How to Transfer a Pennsylvania Cosmetology License
- 1). Ensure your license is up to date and valid. The Pennsylvania Department of State Board of Cosmetology mails renewals four weeks before they expire. An expired license may hold up a transfer and result in fees.
- 2). Perform any required continuing education to keep your license valid. For example, cosmetologists with a hair braiding specialty must perform 150 hours of continuing education including 50 hours of scalp care and 50 hours of hygiene.
- 3). Review the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology's reciprocity agreements with your intended state. Note that Alabama, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Utah do not accept the Pennsylvania cosmetology license; you will need to retrain entirely at a school operating and licensed in that state.
- 4). Perform a license verification on the Pennsylvania's Department of State website by searching for your name, license number, county and city. Print out the information and make a copy of your license.
- 5). Contact the State Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners for your intended state. Fill out their License Status Change Reactivation form, which may be done on line (different states' forms will vary). You may need to visit the board in person with copies of your license and verification; others may permit you to fax or mail the information.