# Business Occupations and Professions (GBO)

## Title 5. Cosmetologists

### Subtitle 3. Licenses

#### Section 5-304

(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 Sec.Sec. 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 Sec. 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.

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