All four Maryland beauty licenses in one place. Maryland uses PSI's own National exams, not NIC. Two major changes took effect January 1, 2026: 6 hours of CE are now required at every renewal (HB 1600), and a 1-hour domestic violence awareness training is required for all initial and renewal applicants (HB 1547). Two separate boards: cosmetology and barbers.
Maryland uses PSI's own National exams, not NIC. Verified from CIBs dated 2/26/2026, whose cosmetology outline is byte-identical to Georgia's: Cosmetology 100 scored + 10, 120 min. Esthetics 75 + 10, 90 min. Nails 60 + 5, 90 min.
Passing score: 75%. Both parts must be passed within two years of each other. Senior Cosmetologist is theory only.
⚠️ Maryland barbers are a separate board, and whether that board uses NIC content is unverified. Nothing on this page about the cosmetology exam should be assumed to apply to barbering — confirm with that board directly.
Our practice tests are built to the NIC blueprint, which is not this one: NIC cosmetology is four domains in 90 minutes, the PSI National form is ten domains in 120, and not a single domain label is shared. They cover the underlying science; this exam's weighting differs. Worth knowing before you buy.
Verify: Maryland State Board of Cosmetologists at labor.maryland.gov.
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Practice Test + Flashcards
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
Practice Test + Flashcards
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
No bank — here is what we know
Maryland barbers are regulated by a separate board, and whether that board uses NIC content is unverified.
Practice Test + Flashcards
Practice tests and flashcards together. One purchase, one email, instant access to both.
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10 questions from the NIC cosmetology bank and 10 terminology cards from the decks — the same items, the same rationales, the same study modes you get after checkout. Maryland tests on the PSI National exam. These questions cover the underlying science it draws on; the blueprint differs. No email, no signup.
Maryland · Cosmetology
1,500 hours at a Board-approved school (or 24-month apprenticeship). PSI National exam — online application only as of March 31, 2025. 6 hours CE required at renewal (new January 1, 2026). 1-hour DV awareness training required. Biennial renewal. Must be affiliated with a licensed salon to practice.
Maryland uses PSI National Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services. NICPrep’s PSI National bank is built to this form — the one California, Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland and Michigan share character-for-character in cosmetology, esthetics and nails. License exam fee: $77 for written + practical combined ($47 each if taken separately). No expiration on exam eligibility. Unlimited retakes.
Maryland enacted HB 1600, requiring all cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, and senior cosmetologists to complete 6 hours of Board-approved continuing education per renewal cycle, effective January 1, 2026. Required: 2 hours on health, safety, welfare, sanitation, and/or board laws/regulations. Elective: 4 hours in scope-of-practice topics. CE must be completed within your renewal period before your license expiration date.
Maryland's Board of Cosmetologists (under the Department of Labor / DLLR) governs cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, and senior cosmetology licenses. The Maryland State Board of Barbers is a separate board for barbers. Licenses are now issued as PDF via email (no automatic paper mail since March 1, 2024). Must be affiliated with a licensed salon or barbershop to perform services.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
Verify school approval at labor.maryland.gov/license/cos. School submits your records to PSI. For apprenticeship, obtain a letter of eligibility from the Board.
Required for initial licensure and first renewal after January 1, 2026. Contact the Board for approved providers.
Apply at PSI's automated online application system. Mail/fax/email applications no longer accepted. Out-of-state applicants: request letter of eligibility first.
Allow 10 working days from passing both exams for Board email with license instructions. License delivered as PDF via email. Biennial renewal through Maryland license renewal portal at dllr.state.md.us/license/cos/cosrenew.shtml.
Biennial · Complete 6 hours of Board-approved CE within your renewal period (2 hrs required health/safety/law + 4 hrs elective) · 1-hour DV awareness training (one-time) · $28 reinstatement fee if expired · License PDF via email · Renew at dllr.state.md.us/license/cos/cosrenew.shtml.
🇪🇸 NICPrep's cosmetology prep is also available in Spanish.
Maryland · Esthetics
600 hours at a Board-approved school. PSI National exam — $77 combined fee, online application only. Same 6 hrs CE requirement at renewal (new January 1, 2026). Biennial renewal. Must be affiliated with a licensed salon to practice. Separate Advanced Esthetics license available.
Maryland uses the PSI National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI. NICPrep’s PSI National bank is built to this form — the same one seven states share character-for-character in cosmetology, esthetics and nails. No expiration on eligibility. Unlimited retakes. Online application only.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
Verify approval at labor.maryland.gov/license/cos. School submits records to PSI.
One-time requirement effective January 1, 2026. Contact Board for approved providers.
Online applications only at PSI. Out-of-state applicants: request letter of eligibility from Board first.
Allow 10 working days post-passing for Board email. Biennial renewal with 6 hrs CE required.
Maryland · Barber
1,200 hours at a Board-approved barber school. Governed by the separate Maryland State Board of Barbers — different from the Board of Cosmetologists. PSI National exam, written and practical. Same DV awareness training requirement (one-time). Biennial renewal. Must be affiliated with a licensed barbershop to practice.
Maryland barbers are regulated by a separate board, and which examination that board uses is unverified. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — a different blueprint, so it covers the underlying science; this exam's outline differs.
Maryland's barber licensing is governed by the Maryland State Board of Barbers — separate from the Board of Cosmetologists. Applications, fees, and renewal go through the Barber Board at labor.maryland.gov/license/occprof/barber.html. The same DV awareness training (HB 1547, one-time) applies to both boards.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
Verify approval through the Maryland State Board of Barbers at labor.maryland.gov.
One-time requirement for both initial and first post-Jan 2026 renewal. Same as cosmetology requirement.
Coordinate with the Barber Board for eligibility. Online application at PSI only.
Biennial renewal through the Maryland Barber Board. Confirm current renewal fees and CE requirements at labor.maryland.gov/license/occprof/barber.html.
🇪🇸 NICPrep's barber styling prep is also available in Spanish.
Maryland · Nail Technology
250 hours — one of the lowest nail technician requirements in the country. PSI National exam — $77 combined, online application only. Same 6 hours CE at renewal (new January 1, 2026). 1-hour DV awareness training required. Biennial renewal. Must be affiliated with a licensed salon.
Maryland uses the PSI National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI. NICPrep’s PSI National bank is built to this form — the same one seven states share character-for-character in cosmetology, esthetics and nails. Online application only. No eligibility expiration. Unlimited retakes.
Ready to start studying? See pricing ↑
Verify approval at labor.maryland.gov/license/cos. Programs typically run 4–7 weeks full-time.
One-time requirement. Contact Board for approved providers.
Online application only. Out-of-state applicants request eligibility letter from Board first.
Allow 10 working days after passing. Biennial renewal with 6 hrs CE.
🇻🇳 NICPrep's nail technology prep is also available in Vietnamese.
Maryland uses PSI's own National exams, not NIC. 6 hrs CE now required at renewal. NICPrep's PSI National bank is built to this exam's own ten-domain outline.
2026 CIB changes, domain study tips, and new-modality launches — a few emails a month, no spam.