All states · Pennsylvania
Licensing in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, professional licenses are issued by state boards under the Department of State: separate boards for cosmetology, barbers, massage and nursing. The state does not license construction contractors — they register with the Attorney General, and electricians and plumbers are licensed by cities.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,250 hours | Theory and practical | Every 2 years | — |
| Barber | 1,250 hours | Theory and practical | Every 2 years | — |
| Esthetician | 300 hours | Theory and practical | Every 2 years | — |
| Nail Technician | 200 hours | Theory and practical | Every 2 years | — |
| Natural Hair Braider | 300 hours | Theory and practical | Every 2 years | — |
- Beauty licenses are issued by the State Board of Cosmetology, barber licenses by the State Board of Barber Examiners.
- You can also become a cosmetologist through an apprenticeship — 2,000 hours.
- Barbers can earn the 1,250 hours in a barber school or in a barbershop under a licensed barber manager.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage Therapist | 600 hours | MBLEx | Every 2 years | 24 |
- Licenses are issued by the State Board of Massage Therapy.
- Of the 24 CE hours, at least 16 are contact hours and 2 cover child abuse recognition. Initial licensure requires a 3-hour course on this topic.
| License | Issued by | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | PA State Board of Nursing | NCLEX-RN | Every 2 years | 30 |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | PA State Board of Nursing | NCLEX-PN | Every 2 years | 2 hours of child abuse training |
| Nurse AideCNA | Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry | Written or oral, and skills | Every 24 months | At least 8 paid hours per period |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification | — | — |
- Since July 7, 2025, Pennsylvania fully participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact: RNs and LPNs can get a multistate license.
- The 30 CE hours for RNs include 2 hours of child abuse recognition. From May 1, 2026, 2 hours of organ donation education are also required once every 5 years.
| Profession | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Home Improvement Contractor | Attorney General | Registration if you do $5,000 or more in work per year; $100 for 2 years |
| Electrician, Plumber | City or municipality | No state license — requirements are local |
- Pennsylvania has no single contractor license. Permits and trade licenses are issued by cities such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Beauty salon | State Board of Cosmetology | Separate licenses for cosmetology, nail and esthetician salons |
| Barbershop | State Board of Barber Examiners | Barbershop license |
| LLC | Department of State | Registration — $125 |
| Annual Report | Department of State | Annual report — $7, due by September 30 for LLCs |
- Starting with reports due in 2027, an LLC that does not file is dissolved 6 months after the deadline.
Your state requires an exam — we prepare you online
An exam-prep platform for Cosmetology, Barber, Esthetician and Nail Technician, as well as state law tests. Questions in the real exam format, a breakdown of every mistake, access from your phone and computer — study whenever it suits you.
Learn about the program- Tests in the real exam format
- An explanation for every answer
- Study materials in your personal account
- Study in Russian and English
Pennsylvania specifics
- No CE for beauty. Cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians and barbers renew without CE hours.
- Braiding — with a license. Hair braiding requires a Natural Hair Braider license — 300 training hours.
- Short training. Estheticians need 300 hours, nail technicians 200.
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. Since July 2025, nurses can get a multistate license.
- No contractor license. Home improvement contractors register with the Attorney General; electricians are licensed by cities.
- Annual report. Since 2025, LLCs file a report with the Department of State — $7.
What professionals earn in Pennsylvania
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Do beauty licenses need CE hours for renewal?
No. Cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician and barber licenses renew every 2 years without CE.
Do I need a license for hair braiding?
Yes. You need a Natural Hair Braider license: 300 training hours and an exam.
Which exam does a massage therapist take?
The MBLEx. You also need 600 training hours.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania has fully participated in the Nurse Licensure Compact since July 7, 2025.
*Current as of September 30, 2026. The information on this page is not official and is for general reference only. Requirements are set by state and local authorities and may change — always check the official websites: PA State Board of Cosmetology, PA State Board of Barber Examiners, PA State Board of Massage Therapy, PA State Board of Nursing, PA Attorney General, PA Department of State. Wage data — BLS.