How do I renew my expired Pennsylvania cosmetology license?

You must meet the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology's education requirements to receive a certificate in cosmetology, esthetics, or nail technology in the state of Pennsylvania. You must attend a licensed school and complete the state of Pennsylvania's minimum mandatory training hours to obtain a Pennsylvania cosmetology license or another beauty practitioner certification. After that, you must pass the state's cosmetology board exams to obtain your license.

Apprenticeship is permitted in Pennsylvania as a means of receiving cosmetology training hours. Pennsylvania's board exams are administered by a third-party company. Boards in cosmetology, esthetics and nail technology are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean. Instructor boards for cosmetology are only available in English.

Pennsylvania is one of the states that currently have no continuing education requirements for licensees or those who renew their licenses. Please contact the Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology directly with any specific questions.

Renewal of a Pennsylvania Cosmetology License

In Pennsylvania, cosmetology licenses must be renewed every two years. Renewal fees for practitioner licenses are $67, and renewal fees for cosmetology instructor licenses are $105. While continuing education hours are not needed to renew cosmetology licenses in Pennsylvania, they are still beneficial to remain current in the industry.

PA State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information

Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology

One Penn Center, 2601 North 3rd Street

PO Box 2649

Harrisburg, PA 17110

Phone Number: 717-783-7130

Fax Number: 717-705-5540

E-mail Address: [email protected]

The Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology will assist you in replacing a lost cosmetology license, obtaining out-of-state licenses, and answering questions about obtaining a Pennsylvania license.

If your license is expired

Please visit www.pals.pa.gov to reactivate your license if it has been expired for less than 5 years. After logging into PALS, scroll down until you see your license number. A green pencil icon appears to the left of your license number. A pop-up window will appear when you click on the green pencil.

The word "reactivate" will appear; press it and follow the instructions to reactivate your license. Only credit or debit cards are accepted for payment. Your license will be mailed to you after it has been successfully reactivated. Please keep a current mailing address so that your license is not returned to the Board. Wait for seven to ten business days for your renewed license to arrive by mail.

The Cosmetology Law states that if your license has been expired for more than 5 years, you must retake the test in order to reactivate it. Please request a reinstatement application from Dasher, Inc. by calling 1-866-474-1148 or emailing [email protected]. All exam applications are processed by Dasher, Inc. for the exam administrator, Pearson VUE. Please visit www.dos.pa.gov/cosmet to view a copy of the Law and Regulations.

Licenses that Expire on January 31st of Odd-Numbered Years

Cosmetology Salon

​$114.00

Cosmetologist

​$67.00

Esthetician

​$67.00

Natural Hair Braider

​$67.00

Esthetician Teacher

​$105.00

​Nail Technology Teacher

​$105.00

​Natural Hair Braider Teacher

​$105.00

​Nail Technology Salon

​$114.00

Esthetician Salon

​$114.00

Natural Hair Braiding Salon

​$114.00

Licenses that Expire on January 31st of Even-Numbered Years

Nail Technician

​$67.00

Cosmetologist

​$67.00

​Cosmetology School

​$285.00

​Cosmetology Teacher

$105.00

Licenses for cosmetologists will expire on January 31st in either an odd-numbered or even-numbered year. Please check your license to see when it expires.

Reciprocity (Transfer) of Cosmetology Licenses in Pennsylvania

The majority of states recognize Pennsylvania's beauty practitioner license, but Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, New Mexico, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Utah do not. South Carolina, Alabama, and West Virginia do not recognize nail technician licenses. The cost of transferring your license to Pennsylvania is $60.