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Pennsylvania Barber — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Temporary Military Applicant Barber License

Discretionary temporary military-applicant license lasting at most six months.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Discretionary temporary military applicant licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Military applicant assigned to a duty station in Pennsylvania or with legal residence in Pennsylvania.
Expiration
Earliest of six months after issuance, permanent issuance, or notice of denial.
Terms
Comply with Board-determined temporary terms while completing outstanding requirements; no named professional exam is imposed before this temporary issuance.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Military Applicant Manager-Barber License

Discretionary temporary military-applicant license lasting at most six months.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Discretionary temporary military applicant licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Military applicant assigned to a duty station in Pennsylvania or with legal residence in Pennsylvania.
Expiration
Earliest of six months after issuance, permanent issuance, or notice of denial.
Terms
Comply with Board-determined temporary terms while completing outstanding requirements; no named professional exam is imposed before this temporary issuance.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Military Applicant Barber-Teacher License

Discretionary temporary military-applicant license lasting at most six months.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Discretionary temporary military applicant licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Eligibility
Military applicant assigned to a duty station in Pennsylvania or with legal residence in Pennsylvania.
Expiration
Earliest of six months after issuance, permanent issuance, or notice of denial.
Terms
Comply with Board-determined temporary terms while completing outstanding requirements; no named professional exam is imposed before this temporary issuance.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

probationary license

A probationary license does not restrict where or how the licensee practices barbering; its probationary notation remains a public record.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Initial barber issuance following criminal history review

All of the following:

Criminal history
Board considers the conviction and evidence of rehabilitation individually; good behavior, completed correctional training and compliance with probation or parole are applicable evidence.
Ordinary qualifications
Meet ordinary barber educational, training and examination qualifications.
Terms
Follow the individual Board order. A probationary license does not restrict where or how the licensee can practice barbering. Probation may last any period, generally one to two years or concurrent with criminal probation or parole. The probationary notation is retained as a public record by BPOA and DOS.

provisional endorsement license

A provisional license for endorsement applicants satisfying remaining requirements, allowing practice until denial, expiration, or noncompliance with provisional terms.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Provisional Act 41 endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
The Board may issue provisional endorsement while remaining endorsement requirements are being satisfied; the order controls those requirements.
Termination
Valid until endorsement denial, Board-established expiration or noncompliance with provisional terms.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Provisional Endorsement Manager-Barber License

Provisional endorsement while remaining Board-determined requirements are satisfied.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Provisional Act 41 endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
The Board may issue provisional endorsement while remaining endorsement requirements are being satisfied; the order controls those requirements.
Termination
Valid until endorsement denial, Board-established expiration or noncompliance with provisional terms.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Provisional Endorsement Barber-Teacher License

Provisional endorsement while remaining Board-determined requirements are satisfied.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Provisional Act 41 endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board discretion
The Board may issue provisional endorsement while remaining endorsement requirements are being satisfied; the order controls those requirements.
Termination
Valid until endorsement denial, Board-established expiration or noncompliance with provisional terms.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Restricted Barber License

A restricted license that may be granted to a barber applicant whose criminal conviction may impede licensure, upon satisfying applicable Board requirements.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Restricted or probationary continuation of an existing barber license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing license
Previously licensed barber; the Board imposes restricted or probationary terms as an alternative to renewal refusal, suspension, revocation or limitation.
Terms
Comply with the Board order and applicable renewal requirements; this is continuation of an existing license rather than initial qualification.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial barber issuance following criminal history review

All of the following:

Criminal history
Board considers the conviction and evidence of rehabilitation individually; good behavior, completed correctional training and compliance with probation or parole are applicable evidence.
Ordinary qualifications
Meet ordinary barber educational, training and examination qualifications.
Terms
Follow the individual Board order. Restricted licenses last one to two years and may limit scope, location and supervision; probation terms are retained publicly.

Barber School Permit or License

License to operate a school of barbering.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Changes to existing barber school — name or address
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Change
Name or designated street address at the same physical location; return the license when instructed.
Existing school
Hold an existing barber school license and file the March 2026 change application with the owner oath and supporting documents.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Changes to existing barber school — partners
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Change
Add or delete some partners; obtain written authorization from any deleted partner. Without authorization, apply for a new initial license.
Existing school
Hold an existing barber school license and file the March 2026 change application with the owner oath and supporting documents.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Changes to existing barber school — square footage
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Change
Change square footage at the same location; submit a detailed sketch and obtain inspection.
Existing school
Hold an existing barber school license and file the March 2026 change application with the owner oath and supporting documents.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Changes to existing barber school — supervisor or curriculum
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Change
Change supervising licensed barber-teacher or curriculum; maintain teacher qualifications, staffing ratio and mandated curriculum and submit changed school documents.
Existing school
Hold an existing barber school license and file the March 2026 change application with the owner oath and supporting documents.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Initial barber school licensing
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Bond
Post the required school bond before taking student money.
Inspection
Obtain Board inspection and approval of the school premises, equipment, teachers, forms and contracts.
Instruction
Meet the statutory curriculum, staffing, student-record and facility requirements. School examinations of students are educational conditions, not separate professional licensing examination leaves.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New school license upon complete ownership change
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
The March 2026 instructions require the Initial Barber School Licensure application through PALS for relocation or complete ownership change.
Inspection
School must meet licensing requirements and obtain inspection approval before operating under the new license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New school license upon relocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
The March 2026 instructions require the Initial Barber School Licensure application through PALS for relocation or complete ownership change.
Inspection
School must meet licensing requirements and obtain inspection approval before operating under the new license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial entity license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal
Apply and pay the Board entity renewal fee; school renewal also requires the compliance affidavit and bond approval.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reissue following suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Restoration
Apply to the Board and satisfactorily establish that the disqualification has ceased; the applicable premises and licensing requirements remain conditions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Barbershop Permit or License

License to operate a barber shop.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Barber shop licensing — change owner
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Approval
File the Board application before opening, taking over or moving; receive inspection, approval and registration.
Operation
Comply with the shop requirements and applicable supervision rules. Section 12(a)(1), as amended, permits a manager-barber or a designated licensee in charge; the older regulation lists a manager.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Barber shop licensing — new
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Approval
File the Board application before opening, taking over or moving; receive inspection, approval and registration.
Operation
Comply with the shop requirements and applicable supervision rules. Section 12(a)(1), as amended, permits a manager-barber or a designated licensee in charge; the older regulation lists a manager.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Barber shop licensing — relocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Approval
File the Board application before opening, taking over or moving; receive inspection, approval and registration.
Operation
Comply with the shop requirements and applicable supervision rules. Section 12(a)(1), as amended, permits a manager-barber or a designated licensee in charge; the older regulation lists a manager.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial entity license renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Renewal
Apply and pay the Board shop renewal fee.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

One chair shop in eligible senior citizen center
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Conditions
No manager license required; comply with sanitation, space and equipment, with stated sign and pole exceptions; services limited to senior-center clients and prescribed notice posted.
Location
Lottery-funded eligible senior center in real property owned or leased by its operating municipality.
Operator
Licensed barber over 65 years old.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reissue following suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Restoration
Apply to the Board and satisfactorily establish that the disqualification has ceased; the applicable premises and licensing requirements remain conditions.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Barber License

Nine-month supervised license pending the next examination results.

Licensing authority: Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Temporary barber license pending examination

All of the following:

Duration
Nine months, with supervised practice until results of the next scheduled examination. 49 Pa. Code § 3.21 starts the nine months at graduation or completion.
Eligibility
Pay the fee and be eligible for admission to the barber examination; passing is not required before temporary issuance.
Prior temporary license
The reinstatement form permits a barber applicant to request a temporary permit only if none was previously issued; teacher and manager applicants cannot request that permit.
Supervision
Only practice under a licensed manager-barber or barber-teacher.

Temporary Barber Shop Registration

Registration issued after inspection and approval until permanent licensing or rejection.

Licensing authority: State Board of Barber Examiners · Application information

Temporary registration after shop inspection
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Duration
Until permanent license issuance or official application rejection.
Issuance
Inspector issues temporary registration immediately following inspection and approval.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Barber Practical Skills Examination

This assessment does not have a question bank.

Examination sources

Barber Theory Examination

Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice theory examination
Passing score
Scaled score of 75
Examination outline
  • RULES, REGULATIONS, AND SAFETY (25%-30%)
    • A. Safety
    • A.1. Knowledge of products, tools, and equipment
    • A.1.a. Thermal appliances
    • A.1.b. Patch test precautions
    • A.2. Patron protection
    • A.2.a. Sanitation
    • A.2.b. Procedures
    • A.2.c. Professional conduct
    • A.2.d. Consultation
    • A.2.e. Record keeping
    • A.3. Maintaining safe working conditions
    • A.3.a. Labeling
    • A.3.b. Handling/storing chemical products
    • A.3.c. Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
    • A.4. First aid/OSHA
    • A.4.a. Handling of blood-contaminated tools
    • A.4.b. Disposing of blood-contaminated objects
    • B. Sanitation and disinfection
    • B.1. Personal hygiene
    • B.2. Cleaning and disinfection of supplies, implements, and tools
    • B.3. Single-use items
    • B.4. Dispensing/disposal of products
    • B.5. Identifying infectious disease/referral
    • B.6. Cleaning and disinfecting work surfaces
  • HAIR/SCALP STRUCTURE AND CARE (5%-10%)
    • A. Properties of hair
    • A.1. Structure
    • A.2. Growth phases
    • A.3. Disorders
    • A.4. Hair loss
    • B. Hair type
    • B.1. Pigment
    • B.2. Wave pattern/follicle formation
    • B.3. Texture
    • B.4. Density
    • B.5. Porosity
    • B.6. Elasticity
    • C. Hair and scalp care services
    • C.1. Scalp analysis/disorders and diseases of scalp
    • C.2. Shampooing and conditioning
    • C.2.a. Procedure
    • C.2.b. Products
    • C.3. Scalp treatment/scalp massage
    • C.3.a. Procedure
    • C.3.b. Products
  • SHAVING/BEARD DESIGN (6%-10%)
    • A. Shaving safety
    • B. Procedures
    • B.1. Preparation
    • B.2. Shave/shaving areas
    • B.3. Post-shave
    • C. Techniques
    • C.1. Applying hot towels
    • C.2. Lathering
    • C.3. Shaving strokes
    • C.3.a. Freehand
    • C.3.b. Backhand
    • C.3.c. Reverse freehand
    • C.3.d. Reverse backhand
    • C.4. Beard and mustache design
    • D. Products and implements
  • HAIRCUTTING AND HAIRSTYLING (25%-30%)
    • A. Haircutting
    • A.1. Determination of appropriate cut and style
    • A.1.a. Hair texture and types
    • A.1.b. Hair condition
    • A.1.c. Hair length
    • A.1.d. Face shape
    • A.1.e. Establishing guideline
    • A.2. Blunt/one-length, graduated, and layered haircuts
    • A.3. Thinning/texturizing
    • A.4. Using scissors/shears
    • A.5. Using clippers
    • A.6. Using a razor
    • A.6.a. Razor cutting
    • A.6.b. Razor outlining
    • B. Hairstyling
    • B.1. Wet styling
    • B.2. Blow-dry styling
    • B.3. Thermal styling
    • B.4. Braiding
    • B.5. Artificial hair
    • B.6. Products and styling aids
  • CHEMICAL SERVICES (20%-25%)
    • A. Hair coloring
    • A.1. Color theory
    • A.2. Product chemistry
    • A.3. Materials and supplies
    • A.4. Procedures, techniques, and application
    • A.5. Precautions/patch test
    • B. Chemical waving
    • B.1. Product chemistry
    • B.2. Materials and supplies
    • B.3. Procedures, techniques, and application
    • B.4. Precautions
    • C. Chemical hair relaxing
    • C.1. Product chemistry
    • C.2. Materials and supplies
    • C.3. Procedures, techniques, and application
    • C.4. Precautions
  • SKIN CARE (4%-8%)
    • A. Skin analysis
    • A.1. Conditions that benefit from facial services
    • A.2. Diseases and disorders that preclude facial services
    • B. Facial services
    • B.1. Purpose and procedures
    • B.2. Products, implements, and materials
    • B.3. Massage manipulations
    • B.4. Using electric skin devices and equipment
    • B.5. Special procedures for sensitive, acne-prone, or aging skin
Examination sources