Board Meetings will continue to take place at their current location within Penn Center (2601 N 3rd St) until further notice.
State Board of Barber Examiners
Important Reminder Regarding minimum space requirements for a Barber Shop
§ 3.53. Minimum space requirements. Every barbershop shall provide for the following:
- A minimum length of at least 15 feet for one chair shops, 20 feet for two chair shops, and 5 feet additional length for each additional chair.
- A minimum width of at least 12 feet.
The best method for candidates to register for an exam is to log into their Pearson VUE account, via the web at: https://home.pearsonvue.com/pa/bpoa, and search for an exam date & time; candidates can then enter different zip codes and a mile radius as well for alternate options.
IF YOUR LICENSE IS EXPIRED
If your license has been expired for less than 5 years, please visit www.pals.pa.gov to reactivate your license. Upon logging in to PALS, scroll down until you see your license number. To the left of your license number, you will see a green pencil icon. Click on the green pencil and a pop up window will appear. You will then see the word "reactivate"; click on it and follow the directions to reactivate your license. Payment is by credit or debit card only. After successful reactivation of your license, it will be mailed to you. Please ensure that you maintain a valid mailing address so that your license is not returned to the Board. Also, please allow seven to ten business days to receive your renewed license in the mail.
If your license has been expired for more than 5 years, the Barber Law states that you must retake the examination in order to reactivate the license. Please contact Pearson Vue OHT., at 888-511-5352 or access the reinstatement application from the
OHT Processing Center Website. OHT Processing Center processes all exam applications for the exam administrator, Pearson VUE. To view a copy of the Law and Regulations, please click
here.
Please note that neither the Board/Commission, nor its staff or counsel, are permitted to provide legal advice or advisory opinions, including interpretations of the law or regulations, or any indication as to how the Board would vote on any given case or scenario. You are invited to contact a private attorney or professional organization for advice or guidance.
The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) received reports that persons pretending to be from one of the business-related boards are contacting both active and inactive licensees. The scammers are altering the information that appears on caller ID to show the State Board phone number and name (spoofing). The scammers are known to be aggressively accusing licensees of drug trafficking and/or money laundering and sending emails and text messages indicated the license has been suspended. In addition, the scammers are sending facsimiles to licensees on forged letterhead, originating from a fake phone number.
BPOA reminds licensees and applicants of the following:
· We will NOT text, call or fax you a suspension notification. The Department initiates disciplinary action through an administrative process. If you are the subject of an investigation or disciplinary action, you will receive notice by certified mail and/or personal service.
· We will NOT engage you in a 3-way call with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
· We will NOT ask you to receive faxes from a specific retailer for a fee.
· Do NOT give your personal or financial information over the phone, by text message or fax, including your zip code.
· We will NEVER request payment for any service or civil penalty by wire, gift cards or transfer to a foreign country.
· We WILL provide you with a contact name and phone number if you are the subject of an investigation or disciplinary action.
· CONTACT the Board office if you are not sure if a communication pertaining to your licensure status is legitimate.
· CONTACT your local police department or the Pennsylvania State Police if you believe you have been the victim of a scam.
· REPORT any email or online scam attempts to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Internet Crime Complaint Center(IC3) | Home Page