Maryland license renewal and continuing education
How to renew a cosmetology license in Maryland
What it takes to renew a cosmetology, barber, nail technician or esthetician license in Maryland: when each expires, the renewal fee, the continuing education it needs, and what to do if you renew late or the license has lapsed. Every answer comes from the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026.
| License | Continuing education | Fee | Renews | Late fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 6 hours per renewal | $28 | Every 2 years | $28 |
| Barber | None required | $56 | Every 2 years | $56 |
| Nail technician | 6 hours per renewal | $28 | Every 2 years | $28 |
| Esthetician | 6 hours per renewal | $28 | Every 2 years | $28 |
Renew on the board's site Check your license status The board's own words
At $14 a year, renewing costs less than the $32.50 a year typical across the states; its continuing education works out to 3 hours a year of license.
Cosmetologist
Maryland cosmetology license renewal
Renewed through the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsTwo years from the date the license was issued.
- Renewal fee
- $28 ($14 a year)
- Continuing education
- 6 hours per renewalSix hours of Board-approved continuing education per two-year renewal: 2 hours of required topics (health, safety, welfare, or Board laws and regulations) and 4 hours of elective topics. Proof must be provided before the term ends.
- Late renewal
- $28If the license has expired, a $28 reinstatement fee is paid in addition to the renewal fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleIf the license has expired, a $28 reinstatement fee is paid in addition to the renewal fee.
Barber
Maryland barber license renewal
Renewed through the Maryland State Board of Barbers.
- When it expires
- Every 2 years
- Renewal fee
- $56 ($28 a year)
- Continuing education
- None requiredNo continuing education is required to renew a barber license.
- Late renewal
- $56If the license has expired, a $56 reinstatement fee is automatically assessed.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleIf the license has expired, a $56 reinstatement fee is automatically assessed.
Nail technician (Limited Nail Technician)
Maryland nail technician license renewal
Renewed through the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsTwo years from the date the license was issued.
- Renewal fee
- $28 ($14 a year)
- Continuing education
- 6 hours per renewalSix hours of Board-approved continuing education per two-year renewal: 2 hours of required topics (health, safety, welfare, or Board laws and regulations) and 4 hours of elective topics. Proof must be provided before the term ends.
- Late renewal
- $28If the license has expired, a $28 reinstatement fee is paid in addition to the renewal fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleIf the license has expired, a $28 reinstatement fee is paid in addition to the renewal fee.
Esthetician (Limited Esthetician)
Maryland esthetician license renewal
Renewed through the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists.
- When it expires
- Every 2 yearsTwo years from the date the license was issued.
- Renewal fee
- $28 ($14 a year)
- Continuing education
- 6 hours per renewalSix hours of Board-approved continuing education per two-year renewal: 2 hours of required topics (health, safety, welfare, or Board laws and regulations) and 4 hours of elective topics. Proof must be provided before the term ends.
- Late renewal
- $28If the license has expired, a $28 reinstatement fee is paid in addition to the renewal fee.
- If it has expired
- See the ruleIf the license has expired, a $28 reinstatement fee is paid in addition to the renewal fee.
Good to know
What else Maryland says about renewing
- Renewal application and payment must be submitted at least 14 days before the existing license expires.
- Cosmetology and barber applicants and renewing licensees must complete a one-hour domestic violence awareness training.
- Cosmetology licensees must be affiliated with a licensed salon or licensed barbershop to perform services.
Sources
What Maryland's official pages say
Each answer above, in the words of the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists's own pages, rules and fee schedules, read on October 28, 2026. Fees and deadlines change: confirm with the board before you renew.
- Cosmetologist: renewal period
“The renewal fee is for a two-year license. A reinstatement fee of $28 will be automatically assessed if your license is expired.”
labor.maryland.gov “Example: If your license was issued on February 1, 2024, and expires on”
labor.maryland.gov “February 1, 2026, you must complete all six required courses within that”
labor.maryland.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal fee
“(3) Cosmetologist - $28;”
dsd.maryland.gov - Cosmetologist: continuing education
“A licensee shall complete, as a condition for a license renewal, a minimum 6 credit hours of approved continuing education.”
dsd.maryland.gov “The State Legislature requires Licensees to complete six hours of approved continuing education as a condition of license renewal.”
labor.maryland.gov “F. Prior to the expiration of each 2-year term, a licensee shall provide proof of satisfactory completion of continuing education requirements.”
dsd.maryland.gov “two hours of training in health, safety, and welfare subjects; and”
mgaleg.maryland.gov “four hours of training in general elective courses.”
mgaleg.maryland.gov “(a) Board Laws and Regulations (1 to 2 hours);”
dsd.maryland.gov - Cosmetologist: late renewal
“(a) If the license of a senior cosmetologist, cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician license has expired, a reinstatement fee of $28 shall be paid in addition to the renewal fee in this section; and”
dsd.maryland.gov - Cosmetologist: expired license
“(a) If the license of a senior cosmetologist, cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician license has expired, a reinstatement fee of $28 shall be paid in addition to the renewal fee in this section; and”
dsd.maryland.gov - Barber: renewal period
“The renewal fee is for a two-year license, if renewed on time.”
labor.maryland.gov - Barber: renewal fee
“(3) Barber - $56;”
dsd.maryland.gov - Barber: continuing education
“There is no continuing education requirement to renew a barber license.”
labor.maryland.gov - Barber: late renewal
“A reinstatement fee of $56 will be automatically assessed if your license is expired.”
labor.maryland.gov - Barber: expired license
“A reinstatement fee of $56 will be automatically assessed if your license is expired.”
labor.maryland.gov - Nail technician: renewal period
“The renewal fee is for a two-year license. A reinstatement fee of $28 will be automatically assessed if your license is expired.”
labor.maryland.gov “Example: If your license was issued on February 1, 2024, and expires on”
labor.maryland.gov “February 1, 2026, you must complete all six required courses within that”
labor.maryland.gov - Nail technician: renewal fee
“(6) Nail technician - $28;”
dsd.maryland.gov - Nail technician: continuing education
“A licensee shall complete, as a condition for a license renewal, a minimum 6 credit hours of approved continuing education.”
dsd.maryland.gov “The State Legislature requires Licensees to complete six hours of approved continuing education as a condition of license renewal.”
labor.maryland.gov “F. Prior to the expiration of each 2-year term, a licensee shall provide proof of satisfactory completion of continuing education requirements.”
dsd.maryland.gov “two hours of training in health, safety, and welfare subjects; and”
mgaleg.maryland.gov “four hours of training in general elective courses.”
mgaleg.maryland.gov “(a) Board Laws and Regulations (1 to 2 hours);”
dsd.maryland.gov - Nail technician: late renewal
“(a) If the license of a senior cosmetologist, cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician license has expired, a reinstatement fee of $28 shall be paid in addition to the renewal fee in this section; and”
dsd.maryland.gov - Nail technician: expired license
“(a) If the license of a senior cosmetologist, cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician license has expired, a reinstatement fee of $28 shall be paid in addition to the renewal fee in this section; and”
dsd.maryland.gov - Esthetician: renewal period
“The renewal fee is for a two-year license. A reinstatement fee of $28 will be automatically assessed if your license is expired.”
labor.maryland.gov “Example: If your license was issued on February 1, 2024, and expires on”
labor.maryland.gov “February 1, 2026, you must complete all six required courses within that”
labor.maryland.gov - Esthetician: renewal fee
“(5) Esthetician - $28;”
dsd.maryland.gov - Esthetician: continuing education
“A licensee shall complete, as a condition for a license renewal, a minimum 6 credit hours of approved continuing education.”
dsd.maryland.gov “The State Legislature requires Licensees to complete six hours of approved continuing education as a condition of license renewal.”
labor.maryland.gov “F. Prior to the expiration of each 2-year term, a licensee shall provide proof of satisfactory completion of continuing education requirements.”
dsd.maryland.gov “two hours of training in health, safety, and welfare subjects; and”
mgaleg.maryland.gov “four hours of training in general elective courses.”
mgaleg.maryland.gov “(a) Board Laws and Regulations (1 to 2 hours);”
dsd.maryland.gov - Esthetician: late renewal
“(a) If the license of a senior cosmetologist, cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician license has expired, a reinstatement fee of $28 shall be paid in addition to the renewal fee in this section; and”
dsd.maryland.gov - Esthetician: expired license
“(a) If the license of a senior cosmetologist, cosmetologist, esthetician, or nail technician license has expired, a reinstatement fee of $28 shall be paid in addition to the renewal fee in this section; and”
dsd.maryland.gov - Also good to know
“B. A licensee, permit holder, or cosmetologist apprentice shall submit each application and the required payment at least 14 days before the expiration date of the existing license.”
dsd.maryland.gov - Also good to know
“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.”
labor.maryland.gov - Also good to know
“Please note: Business Occupations and Professions Article Section 5-605 , Annotated Code of Maryland provides that you must be affiliated with a licensed salon or licensed barbershop to perform services.”
labor.maryland.gov
Questions
Maryland license renewal, answered
How do I renew my cosmetology license in Maryland?
The Maryland Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years for $28, through the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists. When it expires: Two years from the date the license was issued. Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Six hours of Board-approved continuing education per two-year renewal: 2 hours of required topics (health, safety, welfare, or Board laws and regulations) and 4 hours of elective topics. Proof must be provided before the term ends. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Maryland cosmetology license?
Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Six hours of Board-approved continuing education per two-year renewal: 2 hours of required topics (health, safety, welfare, or Board laws and regulations) and 4 hours of elective topics. Proof must be provided before the term ends.
What happens if my Maryland cosmetology license expires?
If the license has expired, a $28 reinstatement fee is paid in addition to the renewal fee.
How do I renew my barber license in Maryland?
The Maryland Barber license renews every 2 years for $56, through the Maryland State Board of Barbers. No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a barber license. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Maryland barber license?
No continuing education is required to renew it: no continuing education is required to renew a barber license.
What happens if my Maryland barber license expires?
If the license has expired, a $56 reinstatement fee is automatically assessed.
How do I renew my nail technician license in Maryland?
The Maryland Limited Nail Technician license renews every 2 years for $28, through the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists. When it expires: Two years from the date the license was issued. Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Six hours of Board-approved continuing education per two-year renewal: 2 hours of required topics (health, safety, welfare, or Board laws and regulations) and 4 hours of elective topics. Proof must be provided before the term ends. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Maryland nail technician license?
Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Six hours of Board-approved continuing education per two-year renewal: 2 hours of required topics (health, safety, welfare, or Board laws and regulations) and 4 hours of elective topics. Proof must be provided before the term ends.
What happens if my Maryland nail technician license expires?
If the license has expired, a $28 reinstatement fee is paid in addition to the renewal fee.
How do I renew my esthetician license in Maryland?
The Maryland Limited Esthetician license renews every 2 years for $28, through the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists. When it expires: Two years from the date the license was issued. Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Six hours of Board-approved continuing education per two-year renewal: 2 hours of required topics (health, safety, welfare, or Board laws and regulations) and 4 hours of elective topics. Proof must be provided before the term ends. Renew on the board's own site, linked on this page.
How many continuing education hours do I need to renew a Maryland esthetician license?
Continuing education (6 hours per renewal): Six hours of Board-approved continuing education per two-year renewal: 2 hours of required topics (health, safety, welfare, or Board laws and regulations) and 4 hours of elective topics. Proof must be provided before the term ends.
What happens if my Maryland esthetician license expires?
If the license has expired, a $28 reinstatement fee is paid in addition to the renewal fee.
Plan the rest
Licensed, renewed, and fully booked
- Getting a first license in Maryland: training hours, exams and fees
- What a licensed esthetician may do in Maryland
- Running your own salon in Maryland: the salon license
- What Maryland inspectors check in a salon
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