§ 5–304
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 5-304 (2026)
Title 5. Cosmetologists
Subtitle 3. Licenses
§ 5–304LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
To qualify for a license to practice as a cosmetologist, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section.
(2)
The applicant shall be at least 17 years old.
(3)
The applicant shall have completed successfully a 9th grade education or the equivalent.
(4)
(i)
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an applicant shall have received training by:
(1)
serving as a registered apprentice as provided under §§ 5–404 and 5–405(e) of this title; or
(2)
successfully completing a required program of at least 1,500 hours of training in a cosmetology school that is approved by the State Board of Education or the Maryland Higher Education Commission in consultation with the Board.
(ii)
If an applicant is a barber or master barber currently licensed in this State, the Board shall:
(1)
credit the applicant with having met one–half of the training requirements of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph; and
(2)
determine the manner in which the credit will be applied.
(iii)
An applicant meets the requirements of this subsection if:
(1)
the applicant has held a cosmetologist license in another state or foreign country and has actively practiced cosmetology in the other state or foreign country for a period of 6 months; or
(2)
the applicant has been trained in a cosmetology school in another state or foreign country that has standards substantially equivalent to or more stringent than the standards of a school that is approved by the State Board of Education or the Maryland Higher Education Commission in consultation with the Board.
(5)
The applicant shall have completed 1 hour of in–person or virtual training in domestic violence awareness under § 5–305.1 of this subtitle.
(6)
Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the applicant shall pass a written and practical examination given by the Board under this subtitle.
(b)
To qualify for a license as a senior cosmetologist, an applicant shall:
(1)
have 2 years of experience as a licensed cosmetologist; and
(2)
pass an examination approved by the Board.