An individual shall be registered by the Board before the individual may serve as an apprentice in a beauty salon in the State.

An applicant for registration shall: submit to the Board an application on the form that the Board provides; and pay to the Board an application fee established by the Board in accordance with § 5-205 of this title.

The Board shall register and issue a certificate of registration to each applicant who meets the requirements of this subtitle.

While registration as an apprentice is in effect, the registration authorizes the individual to learn to practice cosmetology or any limited practice of cosmetology: in a: beauty salon that holds a beauty salon permit; or barbershop that holds a barbershop permit; and under the supervision of: if learning to practice cosmetology, a licensed senior cosmetologist; if learning to provide esthetic services, a licensed senior cosmetologist or a licensed esthetician with 2 years’ experience; if learning to provide eyelash extension services: beginning January 1, 2027, a licensed senior cosmetologist who has completed continuing education requirements in providing eyelash extension services; or a licensed eyelash extension technician with 2 years’ experience; if learning to provide hair services, a licensed senior cosmetologist or a licensed hairstylist with 2 years’ experience; and if learning to provide nail technician services, a licensed senior cosmetologist or a licensed nail technician with 2 years’ experience. A licensed senior cosmetologist may directly train and supervise not more than two apprentices learning to practice cosmetology or any limited practice of cosmetology specified in subsection (a)(2) of this section. An individual with one of the limited licenses specified in subsection (a)(2) of this section who has at least 2 years of experience in that limited practice of cosmetology may directly train and supervise not more than two apprentices learning the same limited practice of cosmetology.

Except as otherwise provided in subsection (g) of this section, the initial term of registration as an apprentice is 2 years. Unless registration as an apprentice is renewed for one additional 2–year term as provided in this section, the registration expires on the date set by the Board. At least 1 month before the registration of an individual expires, the Board shall mail or electronically transmit to the individual: a renewal application form; and a notice that states: the date on which the current registration expires; and the amount of the renewal fee. If an electronic transmission under paragraph (1) of this subsection is returned to the Board as undeliverable, the Board shall mail to the individual, at the last known address of the individual, the materials required under paragraph (1) of this subsection within 10 business days of the date the Board received the notice that the electronic transmission was undeliverable. Before the registration of an individual expires, the individual may renew it for an additional term, if the individual: otherwise is entitled to be registered; pays to the Board a renewal fee established by the Board in accordance with § 5–205 of this title; and submits to the Board a renewal application on the form that the Board provides. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (g) of this section, an individual registered as an apprentice may renew the registration only one time for a 2–year term. The Board shall renew the registration of and issue a renewal certificate to each individual who meets the requirements of this section. A registration as an apprentice for any limited practice of cosmetology expires 12 months after the date of its issuance unless the limited practice apprentice registration is renewed for one 1–year term.

Each registered individual shall display the certificate of registration conspicuously in the individual's place of employment or training.

Subject to the hearing provisions of § 5–408 of this subtitle, the Board may deny registration as an apprentice to any applicant, reprimand any individual registered as an apprentice, or suspend or revoke the registration of an individual registered as an apprentice: for any applicable ground under § 5–314 of this title; if the applicant or individual fraudulently or deceptively obtains or attempts to obtain registration for the applicant or individual or for another; or if the applicant or individual fraudulently or deceptively uses a certificate of registration. Instead of or in addition to reprimanding an individual registered as an apprentice or suspending or revoking a registration, the Board may impose a penalty not exceeding $300 for all violations cited on a single date. To determine the amount of penalty imposed under this subsection, the Board shall consider: the seriousness of the violation; the good faith of the violator; the violator’s history of previous violations; the deleterious effect of the violation on the complainant, the public, and the cosmetology industry; and any other factors relevant to the determination of the penalty. The Board shall pay any penalty collected under this subsection into the General Fund of the State. The Board shall commence proceedings under this section on a complaint to the Board by a member of the Board or any person. A complaint shall: be in writing; be signed by the complainant; state specifically the facts on which the complaint is based; be submitted to the Executive Director of the Board; and be served on the person to whom it is directed: personally; or by certified mail, return receipt requested, bearing a postmark from the United States Postal Service, to the person’s last known address as shown on the Board’s records. If service is made by certified mail, the person who mails the document shall file with the Board verified proof of mailing. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, if the Board finds that a complaint alleges facts that are adequate grounds for action under this section, the Board shall act on the complaint as provided under § 5–408 of this subtitle to deny, suspend, or revoke a certificate of registration, reprimand an apprentice, or assess a penalty. If the Board does not make the finding, the Board shall dismiss the complaint. If the Board makes the finding under subsection (c)(1) of this section for a violation that relates to the sanitary practice of cosmetology, the Board shall provide the apprentice an opportunity to correct the alleged violation. If the apprentice fails to correct each alleged violation within 10 days of written notification of the violation by the Board, the Board shall act on the complaint as provided under § 5–408 of this subtitle. If the apprentice corrects each alleged violation within 10 days of notice, the Board shall: dismiss the complaint; and provide the apprentice written notification of the dismissal.

Except as otherwise provided in § 10-226 of the State Government Article, before the Board takes any final action under § 5-407 of this subtitle, it shall give the individual against whom the action is contemplated an opportunity for a hearing before the Board. The Board shall give notice and hold the hearing in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article. The hearing notice to be given to the individual shall be served at least 5 days before the hearing. The individual may be represented at the hearing by counsel. The Board may issue a subpoena for the attendance of a witness to testify or the production of evidence in connection with any proceeding under this section. A subpoena issued under this subsection shall be served by: certified mail; or the sheriff of the county where the person to be served resides or has a principal place of business. If, after due notice, the individual against whom the action is contemplated fails or refuses to appear, nevertheless the Board may hear and determine the matter.

The Board may reinstate the registration of an individual whose registration has been suspended or revoked under § 5-407 of this subtitle if the individual: applies to the Board for reinstatement of the registration; and provides to the Board adequate evidence that the applicant is qualified to have the registration reinstated.