How to Get Licensed for Esthetics in Maryland (Limited Esthetician License Required)
If you want to practice esthetics in Maryland, a limited esthetician license is required by law. Here is what the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor) requires, step by step.
Maryland licenses esthetics practitioners through the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor). Required training: 600 hours (instruction in providing esthetic services at an MSDE/MHEC-approved cosmetology school), or 12 months as a registered apprentice in a licensed beauty salon. Must pass both a written and a practical exam, administered by PSI Services LLC on behalf of the board.
Compare schools below, read the step-by-step guide, and see how our Esthetics course for Maryland fits your licensing path.
Maryland Esthetics licensing requirements at a glance
| Required hours | 600 hours (instruction in providing esthetic services at an MSDE/MHEC-approved cosmetology school), or 12 months as a registered apprentice in a licensed beauty salon |
| License type | Limited Esthetician License |
| Licensing board | Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor) |
| Exams | Written and practical exams required |
| Estimated fees | $28 |
| Typical timeline | 6-9 months |
| Renewal | License renews every 2 years |
| Minimum age | 17 years |
| State notes | 600 hours at an approved cosmetology school, or 12 months as a registered apprentice in a licensed beauty salon. Must pass both a written and a practical exam, administered by PSI Services LLC on behalf of the board. License renews every 2 years. |
Requirements verified against official board sources. Rules change - confirm with the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor) before you enroll.
Step by Step: How to Get Licensed in Maryland
Prepare with our online Esthetics 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 Find Esthetics Schools in Maryland for real, accredited programs.
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 esthetics 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
Maryland requires 600 hours (instruction in providing esthetic services at an MSDE/MHEC-approved cosmetology school), or 12 months as a registered apprentice in a licensed beauty salon through a path approved by the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor).
Yes: Must pass both a written and a practical exam, administered by PSI Services LLC on behalf of the board.
Our online course can prepare you for the material, but Maryland requires in-person hours through the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor). Online study does not replace those hours.
Reciprocity rules vary by state and are not automatic. Contact the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor) directly to ask about transferring an existing license.
You will need to complete 600 hours (instruction in providing esthetic services at an MSDE/MHEC-approved cosmetology school), or 12 months as a registered apprentice in a licensed beauty salon through an approved path, plus time to prepare for and pass the required exam. Total timelines vary based on your school's schedule.
Budget $28 for Maryland, which the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor) states covers exam and licensing costs. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount with the board before you apply.
License renews every 2 years. Confirm your state's exact renewal cycle and continuing education requirements with the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor).
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 (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor).
Maryland Esthetics Licensing Requirements. Planning to get licensed for esthetics in Maryland? As of the most recent update, this state requires 600 hours (instruction in providing esthetic services at an MSDE/MHEC-approved cosmetology school), or 12 months as a registered apprentice in a licensed beauty salon, licensing handled by the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor), a licensing fee of $28. This page tracks the current board, required hours, minimum age, and renewal rules for Maryland, cross-linked with our online esthetics course for the theory portion of your training and our school directory for approved in-person programs near Maryland. Rules change, so always confirm the latest requirement directly with the Maryland licensing board before enrolling.
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.
Thanks! Check your email shortly, or contact us directly.
Sourced from the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, Maryland Department of Labor). Verified July 2026. Licensing rules can change - always confirm current requirements with the board before enrolling or applying.