HowToGetLicensed

Cosmetologist License: Pennsylvania vs North Carolina

Thinking about getting your cosmetologist license? Here's how Pennsylvania and North Carolina compare on education requirements, exam fees, total costs, and renewal obligations.

Requirement Pennsylvania North Carolina
Education Hours 1250 hours 1500 hours
Exam Pennsylvania Cosmetology Exam North Carolina Cosmetology Exam
Application Fee $30 $30
Exam Fee $80 $85
Total Estimated Cost $6,000 - $17,000 $6,000 - $17,000
Renewal Period Every 2 years Every 3 years
CE Hours 0 hours 8 hours
Renewal Fee $40 $30

Which State Is Easier or Cheaper?

Cost: Both states have similar total costs.

Fewer education hours: Pennsylvania requires 1250 hours of pre-license education, compared to 1500 hours in North Carolina.

Full State Guides

Compare cosmetologist requirements across all 50 states →