PA Cosmetology licensing

Pennsylvania cosmetology license requirements and exam prep

Confirm Pennsylvania cosmetology training hours, exam requirements, official board sources and the matching Cosmetology practice app.

At a glance

Pennsylvania Cosmetology facts

License type
Cosmetologist
School hours
1,250 hours
Written exam
Required
Practical exam
Not required
Exam vendor
Pearson VUE
Passing score
75 scaled score
Exam fees
Written $93
Renewal cycle
2 years
Minimum age
16
Education
10th grade or equivalent; waived for veterans and applicants 35 or older
Last verified
2026-08-01

Checked against 5 official sources on 2026-08-01. Every figure on this page links to the document it came from.

Application path

What to verify before you apply

  1. 1Confirm the license categoryState boards may use different names for the same career path.
  2. 2Verify training and exam eligibilityCheck hours, application order, fees, IDs and vendor rules from official sources.
  3. 3Practice once your path is clearUse the state-aware course app for written-exam practice and weak-area review.

Exam details

Written and practical exam notes

Written exam

Status
Required
Questions
135
Time limit
135 minutes
Passing score
75 scaled score
Fee
$93
Languages
English, Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese

Practical exam

Status
Not required

Pennsylvania does not require a hands-on practical examination for this license, so there is no practical time limit, score or fee to prepare for.

Renewal and transfer

Renewal
2 years
Renewal fee
$97
Continuing education
None required
Reciprocity
Case by case - the board compares your training and may require an exam

What it costs

License application
$26
Written exam
$93
Renewal every 2 years
$97
Reciprocity
$89

Fees are set by the state and the exam vendor and exclude school tuition.

Study path

How to use this Pennsylvania cosmetology guide

Verify the licensing path here, then use the course app for active recall, answer explanations, weak-area drills and timed written-exam practice.

  1. Confirm eligibilityFinish 1,250 approved training hours before relying on exam practice as your only preparation step. This record also has a sourced apprenticeship path of 2,000 hours.
  2. Prepare for the written examUse timed practice against the published written-exam structure: 135 scored questions, 135 minutes, passing standard 75 scaled score. The cited sources name Pearson VUE as the exam vendor.
  3. Focus the exam study loopPennsylvania does not require a practical exam for this license, so the course app can focus on written theory, explanations and timed drills.
  4. Start the matching practice appBegin with the free questions, then unlock full access when your exam date is close enough that you will use the 90-day study window.

High-yield written topics

  • Safety and infection controlDisinfection, blood exposure, EPA labels, SDS and salon sanitation rules.
  • Hair color and chemistryLevels, developers, patch tests, chemical reactions and product safety.
  • Haircutting and texture servicesElevation, guidelines, relaxers, perms, neutralizers and service steps.
  • Skin, nails and state lawBasic services outside hair plus scope, licensing and board-rule questions.
Practice Cosmetology questions

Official sources

Source links used for this guide

Pennsylvania in context

What these Pennsylvania cosmetology rules mean for you

Pennsylvania requires 1,250 training hours for a cosmetology license. Of the 51 jurisdictions tracked here, 10 ask for fewer hours and 39 ask for more, against a range of 1,000 to 2,000 hours and a median of 1,500. Hour requirements matter beyond school cost: a license earned in a low-hour state is often harder to transfer into a high-hour one.

Pennsylvania requires a written examination but no hands-on practical examination for this license, which is unusual and means your preparation is entirely theory-based. The examination is administered by Pearson VUE. The written exam has 135 questions with 135 minutes allowed. The published passing standard is 75 scaled score.

The Pennsylvania written exam is offered in English, Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese. If English is not your first language, confirm the language option when you book, because it is chosen at scheduling rather than on exam day.

Pennsylvania Cosmetology licensing questions

How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires 1,250 hours of approved training. That is more than 10 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 39.
How much does a Pennsylvania cosmetology license cost?
Before tuition, expect $26 for the license application and $93 for the written exam. That is $119 in state and vendor fees to get licensed.
Is there a practical exam for the Pennsylvania cosmetology license?
No. Pennsylvania does not require a hands-on practical examination for this license.
What languages is the Pennsylvania cosmetology written exam offered in?
It is offered in English, Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese.
How long is the Pennsylvania cosmetology written exam?
You are allowed 135 minutes for 135 questions.
How old do you have to be to get a cosmetology license in Pennsylvania?
You must be at least 16 years old. The education requirement is 10th grade or equivalent; waived for veterans and applicants 35 or older.
How often do you renew a Pennsylvania cosmetology license?
The renewal cycle is 2 years. The renewal fee is $97.
What does it cost to transfer an out-of-state license to Pennsylvania?
The licensure by reciprocity application fee is $89.

Verify before applying. Licensing rules, fees, providers, and exam formats can change. Use the linked board source as the final authority.

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