Esthetician Schools in Pennsylvania

With only 300 hours of training at a board-approved esthetician school required for state licensure, Pennsylvania can be an ideal state to start a career as an esthetician. You could be in a job helping clients to achieve healthy, glowing skin without a huge upfront investment in education.

Browse our directory of esthetician schools in Pennsylvania, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.

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211 South Gulph Road Suite 100
King Of Prussia, PA 19406

(484) 690-1400
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy

130 7th Street
Monessen, PA 15062

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy

4026 Woodhaven Road
Philadelphia, PA 19154

(215) 637-3700
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

396 Pottsville St. Clair Highway
Pottsville, PA 17901

(270) 765-3374
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

50 Ranck Avenue
Lancaster, PA 17602

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

11 East Penn Street
Uniontown, PA 15401

(724) 439-4900
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy, Teacher Training

200 Sterling Avenue
Sharon, PA 16146

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy, Hair Design, Teacher Training

2370 Broadway Avenue
Hermitage, PA 16159

(724) 983-0700
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Massage Therapy, Hair Design, Teacher Training
Metro Beauty Academy – Accredited

4977 Medical Center Circle
Allentown, PA 18106

(610) 398-6227
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

50 East Butler Pike
Ambler, PA 19002

Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

9902 East Roosevelt Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19115

Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

344 Stroud Mall Road
Stroudsburg, PA 18360

Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Makeup Artistry, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

153 Lehigh Valley Mall
Whitehall, PA 18052

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Nail Technology, Makeup Artistry, Teacher Training

369 Schoonmaker Avenue
Monessen, PA 15062

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

415 D Orchard Avenue
Altoona, PA 16601

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

130 West Main Street Suite 106
Collegeville, PA 19426

(610) 489-7788
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Teacher Training

1980 Edinboro Road
Erie, PA 16509

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Makeup Artistry, Teacher Training
Venus Beauty Academy – Accredited

600 Turner Industrial Way
Aston, PA 19014

Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, Teacher Training
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Altoona Beauty School – Accredited

1528 Valley View Boulevard
Altoona, PA 16602

Ayanna Beauty and Business Academy

307 Beaver Valley Mall Boulevard
Monaca, PA 15061

Barber and Beauty Academy of Pennsylvania – Accredited

3849 C Union Deposit Road
Harrisburg, PA 17110

Bella Capelli Academy - Monroeville – Accredited

151 Wyngate Drive
Monroeville, PA 15146

Bella Capelli Academy - Pittsburgh – Accredited

2 Robinson Plaza Suite 100
Pittsburgh, PA 15205

Belle Institute

6534 Castor Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19149

Bucks County School of Beauty Culture – Accredited

1761 Bustleton Pike
Feasterville, PA 19053

Butler Beauty Academy – Accredited

233 South Main Street
Butler, PA 16001

Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology – Accredited

540 North Harrison Road
Pleasant Gap, PA 16823

Chrome Institute of Cosmetology – Accredited

1 Campus Boulevard
Newtown Square, PA 19073

DeRielle Cosmetology Academy

11 North Railroad Avenue 19
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Dream Cosmetology Institute

1715 Markley Street suite 1725
Norristown, PA 19401

Fortis Institute - Scranton – Accredited

517 Ash Street
Scranton, PA 18509

Fountain of Youth Academy of Cosmetology - Bellevue – Accredited

616 Lincoln Avenue
Bellevue, PA 15202

Fountain of Youth Academy of Cosmetology - Pittsburgh – Accredited

5824 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Jean Madeline Aveda Institute – Accredited

3943-45 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Jean Madeline Aveda Institute - Bensalem – Accredited

528 Neshaminy Mall
Bensalem, PA 19020

Jean Madeline Aveda Institute - Queen Village – Accredited

315 A Bainbridge Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Jean Madeline Aveda Institute - University City – Accredited

3945 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Kittanning Beauty Academy – Accredited

120 Market Street
Kittanning, PA 16201

New Castle Beauty Academy – Accredited

314 East Washington Street
New Castle, PA 16101

Noe Noonan School of Cosmetology

5739 West Ridge Road Building B
Erie, PA 16506

North Hills Beauty Academy – Accredited

813 West View Park Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15229

Penn Commercial Business/Technical School – Accredited

242 Oak Spring Road
Washington, PA 15301

Professional Academy of Cosmetology

516 East Marshall Street
Norristown, PA 19401

Queen Beauty Academy

6133 Colgate Street
Philadelphia, PA 19111

Shears Cosmetology School

50 Alexander Spring Road
Carlisle, PA 17015

South Hills Beauty Academy – Accredited

3269 West Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15216

Universal A Rising Sun Beauty School

4717 Rising Sun Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19120
Accredited School

You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.

Esthetician Schools Near Me

Check out the Esthetics/Skin Care schools these cities in Pennsylvania have to offer.

Cost of Esthetician School Across PA

Metro Average Tuition
Wilkes Barre / Scranton / Hazleton $8,100
Harrisburg $5,200
Philadelphia $5,106
Pittsburgh $4,903
Johnstown / Altoona $4,767

Comparing Program Costs in PA

Cosmetology School Costs
Highest range: $13,520 - $22,500
Lowest range: $4,540 - $13,520
Average: $15,804
Esthetics/Skin Care School Costs
Highest range: $5,250 - $8,100
Lowest range: $2,400 - $5,250
Average: $5,132

How to Become a Esthetician in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Esthetician Careers At a Glance
  • 300 education hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 2 years.
  • 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • The average salary for estheticians in Pennsylvania is $35,510 ($17.07/hour).
  • There is a predicted 12% job increase between 2018 - 2028 for estheticians.

To become an esthetician in Pennsylvania, you must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Complete 10th -grade or waive the 10th-grade education requirement if you at least 35 years old or a veteran
  • Complete 300 hours of training at a licensed cosmetology school
  • Pass the State Board theory examination
  • Apply for licensure and pay a $10 application fee along with the $93 exam fee
  • Be examined by a physician and declared free of all contagious and infectious diseases (Note: This generally refers to diseases that can be passed through casual contact as required by the job)
  • Submit a criminal background check for every state you have lived in the last five years
    • Some convictions may be dismissed (in terms of licensure eligibility only) if you provide evidence of rehabilitation.
    • If you've been convicted of a violent crime or one classified as "directly related" to the beauty field, you may be denied a license. However, you may be able to get your license if you meet certain criteria or prove you don't pose a risk.
    • Estheticians can apply for a restricted license if their criminal history may bar them from obtaining licensure.

Esthetician Salary and Projected Job Growth in Pennsylvania

$35,510

Average yearly salary for esthetics in Pennsylvania

The esthetician profession in Pennsylvania is expected to grow by 12% by 2028. On average, Pennsylvania's skincare specialists earn $35,510 per year ($17.07 per hour).

Your salary as an esthetician depends on your skills, location, amount of experience, and education. Your earning potential may be higher you're employed as a medical or nurse esthetician (which requires you to be a registered nurse) as well.

As of 2021, the highest paying areas for estheticians in Pennsylvania by median salary are:

  • New York, Newark, Jersey City, NY, NJ, PA: $39,260
  • Reading, PA: $35,570
  • Lancaster, PA: $35,290
  • Pittsburgh, PA—$33,560
  • Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA: $33,290

Data from O*Net (2022)

What to Expect From an Esthetician Program in Pennsylvania

300 Education Hours

Required to earn a esthetics license

Prospective estheticians in Pennsylvania must complete at least 300 education hours at a licensed cosmetology school.

The esthetician curriculum is made up of:

  • Professional Practices (40 recommended hours), including:
    • Bacteriology
    • Business practices
    • Disinfection
    • Pennsylvania cosmetology law
    • Professional attitude
    • Sanitation
  • Sciences (100 recommended hours), including:
    • Chemistry
    • Cosmetic dermatology
    • Electricity
    • Histology
    • Physiology
    • Trichology
  • Facial Treatments (100 recommended hours)
  • Temporary Hair Removal (10 recommended hours)
  • Makeup (50 recommended hours)

The same rules govern esthetics programs as cosmetology schools in Pennsylvania. For a cosmetology school to remain licensed, it must:

  • Only admit students with an 8th-grade education or equivalent who are of good moral character and free of contagious and infectious diseases as allowed by law
  • Maintain a sufficient number of registered teachers
  • Possess an adequate number of proper equipment necessary for training
  • Maintain attendance records of students
  • Provide state board reports on student hours
  • Hold regular instruction hours
  • Have either a day or night school term of training over set periods
  • Have a grading system and hold exams
  • Be managed by a designated school supervisor
  • Have a minimum ratio of one teacher to every 25 students
  • Maintain a curriculum consisting of practical demonstrations and theoretical studies
  • Supply a written affidavit stating compliance with Pennsylvania's cosmetology law upon license renewal
  • Not allow esthetics students to practice on the public until they've completed at least 75 hours of instruction

In Pennsylvania, estheticians are only licensed to perform esthetics services such as massage, cosmetic application, facials, and hair removal. You need a separate license to do manicures and pedicures.

Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Pennsylvania?

Apprenticeships for prospective estheticians are not allowed in Pennsylvania. Students must attend a state board-approved esthetician program for their education.

Pennsylvania Esthetician Licensing Requirements

You need to take the state board examination to become a licensed esthetician in Pennsylvania. Before you can take the exam, you must complete 300 hours of training in esthetics at a licensed cosmetology school.

The best way to get started on the examination process is to go to the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) website. Use their application checklist to ensure you've met all requirements. When you're sure you have, create an account to get further instructions.

You have to pass a theory/procedural skills exam; there isn't a practical exam. You must pay a $10 application fee and $93 exam fee before taking the test.

After submitting a completed application and relevant documents and fees, you will receive an approval to test notice via email. Once you receive your notice, you can schedule your exam date online via Pearson VUE. You must schedule your exam at least 48 hours in advance.

The test is offered in English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. You are allotted 1 hour and 45 minutes to take the test.

There are 100 questions on the test, 85 which of scored and 15 of which are questions they're vetting for future exams. You can't take the test online.

On the day of the test, check in with the test center administrator. You should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled exam. If you're late, you won't be allowed in.

You need to bring two forms of signature identification with you. The first form of identification must include a photo, and accepted options are:

  • Driver's license, learner's permit, or other government-issued ID
  • Military ID
  • Passport
  • Permanent residency card

Your second form of ID must also have a signature, but a photo isn't required unless it's a school ID. Other options are your social security card, credit card, or debit card.

If you need accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you can request these by submitting documentation regarding your condition and why you need these accommodations.

The exam consists of the following sections:

  • Rules, Regulations, and Safety: Proper safety, sanitation, and client contact procedures
  • Esthetic Science and Skin Analysis: Anatomy, skin conditions, and skin disorders
  • Facials: Product application and removal, equipment, and special considerations
  • Hair Removal: Tweezing and waxing
  • Makeup: Types of cosmetics and proper application and removal
  • Electricity and Electrotherapy: Light therapy and others

A passing score is75, and you'll find out your exam results right after completing your test. After passing the exam, you'll receive your license in the mail in 10-15 business days.

If you don't pass, you can apply to retake the exam 24 hours after the failed exam. You must pay the $93 exam fee each time.

Pennsylvania Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity

Licensure reciprocity is available in Pennsylvania. If you're a licensed esthetician in most other states for at least two years, you may not need to take the state board test. You must submit a licensure application with relevant documents. The board may take up to a month to respond, so plan ahead.

Estheticians licensed in other states need to show proof of two years of licensed work and of their good standing in the field. The application fee is $60.

Esthetician Specialties in Pennsylvania

You have several options for specialties as an esthetician in Pennsylvania.

A spa esthetician provides esthetics treatments meant to relax their clients, like aromatherapy or non-therapeutic massage.

Medical estheticians offer services that support medical treatments. Their clientele may need assistance with severe skin conditions or during recovery from trauma such as burns or plastic surgery. They aren't allowed to do in-depth medical procedures but may be trained to perform treatments standard estheticians aren't. Medical estheticians do not have a separate license.

If you're interested in deepening your medical knowledge and expertise, becoming a nurse esthetician may be the right career path for you. Nurse estheticians are registered nurses who perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures to enhance a patient's appearance.

You can also consider specializing in waxing. Waxing specialists are extremely popular and often develop long-term relationships with their clients, given their services are needed every few weeks.

For any specialized treatments you wish to perform, investigate continuing education opportunities. The more skills you have, the more clients you may attract.

License Renewal

2 Years — Every Odd Year

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

Esthetician licenses in Pennsylvania expire on Jan. 31 of every odd-numbered year. The renewal fee is $67, and renewals are typically processed within three business days.

There are no continuing education requirements for estheticians in Pennsylvania.

Contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology

Pennsylvania Department of State
Commercial_Combo_Program-Career-Geo
Esthetics/Skin Care
Pennsylvania

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