states. The combined exam fee of $186 (via Pearson VUE) is one of the highest in the nation.
Pennsylvania requires 1,250 hours of training, which is above the national average.
School training must be completed in not less than 8 consecutive months as a day-time student.
A 2,000-hour apprenticeship alternative is available (21-month permit).
Criminal History Records Checks are required from all states of residence, work, or training in the past 5 years.
Biennial renewal fees were increased beginning with the February 1, 2025 - January 31, 2027 renewal period.
Reciprocity is not available with 8 specific states (CT, CO, FL, HI, NJ, NM, RI, UT).
Cosmetologist Schools in Pennsylvania
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Cosmetologist requirements in nearby states
See how Pennsylvania compares: Cosmetologist License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Transferring Your License?
Compare cosmetologist requirements across all states →
Cosmetologist licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure cosmetologist is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Pennsylvania compare to other states for cosmetologist? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your cosmetologist license →
Study guides and practice tests for the cosmetology licensing exam.
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Other professional licenses in Pennsylvania
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Official Sources
Cosmetologist requirements in Pennsylvania verified against Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology - Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, April 2026.
2,000-hour apprenticeship alternative
Accessed 2026-02-24
Reciprocity application and excluded states
Accessed 2026-02-24
Moving to Pennsylvania? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Cosmetologist license to Pennsylvania →
Transfer your Cosmetologist license from Pennsylvania to: Delaware → | Maryland → | New Jersey → | New York → | Ohio → | West Virginia →