Pennsylvaniaesthetician license & exam requirements
State-specific examHow to get licensed as an esthetician in Pennsylvania: training hours, board exam format, vendor, and how to prepare — researched from the official Pennsylvania board.
- License
- Esthetician
- Training hours
- 300 (early testing permitted at 250 hours; license issued only after full 300)
- Written exam
- State-specific exam
- Exam vendor
- Pearson VUE (creates, scores, and reports the exam under contract with the PA State Board of Cosmetology)
Exam details & notes
Single combined computer-based Theory/Procedural Skills exam — no hands-on practical ('Candidates are not required to take and pass a hands-on practical examination'). Esthetician exam: 100 total items (85 scored = 75 general + 10 state-law; 15 unscored pretest), 1 hr 45 min, scaled passing score 75. Built-in state-specific section referenced to PA Cosmetology Regulations (Title 49 Ch.7), Act 86 of 1933, and Act 48 of 1993. PA-specific content, not NIC. Exam fee $93 per attempt; offered in English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese. Unlimited retakes within the 1-year authorization. Apprenticeship path exists only for cosmetologists (2,000 hours), not estheticians. No esthetician reciprocity with CT, CO, FL, HI, NJ, NM, RI, or UT. Verified from the February 2026 Pearson VUE PA Candidate Handbook.
Preparing for the Pennsylvania exam
PrepTempo's Esthetician course covers the NIC national theory core — infection control, skin sciences, skin analysis, and treatments. Pennsylvania runs its own written exam, but it covers largely the same core science and safety material, so the course is strong preparation. Study your Pennsylvania law-and-rules section from the board on top of the core.
Free esthetician practice questions →Pennsylvania esthetician license FAQ
Does Pennsylvania use the NIC esthetician exam?
No. Pennsylvania uses a state-specific written exam (Pearson VUE) rather than the NIC national exam.
How many training hours does Pennsylvania require for an esthetician license?
300 (early testing permitted at 250 hours; license issued only after full 300)
How do I get an esthetician license in Pennsylvania?
Complete the required training hours (300 (early testing permitted at 250 hours; license issued only after full 300)), satisfy the written exam requirement (State-specific exam, vendor Pearson VUE), and apply through the Pennsylvania board. Always confirm current rules on the official board site.
Where can I practice for the Pennsylvania esthetician or cosmetology-related board exam?
PrepTempo's Esthetician State Board course covers the NIC national theory core (infection control, skin science, analysis, and treatments) with free sample questions and free Chapter 1. Study Pennsylvania law-and-rules from your board on top of the core.
Official sources
Educational information only, researched July 2026 — not legal or licensing advice. Requirements change; confirm with the Pennsylvania board. PrepTempo is not affiliated with any state board, the National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC), or any exam vendor, and they do not endorse this product.