Hair Braider / Pennsylvania
2026 data Pennsylvania board official source

Pennsylvania Hair Braider License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Natural hair styling and braiding. One of the most debated licensing requirements.

What the Pennsylvania data shows for Hair Braiders

Pennsylvania sets the entry bar for hair braiders at 1,500 training hours and a passing score on a state-approved exam. A background check is a standard part of the process. The credential is administered under Pennsylvania's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "Cosmetology School".

The initial price tag is $75 every 2 years. Pennsylvania doesn't require continuing education for this license, so upkeep costs stay confined to the renewal fee itself.

There's no published reciprocity list here - Pennsylvania reviews out-of-state credentials individually.

Licensing Ease Score

C-
Licensing Ease Score
53/100
Hair Braider · Pennsylvania

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training F
1,500 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee B+
$75
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden N/A
N/A
Renewal fee annualized over the renewal cycle
Continuing Education N/A
N/A
Continuing-education hours annualized over the renewal cycle
Experience Required N/A
N/A
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Pennsylvania

Education / Training Hours
Cosmetology School
1,500 hours
Exam Requirement
Required
Initial License Fee
$75
Renewal Fee
N/A
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Hair Braider All Pennsylvania licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Pennsylvania licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Hair Braider in Pennsylvania? ▼
In Pennsylvania, the license path calls for 1500 education/training hours, a passing exam score, and a $75 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Hair Braider in Pennsylvania? ▼
Pennsylvania licenses hair braiders who complete its requirements (1500 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Pennsylvania licensing board.
Can I transfer my Hair Braider license to Pennsylvania from another state? ▼
There's no published blanket reciprocity rule for hair braiders in Pennsylvania - applications from other states are reviewed individually. Interstate licensing compacts cover many occupations and may still apply. Reach out to the Pennsylvania licensing board for the current process.
Does Pennsylvania require a background check for Hair Braider licensing? ▼
Pennsylvania does require a background check before issuing a hair braider license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this hair braider license

Hair Braider in Pennsylvania is one requirement row in a hair braider-wide, 50-state comparison.

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Pennsylvania licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.