How to Get a Cosmetologist License in Maryland (2026)

Maryland Board of Cosmetologists

Maryland Board of Cosmetologists

Maryland Board of Cosmetologists

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.labor.maryland.gov/license/cos/cosreq.shtml

License Requirements - Cosmetologists

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://labor.maryland.gov/license/cos/cosapply.shtml

Apply for an original license online

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

17 years old

17

Cosmetologists: Must be at least 17 years of age

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Ninth grade or GED.

Ninth grade or GED.

have completed 9th grade or G.E.D

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

At least 1,500 hours in an approved cosmetology school, or 24 months as a registered apprentice in a licensed beauty salon.

At least 1,500 hours in an approved cosmetology school, or 24 months as a registered apprentice in a licensed beauty salon.

at least 1,500 hours of training in a cosmetology school that is approved by the State Board of Education (MSDE)or the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) in consultation with the Board; or 24 months as a registered apprentice in a licensed beauty salon.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Pass both the theory and practical examinations through PSI; passing scores must be within two years of each other.

Pass both the theory and practical examinations through PSI; passing scores must be within two years of each other.

To be licensed you must pass both the theory and practical examinations. Please note that testing scores must be passed successfully within two years of each other to be considered valid by the Board.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

$28

28

Cosmetologist — $28

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

$77

77

Cosmetologist: Practical and Theory - $77; Practical Only - $47; Theory Only - $47

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

2 years

2

License Period: Two-year period from the date of issuance.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

License Period: Two-year period from the date of issuance.

License Period: Two-year period from the date of issuance. Applies to: Cosmetologist license

License Period: Two-year period from the date of issuance.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

6 hours

6

Licensees are required to complete 2 hours of required topics and 4 hours of elective topics, for a total of 6 CE hours.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Two hours covering health, safety, welfare, sanitation and/or board laws and regulations; four elective hours within the license scope.

Two hours covering health, safety, welfare, sanitation and/or board laws and regulations; four elective hours within the license scope.

Required Topics – 2 hours total. Must cover Health, Safety, Welfare, Sanitation, and/or Board Laws/Regulations. Elective Topics-4 hours total. Electives are courses chosen based on individual interests, as long as they fall within the scope of practice for your license type.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Endorsement requires a current active license in good standing with comparable requirements and board-to-board verification. The board lists jurisdiction-specific examination and experience exceptions; review those before applying.

Endorsement requires a current active license in good standing with comparable requirements and board-to-board verification. The board lists jurisdiction-specific examination and experience exceptions; review those before applying.

Hold a current, active license in good standing from another U.S. state, territory, or jurisdiction with comparable licensing requirements. The issuing licensing authority must send official license verification, including any disciplinary history, directly to the Maryland Boards of Barbers and Cosmetologists States That Do Not Qualify for Reciprocity

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

All applicants for initial licensure and license renewals with the Maryland State Board of Barbers and the State Board of Cosmetologists must complete a one-hour domestic violence awareness training. This is a one-time training requirement.

Effective January 1, 2026, initial applicants and renewing licensees must complete one hour of domestic violence awareness training once.

All applicants for initial licensure and license renewals with the Maryland State Board of Barbers and the State Board of Cosmetologists must complete a one-hour domestic violence awareness training. This is a one-time training requirement.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The six-hour continuing education requirement applies beginning January 1, 2026.

The six-hour continuing education requirement applies beginning January 1, 2026.

Effective January 1, 2026, The State Legislature- HB 1600, requires Licensees to complete six hours of approved continuing education as a condition of license renewal.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026