Maryland Cosmetology License Requirements (2026 Guide)
If you want to practice cosmetology in Maryland, a cosmetology license is required by law. Here is what the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists requires, step by step.
Maryland licenses cosmetology practitioners through the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists. Required training: 1,500 hours, or 24 months as a registered apprentice. License renews every two years with 6 hours of approved continuing education required.
Compare schools below, read the step-by-step guide, and see how our Cosmetology course for Maryland fits your licensing path.
Maryland Cosmetology licensing requirements at a glance
| Required hours | 1,500 hours, or 24 months as a registered apprentice |
| License type | Cosmetology License |
| Licensing board | Maryland Board of Cosmetologists |
| Exams | Exam administered by or through the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists |
| Estimated fees | Varies - confirm with board |
| Typical timeline | 3-6 months |
| Renewal | License renews every two years with 6 hours of approved continuing education required |
| Minimum age | n/a years |
| State notes | License renews every two years with 6 hours of approved continuing education required. |
Requirements verified against official board sources. Rules change - confirm with the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists before you enroll.
Step by Step: How to Get Licensed in Maryland
Prepare with our online Cosmetology course
Because Maryland requires in-person training hours, our online course builds theory before or during your school program - it does not replace board-required clinical hours.
Four enrollment plans from $1,380. 12-module program taught by Aida Khazieva with lifetime access on Advanced plans and above.
Also see Cosmetology training overview in Maryland for local schools and city guides.
Want us to guide you through Maryland licensing?
Figuring out hours, approved schools, paperwork, and exam timing on your own takes real time. Aida's team offers hands-on licensing support - guidance and coordination, never a shortcut. Only your state board issues the license.
- 60-90 minute 1:1 strategy session
- Written roadmap for Maryland cosmetology licensing
- Shortlist of approved schools near you
- Exam and timeline overview
- Everything in the Licensing Roadmap
- School application and board paperwork prep
- Document review before you submit
- 90 days of email and WhatsApp support
- Everything in Guided Application Support
- Regular check-ins until your license is issued
- Mock practical exam prep with Aida
- Priority same-day support
Not sure which package fits Maryland?
Contact Us →Licensed schools & studios in Maryland
Compare accredited beauty schools on record for Maryland, or browse practicing electrologists where applicable.
Schools in Maryland
Frequently asked questions - Maryland Cosmetology
Maryland requires 1,500 hours, or 24 months as a registered apprentice through a path approved by the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists.
Maryland requires passing a licensing exam administered by or through the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists. Exact format, scheduling, and passing score are set by the board.
Our online course can prepare you for the material, but Maryland requires in-person hours through the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists. Online study does not replace those hours.
Reciprocity rules vary by state and are not automatic. Contact the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists directly to ask about transferring an existing license.
You will need to complete 1,500 hours, or 24 months as a registered apprentice through an approved path, plus time to prepare for and pass the required exam. Total timelines vary based on your school's schedule.
Maryland does not publish a single combined fee on the data we have. Application, exam, and license fees are set by the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists and can change, so confirm the current amounts directly with them.
License renews every two years with 6 hours of approved continuing education required. Confirm your state's exact renewal cycle and continuing education requirements with the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists.
Maryland lists an apprenticeship path, where supervised work can count toward your required hours. Outside of an approved apprenticeship, you generally need to finish your program and pass your exam before working independently. Confirm the exact rules with the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists.
Financial Aid and Government Support
Several real federal and state programs can help cover the cost of beauty education. Federal Pell Grants and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) are available to eligible students at accredited schools through the FAFSA. Veterans and their families may be able to use GI Bill benefits at VA-approved programs. Some states also offer workforce funding through WIOA, administered by local American Job Centers, though eligibility for cosmetology and esthetics programs varies by region.
Important: these programs apply to your accredited in-person school, where you complete your required hours, not to our online preparation course directly. Contact your chosen school's financial aid office or your local American Job Center to find out what you qualify for.
Sourced from the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists. Verified July 2026. Licensing rules can change - always confirm current requirements with the board before enrolling or applying.