Domestic Violence Awareness Training

Licensees

All applicants for an original license and all licensees renewing a license must complete a one-hour domestic violence awareness training course as required by HB 1547 (2025). This training must be completed through a Maryland Board-approved provider. Courses completed outside of the approved provider list will not be accepted.

Which licensees are subject to this requirement?

Master Barbers
Barbers
Limited Barber-stylists
Senior Cosmetologists
Cosmetologists
Limited Hairstylists
Limited Estheticians
Limited Nail Technicians
Limited Blow-Dry stylists
Limited Eyelash Extension Technicians

Approved Providers

The Lee Consultants
Milady Training
Topcurl Beauty Academy

Licensee Responsibility:

Licensees must retain a copy of their certificate of completion for their domestic violence awareness training. The certificate proves that the training requirement has been satisfied and should be kept in a safe and accessible location in case of Board verification or audit. At this time, licensees may submit proof of completion to the Board by emailing a copy of their certificate to barbers.cos@maryland.gov. Please include your full name, license type, and registration number in the body of the email.

Providers

Organizations interested in becoming an approved provider for the domestic violence awareness training must submit a curriculum proposal to barbers.cos@maryland.gov. Please include the subject line:

“Domestic Violence Awareness Training Curriculum Submission – [School/Program Name]”

Please note that incomplete proposals or submissions without the required subject line may not be reviewed.

Proposals must demonstrate that the course meets the following requirements under HB 1547:

• It is at least one hour in length.
• Includes guidance on:
  1. Recognizing the signs of domestic violence.
  2. Strategies to navigate conversations with clients who may be victims of domestic violence.
  3. How to listen to and communicate with victims of domestic violence.
  4. Connecting clients with resources and support groups for victims of domestic violence.
• May be offered by the provider in either in-person or virtual formats.

Provider Responsibility:

Approved providers must issue a certificate of completion to each licensee who successfully finishes the course. Certificates should include the licensee’s name, license number (if applicable), date of completion, and provider name, and must be retained by the licensee as proof of meeting the requirement.

Once a proposal is approved, the Board will send a letter of approval with an effective date. Please note: If your organization is an approved Private Career School through the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), you must be approved to modify your program curriculum, and all changes must be reported. The Board will copy MHEC on all letters of approval. Do not begin offering the program until you have received approval from both the Board and MHEC.