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Pennsylvania Esthetician — Requirements & Free Practice

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Esthetician

Limited license authorizing the practice of esthetics only.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology · Application information

Full licensure after compliance with a restricted license
pa esthetician theory and procedural skills
Compliance notice
Within 30 days after the restricted term ends, the supervisor reports compliance to the Board.
Qualifications
All other qualifications for full licensure must be met under § 3112(e), including the applicable written examination requirement. An applicant who has already passed that examination presents the prior passing result; this route does not prescribe an additional examination merely because the restricted term ends.
Restricted license
Corresponding restricted-license holder completing its term.
Military deployment reactivation after at least five years
pa esthetician theory and procedural skills
Deadline
Seek reactivation within one month after deployment ends.
License status
License not renewed for at least five years.
Penalty
The Board may waive the penalty under § 3305; the appropriate-license examination requirement of § 19(c) remains.
Status
Servicemember or accompanying military spouse; renewal period occurred during deployment.
Military deployment reactivation before five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
Board may reactivate without penalty under § 3305(b); ordinary reactivation requirements continue to apply.
Deadline
Seek reactivation within one month after deployment ends.
License status
Renewal period occurred during deployment; inactive for less than five years.
Status
Servicemember, or military spouse residing with the servicemember during deployment outside Pennsylvania.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure with early examination
pa esthetician theory and procedural skills
Age
At least 16 years old.
Application
Submit a PALS application, fees, proof of age and education, school transcript and notarized affidavit; health certification is prescribed by the Cosmetology Law and 49 Pa. Code § 7.32a.
Authorization
The examination authorization lasts one year; an unsuccessful applicant must obtain a new authorization after that period.
Criminal history
The August 2026 handbook calls for official criminal history checks for jurisdictions of residence in the preceding five years, dated within 90 days of application.
Early testing
The written examination may be taken after 250 hours of esthetics instruction; complete 300 hours and obtain school certification before licensure.
Education
Tenth-grade education or equivalent; 49 Pa. Code § 7.32e also permits Office of Vocational Rehabilitation training and exempts veterans and applicants aged at least 35 from the education requirement.
Fitness
The Cosmetology Law states good moral character; consideration of criminal convictions is governed by the overriding procedures of 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113.
Training
300 hours of esthetics instruction in a licensed cosmetology school and school certification of satisfactory completion.
Licensure by endorsement under Act 41
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
Individual review under the Act 41 implementation page; competency methods remain an applicant condition rather than an unidentified examination.
Competency
Demonstrate competency through methods determined by the Board, including continuing education or practice in at least two of the previous five years.
Conduct
No disqualifying act unless the Board determines it should not impede licensure.
Fees
Pay applicable endorsement fees.
Good standing
Good standing and no discipline unless the Board determines discipline should not impede licensure.
License held
Current corresponding license from another state, territory or country with requirements the Board finds substantially equivalent to or greater than Pennsylvania requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation after at least five years in escrow
pa esthetician theory and procedural skills
Application
Reinstatement application and fees.
License status
Escrowed without renewal for at least five years.
Older regulatory text
49 Pa. Code § 7.45 states: The holder of a cosmetology teacher, limited practice teacher, cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician or natural hair braider license that has been expired or in escrow for at least 5 years shall retake and pass the practical part of the examination for that license before submitting a renewal application. Board materials identify the currently offered written examination and state that a practical examination is no longer required.
Reexamination
Pass the examination appropriate to the license under § 19(c).
Reactivation of escrowed license before five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
License status
Escrowed license for less than five years.
Reactivation
Written application and renewal fee, except when escrow occurred within a biennial interval.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination
pa esthetician theory and procedural skills
Age
At least 16 years old.
Application
Submit a PALS application, fees, proof of age and education, school transcript and notarized affidavit; health certification is prescribed by the Cosmetology Law and 49 Pa. Code § 7.32a.
Authorization
The examination authorization lasts one year; an unsuccessful applicant must obtain a new authorization after that period.
Criminal history
The August 2026 handbook calls for official criminal history checks for jurisdictions of residence in the preceding five years, dated within 90 days of application.
Education
Tenth-grade education or equivalent; 49 Pa. Code § 7.32e also permits Office of Vocational Rehabilitation training and exempts veterans and applicants aged at least 35 from the education requirement.
Fitness
The Cosmetology Law states good moral character; consideration of criminal convictions is governed by the overriding procedures of 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113.
Training
300 hours of esthetics instruction in a licensed cosmetology school and school certification of satisfactory completion.
Reactivation after at least five years of expiration
pa esthetician theory and procedural skills
Application
Reinstatement application, prescribed criminal history check and fees.
License status
Expired for at least five years.
Older regulatory text
49 Pa. Code § 7.45 states: The holder of a cosmetology teacher, limited practice teacher, cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician or natural hair braider license that has been expired or in escrow for at least 5 years shall retake and pass the practical part of the examination for that license before submitting a renewal application. The statute requires an appropriate examination; the Board states that practical examinations are no longer required and implements the written theory/procedural examination.
Reexamination
Cosmetology Law § 19(c) requires passage of the examination appropriate to the license.
Reactivation after less than five years of expiration
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Criminal history
The August 2026 handbook prescribes a criminal history check with reactivation applications.
License status
License expired for less than five years.
Renewal
Submit the required reactivation/renewal application and renewal fees.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military applicant with an education exception
pa esthetician theory and procedural skills
Age
At least 16 years old.
Application
Submit a PALS application, fees, proof of age and education, school transcript and notarized affidavit; health certification is prescribed by the Cosmetology Law and 49 Pa. Code § 7.32a.
Authorization
The examination authorization lasts one year; an unsuccessful applicant must obtain a new authorization after that period.
Criminal history
The August 2026 handbook calls for official criminal history checks for jurisdictions of residence in the preceding five years, dated within 90 days of application.
Education
Tenth-grade education or equivalent; 49 Pa. Code § 7.32e also permits Office of Vocational Rehabilitation training and exempts veterans and applicants aged at least 35 from the education requirement.
Education exception
The Board may issue the ordinary license despite unmet educational requirements under § 3303(a).
Experience
Active practice in at least two of the preceding five years; credit relevant military experience.
Fitness
The Cosmetology Law states good moral character; consideration of criminal convictions is governed by the overriding procedures of 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113.
Military training
The Board must credit substantially equivalent military education and training under § 3304.
Other requirements
Meet all noneducational requirements and relevant-military-experience qualifications; submit the prescribed application and fee.
Status
Document status as a servicemember, veteran or military spouse under 63 Pa.C.S. § 3301.
Training
300 hours of esthetics instruction in a licensed cosmetology school and school certification of satisfactory completion.
Examination for an applicant without reciprocity
pa esthetician theory and procedural skills
Age
At least 16 years old.
Application
Submit a PALS application, fees, proof of age and education, school transcript and notarized affidavit; health certification is prescribed by the Cosmetology Law and 49 Pa. Code § 7.32a.
Authorization
The examination authorization lasts one year; an unsuccessful applicant must obtain a new authorization after that period.
Criminal history
The August 2026 handbook calls for official criminal history checks for jurisdictions of residence in the preceding five years, dated within 90 days of application.
Education
Tenth-grade education or equivalent; 49 Pa. Code § 7.32e also permits Office of Vocational Rehabilitation training and exempts veterans and applicants aged at least 35 from the education requirement.
Fitness
The Cosmetology Law states good moral character; consideration of criminal convictions is governed by the overriding procedures of 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113.
License held elsewhere
Applicant holds a corresponding license from a jurisdiction without an applicable reciprocity agreement; the August 2026 handbook requires the Pennsylvania examination.
Training
300 hours of esthetics instruction in a licensed cosmetology school and school certification of satisfactory completion.
Licensure by reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Pay required fees and satisfy Board application terms, including the prescribed criminal history checks.
Experience
At least two years of licensed practice or teaching; provide employment certification.
Foreign license
The Board snapshot also names a country; the statutory reciprocity route names another state, territory or the District of Columbia. Country-based licensure can instead be considered under 63 Pa.C.S. § 3111.
Health
Section 9 prescribes a physician affidavit that the applicant is free of contagious and infectious diseases.
License held
Current valid corresponding license in another jurisdiction.
Reciprocal adoption
The Board must determine substantially equal licensing standards and reciprocal privileges; confirm the current reciprocal agreement with the Board.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
The Board snapshot states no continuing education requirement.
License held
Current corresponding Pennsylvania license.
Renewal
Apply before the biennial expiration and pay the renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New application after revocation
pa esthetician theory and procedural skills
License status
Revoked license; unless a court orders otherwise, the Board does not reinstate it.
Qualifications
Meet applicable licensing qualifications and pass the examination under § 12.
Waiting period
Apply anew after five years under § 13(c).
Reissuance after suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Court order
A court order controlling reinstatement remains an applicant-specific condition.
License status
License suspended under Cosmetology Law § 13(a).
Restoration
Apply to the Board and establish by satisfactory proof that the disqualification has ceased.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restricted Esthetician License

Restricted license under the Cosmetology Law for an applicant affected by a criminal conviction; subject to Board conditions.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology · Application information

Restricted licensure based on endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
Individual review under the Act 41 implementation page; competency methods remain an applicant condition rather than an unidentified examination.
Competency
Demonstrate competency through methods determined by the Board, including continuing education or practice in at least two of the previous five years.
Conduct
No disqualifying act unless the Board determines it should not impede licensure.
Criminal conviction
Board may issue a restricted license instead of refusing, suspending, revoking or limiting licensure because of a criminal conviction.
Duration
Board determines a term of at least one and at most two years.
Fees
Pay applicable endorsement fees.
Fitness evidence
Show good institutional behavior and rehabilitation, required training, compliance with probation or parole, and commitment to lawful conduct as applicable under § 3112(b).
Good standing
Good standing and no discipline unless the Board determines discipline should not impede licensure.
License held
Current corresponding license from another state, territory or country with requirements the Board finds substantially equivalent to or greater than Pennsylvania requirements.
Restrictions
Board imposes scope or location limits, reasonable supervision, notice of supervisor changes, and other appropriate conditions.
Revocation
A subsequent misdemeanor or felony conviction or noncompliance with restrictions results in immediate revocation.
Underlying qualifications
The underlying esthetics or esthetics-teacher qualification and examination rules continue to apply; § 3112 supplies a criminal-conviction accommodation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restricted licensure by examination
pa esthetician theory and procedural skills
Age
At least 16 years old.
Application
Submit a PALS application, fees, proof of age and education, school transcript and notarized affidavit; health certification is prescribed by the Cosmetology Law and 49 Pa. Code § 7.32a.
Authorization
The examination authorization lasts one year; an unsuccessful applicant must obtain a new authorization after that period.
Criminal conviction
Board may issue a restricted license instead of refusing, suspending, revoking or limiting licensure because of a criminal conviction.
Criminal history
The August 2026 handbook calls for official criminal history checks for jurisdictions of residence in the preceding five years, dated within 90 days of application.
Duration
Board determines a term of at least one and at most two years.
Education
Tenth-grade education or equivalent; 49 Pa. Code § 7.32e also permits Office of Vocational Rehabilitation training and exempts veterans and applicants aged at least 35 from the education requirement.
Fitness
The Cosmetology Law states good moral character; consideration of criminal convictions is governed by the overriding procedures of 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113.
Fitness evidence
Show good institutional behavior and rehabilitation, required training, compliance with probation or parole, and commitment to lawful conduct as applicable under § 3112(b).
Restrictions
Board imposes scope or location limits, reasonable supervision, notice of supervisor changes, and other appropriate conditions.
Revocation
A subsequent misdemeanor or felony conviction or noncompliance with restrictions results in immediate revocation.
Training
300 hours of esthetics instruction in a licensed cosmetology school and school certification of satisfactory completion.
Underlying qualifications
The underlying esthetics or esthetics-teacher qualification and examination rules continue to apply; § 3112 supplies a criminal-conviction accommodation.
Restricted licensure based on reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Pay required fees and satisfy Board application terms, including the prescribed criminal history checks.
Criminal conviction
Board may issue a restricted license instead of refusing, suspending, revoking or limiting licensure because of a criminal conviction.
Duration
Board determines a term of at least one and at most two years.
Experience
At least two years of licensed practice or teaching; provide employment certification.
Fitness evidence
Show good institutional behavior and rehabilitation, required training, compliance with probation or parole, and commitment to lawful conduct as applicable under § 3112(b).
Foreign license
The Board snapshot also names a country; the statutory reciprocity route names another state, territory or the District of Columbia. Country-based licensure can instead be considered under 63 Pa.C.S. § 3111.
Health
Section 9 prescribes a physician affidavit that the applicant is free of contagious and infectious diseases.
License held
Current valid corresponding license in another jurisdiction.
Reciprocal adoption
The Board must determine substantially equal licensing standards and reciprocal privileges; confirm the current reciprocal agreement with the Board.
Restrictions
Board imposes scope or location limits, reasonable supervision, notice of supervisor changes, and other appropriate conditions.
Revocation
A subsequent misdemeanor or felony conviction or noncompliance with restrictions results in immediate revocation.
Underlying qualifications
The underlying esthetics or esthetics-teacher qualification and examination rules continue to apply; § 3112 supplies a criminal-conviction accommodation.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Esthetician License

Nine-month supervised limited license for an eligible examination applicant.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology · Application information

Temporary licensure pending examination
pa esthetician theory and procedural skills
Age
At least 16 years old.
Application
Submit a PALS application, fees, proof of age and education, school transcript and notarized affidavit; health certification is prescribed by the Cosmetology Law and 49 Pa. Code § 7.32a.
Authorization
The examination authorization lasts one year; an unsuccessful applicant must obtain a new authorization after that period.
Criminal history
The August 2026 handbook calls for official criminal history checks for jurisdictions of residence in the preceding five years, dated within 90 days of application.
Duration
Nine months.
Education
Tenth-grade education or equivalent; 49 Pa. Code § 7.32e also permits Office of Vocational Rehabilitation training and exempts veterans and applicants aged at least 35 from the education requirement.
Fees
Pay examination and temporary-license fees.
Fitness
The Cosmetology Law states good moral character; consideration of criminal convictions is governed by the overriding procedures of 63 Pa.C.S. § 3113.
Pending examination
Eligible for admission to the esthetician examination; practice while awaiting a passing examination result.
Supervision
Licensed cosmetology teacher, cosmetologist, corresponding limited practice teacher or corresponding limited license holder must supervise practice.
Training
300 hours of esthetics instruction in a licensed cosmetology school and school certification of satisfactory completion.

pa esthetician theory and procedural skills

Examination outline
  • Rules, Regulations, and Safety (30% to 40%)
    • A. Safety
    • A.1. Safety / Draping
    • A.1.a. Safety / Draping / Sanitation
    • A.1.b. Safety / Draping / Procedures
    • A.2. Safety / Prevention of salon accidents
    • A.2.a. Safety / Prevention of salon accidents / Maintaining safe working conditions
    • A.2.b. Safety / Prevention of salon accidents / Labeling
    • A.2.c. Safety / Prevention of salon accidents / Storing chemical products
    • A.2.d. Safety / Prevention of salon accidents / Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)/Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
    • A.2.e. Safety / Prevention of salon accidents / Thermal/electrical appliances
    • A.3. Safety / First aid/OSHA
    • A.3.a. Safety / First aid/OSHA / Handling blood-contaminated tools
    • A.3.b. Safety / First aid/OSHA / Disposing of blood-contaminated objects
    • B. Sanitation and disinfection
    • B.1. Sanitation and disinfection / Personal hygiene
    • B.2. Sanitation and disinfection / Sanitation and disinfection of implements and tools
    • B.3. Sanitation and disinfection / Single use items
    • B.4. Sanitation and disinfection / Product application
    • B.5. Sanitation and disinfection / Sanitation and disinfection of work surfaces
    • C. Predisposition/Patch Tests
    • D. Client contact
    • D.1. Client contact / Ethics
    • D.2. Client contact / Communication
    • D.3. Client contact / Record keeping
  • Esthetic Science and Skin Analysis (15% to 20%)
    • A. Skin structure and anatomy
    • B. Purpose of skin analysis
    • C. Skin conditions that benefit from services
    • D. Skin conditions that preclude skin services
    • E. Skin disorders and diseases
  • Facials (20% to 25%)
    • A. Application, removal, and purpose of products
    • A.1. Application, removal, and purpose of products / Lotions and creams
    • A.2. Application, removal, and purpose of products / Exfoliants
    • A.3. Application, removal, and purpose of products / Masks/packs
    • B. Tools, implements, materials, and equipment
    • C. Facial procedures
    • D. Special considerations
    • D.1. Special considerations / Microdermabrasion
    • D.2. Special considerations / Disincrustation
    • D.3. Special considerations / Aromatherapy
    • E. Massage/Anatomy
  • Hair Removal (16% to 20%)
    • A. Tweezing
    • B. Waxing
    • C. Tools, implements, materials, and equipment
  • Makeup (10% to 15%)
    • A. Purpose
    • B. Types of cosmetics
    • C. Brushes and other implements, tools, and materials
    • D. Color theory
    • E. Application and removal procedures
    • F. Corrective makeup
    • G. Application and removal of artificial eyelashes
  • Electricity and Electrotherapy (5% to 10%)
    • A. Galvanic current
    • B. High frequency current
    • C. Light therapy
Examination sources