Cosmetology / Barber License from Pennsylvania to South Carolina: Does It Transfer? (2026)

What's different between Pennsylvania and South Carolina

Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into South Carolina. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.

Route, each way

Pennsylvania to South Carolina (this page): Licensure by endorsement.

South Carolina to Pennsylvania (the reverse move): Reciprocity agreement.

The two directions differ: Pennsylvania and South Carolina do not give each other's licensees the same route.

Does coming from Pennsylvania matter?

Coming from Pennsylvania does not change the answer: every origin (the other 49 states and DC) gets the same result for a move into South Carolina.

Reciprocity agreements

South Carolina's row names no reciprocity agreement states.

Pennsylvania's reciprocity agreement list names 41 states, including South Carolina.

CLC membership

Pennsylvania has enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact; South Carolina has not.

Application fee

South Carolina lists $60 for an out-of-state applicant and Pennsylvania lists $89 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.

Training hours

South Carolina's first-time-applicant standard is 1,500 training hours for the standard license; Pennsylvania's is 1,250.

South Carolina's is 250 training hours higher than Pennsylvania's.

Exam rules on record

South Carolina and Pennsylvania carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.

• South Carolina (this move): No South Carolina exam is required if you have passed the NIC theory and practical examinations; applicants actively licensed in another state for at least two years who complete 4 hours of board-approved continuing education are exempt from the examination requirement
• Pennsylvania (the reverse move): Exams are not retaken — an applicant who meets the criteria for licensure by reciprocity may obtain the license without examination (49 Pa. Code 7.31(b))

What changes, Pennsylvania → South Carolina

The destination column is what you must satisfy — South Carolina sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

1. Confirm South Carolina's current requirements on the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology (SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) website (linked below) — rules change.
2. Submit the endorsement application to the South Carolina Board of Cosmetology (SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) (application linked below).
3. Arrange license verification from your current state.
4. Hold an active cosmetology license in good standing in another state.
5. Request license verification from each state where you hold or have held a license, sent directly from the original issuing state board to the SC Board of Cosmetology.
6. Include a copy of the continuing-education certificate of completion if qualifying through the two-year licensure plus 4-hour CE route.
7. Submit supplemental forms with the endorsement application, including a Verification of Lawful Presence affidavit, notarized signature affidavit, and passport-type photo.
8. Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.

Official links

Related guides