StateLicensed

Cosmetologist License Requirements in Maryland

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
1500 hrs
Upfront cost
$122
Exam
Cosmetologist Theory Examination, Cosmetologist Practical Examination
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 17 years old, Completion of 9th grade or GED. The Board's official license-requirements page (age, education, training hours) does not list a criminal history/background check as part of the cosmetologist application requirements, unlike some other Maryland occupational and health licenses. Set to false based on the absence of such a requirement on the official page; this differs from unofficial aggregator claims that were not corroborated by labor.maryland.gov. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 1500 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,500 hours of training in a cosmetology school approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) or Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). Apprenticeship alternative: 24 months as a registered apprentice in a licensed beauty salon (Limited Nail Technician apprenticeship is 8 months / 250 hours). Effective January 1, 2026, all applicants must also complete a one-time 1-hour Domestic Violence Awareness training as a condition of initial licensure. [1]

  3. 3

    Cosmetologist Theory Examination

    Pass the Cosmetologist Theory Examination (fee: $47). Multiple-choice knowledge test, scheduled and delivered via PSI (psiexams.com). Both the Theory and Practical exams must be passed within two years of each other. A combined Theory + Practical registration is $77. [2]

  4. 4

    Cosmetologist Practical Examination

    Pass the Cosmetologist Practical Examination (fee: $47). Hands-on, proctored skills demonstration. Combined Theory + Practical registration fee is $77 when scheduled together. Senior Cosmetologist applicants (2+ years already licensed) take only the Theory exam. [2]

  5. 5

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing). [3]

  6. 6

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing) issues your Cosmetologist License for Maryland.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [3] None specified
License fee [3] $28
Renewal fee [3] $28
Cosmetologist Theory Examination [2] $47
Cosmetologist Practical Examination [2] $47
Apprentice Registration (per category) [3] $11
Late Renewal Penalty [3] $28

The Board's published fee schedule lists a single $28 fee for the original Cosmetologist/Senior Cosmetologist/Limited license (no separate 'application' line item distinct from the initial license fee), and $28 for renewal. Salon/shop permit fees ($225 initial / $56 renewal) are for the business, not the individual license, and are excluded here. PSI exam fees ($47 per component, $77 combined) are listed under exams, not here.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 6 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Effective January 1, 2026 (HB 1600), cosmetologists, senior cosmetologists, limited hair stylists, limited nail technicians, limited estheticians, and limited blow-dry stylists must complete 6 hours of approved continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle (2 hours required topics: health/safety/welfare/sanitation/Board law; 4 hours elective). Licensees holding multiple license types must complete 6 hours per license held. No military exemption. This CE requirement does not apply to barbers.

Reciprocity

Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.

Maryland offers Licensure by Endorsement for applicants holding a current, active, good-standing license from another U.S. state/territory obtained under standards the Board considers equal to or greater than Maryland's. The issuing state's licensing authority must send official license verification (including program clock hours and exam history) directly to the Board; applicant-submitted documents are not accepted. A one-time 1-hour Domestic Violence Awareness training (Maryland Board-approved provider) is also required for endorsement applicants, effective January 1, 2026. Per the official Cosmetology Compact Commission site (cosmetologycompact.gov, checked 2026-07-10), Maryland has enacted Cosmetology Licensure Compact legislation (SB 27 / HB 383, 2024 session) and is shown as 'Enacted' on the commission's compact map. However, the compact itself is not yet operational anywhere — the commission's own site states no state is currently issuing multistate licenses under it, so compacts is left empty here per the contract's operational-membership standard; Maryland's enacted-but-not-operational status is recorded here instead.

16 state-approved training providers in Maryland — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $28
  • $47
  • $47
Total$122

Frequently asked questions

How many training hours does Maryland require for a cosmetologist license?

1,500 hours at an MSDE- or MHEC-approved cosmetology school, or 24 months as a registered apprentice in a licensed beauty salon.

Who administers Maryland's cosmetology licensing exam?

PSI Services LLC, under contract with the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists. Candidates must pass both a Theory and a Practical exam within two years of each other.

How often does a Maryland cosmetologist license need to be renewed?

Every 2 years. Effective January 1, 2026, renewal also requires 6 hours of approved continuing education per cycle.

Can I transfer my cosmetology license from another state to Maryland?

Yes, through Licensure by Endorsement, if you hold a current license from a state with standards equal to or greater than Maryland's. Your original licensing state must send verification of your license and training hours directly to the Maryland Board.

Is there a minimum age to get licensed in Maryland?

Yes, applicants must be at least 17 years old and have completed 9th grade or a GED.

Sources

  1. [1] labor.maryland.gov/license/cos/coslicreq.shtml — accessed 2026-07-10
  2. [2] labor.maryland.gov/license/cos/cosexam.shtml — accessed 2026-07-10
  3. [3] labor.maryland.gov/license/cos/cosaff.shtml — accessed 2026-07-10
  4. [4] labor.maryland.gov/license/cos/coscontinuingeducation.shtml — accessed 2026-07-10
  5. [5] labor.maryland.gov/license/cos/cosrecip.shtml — accessed 2026-07-10