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Pennsylvania salon and barber license requirements

What Pennsylvania asks of salons and barbershops, rule by rule: what each license or card is, who needs it, how long it lasts, and the official source to check it against. Your city or county may add its own.

Last reviewed October 21, 2026

This is a summary to help you plan, not legal advice. Check the linked source before you rely on it.

Cards your people carry

Cosmetology licenses for each person

Pennsylvania cosmetology licenses expire January 31 every other year. Estheticians renew in odd numbered years, nail technicians in even; a cosmetologist's year is on the license.

  • Cosmetologist license

    Who needs it
    Cosmetologists.
    Issued by
    Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
    How long it lasts
    Expires January 31 every other year. The year is printed on it.

  • Esthetician license

    Who needs it
    Estheticians.
    Issued by
    Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
    How long it lasts
    Expires January 31 in odd numbered years.

  • Nail technician license

    Who needs it
    Nail technicians.
    Issued by
    Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
    How long it lasts
    Expires January 31 in even numbered years.
Who it covers
Cosmetologists, estheticians and nail technicians.
Deadline
Before working on a client.
Renewal
Every 2 years, by January 31. A license expired less than 5 years can be reactivated online; after 5 years the exam must be taken again.
Official source

Barber and barber manager licenses

Each Pennsylvania barber and barber manager holds a license that expires April 30 of every even numbered year.

  • Barber license

    Who needs it
    Barbers.
    Issued by
    Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners
    How long it lasts
    Expires April 30 in even numbered years.

  • Barber manager license

    Who needs it
    Barber managers.
    Issued by
    Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners
    How long it lasts
    Expires April 30 in even numbered years.
Who it covers
Barbers and barber managers.
Deadline
Before working on a client.
Renewal
Every 2 years, by April 30 of even numbered years.
Official source

Licenses the business holds

Salon licenses

Pennsylvania cosmetology, nail technology and esthetician salon licenses expire January 31 of odd numbered years.

  • Cosmetology salon license

    Who holds it
    Each cosmetology salon.
    Kind
    Salon or barbershop license
    Issued by
    Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
    How long it lasts
    Expires January 31 in odd numbered years.

  • Nail technology salon license

    Who holds it
    Each nail salon.
    Kind
    Salon or barbershop license
    Issued by
    Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
    How long it lasts
    Expires January 31 in odd numbered years.

  • Esthetician salon license

    Who holds it
    Each esthetician salon.
    Kind
    Salon or barbershop license
    Issued by
    Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology
    How long it lasts
    Expires January 31 in odd numbered years.
Who it covers
Every cosmetology, nail technology or esthetician salon.
Deadline
Before opening.
Renewal
Every 2 years, by January 31 of odd numbered years.
Official source

Barber shop license

A Pennsylvania barber shop license expires April 30 of every even numbered year, like the barbers' own.

  • Barber shop license

    Who holds it
    Each barber shop.
    Kind
    Salon or barbershop license
    Issued by
    Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners
    How long it lasts
    Expires April 30 in even numbered years.
Who it covers
Every barber shop.
Deadline
Before opening.
Renewal
Every 2 years, by April 30 of even numbered years. The Board emails a notice two to three months ahead.
Official source

Keep these current for every salon or shop you run.

Currity keeps every date on this page for each person and location, and warns you about each one 90, 60 and 30 days out, then 14, 7 and 1, and on the day.

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