The Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology and the Pennsylvania Board of Barber Examiners requires all candidates to submit an official Criminal History Record Information check with their applications for licensure examinations, reactivation, and reciprocity.

Applicants will need to supply an official Criminal History Record Information check from the State Police or other state agency for every state in which the candidate has resided during the past five years. The reports must be dated within ninety (90) days of the date of the application.

Message for Early Theory/Procedural Skills exam candidates
If you meet the minimum requirements for EARLY TESTING (900 hours for Cosmetologist) and submit your application prior to completion of the required hours (to obtain a license), you will be permitted to take the exam. However, you will NOT BE ISSUED A LICENSE until your school has submitted the transcripts VERIFYING that you have completed the required hours for the license (1,250 for Cosmetologist, etc).

Reciprocity agreements are subject to change, so please contact the board to review the requirements: www.dos.state.pa.us/cosmet.

Non-Reciprocal States:
If you hold a current license in a state where Pennsylvania DOES NOT have an understanding of reciprocity you are required to take and pass the combined theory/procedural skill computer based exam. Please complete and submit a cosmetology application and review the instructions.