PA COSMETOLOGY LAWS 2025/2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔A sign at or near the main entrance to the salon that is visible from the road -
✔✔What method of advertising is used to identify the entrance to a salon?
✔✔Any reasonable time during normal business hours - ✔✔When is a salon subject to
inspection?
✔✔A representative of the Board of Law Enforcement Division - ✔✔What Board
Representative inspects the salon?
✔✔When either the client or the operator has an infectious or contagious disease -
✔✔When is an operator, apprentice or student prohibited from working on a client?
✔✔It is not allowed. Only a licensed esthetics or cosmetology salon are permitted to
offer waxing - ✔✔When is waxing permitted in a nail salon or natural braiding salon?
✔✔Licensed natural hair braided are allowed to perform twisting, wrapping, weaving,
extending, locking or braiding of the hair. They may use straightening combs, flat irons,
curling irons and blow dryers on the hair. No chemical services. - ✔✔What services are
allowed in a natural braiding salon?
✔✔No it is illegal - ✔✔Is booth rental allowed in Pennsylvania?
✔✔The licensee must be employed by a salon and keep records for the services
rendered outside of the salon, including date, time, place and fee charged - ✔✔What
are the State Board guidelines for a cosmetologist or limited license holder wishes to
provide services to clients who are unable to come into a salon?
✔✔Shears need to be stored upright with the points down or in a protective case -
✔✔How must shears be stored in a salon?
✔✔In a closed cabinet - ✔✔Where are clean towels kept in a salon?
✔✔In a closed container for soiled linens - ✔✔Where are used towels kept in a salon?
✔✔The headrest should be covered with a clean cloth towel or an unused disposable
paper towel - ✔✔How is the headrest of a facial chair prepared before a service?
✔✔A licensed cosmetologist or limited license holder who is not actively working in the
salon can request the State Board, in writing, to place his/her license in escrow. -
✔✔What is meant by a "license in escrow"?
, ✔✔It protects his/her right to obtain a license at any such time within a 5 year period to
reactivate their license - ✔✔What does a "license in escrow" protect?
✔✔January 31st every 2 years - ✔✔When do all licenses expire?
✔✔Notify the State Board in writing - ✔✔What must be done if a license is lost or if you
have a change of address?
✔✔By paying a restoration fee for the years not renewed plus the current renewal fee -
✔✔If a license is in escrow or expires for less than 5 years, how may it be restored?
✔✔By paying the exam fee and passing the State Board exam for the appropriate
license being sought - ✔✔If a license is in escrow or expires for more than 5 years, how
may it be restored?
✔✔Automatic failure and they must reapply and pay the appropriate fee - ✔✔What
happens to an applicant who fails to report to the State Board Exam at the scheduled
time?
✔✔Professional Licensure Augmentation Account (PLAA) - ✔✔To whom are all fines
and penalties paid?
✔✔A license to practice either esthetics, natural hair braiding or nail technology -
✔✔What is a limited license?
✔✔An individual holding a cosmetologist license is qualified, without further licensure, to
perform the functions of a cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician or natural hair
braider - ✔✔What is the scope of practice for a cosmetology license?
✔✔Applicants who have applied and paid the fee to take the Cosmetologist, Nail
Technician, Esthetician or Natural Hair Braider State Board Exam - ✔✔Who is eligible
for a temporary license?
✔✔After training hours are completed and an application to take the exam has been
processed and approved. Once approved, the temporary license will be sent to the
applicant to display in the salon - ✔✔When is a temporary license issued?
✔✔Someone holding a temporary license must practice under the supervision of a
licensed teacher, cosmetologist or limited license holder - ✔✔What are the limits to a
temporary license?
✔✔9 months - ✔✔How long is a temporary license valid?
ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔A sign at or near the main entrance to the salon that is visible from the road -
✔✔What method of advertising is used to identify the entrance to a salon?
✔✔Any reasonable time during normal business hours - ✔✔When is a salon subject to
inspection?
✔✔A representative of the Board of Law Enforcement Division - ✔✔What Board
Representative inspects the salon?
✔✔When either the client or the operator has an infectious or contagious disease -
✔✔When is an operator, apprentice or student prohibited from working on a client?
✔✔It is not allowed. Only a licensed esthetics or cosmetology salon are permitted to
offer waxing - ✔✔When is waxing permitted in a nail salon or natural braiding salon?
✔✔Licensed natural hair braided are allowed to perform twisting, wrapping, weaving,
extending, locking or braiding of the hair. They may use straightening combs, flat irons,
curling irons and blow dryers on the hair. No chemical services. - ✔✔What services are
allowed in a natural braiding salon?
✔✔No it is illegal - ✔✔Is booth rental allowed in Pennsylvania?
✔✔The licensee must be employed by a salon and keep records for the services
rendered outside of the salon, including date, time, place and fee charged - ✔✔What
are the State Board guidelines for a cosmetologist or limited license holder wishes to
provide services to clients who are unable to come into a salon?
✔✔Shears need to be stored upright with the points down or in a protective case -
✔✔How must shears be stored in a salon?
✔✔In a closed cabinet - ✔✔Where are clean towels kept in a salon?
✔✔In a closed container for soiled linens - ✔✔Where are used towels kept in a salon?
✔✔The headrest should be covered with a clean cloth towel or an unused disposable
paper towel - ✔✔How is the headrest of a facial chair prepared before a service?
✔✔A licensed cosmetologist or limited license holder who is not actively working in the
salon can request the State Board, in writing, to place his/her license in escrow. -
✔✔What is meant by a "license in escrow"?
, ✔✔It protects his/her right to obtain a license at any such time within a 5 year period to
reactivate their license - ✔✔What does a "license in escrow" protect?
✔✔January 31st every 2 years - ✔✔When do all licenses expire?
✔✔Notify the State Board in writing - ✔✔What must be done if a license is lost or if you
have a change of address?
✔✔By paying a restoration fee for the years not renewed plus the current renewal fee -
✔✔If a license is in escrow or expires for less than 5 years, how may it be restored?
✔✔By paying the exam fee and passing the State Board exam for the appropriate
license being sought - ✔✔If a license is in escrow or expires for more than 5 years, how
may it be restored?
✔✔Automatic failure and they must reapply and pay the appropriate fee - ✔✔What
happens to an applicant who fails to report to the State Board Exam at the scheduled
time?
✔✔Professional Licensure Augmentation Account (PLAA) - ✔✔To whom are all fines
and penalties paid?
✔✔A license to practice either esthetics, natural hair braiding or nail technology -
✔✔What is a limited license?
✔✔An individual holding a cosmetologist license is qualified, without further licensure, to
perform the functions of a cosmetologist, esthetician, nail technician or natural hair
braider - ✔✔What is the scope of practice for a cosmetology license?
✔✔Applicants who have applied and paid the fee to take the Cosmetologist, Nail
Technician, Esthetician or Natural Hair Braider State Board Exam - ✔✔Who is eligible
for a temporary license?
✔✔After training hours are completed and an application to take the exam has been
processed and approved. Once approved, the temporary license will be sent to the
applicant to display in the salon - ✔✔When is a temporary license issued?
✔✔Someone holding a temporary license must practice under the supervision of a
licensed teacher, cosmetologist or limited license holder - ✔✔What are the limits to a
temporary license?
✔✔9 months - ✔✔How long is a temporary license valid?
