All four Maryland beauty licenses in one place. Maryland uses NIC exams via PSI. 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 · Cosmetology
1,500 hours at a Board-approved school (or 24-month apprenticeship). NIC exam via PSI — 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 NIC National Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI Services. NICPrep's cosmetology question bank is built from the NIC CIB — a direct-fit study resource. 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.
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.
Built from the NIC CIB — the exam PSI administers in Maryland. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
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.
Maryland · Esthetics
600 hours at a Board-approved school. NIC exam via PSI — $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 NIC National Esthetics Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI. NICPrep's esthetics question bank is built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — a direct-fit study resource. No expiration on eligibility. Unlimited retakes. Online application only.
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.
Built from the NIC Esthetics CIB — the exam PSI administers in Maryland. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
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. NIC exam via PSI, written and practical. Same DV awareness training requirement (one-time). Biennial renewal. Must be affiliated with a licensed barbershop to practice.
Maryland uses NIC National Barber Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI. NICPrep's barber question bank is built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB — a direct-fit study resource for Maryland barber licensing.
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.
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.
Built from the NIC Barber Styling CIB. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Maryland · Nail Technology
250 hours — one of the lowest nail technician requirements in the country. NIC exam via PSI — $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 NIC National Nail Technology Theory and Practical Examinations administered by PSI. NICPrep's nail technology question bank is built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB — a direct-fit study resource. Online application only. No eligibility expiration. Unlimited retakes.
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.
Built from the NIC Nail Technology CIB. Try 10 free questions, no signup.
Maryland uses NIC exams via PSI. 6 hrs CE now required at renewal. NICPrep is built from the same NIC CIBs. Try 10 real questions, no signup required.