Barber License in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania licenses barbers through the State Board of Barber Examiners under the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA), part of the Pennsylvania Department of State. Pennsylvania is one of the states that maintains a separate licensing board specifically for barbers, distinct from its Board of Cosmetology. You need a Pennsylvania barber license to legally perform hair cutting, shaving, beard grooming, and other barbering services for compensation anywhere in the state.

Pennsylvania requires 1,250 hours of approved training plus both a written theory exam and a hands-on practical exam administered through Pearson VUE. The total cost including exams and license application is approximately $173. Most people complete the full process in 9 to 14 months. Here is exactly how to do it.

Pennsylvania Barber License Requirements at a Glance

Governing Agency	State Board of Barber Examiners, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA)
Minimum Age	16 years old
Education Prerequisite	8th grade completion or equivalent
Training Hours Required	1,250 hours at a licensed barber school or barber shop
Apprenticeship Available?	Yes — 1,250 hours of shop training under a licensed manager-barber or barber teacher
State Board Exam	Written theory exam + practical exam (Pearson VUE)
Passing Score	75% (theory)
Exam Fees	$140 ($63 theory + $77 practical, paid to Pearson VUE)
License Application Fee	$33
Total Initial Cost	~$173 (excluding tuition)
Renewal Cycle	Every 2 years (expires April 30 of even-numbered years)
Renewal Fee	$184
Continuing Education	None required
Apply Online	PALS — Pennsylvania Licensing System

Recent Changes to Pennsylvania Barber Licensing (2024)

Act 66 of 2024 — Barber-Teacher Reform (Signed July 17, 2024; implemented September 27, 2024): This law, passed unanimously (203-0 in the House, 49-0 in the Senate), addresses a shortage of barber teachers in Pennsylvania. Key changes include reducing barber-teacher training from 1,250 to 500 hours, lowering the minimum age for the barber-teacher exam from 23 to 18, and allowing individuals with both active PA cosmetology and barber licenses to obtain a barber-teacher license by completing either teacher training program. Act 66 does not change the 1,250-hour requirement for a standard barber license.

Fee Schedule Update (Effective July 1, 2024): Updated fees took effect across all barber license categories, including the $184 biennial renewal fee for barbers.

Quarterly Hour Reporting (Effective Q2 2024): Barber students must now submit quarterly hour reports through their PALS accounts associated with their shop or school.

Step 1: Meet the Minimum Eligibility Requirements

To pursue a Pennsylvania barber license, you must meet the following requirements:

Age: At least 16 years old (proof required via driver’s license, state-issued ID, passport, visa, or birth certificate)
Education: 8th grade completion or equivalent. If you cannot provide evidence of 8th grade completion, you must pass an elementary education exam administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Pennsylvania’s 8th grade education requirement is notably lower than many states. No high school diploma or GED is required.

If you are deciding between barbering and cosmetology in Pennsylvania, both require 1,250 training hours, but barbering emphasizes shaving and razor work while cosmetology covers hair, skin, and nails. For a full comparison, see our Barber vs Cosmetology License guide.

Step 2: Complete 1,250 Hours of Barber Training

You must complete 1,250 hours of barbering instruction within a minimum period of 9 months. Pennsylvania allows two training pathways:

Option 1: Licensed Barber School
Complete your hours at a school licensed by the State Board of Barber Examiners under a licensed barber teacher.

Option 2: Shop Training (Apprenticeship)
Complete your hours in a licensed barber shop under the supervision of a licensed manager-barber or barber teacher. The same curriculum and hour requirements apply.

Both pathways limit students to a maximum of 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.

The curriculum must cover these subject areas per 49 Pa. Code Section 3.71:

Subject Area	Hours
Haircutting, hairstyling, and hairpieces	535
Shaving and straight razor use	240
Scalp/skin disease	50
State barber law and regulations	50
Physiology	50
Sterilization and sanitation	50
Manager-barber instructions and shop management	50
Honing and stropping	25
Shampoo and scalp massages	25
Hair coloring	25
Massaging (facials)	25
Hairwaving, curling, straightening	25
Hygiene	25
Bacteriology	25
Electricity applications	25
Professional ethics and demeanor	25
Total	1,250

Required Practical Operations: During training, students must complete a minimum of 550 practical operations: 200 haircuts, 150 shaves, 50 permanent waves, 50 colors, 50 facials, and 50 shampoos.

Crossover from Cosmetology: Licensed Pennsylvania cosmetologists receive 555 hours of credit toward the 1,250-hour barber requirement and must complete 695 additional hours in barber-specific subjects including shaving, honing, and stropping.

Pennsylvania’s 1,250-hour requirement is near the national average. See how all states compare in our barber license requirements by state guide.

Step 3: Pass the Written and Practical Exams

After completing your training hours, you must pass both a written theory exam and a practical exam. Pennsylvania uses its own state-specific examinations administered through Pearson VUE.

To register, schedule through Pearson VUE or call 866-638-7502. You may take either exam first. Exam fees: $63 for the theory exam and $77 for the practical exam, plus a $33 application fee ($173 total).

Theory Exam

Format: Computer-based, multiple-choice
Questions: 130 total (110 scored + 20 unscored pretest items)
Time Limit: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Passing Score: 75%
Content Areas: Barbers’ License Law, barber practice, barber science, sanitation, health, hygiene, physiology, shop equipment
Scheduling: Must schedule at least 2 calendar days in advance

Practical Exam

Format: Hands-on demonstration
Time Limit: Approximately 1.5 hours
Skills Tested: Haircutting, permanent waving, hair coloring, shaving, honing, and stropping
Scheduling: Must schedule at least 5 calendar days in advance

Retake Policy: If you fail either portion, you can retake that portion within one year. If you do not pass both portions within one year, you must retake both exams. Full exam fee required each time.

Temporary Student License: After completing your training, you may receive a 9-month temporary student license that allows you to practice under the supervision of a licensed manager-barber while awaiting your exam.

Step 4: Apply for Your License

Once you have passed both exams, your license application is processed through PALS (Pennsylvania Licensing System). You must verify your identity and submit any required documentation, including Criminal History Records Checks from every state of residence in the past 5 years (reports must be dated within 180 days of application).

Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks after all documents are received. Once approved, you can verify and manage your license through PALS.

Pennsylvania Barber License Fees Summary

Fee Type	Amount	Paid To
Application Fee	$33	Pearson VUE
Theory Exam	$63	Pearson VUE
Practical Exam	$77	Pearson VUE
Total Initial Cost	$173
Biennial Renewal	$184	BPOA (via PALS)
Late Renewal Penalty	$5/month	BPOA
Reciprocity Application	$65	BPOA (via PALS)
License Verification	$22	BPOA

License Renewal

Pennsylvania barber licenses expire every two years on April 30 of even-numbered years. The current renewal period runs through April 30, 2026. The renewal fee is $184.

You can renew online through PALS.

Pennsylvania does not require continuing education for barber license renewal. You simply pay the renewal fee, update your information, and submit any required documentation.

If your license expires: A $5 per month late penalty applies. If your license has been expired for 5 or more years, you must pass a practical examination and pay back fees to reinstate.

Escrow: If you stop practicing, you may place your license in escrow for up to 5 years without paying renewal fees during the inactive period. Reactivation requires payment of the current renewal fee.

Transferring an Out-of-State Barber License to Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania offers three pathways for out-of-state barbers:

Reciprocity (12 States)

Pennsylvania has reciprocity agreements with the following states: California, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Virginia.

Must hold a current, non-expired license from a reciprocal state
Submit a Letter of Good Standing from all states where you have been licensed
Provide Criminal History Records Checks
No practical exam required
Application fee: $65

If you are transferring from New York, the process is straightforward since New York is on the reciprocity list.

Endorsement by Examination (Non-Reciprocal States)

Barbers from states not on the reciprocity list must pass only the theory exam (no practical exam required). You must complete the exam within one year of application and provide a Letter of Good Standing from your licensing state.

Act 41 of 2019 Endorsement

For applicants whose state does not qualify for reciprocity or standard endorsement, applications are reviewed case-by-case by the Board. You must hold the same or similar license from a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent requirements. The Board may issue a provisional license while additional requirements are fulfilled. Board meetings for review occur every 8 to 12 weeks.

If you hold an Ohio barber license, note that Ohio is not on Pennsylvania’s reciprocity list, so you would apply through endorsement by examination or Act 41.

Military Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses

Pennsylvania provides significant licensing accommodations for military-connected applicants through Act 35 of 2022 and Act 23 of 2015:

Expedited Processing: The Board must issue a license to a qualified service member, veteran, or military spouse within 15 business days after receiving a completed application
Temporary Licensure: Discretionary temporary licensure available during the application process
Fee Waivers: Initial licensure fee waivers for military spouses who relocate due to military orders
Education Waiver: Licensure may be issued without meeting educational requirements if the applicant has engaged in active practice for at least 2 years and passes required exams
License Reactivation: Service members may reactivate an expired license without penalty if expiration coincided with deployment, completed within one month of returning
Military Experience Consideration: The Board must consider acquired military experience when determining licensure qualifications
Surviving Spouse Coverage: Unmarried spouses of deceased service members are eligible within one year of the service member’s death

For more information, visit the PA Department of State Military Licensure page.

What Can You Do with a Pennsylvania Barber License?

A Pennsylvania barber license authorizes you to perform:

All hair cutting, trimming, and tapering services
Shaving and beard grooming (including straight razor shaves)
Shampooing and scalp treatments
Hair coloring and chemical services (permanent waving, straightening)
Facial massages
Styling and finishing services

Barbers in Pennsylvania must work in a licensed establishment. If you want to open your own barbershop, you need a separate barber shop license from the Board ($160 application fee).

Mobile barbershops are not permitted in Pennsylvania. Services performed outside established shops are regulated under 49 Pa. Code Section 3.61.

Barber vs. Cosmetologist scope in Pennsylvania: Both barbers and cosmetologists require 1,250 training hours, but they are governed by different boards. Barbers specialize in cutting, shaving, and men’s grooming. Cosmetologists cover hair, skin, and nails. Licensed cosmetologists can obtain a barber license by completing 695 additional hours. For a detailed comparison, see our barber vs. cosmetology license guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a barber license in Pennsylvania?

Most people complete the process in 9 to 14 months. The 1,250-hour training program must be completed over a minimum of 9 months. After completing training, exam scheduling and license processing add another 4 to 6 weeks.

How much does it cost to get a barber license in Pennsylvania?

The total licensing cost (excluding school tuition) is approximately $173: $33 application fee, $63 theory exam fee, and $77 practical exam fee, all paid to Pearson VUE. Tuition at Pennsylvania barber schools varies by program.

Does Pennsylvania require continuing education to renew a barber license?

No. Pennsylvania does not require any continuing education hours for barber license renewal. You pay the $184 renewal fee every two years by April 30 of even-numbered years.

Can I transfer my out-of-state barber license to Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania has reciprocity agreements with 12 states: California, Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Virginia. Barbers from non-reciprocal states can apply by endorsement (theory exam only required) or through Act 41 case-by-case review.

Can I learn barbering through an apprenticeship in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania allows the full 1,250 hours to be completed through shop training in a licensed barber shop under the supervision of a licensed manager-barber or barber teacher. The same curriculum and hour requirements apply as school-based training.

Can a cosmetologist become a barber in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Licensed Pennsylvania cosmetologists receive 555 hours of credit toward the 1,250-hour barber requirement and must complete 695 additional hours in barber-specific subjects including shaving, honing, and stropping.

What is the difference between a barber and a cosmetologist in Pennsylvania?

Both require 1,250 training hours but are regulated by different boards. Barbers are governed by the Board of Barber Examiners and specialize in hair cutting, shaving, and beard grooming. Cosmetologists are governed by the Board of Cosmetology and cover hair, skin, and nail services. Barbers must pass both a theory and practical exam; cosmetologists take a theory exam only.

How do I check the status of my Pennsylvania barber license?

Use the license verification tool on PALS (Pennsylvania Licensing System). You can search for any licensed professional by name or license number.

Official Resources

State Board of Barber Examiners
Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA)
P.O. Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
Phone: 1-833-DOS-BPOA (1-833-367-2762)
Email: RA-BARBER@pa.gov
Website: PA State Board of Barber Examiners

Apply for a License:
PALS — Pennsylvania Licensing System

Exam Registration (Pearson VUE):
Pearson VUE — PA Barber Exam
Phone: 866-638-7502

Fee Schedule:
49 Pa. Code Section 3.103 — Fee Schedule

Military and Veterans Licensure:
PA Department of State Military Licensure