Pennsylvania (PA) nail license requirements
Pennsylvania nail license: 200 training hours, exam offered in Vietnamese. Eligibility, transfer from another state and fees.
Hours
200 hours
Vietnamese exam
Yes
Practical exam
No
- License
- Nail Technician
- Agency
- Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology (Department of State)
- Exams
- Computer-based theory exam only (Pearson VUE); the practical exam was dropped in late 2014. Early testing allowed after 150 hours.
- Eligibility
- At least 16 and 10th grade or equivalent (the 10th grade rule is waived at age 35+).
- Apprenticeship
- No apprenticeship route found for nail technicians.
- Transferring from another state
- A current license elsewhere plus at least 2 years of licensed work there; or endorsement under Act 41 (2019) if the other state's requirements are equivalent. Apply through PALS.
- Fees
- About $119 initially ($26 application + $93 Pearson VUE exam). Reciprocity application $89. Biennial renewal $97.
- Notes
- Exam offered in Vietnamese (also Korean, Spanish, Chinese). No continuing education required for renewal.
Checked on 2026-10-19. Rules change — always confirm on the official page. Official page ↗. Not legal advice.