Pathway lookup
Cosmetology in Pennsylvania
These pages summarize rules to help you plan. They are not legal advice. Before you place students at a work site or change a program, check with your state agency, your district's counsel and your insurance carrier.
In short
Pennsylvania CTCs deliver the full cosmetology license: written exam after 900 hours and licensure at 16 after 1,250 hours, with the CTE route's permanence still under review.
State program: CIP 12.0401 Cosmetology/Cosmetologist, General (Human Services)
What a high school can deliver
The full license: written exam after 900 hours and licensure at 16 after 1,250 school hours.
Credentials students can earn
PA cosmetologist license (PSI exams); end-of-program assessment for 12.0401 (); temporary license at 900 hours ()
Age and hour requirements
Age 16 with a 10th-grade education; 1,250 school hours or 2,000 as an apprentice (Cosmetology Law sec. 4(a)); written exam after 900 hours (sec. 4(b)). CTE route: up to 650 distance and 350 internship hours, at least 250 in person.
Other agencies involved
State Board of Cosmetology (BPOA): school license for the CTC (49 Pa. Code 7.111), with PDE approval as accreditation evidence and inspection first; CTCs report on the CTE route by June 1.
Who can teach it
Career and Technical Instructional certificate (CSPG 66) plus Board teacher license (18, cosmetology license, 500 teacher-training hours); public school teachers meeting PDE standards are deemed to meet the 500 hours (sec. 6(b.1)(4)).
Child labor rules for work placements
Work permit for every minor; 8 hours a day and 28 a school week at 16-17. No cosmetology-specific child labor rule; the CTE route recognizes up to 350 internship or job-shadow hours.
College credit after high school
No statewide agreement found (Confirm locally); not a SOAR program of study.
Where to go next
- The full Cosmetology guide, showing Pennsylvania
- The Pennsylvania state profile
- Add this pathway to your plan
Cosmetology in other states
Other pathways in Pennsylvania
- Nurse Aide / Patient Care
- EMT
- Electrical
- Welding
- Construction and Carpentry
- HVAC/R
- Cybersecurity / Networking
- Programming / Computer Science
- Automotive
- Medical and Dental Assisting
- Agriculture
- Early Childhood Education
- Culinary and Hospitality
- Machining and Mechatronics
- Engineering and Drafting
- Firefighting
- Law, Public Safety and Corrections
- Business Management and Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
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