pennsylvania licensing requirements
Required Hours:
Cosmetologist: 1250 Hours (2000 Apprentice)
Cosmetician: 300 Hours
Manicurist: 200 Hours
Reciprocity: To qualify for licensure by reciprocity, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must have a current (not expired and not inactive) license in a State with which
Pennsylvania has an understanding of reciprocity for your specific licensure classification.
- You must have at least two (2) years of licensed employment experience.
- FEE: Attach a check or money order, payable to “Commonwealth of PA”, in the amount of $20.00. DO NOT SEND CASH. The required fee is a processing fee and is non-refundable. This fee is required regardless of issuance of a license. A processing fee of $20.00 will be assessed for any check or money order returned unpaid by your bank, regardless of the
reason for non-payment. - PROOF OF LICENSURE AND LICENSED WORK EXPERIENCE: You must request the state licensing agency where you are currently licensed, to send a certification of your license direct to this office. The state seal must be affixed and the certification must be currently dated
(within 30 days of the receipt of your application). The certification must include license type, date of licensure, licensure expiration date and disciplinary actions taken against your license. Certifications will not be maintained in the board office beyond the allowable 30 days. Certifications received from any source other than the state licensing agency will not be accepted. The certification from your state’s licensing authority is the only acceptable proof of licensure document -- your license, a copy of your license or any other document will not be accepted.
To obtain a license by reciprocity, you must submit this application and all required documents. If you are not currently licensed in a State with which Pennsylvania has an understanding of reciprocity, or if you do not have the required working experience, you must qualify for and successfully complete the appropriate licensing examination (theory and practical portions) to obtain a Pennsylvania license. If you do not qualify for licensure by reciprocity, contact the Exam Administrator PCS for an examination application at 1-888-822-3272 or www.pcshq.com.
Download the Application Form (.pdf)
For further info:
Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
Phone: (717) 783-7130
Fax: (717) 705-5540
Written Provider: NIC
Practical Provider: NIC
Practical Exam Required: Yes
Renewal: $35 biennially
