# Business Occupations and Professions (GBO)

## Title 4. Barbers

### Subtitle 1. Definitions; General Provisions

#### Section 4-101

(a) In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Apprentice barber" means an individual who, under the supervision of a master barber, is learning to practice barbering or to provide barber-stylist services in a barbershop that holds a barbershop permit.

(c) "Barber" means an individual who practices barbering.

(d) "Barber-stylist" means an individual who provides barber-stylist services.

(e)

  (1) "Barbershop" means any commercial establishment, except a beauty salon, in which an individual practices barbering or provides barber-stylist services.

  (2) "Barbershop" includes a mobile barbershop.

  (3) "Barbershop" does not include a clinic in a barber school.

(f) "Barbershop permit" means a permit issued by the Board to operate a barbershop.

(g) "Board" means the State Board of Barbers.

(h)

  (1) "License" means, unless the context requires otherwise, a license issued by the Board to practice barbering or to provide barber-stylist services.

  (2) "License" includes, unless the context requires otherwise, each of the following licenses:

    (i) a master barber license;

    (ii) a barber license; and

    (iii) a barber-stylist limited license.

(i)

  (1) "Limited license" means a license issued by the Board to practice barbering as limited in Sec. 4-301 of this title.

  (2) "Limited license" includes, unless the context requires otherwise, a limited license to provide barber-stylist services.

(j) "Master barber" means a barber who:

  (1) has at least 15 months experience as a licensed barber; and

  (2) has passed a test approved by the Board.

(k) "Mobile barbershop" means a barbershop that is located in a motor vehicle or a trailer that is designed, constructed, and equipped as a place for an individual to practice barbering and for use as a conveyance on highways.

(l)

  (1) "Practice barbering" means to provide to an individual for compensation the service of:

    (i) cutting, razor cutting, styling, relaxing, body waving, shampooing, or coloring the hair;

    (ii) shaving or trimming the beard;

    (iii) massaging the face;

    (iv) designing, fitting, or cutting a hairpiece; or

    (v) performing any other similar procedure on the hair, beard, face, or hairpiece of the individual.

  (2) "Practice barbering" does not include:

    (i) the mere sale of wigs or hairpieces; or

    (ii) the services performed by an employee under the supervision of a master barber in a barbershop that holds a barbershop permit that are restricted to:

      (1) shampooing;

      (2) removal of a hair solution;

      (3) sterilization of equipment; or

      (4) similar activities.

(m) "Provide barber-stylist services" means to provide to an individual for compensation the service of:

  (1) cutting, razor cutting, or styling the hair;

  (2) shaving or trimming the beard;

  (3) massaging the face; or

  (4) performing any other similar procedure on the hair, beard, or face of the individual.

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Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)