Cosmetology / Barber License from Pennsylvania to Oregon: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Oregon Health Licensing Office — Board of Cosmetology ↗
A cosmetology license transfers from Pennsylvania to Oregon by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Oregon Health Licensing Office — Board of Cosmetology, verify your Pennsylvania license, and meet Oregon's endorsement requirements. No exams transfer — every reciprocity applicant must pass Oregon's written examination for each field of practice plus the Oregon Laws and Rules examination (75% to pass); education/training and the practical examination may be waived based on the out-of-state license.
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Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
This move runs downhill. Pennsylvania trained you to 1,250 hours; Oregon requires only 1,110. With the hour test cleared by a margin, your transfer is administrative — license verification, application, fee — and the requirements below read as a checklist rather than an obstacle course.
What changes, Pennsylvania → Oregon
| Pennsylvania (current) | Oregon (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| CLC status | Reciprocity with 41 states | Licensure by endorsement |
| Training hours | 1,250 | 1,110 |
| Application fee | $89 (licensure by reciprocity / Act 41 endorsement application fee, applied for through the PALS portal) | $100 (non-refundable reciprocity application fee per field of practice; plus $45 written exam per field, $45 Oregon Laws and Rules exam, and $65 reciprocity certification fee (two-year certificate) — about $255 total for a single field) |
| Processing time | the board's processing guide describes a three-phase timeline but publishes no fixed durations | no published timeline; written exams are offered walk-in Monday-Friday and certification is issued after passing all exams and paying fees |
| Licensing authority | Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology | Oregon Health Licensing Office — Board of Cosmetology |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Oregon sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Oregon's current requirements on the Oregon Health Licensing Office — Board of Cosmetology website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Oregon Health Licensing Office — Board of Cosmetology (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold an active out-of-state license that has not been subject to disciplinary action.
- Have an Affidavit of Licensure sent directly from your licensing state's regulatory authority to the Health Licensing Office.
- Attest to education or training (including military training) substantially equivalent to Oregon's requirements.
- Pass the written examination for each field of practice sought and the Oregon Laws and Rules examination.
- Present two forms of original government-issued identification, at least one photographic.
- Pay the fees ($100 (non-refundable reciprocity application fee per field of practice; plus $45 written exam per field, $45 Oregon Laws and Rules exam, and $65 reciprocity certification fee (two-year certificate) — about $255 total for a single field)) and allow no published timeline; written exams are offered walk-in Monday-Friday and certification is issued after passing all exams and paying fees.
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Oregon accept a Pennsylvania cosmetology license?
A cosmetology license transfers from Pennsylvania to Oregon by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Oregon Health Licensing Office — Board of Cosmetology, verify your Pennsylvania license, and meet Oregon's endorsement requirements. No exams transfer — every reciprocity applicant must pass Oregon's written examination for each field of practice plus the Oregon Laws and Rules examination (75% to pass); education/training and the practical examination may be waived based on the out-of-state license.
Will Oregon make me retake the cosmetology exams?
No exams transfer — every reciprocity applicant must pass Oregon's written examination for each field of practice plus the Oregon Laws and Rules examination (75% to pass); education/training and the practical examination may be waived based on the out-of-state license.
What does the Pennsylvania-to-Oregon transfer cost and how long does it take?
$100 (non-refundable reciprocity application fee per field of practice; plus $45 written exam per field, $45 Oregon Laws and Rules exam, and $65 reciprocity certification fee (two-year certificate) — about $255 total for a single field); processing no published timeline; written exams are offered walk-in Monday-Friday and certification is issued after passing all exams and paying fees.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Oregon HLO — Cosmetology Reciprocity Requirements ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Oregon HLO — Cosmetology Certification Application Information Packet ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Oregon HLO — Transfer your license from another state ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PA Department of State — Cosmetology Licensure Guide (reciprocity section) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- PA Department of State — Cosmetologist Licensure Snapshot ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- 49 Pa. Code Chapter 7 — State Board of Cosmetology ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]