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Education - Cosmetologists

Public/Private cosmetology schools

In Maryland, cosmetology schools are regulated by other state entities. The role of the Board of Cosmetology in you opening your school is to review and approve the curriculum that you plan to teach.

You will need to start the process with MHEC (Maryland Higher Education Commission) 410-767-3300 to open a Private Career School.

Please use this Curriculum Review Checklist for Cosmetology Schools as a guide.

Apprenticeships

The Board of Cosmetologists supports several apprenticeships. The individual registering for the apprenticeship must be at least 16 years old. A sponsor, using their registration number and password, may certify monthly apprentice training below:
Sponsor Certifications for Apprentice Training

  • Apprentice Cosmetologist: Must complete 2 years of training with at least 20 hours per week. Sponsored ONLY by a Senior Cosmetologist. Allowed 1 renewal for 2 additional years when renewed on time.
     
  • Apprentice Hairstylist: Must complete 15 months of training with at least 20 hours per week. Sponsored by a Senior Cosmetologist or Limited Hairstylist who has been licensed for at least 2 years. NO RENEWALS PERMITTED.
     
  • Apprentice Esthetician: Must complete 1 year of training with at least 20 hours per week. Sponsored by a Senior Cosmetologist or Limited Esthetician who has been licensed for at least 2 years. Allowed 1 renewal for 1 additional year when renewed on time.
     
  • Apprentice Nail Technician: Must complete 8 months of training with at least 20 hours per week. Sponsored by a Senior Cosmetologist or Limited Nail Technician who has been licensed for at least 2 years. NO RENEWALS PERMITTED.

Before an online application will be processed, sponsors must complete and return a sponsor jot form. All apprentices must apply online for a permit to practice.

The Maryland Board of Cosmetologists Apprenticeship Powerpoint

Continuing Education

License Renewal

The State Legislature requires Licensees to complete six hours of approved continuing education as a condition of license renewal.

  • Effective June 1, 2024, Approved Providers can begin to offer continuing education courses.
  • The effective date for licensees to come into compliance will be January 1, 2026.
  • For information about the Continuing Education requirements see COMAR 09.22.04.03.
  • As of October 22, 2024, the second open enrollment period for Approved Course Providers for 2024 has begun and applications will be accepted until December 20, 2024 .

Continuing Education Course Hour Requirements:
Required Topics: 2 Hours
1. Health – 1 to 2 Hours or
2. Safety – 1 to 2 Hours or
3. Welfare – 1 to 2 Hours or
4. Board Laws and Regulations – 1 to 2 Hours
Required Elective Topics: 4 Hours
Total – 6 Hours

Licensees

Approved Continuing Education Providers List:

MARYLAND BOARD OF COSMETOLOGISTS APPROVED CONTINUING EDUCATION PROVIDERS
PROVIDER NAME  CITY/COUNTY CONTACT NAME PHONE NUMBER IN-PERSON ONLINE
MEDASSAGE School of Esthetics Clinton Crystal Bennett 202-203-8674 ✓  
Montgomery College  * Rockville Tracy Singleton 240-567-2599 ✓  
PRO+ Skin Academy Hunt Valley Courtney A. Hare 443-330-7456 ✓ ✓
Shawntay's School of Creative Nails Towson Shawntay Johnson 1-844-966-2457 ✓ ✓
Topcurl Beauty Academy Bowie Shanay Wiggs 631-867-2875 ✓ ✓
The Institute of Epidermal Sciences LLC Laurel Rita Edet 301-768-8421 ✓  
* Montgomery College will be offering CE courses Spring 2025.  

Providers

Effective June 1, 2024, Approved Providers can begin to offer continuing education courses.

Upload Completed Continuing Education Courses Grades – Coming soon.

As of October 22, , 2024, the second open enrollment period for course providers for 2024 has begun and applications will be accepted until December 20, 2024 .
The courses can cover, but are not limited to, one of the following topics:

  • occupational health and safety
  • ethics and professional standards
  • cosmetology practice
  • product knowledge
  • sanitation
  • infectious and communicable disease control
  • Business
  • Maryland laws and regulations

At this time, we will only accept applications from the following categories of organizations or institutions:

  • Existing, approved Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Private Career Schools
  • Maryland Colleges / Universities including community colleges
  • Industry Textbook Publishers

The cost of the application is $250 which includes the evaluation of one course. Additional courses can be reviewed for a fee of $50 dollars per course.

Download the Application