# Business Occupations and Professions (GBO)

## Title 5. Cosmetologists

### Subtitle 3. Licenses

#### Section 5-305

(a) To qualify for a limited license to practice cosmetology, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section.

(b) An applicant for a limited license to provide esthetic services shall:

  (1) be at least 17 years old;

  (2) have completed successfully a 9th grade education or the equivalent;

  (3) have received training by:

    (i) serving as a registered apprentice for at least 6 months as provided under Sec.Sec. 5-404 and 5-405 of this title; or

    (ii) successfully completing at least 600 hours of instruction in providing esthetic services in a cosmetology school approved by the State Department of Education or the Maryland Higher Education Commission in consultation with the Board; and

  (4) have completed 1 hour of in-person or virtual training in domestic violence awareness under Sec. 5-305.1 of this subtitle.

(c) An applicant for a limited license to provide eyelash extension services shall:

  (1) be at least 17 years old;

  (2) have completed successfully a 9th grade education or the equivalent; and

  (3) have received training by:

    (i) serving as a registered apprentice for at least 3 months as provided under Sec.Sec. 5-404 and 5-405 of this title; or

    (ii) successfully completing at least 100 hours of instruction in providing eyelash extension services in a cosmetology school approved by the State Department of Education or the Maryland Higher Education Commission in consultation with the Board.

(d) An applicant for a limited license to provide hair services shall:

  (1) be at least 17 years old;

  (2) have completed successfully a 9th grade education or the equivalent;

  (3) have received training by:

    (i) serving as a registered apprentice for at least 15 months as provided under Sec.Sec. 5-404 and 5-405 of this title; or

    (ii) successfully completing at least 1,200 hours of instruction providing hair services in a cosmetology school approved by the State Department of Education or the Maryland Higher Education Commission in consultation with the Board; and

  (4) have completed 1 hour of in-person or virtual training in domestic violence awareness.

(e) An applicant for a limited license to provide hair services - blow drying shall:

  (1) be at least 17 years old;

  (2) have completed successfully a 9th grade education or the equivalent;

  (3) have received training by successfully completing at least 350 hours of instruction providing hair services - blow drying in a cosmetology school approved by the State Department of Education or the Maryland Higher Education Commission in consultation with the Board; and

  (4) have completed 1 hour of in-person or virtual training in domestic violence awareness.

(f) An applicant for a limited license to provide nail technician services shall:

  (1) be at least 17 years old;

  (2) have successfully completed a 9th grade education or the equivalent;

  (3) have received training by:

    (i) serving as a registered apprentice for at least 3 months as provided under Sec.Sec. 5-404 and 5-405 of this title; or

    (ii) successfully completing at least 250 hours of instruction in providing nail technician services in a cosmetology school approved by the State Department of Education or the Maryland Higher Education Commission in consultation with the Board; and

  (4) have completed 1 hour of in-person or virtual training in domestic violence awareness under Sec. 5-305.1 of this subtitle.

(g) If an applicant is licensed to practice as an esthetician, eyelash extension technician, hairstylist, hairstylist - blow drying technician, or nail technician in another state or foreign country, the applicant meets the training requirements of this section if the applicant has held a limited license in the other state or foreign country and has actively practiced in the other state or foreign country for a period of 6 months.

(h) An applicant for a limited license shall pass an examination given by the Board under this subtitle.

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