Pennsylvania licenses estheticians through the State Board of Cosmetology, a division of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) within the Pennsylvania Department of State. You need a Pennsylvania esthetician license to perform facials, skincare treatments, waxing, and other esthetic services for compensation anywhere in the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania requires just 300 training hours, making it one of the fastest and most affordable states in the country to get licensed.
Pennsylvania also stands out for requiring only a single computer-based exam (no separate practical exam), having zero continuing education requirements for license renewal, and offering multiple pathways for out-of-state licensees through both traditional reciprocity and Act 41 endorsement. Here is exactly how to do it.
Pennsylvania Esthetician License Requirements at a Glance
| Official License Title | Esthetician |
| Governing Agency | Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) |
| Governing Board | State Board of Cosmetology |
| Minimum Age | 16 years old |
| Education Prerequisite | 10th grade education or equivalent (waived if 35+ years old or a veteran) |
| Training Hours Required | 300 hours at a Board-licensed cosmetology school |
| State Board Exam | Combined theory/procedural skill exam (computer-based, single exam) |
| Application Fee | $26 (paid to Pearson VUE) |
| Exam Fee | $93 (paid to Pearson VUE) |
| Total Initial Cost | $119 |
| License Term | 2 years (expires January 31 of odd-numbered years) |
| Renewal Fee | $97 every 2 years |
| Continuing Education | None required |
| Apply Online | Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) |
| Exam Information | Pearson VUE – PA Cosmetology |
Step 1: Meet the Minimum Eligibility Requirements
To apply for a Pennsylvania esthetician license, you must be at least 16 years old and have completed a 10th grade education or its equivalent. There are two important exceptions: if you are 35 years of age or older, or if you are a military veteran, the 10th grade education requirement is waived entirely.
You will also need to complete a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) from the state police or equivalent agency for every state in which you have lived, worked, or completed professional training during the past five years. Reports must be dated within 180 days of your application. For Pennsylvania specifically, you can obtain your CHRC through Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH). A volunteer record check will not be accepted.
Pennsylvania’s criminal conviction review process was significantly reformed by Act 53 of 2020, which prohibits the Board from denying licensure based on considerations of “good moral character” or “crimes of moral turpitude.” Instead, the Board publishes a specific schedule of criminal offenses that may be grounds for denial, and evaluates each case individually based on the nature of the offense and its relationship to the profession.
Step 2: Complete 300 Hours at a Licensed School
You must complete a minimum of 300 hours of instruction in skin care at a school of cosmetology licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology. The curriculum covers facial massage and treatments, cosmetic preparation and application, antiseptics, tonics, lotions and creams for the face, removal of superfluous hair by tweezers, depilatories, and waxes, and dyeing of eyelashes and eyebrows.
Full-time students typically complete the 300 hours in about three to four months. Part-time students should expect approximately five months. Pennsylvania does not allow apprenticeships as a pathway to esthetician licensure. Additionally, students cannot practice on the public until they have completed at least 75 hours of instruction.
When selecting a school, verify that it holds a current license from the State Board of Cosmetology. The school must be licensed by the Board, though national accreditation (NACCAS, ACCSC, or ACCET) is not required for your hours to count toward licensure. You can verify school licensure through the PALS portal.
Early testing option: Pennsylvania allows students who have completed at least 250 of the required 300 hours to sit for the exam early. If you pass under early testing, your results will not be sent to the Board until your school submits the final transcript confirming completion of all 300 hours. This option lets you get the exam out of the way before graduation so you can start working sooner after finishing school. Pennsylvania’s 300-hour requirement is the second-lowest nationally. Compare training requirements across all states in our esthetician hours by state comparison.
Step 3: Pass the State Board Exam
After completing your training (or at least 250 hours for early testing candidates), you must pass the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology Written Examination for estheticians. This exam is administered by Pearson VUE using the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) format.
How to apply: The entire application process is now handled online through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). Create a PALS account, complete the Application for Professional Licensure by Examination, upload all required documents (including your school transcript/affidavit and CHRC reports), and pay the $26 non-refundable application fee. School transcripts are uploaded directly into PALS by the applicant and no longer need to be submitted separately by the school.
Exam fee: The exam fee is $93 (non-refundable), paid to Pearson VUE after you are approved to test. Do not send the exam fee with your initial application as this will cause processing delays.
Exam format: Pennsylvania is unique in that it does not require separate written and practical exams. Instead, you take a single combined theory/procedural skill exam consisting of 110 multiple-choice questions. The exam is divided into two sections: scientific concepts (55% of questions) and skin care services (45% of questions). You have 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete the exam. A minimum score of 75% is required to pass.
Scheduling: After the Board approves your application, you will receive an exam eligibility letter from PALS via email and a separate Authorization to Test (ATT) email from Pearson VUE within approximately 2 business days. The ATT will include instructions for scheduling your exam at home.pearsonvue.com/pa/cosmetology. You may schedule your exam up to one calendar day before your preferred test date, subject to availability. Exams must be scheduled at least 48 hours in advance. You have 12 months from your application authorization date to take the exam.
Testing locations: Exams are administered at Pearson VUE computer-based testing facilities throughout Pennsylvania, including locations in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and other cities. Testing is also available at four state correctional facilities.
Results: Pearson VUE provides your official examination results on the day of testing. You will know immediately whether you passed or failed when you check out and receive a printed score report.
Retake policy: If you fail, you must wait at least 24 hours before rescheduling. You will need to pay the $93 exam fee again. Pennsylvania allows unlimited retake attempts within your 12-month authorization period. However, if you pass one part of the exam but fail another, you must pass the failed portion within one year or retake the entire exam. If your license has been expired or in escrow for five or more years, you must retake and pass the exam before submitting a renewal application.
Step 4: Receive Your License
If you pass the exam, no further action is required from you. Pearson VUE reports your scores directly to the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology, and the Board will issue your esthetician license automatically. You should receive your license in the mail within 10 to 15 business days. If you have not received it within 10 business days, call Pearson VUE at 866-638-7502.
Temporary license: Pennsylvania issues temporary licenses to qualified examination applicants, allowing you to begin working while your application is processed. The temporary license is valid until your exam results are finalized.
Your esthetician license is classified as a “limited license” under Pennsylvania law, which means it authorizes you to perform esthetician services only. A holder of a cosmetologist license, by contrast, is qualified to perform the functions of a cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician, and natural hair braider without further licensure.
License Renewal
Pennsylvania esthetician licenses must be renewed every two years. Licenses expire on January 31 of odd-numbered years (for example, January 31, 2025, January 31, 2027). The Board will mail you a renewal notice approximately three months before your license expires. You can renew online through the PALS portal. The renewal fee is $97.
No continuing education required: Pennsylvania is one of the few states that does not require any continuing education hours for esthetician license renewal. There are no CE classes, no annual training mandates, and no documentation to submit. You simply pay the renewal fee and confirm your information.
Escrow option: If you stop practicing, you can request the Board to place your license in escrow rather than letting it expire. An escrowed license can be reactivated by submitting a written application and paying the current renewal fee. However, if your license has been in escrow or expired for five or more years, you must retake and pass the exam before reactivation.
Transferring a License to Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania offers two pathways for out-of-state estheticians: traditional reciprocity and Act 41 endorsement.
Reciprocity: If you hold a current esthetician license in another state and have at least two years of licensed work experience, you may qualify for licensure by reciprocity. Pennsylvania has reciprocal agreements with most states, with the notable exception of Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Utah. If your license was issued by one of these excluded states, you cannot apply through reciprocity and will need to take the Pennsylvania exam.
To apply by reciprocity, submit an employment certification showing at least two years of licensed work experience in the state where you hold a current license. You will also need CHRC reports for all states where you have lived, worked, or completed training in the past five years. The reciprocity/Act 41 application fee is $89. No exam is required for reciprocity applicants.
Act 41 endorsement: Act 41 of 2019, signed by Governor Wolf on July 2, 2019, created an additional pathway for out-of-state professionals. Under Act 41, all boards and commissions within Pennsylvania have authority to endorse licensees from other states, territories, or jurisdictions that have substantially equivalent licensing requirements. To qualify, your license must be active, in good standing, and free of disciplinary actions or criminal convictions. Act 41 endorsement may be available even if your state is not on the traditional reciprocity list, provided the Board determines your state’s requirements are substantially equivalent.
Military Service Members and Spouses
Pennsylvania has enacted comprehensive legislation to assist military families with professional licensing. Act 35 of 2022 provides several key benefits for service members, veterans, and their spouses.
Expedited review: Applications from service members, veterans, and military spouses receive expedited processing, with discretionary temporary licensure available during the review period.
Fee waivers: Initial licensure fees are waived for military spouses who must relocate as a result of a service member’s military orders.
Education waiver: If you have been actively practicing for at least two years prior to applying and pass all required exams, you may be eligible for licensure even if you do not meet the educational requirements. This is particularly helpful for service members or spouses who gained experience in other states with different training requirements.
Expired license reactivation: Service members can reactivate an expired license without penalty if the lapse coincided with a deployment, as long as reactivation is completed within one month of returning.
CE extensions: Service members receive continuing education extensions for up to six months following a deployment. While Pennsylvania currently has no CE requirements for estheticians, this provision applies to other Board-regulated licenses a dual-licensed professional might hold.
Education waiver for exam eligibility: Veterans and individuals 35 years of age or older are exempt from the 10th grade education requirement for the esthetician exam.
What Can You Do with a Pennsylvania Esthetician License?
A Pennsylvania esthetician license authorizes you to practice esthetics, which the Cosmetology Law defines as massaging the face, applying cosmetic preparations, antiseptics, tonics, lotions, or creams to the face, removing superfluous hair by tweezers, depilatories, or waxes, and dyeing eyelashes and eyebrows. You need a separate license for manicures and pedicures, as nail technology is regulated under a different limited license.
Prohibited services: Pennsylvania maintains clear boundaries on what falls outside the esthetician scope. The Board issued a formal consent agreement in November 2018 (case number 17-45-06196) confirming that microblading is outside the scope of cosmetology. Performing microblading within a cosmetology salon violates 49 Pa. Code Section 7.77, which prohibits the use of a salon for purposes other than cosmetology. Other services outside scope include microneedling, laser treatments, injectable treatments (Botox, fillers), and any procedure that constitutes the practice of medicine.
Salon restrictions: Under Section 7.77, a licensed cosmetology or esthetician salon cannot be used for any purpose other than cosmetology or esthetic services. Bureau inspectors routinely inspect salons for compliance with this regulation. Businesses offering services outside the cosmetology scope, such as microblading or tattooing, must maintain a separate physical location distinct from any licensed salon.
Career advancement: To advance into teaching, you can pursue a Limited Practice Teacher License in esthetics. This requires holding an active Pennsylvania esthetician license, completing 500 additional hours of teacher curriculum training at a licensed cosmetology school, and passing the Board’s teacher examinations. An esthetician license also counts for up to 160 hours of credit toward the 1,250 hours required for a full cosmetologist license, should you choose to expand your scope of practice.
Pennsylvania Esthetician Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median salary for skincare specialists was $41,560 per year ($19.98 per hour) as of May 2024. Overall, esthetician salaries ranged from about $27,160 to $77,330 nationally. Employment in the field is projected to grow 7% from 2024 to 2034, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
In Pennsylvania specifically, estheticians earn a median annual salary of approximately $43,920 ($21.12 per hour), which is above the national median. The Philadelphia metropolitan area is the highest-paying market in the state. Note that BLS data does not capture income from tips, commissions, or self-employment, all of which are common in the esthetics industry and can significantly increase total earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a licensed esthetician in Pennsylvania?
Most people complete the process in three to five months. Full-time esthetics programs (300 hours) typically take about three to four months. After graduation, the exam application and scheduling process adds a few more weeks. Pennsylvania allows students with at least 250 hours to take the exam early, which can shorten the timeline between graduation and licensure. Same-day results mean you will know immediately whether you passed.
Is there a practical exam in Pennsylvania?
No. As of November 14, 2014, Pennsylvania only requires a single combined theory/procedural skill exam, which is computer-based and consists of 110 multiple-choice questions. There is no separate hands-on practical exam. This makes Pennsylvania one of the simpler states for exam preparation.
Do I need continuing education to renew my license?
No. Pennsylvania has no continuing education requirement for esthetician license renewal. You simply pay the $97 renewal fee every two years by January 31 of odd-numbered years.
Can I transfer my license from Florida, New Jersey, or other excluded states?
Pennsylvania does not have reciprocal agreements with Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, or Utah. If your current license was issued by one of these states, you cannot apply through traditional reciprocity. However, you may still qualify under Act 41 endorsement if your state has substantially equivalent licensing requirements, or you can apply by examination. Contact the Board to discuss your options.
Is microblading legal for estheticians in Pennsylvania?
No. The Board formally confirmed in a 2018 consent agreement that microblading falls outside the scope of cosmetology. It cannot be performed within a licensed cosmetology or esthetician salon. Pennsylvania is one of only a few states with no separate regulatory framework for microblading, meaning the practice is currently unregulated at the state level but cannot be offered through a cosmetology-licensed business.
What is Act 100 of 2024?
Act 100, signed by Governor Josh Shapiro on October 16, 2024 and effective 60 days later, removed natural hair braiders from the Cosmetology Law entirely. Braiders no longer need a license, exam, or training hours to practice in Pennsylvania. This does not affect esthetician licensing, which remains unchanged. It does mean the Board’s regulatory scope was narrowed, now covering cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, and their teachers and salons.
What happens if my license has been expired for over 5 years?
If your esthetician license has been expired or in escrow for five or more years, you must retake and pass the exam before submitting a renewal application. This applies regardless of how long you were previously licensed.
For a comparison of esthetician licensing requirements across all states, including training hours, exam formats, fees, and reciprocity rules, see our complete esthetician licensing guide.
Official Resources
Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2649, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
Physical Address: 2525 N 7th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: 1 (833) DOS-BPOA (1-833-367-2762)
Fax: (717) 705-5540
Email: ST-COSMETOLOGY@pa.gov
Website: pa.gov – State Board of Cosmetology
Apply Online (PALS Portal):
Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS)
Exam Information and Scheduling:
Pearson VUE – PA Cosmetology and Barber
Phone: 1 (888) 511-5352 (Pearson VUE OHT Processing Office)
Customer Service: 1 (866) 638-7502
Candidate Handbook (PDF):
Pennsylvania Cosmetology Candidate Handbook
Esthetician Licensure Snapshot:
PA.gov – Esthetician Licensure Snapshot
Criminal History Records Check (PATCH):
Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History
License Verification:
PALS License Verification
Military and Veterans Licensure:
PA.gov – Military and Veterans Licensure
Act 41 of 2019 (License Portability):
PA.gov – Act 41 Information
Act 53 of 2020 (Criminal History in Licensing):
PA.gov – Act 53 Best Practices Guide
Act 100 of 2024 (Natural Hair Braider Deregulation):
PA General Assembly – Act 100 of 2024
Pennsylvania Code, Chapter 7 (Board Regulations):
49 Pa. Code Chapter 7 – State Board of Cosmetology
Cosmetology Law (Act 86 of 1933, as amended):
Pennsylvania Cosmetology Law (PDF)