PA

Pennsylvania Licensing Requirements

Burden Rank: #18 of 51 Medium Burden
97
Professions Licensed
1,329
Avg Education Hours
$148
Avg Initial Fee
44.0
Burden Score

Agriculture

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Arborist / Tree Surgeon — Yes $50 — 3 yrs
Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) — Yes $50 — 3 yrs
Water Well Driller — Yes $50 — 3 yrs

Animal Care

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Animal Breeder — No $50 — 2 yrs
Farrier / Horseshoer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Veterinarian 5,135 Yes $327 $270 2 yrs
Veterinary Technician 2,068 Yes $164 $135 2 yrs

Construction

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Electrician 6,270 Yes $155 $124 1 yr
Elevator Installer 6,270 Yes $220 $192 2 yrs
Fire Sprinkler Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
General Contractor — Yes $316 $259 2 yrs
Glazier — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
HVAC Technician 4,270 Yes $124 $96 2 yrs
Land Surveyor — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Locksmith — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Mobile Home Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Painter (Contractor) — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Pest Control Applicator 23 Yes $124 $110 3 yrs
Plumber 6,270 Yes $183 $155 1 yr
Roofer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Security Alarm Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs
Septic System Installer — Yes $150 — 2 yrs

Cosmetology

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Barber 1,284 Yes $106 $56 2 yrs
Body Piercer 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Cosmetologist 1,341 Yes $120 $62 2 yrs
Electrologist 676 Yes $124 $96 2 yrs
Esthetician 680 Yes $104 $53 2 yrs
Funeral Director / Embalmer 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Hair Braider 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs
Massage Therapist 710 Yes $131 $70 2 yrs
Nail Technician 462 Yes $93 $48 2 yrs
Tattoo Artist 1,500 Yes $75 — 2 yrs

Design

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Interior Designer — Yes $220 $164 2 yrs
Landscape Architect — Yes $259 $203 2 yrs

Education

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Childcare Center Director 68 No $124 $96 2 yrs
Elementary School Teacher — Yes $157 $100 5 yrs
School Counselor — Yes $185 $129 5 yrs
School Librarian / Media Specialist 2,000 Yes $100 — 5 yrs
Secondary School Teacher — Yes $157 $100 5 yrs
Substitute Teacher 2,000 Yes $100 — 5 yrs

Engineering

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Professional Engineer (PE) — Yes $316 $259 2 yrs
Professional Geologist — Yes $200 — 2 yrs

Finance

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) — Yes $305 $249 2 yrs
Debt Collector — Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Insurance Agent 54 Yes $151 $122 2 yrs
Mortgage Loan Originator 20 Yes $439 $297 1 yr
Tax Preparer — Yes $100 — 2 yrs

Food & Hospitality

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Bartender / Alcohol Server — No $50 — 2 yrs
Food Handler / Food Safety Certification — No $50 — 2 yrs

Healthcare

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Athletic Trainer 3,068 Yes $164 $135 2 yrs
Certified Nurse-Midwife 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Dental Assistant 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Dental Hygienist 3,068 Yes $231 $135 2 yrs
Dietetic Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 165 Yes $110 $96 2 yrs
Hearing Aid Specialist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Home Health Aide 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 1,284 Yes $146 $107 2 yrs
Medical Assistant 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Medical Lab Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Occupational Therapist 3,568 Yes $203 $174 2 yrs
Optician (Dispensing) 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Optometrist 4,568 Yes $316 $259 2 yrs
Paramedic 1,654 Yes $164 $135 2 yrs
Pharmacist 4,851 Yes $242 $214 2 yrs
Pharmacy Technician 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Phlebotomist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs
Physical Therapist 3,568 Yes $231 $203 2 yrs
Physician Assistant 3,851 Yes $270 $242 2 yrs
Radiologic Technologist 2,197 Yes $164 $135 2 yrs
Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist — Yes $192 $164 2 yrs
Registered Nurse 2,568 Yes $174 $121 2 yrs
Respiratory Therapist 2,068 Yes $164 $135 2 yrs
Speech-Language Pathologist 3,568 Yes $231 $174 2 yrs
Surgical Technologist 1,000 Yes $100 — 2 yrs

Legal & Security

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Armed Security Guard 49 No $153 $94 2 yrs
Court Reporter / Stenographer — Yes $75 — 4 yrs
Notary Public — Yes $75 — 4 yrs
Private Investigator 3,423 Yes $249 $220 2 yrs
Process Server 23 No $153 $124 2 yrs

Mental Health

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 3,568 Yes $174 $146 2 yrs
Licensed Professional Counselor 3,068 Yes $168 $139 2 yrs
Marriage and Family Therapist 3,068 Yes $203 $174 2 yrs
Psychologist 6,135 Yes $327 $270 2 yrs

Miscellaneous

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Amusement Ride Operator — No $50 — 2 yrs
Athletic Agent — No $50 — 2 yrs
Auctioneer 148 Yes $181 $124 2 yrs
Casino/Gaming Dealer — No $50 — 2 yrs
Sign Language Interpreter — No $50 — 2 yrs

Real Estate

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Home Inspector 131 Yes $249 $192 2 yrs
Real Estate Agent / Salesperson 119 Yes $183 $152 2 yrs
Real Estate Broker 179 Yes $249 $206 2 yrs

Transportation

Profession Edu. Hours Exam Initial Fee Renewal Fee Cycle
Chauffeur / Limousine Driver 23 Yes $94 $65 4 yrs
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) 251 Yes $122 $65 4 yrs
School Bus Driver 85 Yes $94 $65 4 yrs
Taxi/Ride-Share Driver — Yes $50 — 4 yrs
Tow Truck Operator — Yes $50 — 4 yrs
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice. Verify current requirements with Pennsylvania licensing authorities.

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

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Data sourced from official state occupational-licensing board records and federal interstate compacts. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCredential Editorial