How to get a Cosmetologist license in Maryland

Maryland cosmetologist licenses

Maryland issues 3 cosmetologist credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Maryland cosmetologist licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 3)

Requirements

Background check

The Board may deny a license on grounds listed in Bus. Occ. & Prof. §5-314; the Division reviews criminal records individually during the application process.¹⁴
You can ask the board to review your record before you apply¹⁴

How to apply

Apply online

dllr.state.md.us¹⁵¹⁶

Renewal

How often

Every 2 years⁵¹⁷

2. Every license level except Apprentice Cosmetologist (cosmetologist apprentice registration)

Requirements

Also required

A one-hour domestic violence awareness course from a Department-approved provider is required for every original license and every renewal (cosmetologist, senior cosmetologist and limited licenses).¹⁸

Fees

Renewal

When it expires

Two-year term from the date of issue; renew before expiry (COMAR asks for the application and fee at least 14 days before) with the renewal fee, CE proof and domestic-violence training.¹⁵

Renewal fee

$28⁴ (Per 2-year renewal)

Continuing education

At least 6 hours each renewal period⁶

Required topics

2 hours of required topics (health, safety, welfare, sanitation and/or Board laws and regulations) and 4 hours of electives within your scope of practice (e.g. business, cosmetology technique, product knowledge).¹⁹

Approved courses

Only Board-approved providers count; providers upload completion within 14 days. Milady certificates are the only ones licensees submit themselves.²⁰

Exemptions

No military exemption and no grandfather clause.²⁰

Late renewal

Reinstatement fee: $28⁵ (expired license, in addition to the $28 renewal fee)

If it expires

Reinstate within 5 years of expiry by meeting renewal requirements and paying the reinstatement fee plus renewal fee; after more than 5 years you must also pass the Board exam.²¹

Renew online

dllr.state.md.us⁵

From another state

Who needs a Cosmetologist license

For pay: hair services, arching or dyeing eyebrows, dyeing eyelashes, esthetic services, nail technician services and eyelash extension services. A cosmetologist license authorizes all aspects of beauty culture.¹²

Work that does not need this license:

• Not cosmetology: selling, fitting or styling wigs/hairpieces, mere shampooing, and braiding/twisting/locking/extensions that use no dyes or chemicals. Health professionals and licensed barbers acting within their own licenses are not restricted.¹²
• No license exists for microblading or permanent makeup; cosmetic tattooing is prohibited in Maryland salons.²²

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Licensees may work only in a beauty salon or barbershop holding a permit, or (sponsored by a salon, by appointment) in medical-beautification facilities, homes of homebound clients, assisted living, hospice, nursing homes and hospitals.²³

Requirements for a Cosmetologist license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Minimum age

17 years old²

Schooling

9th grade education or the equivalent (G.E.D.)²

Education or training

At least 1,500 clock hours²
At least 1,500 hours in a cosmetology school approved by the State Board of Education (public) or the Maryland Higher Education Commission (private) in consultation with the Board. Licensed Maryland barbers are credited with half the training (PSI guide: 750 hours).²
Who may teach it: Schools are approved by MSDE (public) or MHEC (private career schools); the Board reviews curriculum. Out-of-state or foreign schools count if substantially equivalent.²

Exam

PSI National Cosmetology theory and practical tests³
Given by: PSI³
Passing score: 75% on each part²⁴
When you can take it: You may take the written test after 1,380 of the 1,500 school hours; with all 1,500 hours you can take both parts in one sitting. Apprentices, closed-school and out-of-state candidates need a Board eligibility letter first.²⁵
Theory (written) test²⁴
Practical test (bring a mannequin head and a PSI exam kit)²⁴
Retakes: Unlimited retakes; a passed part does not have to be retaken.³
Exam waived: The Board may waive the exams for a person licensed in another state who passed an equivalent exam (endorsement).²⁶

Also required

Must show English communication ability sufficient to serve English-speaking patrons (exam passing standard); interpreters are allowed for the theory part only.²⁴

How much a Cosmetologist license costs

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Complete 1,500 hours at an approved school (or a 24-month registered apprenticeship) and the one-hour domestic violence awareness course.¹⁵
2. Apply online through the PSI automated application (mail/fax/email no longer accepted), pay PSI ($77 for both parts) and schedule.³
3. Pass the theory and practical tests (75% each); PSI sends results to the Board.³
4. Follow the Board's emailed instructions to apply for the original license online and pay the $28 license fee; work only in a permitted salon and affix a current photo to the license.²⁷

Temporary or provisional license

Only military spouses can get a temporary work permit while the application is processed.²²

Processing time

About 10 working days after passing both parts you receive emailed license-registration instructions from the Board.³

Renewal and continuing education

Moving to Maryland with a license from another state

These are the routes the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists publishes for the Cosmetologist license. The other cosmetologist licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Apprentice Cosmetologist registration

Learn all aspects of cosmetology in a permitted beauty salon (or barbershop) under the direct supervision of a senior cosmetologist; the registration is only for earning the training needed to qualify for the exam.¹⁰

Requirements

Minimum age

16 years old²⁸

Education or training

At least 24 months¹¹
Board orientation (self-paced PowerPoint) before registration; then 24 months of training (at least 20 hours a week, no more than 36 months) following the Board apprenticeship curriculum.²⁹
Who may teach it: Training in a licensed salon under a sponsoring senior cosmetologist, one apprentice per senior cosmetologist under COMAR (statute allows up to two); the sponsor files monthly reports and must re-submit sponsor information every 5 years.¹⁰

Also required

Must have a sponsoring salon and Board approval; sponsor and apprentice both complete the Apprenticeship Form before the online application is processed.¹⁶

Fees

How to apply

1. Find a sponsoring senior cosmetologist (approved sponsor list) at a licensed salon; both submit the Apprenticeship Form.²⁸
2. Apply online for the apprentice permit ($11) and complete the self-paced orientation.²⁸
3. Train 24 months at 20+ hours a week while the sponsor certifies monthly training reports online.¹⁶

Renewal

Renewal fee

$11⁴

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.

Senior Cosmetologist license

All aspects of beauty culture, plus responsibility for theory and practical training of apprentices in the salon; only a senior cosmetologist may sponsor a cosmetologist apprentice (up to two apprentices).¹³

Requirements

Experience

At least 2 years²
Two years of experience as a licensed cosmetologist (active Maryland cosmetologist license held at least 2 years).¹⁵
License you must hold first: Active Maryland cosmetologist license³

Exam

Senior Cosmetologist theory examination (100 questions)¹⁵
Given by: PSI³
Passing score: 75%²⁴
When you can take it: Email the Board (name, registration number, mailing address) for a senior cosmetologist approval letter, then register with PSI.³
Theory only (advanced sanitation, chemical applications, cutting/styling, diseases and disorders, laws and regulations)²⁴

Fees

How to apply

1. After 2 years as a licensed Maryland cosmetologist, email the Board for the senior cosmetologist approval letter.³
2. Register with PSI, pay $47 and pass the 100-question theory exam.³
3. Apply for the original senior license online and pay $28.¹⁵

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a cosmetologist in Maryland, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Maryland is on the Maryland license lookup page.

Look up a license

dllr.state.md.us¹¹

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-101 (definitions)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-205 (Board regulations; continuing education)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-301 (license required)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-304 (qualifications: cosmetologist and senior cosmetologist)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-305.1 (domestic violence awareness training)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-307 (examinations)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-308 (waiver of examination (licensed in another state))
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-311 (term and renewal)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-312 (reinstatement)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-401 (apprentice registration required)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-404 (scope of apprentice registration)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-405 (apprentice registration term)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-605 (practice only in permitted salon or barbershop)
• Md. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-6A-01 (Cosmetology Licensure Compact)
• COMAR 09.22.01.01 (general requirements)
• COMAR 09.22.01.02 (senior cosmetologist license)
• COMAR 09.22.01.03 (cosmetologist license)
• COMAR 09.22.01.07 (cosmetologist apprentice registration)
• COMAR 09.22.01.11 (supervision of an apprentice)
• COMAR 09.22.01.12 (apprenticeship registration requirements)
• COMAR 09.22.01.13 (examinations)
• COMAR 09.22.01.15 (renewals)
• COMAR 09.22.04.03 (continuing education requirements)
• COMAR 09.22.01.14

Rule changes since January 2024

• February 26, 2026: Updated PSI test-taker guides apply to exams on or after February 26, 2026.³
• January 1, 2026: Six hours of continuing education now required for renewal (2 required-topic hours, 4 elective).¹⁹
• March 31, 2025: PSI stopped accepting exam applications by mail, fax or email; apply online only.³

Common questions

Cosmetologist licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
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• Georgia
• Hawaii
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• Louisiana
• Maine
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• Michigan
• Minnesota
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• Montana
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• New Hampshire
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• North Carolina
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• Ohio
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• Texas
• Utah
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• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming