State Licensing Requirements in MARYLAND

Cosmetologists

Cosmetologists

Licensing Requirements

Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology shall obtain a license in compliance with the Maryland Cosmetologists Act and shall meet the following qualifications:

  • Applicant shall be at least 17 years old;
  • Applicant shall have completed a 9th grade education or the equivalent;
  • Applicant shall complete the required hours of instruction;
  • Applicant shall pass examinations through PSI;
  • Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
  • Applicant will pay the required fees.

Applicants who are licensed as barbers or master barbers can apply for licensure as a Cosmetologist and shall be credited with having met half of the training requirements.

Exam Requirements

Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:

  • Applicant shall complete 1,500 hours of training in a cosmetology school; or
  • Applicant has completed 1,500 hours of training while enrolled in public school courses in cosmetology; or
  • Applicant finished 24 months as a registered apprentice;
  • Applicant shall take a theory and practical examination;
  • Applicant must pay any required fees.

Continuing Education Requirements

There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire every two years.

Apprenticeship Programs

The Maryland Board of Cosmetologists does license apprentices. Apprentice licenses last two years and may be renewed once. To obtain an apprentice license the applicant must meet the general licensing requirements. Apprentices must adhere to the following:

  • Apprentice must complete 24 months of training with a least 20 hours per week;
  • Apprentice must mail monthly reports to the Board.  

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

Reciprocity is not offered in Maryland. To obtain a license in Maryland, based on holding a current valid license in another State, the Applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means. Otherwise, the Applicant will need to complete some training and take the exams.

Instructors

Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology instruction shall meet the following qualifications:

  • Applicant shall have a current senior cosmetology license;
  • Applicant shall have bachelor’s degree or higher in a state-approved career and technical program from an institute of higher education; or
  • Applicant shall have a bachelor’s degree or higher in the career area to be taught and shall completed 12 credits of professional education course work; or
  • Applicant shall earn an associate degree in the career area to be taught, have 2 years of previous occupational experience in the career area to be taught, and complete 12 credits of professional education course work; or
  • Applicant shall have a secondary school diploma, have 3 years of occupational experience in the career areas to be taught, and complete 12 credits of professional education course work.
Hairdresser

Hair Stylists

Licensing Requirements

Any individual wishing to engage in hairstyling shall obtain a license in compliance with the Maryland Cosmetologists Act and shall meet the following qualifications:

  • Applicant shall be at least 17 years old;
  • Applicant shall have completed a 9th grade education or the equivalent;
  • Applicant shall complete the required hours of instruction;
  • Applicant shall pass examinations through PSI;
  • Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
  • Applicant will pay the required fees.

Exam Requirements

Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following: Applicant shall complete 1,200 hours of training in a cosmetology school; or Applicant finished 15 months as a registered apprentice;

  • Applicant shall take a theory and practical examination;
  • Applicant must pay any required fees. 

Continuing Education Requirements

There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire every two years.

Apprenticeship Programs

The Maryland Board of Cosmetologists does license apprentices. Apprentice licenses last two years and may be renewed once. To obtain an apprentice license the applicant must meet the general licensing requirements. Apprentices must adhere to the following:

  • Apprentice hairstylists must complete 15 months of training with at least 20 hours per week;
  • Apprentices are required to mail monthly training reports to the Board.

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

Reciprocity is not offered in Maryland. To obtain a license in Maryland, based on holding a current valid license in another State, the Applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means. Otherwise, the Applicant will need to complete some training and take the exams.

Instructors

In order to be a Cosmetology Instructor in Maryland an individual must possess a Senior Cosmetologist License.
Barber School

Barbers

Licensing Requirements

Any individual wishing to engage in Barbering shall obtain a license in compliance with the Maryland Barbers Act and shall meet the following qualifications:

  • Applicant shall complete the required hours of instruction;
  • Applicant shall pass examinations through PSI;
  • Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
  • Applicant will pay the required fees. 

Exam Requirements

Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:

  • Applicant shall complete 1,200 hours of training in a barber school; or
  • Applicant has completed 1,200 hours of training while enrolled in public school courses in barbering; or
  • Applicant shall complete 2,250 hours of training as a registered apprentice;
  • Applicant shall take a theory and practical examination;
  • Applicant must pay any required fees.

Continuing Education Requirements

There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire every two years

Apprenticeship Programs

The Maryland Board of Barbers does license apprentices. To obtain a license, an application and sponsorship form, signed by a Master Barber and Shop owner, must be submitted to the Board. Apprentice licenses last two years and may be renewed once.

License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

Reciprocity is not offered in Maryland. To obtain a license in Maryland, based on holding a current valid license in another State, the Applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. The applicant must have completed training with substantially equal requirements and must also have two years of notarized work experience. Otherwise, the Applicant will need to complete some training and take the exams.

Instructors

Any individual wishing to engage in cosmetology instruction shall meet the following qualifications:

    • Applicant shall have a current master barber license;
    • Applicant shall have bachelor’s degree or higher in a state-approved career and technical program from an institute of higher education; or
    • Applicant shall have a bachelor’s degree or higher in the career area to be taught and shall completed 12 credits of professional education course work; or
    • Applicant shall earn an associate degree in the career area to be taught, have 2 years of previous occupational experience in the career area to be taught, and complete 12 credits of professional education course work; or
    • Applicant shall have a secondary school diploma, have 3 years of occupational experience in the career areas to be taught, and complete 12 credits of professional education course work.
    Esthetician

    Estheticians

    Licensing Requirements

    Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics shall obtain a license in compliance with the Maryland Cosmetologists Act and shall meet the following qualifications:

      • Applicant shall be at least 17 years old;
      • Applicant shall have completed a 9th grade education or the equivalent;
      • Applicant shall complete the required hours of instruction;
      • Applicant shall pass examinations through PSI;
      • Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
      • Applicant will pay the required fees.

      Exam Requirements

      Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:

        • Applicant shall complete 600 hours of training in a cosmetology school; or
        • Applicant finished 12 months as a registered apprentice;
        • Applicant shall take a theory and practical examination;
        • Applicant must pay any required fees.

        Continuing Education Requirements

        There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire every two years.

        Apprenticeship Programs

        The Maryland Board of Cosmetologists does license apprentices. Apprentice licenses last two years and may be renewed once. To obtain an apprentice license the applicant must meet the general licensing requirements. Apprentices must adhere to the following:

        • Apprentice estheticians must complete 12 months of training with at least 20 hours per week;
        • Apprentices are required to mail monthly training reports to the Board.

        License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

        Reciprocity is not offered in Maryland. To obtain a license in Maryland, based on holding a current valid license in another State, the Applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means. Otherwise, the Applicant will need to complete some training and take the exams.

        Instructors

        In order to be a Cosmetology Instructor in Maryland an individual must possess a Senior Cosmetologist License.
        Nailtech

        Nail Technicians/Manicurist

        Licensing Requirements

        Any individual wishing to engage in esthetics shall obtain a license in compliance with the Maryland Cosmetologists Act and shall meet the following qualifications:

        • Applicant shall be at least 17 years old;
        • Applicant shall have completed a 9th grade education or the equivalent;
        • Applicant shall complete the required hours of instruction;
        • Applicant shall pass examinations through PSI;
        • Applicant shall submit the application with the required documentation;
        • Applicant will pay the required fees.

        Exam Requirements

        Each individual who seeks admission to an examination shall complete the following:

        • Applicant shall complete 250 hours of training in a cosmetology school; or
        • Applicant finished 8 months as a registered apprentice;
        • Applicant shall take a theory and practical examination;
        • Applicant must pay any required fees.

        Continuing Education Requirements

        There are no continuing education requirements. Licenses expire every two years.

        Apprenticeship Programs

        The Maryland Board of Cosmetologists does license apprentices. Apprentice licenses last two years and may be renewed once. To obtain an apprentice license the applicant must meet the general licensing requirements. Apprentices must adhere to the following:

        • Apprentice estheticians must complete 8 months of training with at least 20 hours per week;
        • Apprentices are required to mail monthly training reports to the Board.

        License Reciprocity Availability and Requirements

        Reciprocity is not offered in Maryland. To obtain a license in Maryland, based on holding a current valid license in another State, the Applicant must submit an Endorsement Application. The previous license must have been received through substantially equivalent means. Otherwise, the Applicant will need to complete some training and take the exams.

        Instructors

        In order to be a Cosmetology Instructor in Maryland an individual must possess a Senior Cosmetologist License.
        Makeup Artist

        Make-up Artists

        Make-up Artists are licensed under Cosmetology and Esthetics.
        Cosmetology Services

        Licensing of Mobile Cosmetology Services

        Mobile Cosmetology Salons are licensed in Maryland. To run a mobile salon the following must be met:

        • Applicant must hold a beauty salon permit to operate a beauty salon that is not a mobile beauty salon;
        • Applicant shall have a permanent address for the mobile beauty salon.
        Cosmetology Programs

        High School Cosmetology Programs

        There are no rules in Maryland prohibiting high school students from enrolling in a cosmetology program. The student is required to complete the same number of hours of instruction within a cosmetology program as any non-high school student. Programs are offered on the high school level. 

        Additional Professions Licensed

        • Body Piercing
        • Electrology
        • Hair services- blow drying
        • Massage Therapy
        • Tattooing