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Pennsylvania requires fewer hours than most states at 1,250, uses Pearson VUE for both written and practical exams, and doesn't require CE for renewal. Here's the full breakdown for 2026.
1,250
Training Hours
75%
Passing Score
$97
Renewal Fee
No CE
Required
Pennsylvania's State Board of Cosmetology operates under the Department of State's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA). Pennsylvania stands out for a couple of reasons: you need only 1,250 training hours (250 fewer than most states), and once you're licensed, you can renew every two years without completing any continuing education hours.
The licensing exams are state-specific, not NIC, and are administered by Pearson VUE. The written portion has 110 questions, and a separate practical exam tests hands-on skills. Both require a 75% score. The total cost to sit both exams runs around $186 through Pearson VUE, plus a $26 Board application fee.
You must be at least 16 years old to apply. Pennsylvania requires completion of 10th grade (or the equivalent) as its education baseline, which is consistent with most neighboring states. You do not need a high school diploma, just proof that you have completed at least 10 years of formal education.
Enroll in a Pennsylvania State Board-licensed cosmetology school. Day students must complete the program in no less than 8 consecutive months; night students have at least 15 months. The Board caps weekly hours at 40. Your school will track your hours and provide the documentation needed for your license application.
Apply to the PA State Board of Cosmetology through the Department of State's online portal. The application fee is $26. The Board will review your school records and issue an Authorization to Test (ATT). You use the ATT to schedule your exams with Pearson VUE.
Schedule and pass the 110-question written exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. Major testing locations include Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, and Harrisburg. The exam covers theory, safety protocols, and Pennsylvania state law. A 75% score is required. The fee is $93, paid to Pearson VUE when you schedule.
Schedule and pass the practical hands-on exam, also through Pearson VUE at $93. You will perform cosmetology services on a live model and be evaluated on technique, sanitation, and safety. The Pearson VUE candidate handbook for Pennsylvania specifies exactly which tasks are tested. Score 75% or higher to pass.
After passing both exams, the Board issues instructions to pay the initial license issuance fee (approximately $67). Once paid, your Pennsylvania cosmetology license is issued. You can then legally work in any Pennsylvania-licensed salon. Your first renewal will come up two years from the date your license was issued.
Pennsylvania's exams are state-developed and administered exclusively by Pearson VUE. The written exam tests theory and PA-specific state law. The practical exam is scored on a performance rubric. Both must be passed before the Board will issue your license.
110 multiple-choice questions covering cosmetology theory, chemical services, skin care, nail care, sanitation, and Pennsylvania state law and regulations. You need a 75% to pass. The exam is computer-based at Pearson VUE testing centers. The $93 fee is paid when you schedule through Pearson VUE after receiving your ATT from the Board.
Hands-on performance exam administered by Pearson VUE at $93. You perform required cosmetology tasks on a live model while an examiner scores each procedure. Tasks include haircutting, chemical services, sanitation setup, and client preparation. A 75% score is required. Bring your own tools, supplies, and model to the exam site.
Pearson VUE publishes a Pennsylvania Cosmetology Candidate Handbook that details exactly which tasks are evaluated on the practical exam, what equipment to bring, and how scoring works. Download it from the Pearson VUE website before you start studying so you know precisely what is expected. The February 2026 edition is the current version.
Pennsylvania makes renewal straightforward. Licenses renew every 2 years, and there are no continuing education hours required. You just pay the renewal fee and submit through the Department of State portal before your January 31st expiration date.
Pennsylvania is one of the few states that does not require continuing education for cosmetology license renewal. This saves you both time and money. That said, many Pennsylvania cosmetologists choose to pursue CE voluntarily to stay current with techniques and trends.
The biennial renewal fee is approximately $97 for the current renewal period, up from the previous $82. Renewal is processed through the PA Department of State's online portal at pa.gov. Licenses expire January 31st every two years. Missing the deadline requires a reinstatement process with additional fees.
PA cosmetology licenses expire January 31st, but not all on the same year. Your license expires on January 31st of either an odd or even year depending on when you were first licensed. Double-check your specific expiration date on your current license card or through the PA Licensure System (PALS) at pa.gov.
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