Maryland beauty licenses
Maryland cosmetology license requirements
To work as a cosmetologist in Maryland you need a Cosmetologist license from the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists. It takes 1,500 hours of school and $28 in state fees. Exams: theory and practical exams (PSI Services). Barbers, nail technicians and estheticians each need a license of their own, below. Every figure is quoted from the state's official pages, read on October 22, 2026.
- Cosmetology hours
- 1,500
- Barber hours
- 1,200
Licensed by the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists.How to apply License lookup The state's own words
Cosmetologist
Maryland cosmetology license
- License
- Cosmetologist
- Issued by
- The Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists
- Training
- 1,500 hours1,500 hours of school, or a registered apprenticeship in a licensed beauty salon. About 10 months of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate, not a state rule).
- Exams
- Theory and practical exams (PSI Services)
- Who can apply
- 17 years old, 9th grade or GED
- State fees, first license
- $28
- Exam fees to the testing company
- cosmetologist exam, practical and theory $79Paid to the company that runs the exam, as stated on the state's own pages.
- Renewal
- Every 2 years, $28
- Continuing education
- 6 hours per renewal
Maryland's 1,500 hours are the same as the 1,500 hours of the middle state.
Barber
Maryland barber license
- License
- Barber
- Issued by
- The Maryland State Board of Barbers
- Training
- 1,200 hours1,200 hours in a barber school, or 2,250 hours as a registered apprentice. About 8 months of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate, not a state rule).
- Apprenticeship route
- 2,250 hours
- Exams
- Practical and theory exams (PSI Services)
- Who can apply
- Not stated
- State fees, first license
- $56
- Exam fees to the testing company
- barber exam, practical and theory $77Paid to the company that runs the exam, as stated on the state's own pages.
- Renewal
- Every 2 years, $56
- Continuing education
- None required
Maryland's 1,200 hours are fewer than the 1,250 hours of the middle state.
Nail technician
Maryland nail technician license
Maryland calls it the Limited Nail Technician license.
- License
- Limited Nail Technician
- Issued by
- The Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists
- Training
- 250 hours250 hours of school, or a registered apprenticeship in a licensed beauty salon. About 2 months of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate, not a state rule).
- Exams
- Theory and practical exams (PSI Services)
- Who can apply
- 17 years old, 9th grade or GED
- State fees, first license
- $28
- Exam fees to the testing company
- nail technician exam, practical and theory $79Paid to the company that runs the exam, as stated on the state's own pages.
- Renewal
- Every 2 years, $28
- Continuing education
- 6 hours per renewal
Maryland's 250 hours are fewer than the 350 hours of the middle state.
Esthetician
Maryland esthetician license
Maryland calls it the Limited Esthetician license.
- License
- Limited Esthetician
- Issued by
- The Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists
- Training
- 600 hours600 hours of school, or a registered apprenticeship in a licensed beauty salon. About 4 months of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate, not a state rule).
- Exams
- Theory and practical exams (PSI Services)
- Who can apply
- 17 years old, 9th grade or GED
- State fees, first license
- $28
- Exam fees to the testing company
- esthetician exam, practical and theory $79Paid to the company that runs the exam, as stated on the state's own pages.
- Renewal
- Every 2 years, $28
- Continuing education
- 6 hours per renewal
Maryland's 600 hours are the same as the 600 hours of the middle state.
Doing lashes, lifts, waxing or threading? See which license Maryland requires for each. Microblading or permanent makeup? See what Maryland requires for it. Microneedling, peels, dermaplaning or lasers? See what an esthetician may do in Maryland.
Moving here
Licensed in another state?
By endorsement: a current, active license in good standing from another U.S. state with comparable licensing requirements, verified directly by that state to the Board; the $28 fee is the cosmetology fee (barber endorsement is $56).
Good to know in Maryland
- Cosmetology licensees must complete six hours of approved continuing education to renew, effective January 1, 2026.
- Original cosmetology applicants must complete the required domestic violence awareness training.
- A spouse in the military may qualify for a temporary work permit while the application is processed; call the Board for information.
Sources
What Maryland's official pages say
Each figure above, in the words of the state's own pages, rules or statutes, read on October 22, 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the board before you enroll or apply.
- Cosmetologist: license
“Cosmetologists: Must be at least 17 years of age and have completed 9th grade or G.E.D”
labor.maryland.gov - Cosmetologist: training hours
“must submit proof of completion of 1500 hours of training”
labor.maryland.gov “required program of at least 1,500 hours of training in a cosmetology school”
labor.maryland.gov - Cosmetologist: exams
“PSI Services provides examination services for the State Board of Cosmetologists”
labor.maryland.gov - Cosmetologist: who can apply
“Cosmetologists: Must be at least 17 years of age and have completed 9th grade or G.E.D”
labor.maryland.gov - Cosmetologist: fees
“(3) Cosmetologist - $28;”
dsd.maryland.gov “$79; Practical Only - $49; Theory Only - $49”
labor.maryland.gov - Cosmetologist: renewal
“The renewal fee is for a two-year license”
labor.maryland.gov “(3) Cosmetologist - $28;”
dsd.maryland.gov “include a total of 6 hours”
labor.maryland.gov - Barber: license
“Barber: Must submit proof of completion of 1200 hours of barber student training”
labor.maryland.gov - Barber: issued by
“License Requirements - Maryland Board of Barbers”
labor.maryland.gov - Barber: training hours
“Barber: Must submit proof of completion of 1200 hours of barber student training”
labor.maryland.gov - Barber: apprenticeship
“2250 hours as a registered apprentice in a licensed barbershop”
labor.maryland.gov - Barber: exams
“Applicants for barber and master barber must pass an examination in order to qualify for a license.”
labor.maryland.gov - Barber: fees
“(3) Barber - $56;”
dsd.maryland.gov “Practical and Theory: $77”
labor.maryland.gov - Barber: renewal
“The renewal fee is for a two-year license, if renewed on time.”
labor.maryland.gov “(3) Barber - $56;”
dsd.maryland.gov “There is no continuing education requirement to renew a barber license.”
labor.maryland.gov - Nail technician: license
“Limited Nail Technician: Must be at least 17 years of age and have completed 9th grade or G.E.D”
labor.maryland.gov - Nail technician: training hours
“successfully completing at least 250 hours of instruction in providing nail technician services”
labor.maryland.gov - Nail technician: exams
“PSI Services provides examination services for the State Board of Cosmetologists”
labor.maryland.gov - Nail technician: who can apply
“Limited Nail Technician: Must be at least 17 years of age and have completed 9th grade or G.E.D”
labor.maryland.gov - Nail technician: fees
“(6) Nail technician - $28;”
dsd.maryland.gov “$79; Practical Only - $49; Theory Only - $49”
labor.maryland.gov - Nail technician: renewal
“The renewal fee is for a two-year license”
labor.maryland.gov “(6) Nail technician - $28;”
dsd.maryland.gov “include a total of 6 hours”
labor.maryland.gov - Esthetician: license
“Limited Esthetician: Must be at least 17 years of age and have completed 9th grade or G.E.D”
labor.maryland.gov - Esthetician: training hours
“successfully completing a required program of at least 600 hours of instruction in providing esthetic services”
labor.maryland.gov - Esthetician: exams
“PSI Services provides examination services for the State Board of Cosmetologists”
labor.maryland.gov - Esthetician: who can apply
“Limited Esthetician: Must be at least 17 years of age and have completed 9th grade or G.E.D”
labor.maryland.gov - Esthetician: fees
“(5) Esthetician - $28;”
dsd.maryland.gov “$79; Practical Only - $49; Theory Only - $49”
labor.maryland.gov - Esthetician: renewal
“The renewal fee is for a two-year license”
labor.maryland.gov “(5) Esthetician - $28;”
dsd.maryland.gov “include a total of 6 hours”
labor.maryland.gov - Licensed in another state
“Cosmetologist, Senior Cosmetologist, Limited Hairstylist, Limited Esthetician, Limited Nail Tech, Blow Dryer Stylist: $28”
labor.maryland.gov “Hold a current, active license in good standing from another U.S. state, territory, or jurisdiction with comparable licensing requirements.”
labor.maryland.gov “Master Barber, Barber, Limited Barber Stylist: $56”
labor.maryland.gov - Also good to know
“complete six hours of approved continuing education as a condition of”
labor.maryland.gov - Also good to know
“and completion of the required domestic violence awareness training”
labor.maryland.gov - Also good to know
“In the case of having a spouse in the military, you will qualify for a temporary work permit.”
labor.maryland.gov
Questions
Maryland beauty licenses, answered
How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Maryland?
1,500 hours of training for a Cosmetologist license. About 10 months of full-time school at 35 hours a week (our estimate). Maryland's 1,500 hours are the same as the 1,500 hours of the middle state.
How much does a cosmetology license cost in Maryland?
The state's fees for a first Cosmetologist license are $28, and it renews every 2 years, $28. School tuition is the much larger cost, and testing companies may charge their own exam fees.
How do you renew a cosmetology license in Maryland?
The Cosmetologist license renews every 2 years for $28. Each renewal needs 6 hours of continuing education. Renew with the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists before the license expires.
How do you get a nail technician license in Maryland?
Maryland calls it a Limited Nail Technician license, issued by the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists. It takes 250 hours of training, theory and practical exams (PSI Services), $28 in state fees. It renews every 2 years, $28.
How do you get an esthetician license in Maryland?
Maryland calls it a Limited Esthetician license, issued by the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists. It takes 600 hours of training, theory and practical exams (PSI Services), $28 in state fees. It renews every 2 years, $28.
How do you get a barber license in Maryland?
Maryland calls it a Barber license, issued by the Maryland State Board of Barbers. It takes 1,200 hours of training, practical and theory exams (PSI Services), $56 in state fees. It renews every 2 years, $56.
Can you transfer a cosmetology license from another state to Maryland?
By endorsement: a current, active license in good standing from another U.S. state with comparable licensing requirements, verified directly by that state to the Board; the $28 fee is the cosmetology fee (barber endorsement is $56). The fee is $28. Apply with the Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists.
Do you need a separate license to open a salon in Maryland?
Usually, yes: the business needs its own establishment license on top of each person's license. See what Maryland requires to open a salon, with its fees, inspection and booth rental rules.
Once you are licensed
Working for yourself, or opening a salon
- What Maryland requires to open a salon of your own
- Every step to opening a salon in Maryland, as a checklist
- Commission or booth rent? Compare what you would take home
- Renting a chair? Start from a booth rental agreement
Beauty licenses in other states
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