Maryland Board of Cosmetologists
The offices of the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists are open and serving our customers through our online licensing resources, via e-mail and telephone, and by limited in-person appointments. Please note, walk-in assistance is not available. We can be reached using our contacts page for e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of individual staff members; or
Use Labor’s Central Scheduling System to meet with a representative from one of our boards or commissions. Please select the type of appointment you need from our list of available in-person services using the drop-down menu on the scheduler. You will receive an e-mail confirming the date and time of your appointment.
Appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at our offices located at 1100 N. Eutaw Street, 5th Fl. Baltimore, Maryland 21201. Please arrive at least 10 minutes early before your scheduled appointment time.
Please be advised that testing for does not take place at State Board administrative offices. Making an appointment is NOT for exams, you will be directed to PSI. Once you've registered for your exam, go to PSIEXAMS.COM to create an account and schedule your examination. For any and all issues that may occur pertaining to PSI, (General Questions, Concerns, Test Scores, Application Processing, Scheduling Issues, etc) e-mail Cosmetology@psionline.com or Barber@psionline.com. You may also call 1-800-367-1565 or 855-898-0714.
Welcome to our home page. The Maryland Board of Cosmetologists qualifies and licenses individuals seeking licensure and issues permits to business entities through which cosmetology is practiced. The Board also establishes health and safety standards for the operation of beauty salons and trade schools. We regulate the practice of cosmetology under the provisions of Business Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, Title 5 and the Code of Maryland Regulations, Title 9, Subtitle 22. We investigate complaints against licensees, as well as complaints related to unlicensed practice. The Board may issue a reprimand, suspend or revoke a license or permit, and/or impose a fine.
We encourage you to report, in writing, any unlicensed activities. We need your help to ensure professionalism in the fields of barbering and cosmetology.
The Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 09.22.01.01 B (2) requires all licensees and registrants to affix a current picture to their licenses. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action.
Please note: Business Occupations and Professions Article Section 5-605, Annotated Code of Maryland provides that you must be affiliated with a licensed salon or licensed barbershop to perform services.
News and Updates
Continuing Education - License Renewal
State Legislature requires Licensees to complete six hours of approved continuing education as a condition of license renewal.
- The effective date for licensees to come into compliance will be January 1, 2026.
- Effective June 1, 2024, Approved Providers can begin to offer continuing education courses.
- For information about the Continuing Education requirements see COMAR 09.22.04.03.
Fees
Please be advised effective 8/1/24 the Board of Cosmetologists fees will increase. View COMAR 09.22.01.12.
Legislative Updates
SB 1044-State Board of Cosmetologists- Esthetic Services- Definition
This legislation amends the definition of "provide esthetic services" to include additional services and to clarify that it does not include the diagnosis of illness, disease, or injury or performing ablation of the dermis or hypodermis. The new law will take effect on October 1, 2024. The Board has recently created a committee of subject matter experts and is presently working to draft regulations implementing the new law.
Please note: Licensees will be given a reasonable grace period to come into compliance with the new law and regulations. The Board will not impose penalties for violations of the new restrictions on licensees’ conduct during the grace period. Additional information regarding compliance will be forthcoming.
SB 629 - State Board of Cosmetologists - Membership - Alteration
This legislation amends the membership of the State Board of Cosmetologists by adding one licensed esthetician and decreasing the number of consumer members from two to one. The new law will take effect on October 1, 2024.
HB 383 and SB 27- Cosmetology Licensure Compact
The State of Maryland will be entering into the Cosmetology Licensure Compact. The purpose of this compact is to facilitate the interstate practice and regulations of cosmetology with the goal of improving public access to and the safety of cosmetology services and reducing unnecessary burdens related to licensure. Member states seek to establish a regulatory framework which provides for a new multistate licensing program. The Cosmetology Licensure Compact has officially been enacted in seven states which triggers its activation. The seven member states include Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee and Virginia. The compact is not yet active as the commission has just been finalized. Additional information regarding implementation will be forthcoming.
Track the status and receive more information on the compactLimited Esthetician Do's & Don'ts
Greetings Cosmetologist and Limited Estheticians. The Board of Cosmetologists created a list of Do's and Don'ts that Cosmetologists and Limited Estheticians can perform with an unexpired license. A cosmetologist license authorizes the licensee to practice all aspects of beauty culture. A Limited Esthetician license authorizes the licensee to engage in providing esthetic services with contact to the skin limited to the beautification, cleansing, and embellishment of the skin during the application and removal of skin care products.
View Limited Esthetician Do's & Don'ts
Refer to our statutes which provide the definitions of both providing cosmetology and esthetic services in the State of Maryland.
PDF Licensing for Individual Licenses
The Maryland Boards of Barbers and Cosmetologists are pleased to announce an update to our license delivery system. Effective March 1, 2024, we will no longer issue paper INDIVIDUAL LICENSES in the mail. Instead, we will begin sending an email notification to you stating that a new or renewed license has been released and is ready to print. By following the link in that email, you will be directed to our licensing portal where you can download your PDF license. You will use your current login and password to access the portal.
Please note, your access to view and print the PDF license document will only be active for a total of 60 days. After 60 days, the PDF license document will expire and you will be unable to print the license from the portal unless you contact the board to re-activate your access. You will also need to contact the Board if you need to print a duplicate copy of your license. If you do not have an email address on file with us, your license will be mailed out to you within 7-10 business days after your application is approved.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at barbers.cos@maryland.gov or contact the team at 410-230-6190.
Reciprocity Instructions/Qualifications
You will need to contact the state or country where you received your original barber license and request for your license certification or your school transcripts to be emailed to Maryland. Once we receive your certification, it will be reviewed and we will notify you if you were approved or if we need additional information. Not all states include contact information on the certifications, feel free to email us at Barbers.cos@maryland.gov with your name and state to confirm receipt of the certification and directions about next steps. Do NOT apply for licensure until the Board has confirmed receipt and provided next steps.
*Please note: If coming from out of the country, we will need a copy of your original transcripts and if not in English, we will need the translated copy as well. A transcript is defined as a detailed document showing the clock hours and covered topics that you acquired at your barbering school, a certificate of completion (diploma) will NOT be accepted. Include your mailing address in your email for the qualification letter that will allow you to sit for the examination.
If you attended a Maryland Cosmetology School and it has since closed down since your training was completed, you may contact the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) at 410-767-3300 for a copy of your transcripts.
Below are the states that require Six (6) months of work experience with proof of A notarized letter from a former employer or a w-2 form.
- Alaska (Estheticians)
- Maine (Nail Technician)
- Massachusetts (Cosmetologist, Nail Technicians, and Estheticians)
- New Jersey (Cosmetologist)
- New York (Cosmetologist)
- Ohio (Nail Technicians)
- Oregon (Cosmetologist, Estheticians)
- Pennsylvania (Cosmetologist, Nail Technician, Esthetician) (If you took your examination in PA after 2014, you will have to take the Theory & Practical examination)
- Virginia (Nail Technicians)
California
Connecticut
Hawaii
Florida
Illinois
Missouri (Cosmetologist do not qualify)
Nebraska
ADDITIONAL COSMETOLOGY UPDATES
Proposed Regulations Currently Open for Public Comment
None at this time.
To register your comments with the Board, send your letter to the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists, 1100 N. Eutaw Street, Room 121, Baltimore, Maryland 21201; e-mail barbers.cos@maryland.gov; or fax 410-962-8483.
Contact the Board
Maryland Board of Cosmetologists
1100 N. Eutaw Street, Room 121
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
410-230-6190
Fax: 410-962-8483
e-mail: barbers.cos@maryland.gov