Maryland State Board of Cosmetology
Information verified:About the Maryland State Board of Cosmetology
The Maryland Board of Cosmetologists sits within the Maryland Department of Labor's Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing rather than operating as a stand-alone agency. The Board qualifies and licenses individuals seeking licensure, issues permits to the salons and shops in which cosmetology is practiced, and sets the health and safety standards that govern those facilities.
Maryland regulates the practice of cosmetology under the Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 5 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, together with COMAR Title 9, Subtitle 22. Investigations cover both licensee misconduct and unlicensed practice, and the Board may issue reprimands, suspend or revoke a license or permit, or impose fines.
The Board's offices are at 100 S. Charles Street, Tower I, Baltimore, MD 21201. The general number is (410) 230-6190 and email is barbers.cos@maryland.gov; the fax number is 410-962-8483. Walk-in service is not offered — in-person assistance is by scheduled appointment Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM ET.
Note that Maryland cosmetology schools themselves are regulated by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), not by the Board. The Board's role in school operation is limited; it relies on MHEC approval (or, for high-school programs, the Maryland State Department of Education) when evaluating applicant training. Examinations are administered by PSI Services rather than by Board staff.
Licenses Regulated
The Board issues a tiered set of practitioner credentials plus separate permits for the businesses where services are performed. Maryland's most distinctive feature is the Senior Cosmetologist tier, which is required to sponsor most apprentice categories and to operate certain salon configurations.
Practitioner Licenses
- Cosmetologist — full-scope license covering hair, skin, and nail services. Requires 1,500 hours of MHEC/MSDE-approved training (or a 24-month apprenticeship) plus passage of the PSI theory and practical exams.
- Senior Cosmetologist — granted to a cosmetologist with at least two years of active licensure who passes a 100-question senior theory exam. Required for sponsoring most apprentice categories.
- Limited Hairstylist — hair services only; 1,200 hours of training or a 15-month apprenticeship.
- Limited Esthetician — skin care only; 600 hours of training or a 12-month apprenticeship.
- Limited Nail Technician — nail services only; 250 hours of training or an 8-month apprenticeship.
- Limited Blow Dry Stylist — blow-drying services only; 350 hours of training (no apprenticeship route).
- Apprentice Permits — issued in cosmetologist, hairstylist, esthetician, and nail technician tracks. Apprentices train at least 20 hours per week under a sponsor and submit monthly training reports to the Board.
- Temporary Eyelash Extension Technician License — newly created limited credential for professionals providing only eyelash extension services.
Salon and Business Permits
- Full Service Salon Permit and Limited Service Salon Permit — original and renewal fees of $225 and $56 respectively. New salons require an approved use-and-occupancy permit from local zoning before applying.
- Mobile Salon License — for cosmetology services performed from a mobile unit.
Maryland law (§5-605) requires every individual licensee to be affiliated with a licensed salon or barbershop in order to perform services. Cosmetic tattooing and microblading are not licensed by the Board and are prohibited in Maryland salons.
Renew Your Maryland Cosmetology License
Maryland cosmetology licenses are issued for a two-year term from the date of issuance and are renewed online through the Department of Labor's eLicensing system. The cosmetologist renewal fee is $28; full and limited service salon permits renew at $56.
Renewal Process
- The Board mails renewal information approximately 60 days before expiration. If you do not receive it, call (410) 230-6190 or email barbers.cos@maryland.gov at least 30 days before expiration.
- Renew online at the Maryland eLicensing portal. You will need your registration number and personal identifying information to create or recover a password.
- Effective March 1, 2024, the Board no longer mails paper licenses by default. Renewed licenses are delivered as a PDF to the email address on file, so an active email address must be on your account.
Continuing Education
Effective January 1, 2026, House Bill 1600 requires every licensee to complete 6 hours of approved continuing education as a condition of renewal — split between 2 hours of required topics (drawn from health, safety, welfare, sanitation, and Board laws/regulations) and 4 hours of elective topics within the licensee's scope of practice. Coursework must be completed within the two-year renewal cycle and taken from a Board-approved provider. CE requirements are set out in COMAR 09.22.04.03 and Statute §5-205(c)(2).
Separately, applicants for a new license and licensees renewing must complete a one-hour Domestic Violence Awareness Training course (House Bill 1547, effective January 1, 2026). This is a one-time requirement, must be taken from a Department-approved provider, and certificates are submitted to bctraining.verification@maryland.gov.
Late and Expired Licenses
Cosmetologist late renewal is $56. Salon permits assess $112 late, escalating to $225 after 45 days. An expired license incurs an automatic $28 reinstatement fee. Practicing on an expired license is a violation of state law.
File a Complaint
The Maryland Board of Cosmetologists investigates complaints alleging violations of Title 5 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article and COMAR Title 9, Subtitle 22 — covering both licensed practitioners and unlicensed activity. The Board encourages the public to report suspected unlicensed practice in writing.
How to File a Complaint
Maryland does not publish a fillable complaint form; written complaints are submitted directly to the Board. Send a signed written statement by email to barbers.cos@maryland.gov, by fax to 410-962-8483, or by mail to:
Maryland Board of Cosmetologists
100 S. Charles Street, Tower I
Baltimore, MD 21201
Your complaint should include the name and address of the licensee or salon, the date and nature of the alleged conduct, names of any witnesses, and copies of any supporting documentation (receipts, photographs, correspondence). Anonymous reports are accepted for unlicensed-practice tips but are difficult to act on without a follow-up contact.
Possible Outcomes
After investigation the Board may issue a reprimand, suspend or revoke a license or salon permit, impose a civil fine, or refer the matter for further legal action. The Board cannot order refunds, award damages, or resolve billing disputes — those are civil matters.
Disciplinary History
Past disciplinary actions are posted at the Board's Disciplinary Actions page, allowing consumers to review prior findings against a salon or licensee.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long is a Maryland cosmetology license valid?
- Two years from the date of issuance. Renewal information is mailed approximately 60 days before expiration; renewals are completed online through the Maryland eLicensing system.
- How much is the Maryland cosmetology renewal fee?
- $28 for a cosmetologist, senior cosmetologist, or any of the limited-practice license types. Late renewal is $56, and a $28 reinstatement fee applies automatically if the license has expired. Salon permits renew at $56.
- Does Maryland require continuing education?
- Yes. Beginning January 1, 2026, every licensee must complete 6 hours of approved continuing education per two-year renewal cycle — 2 hours of required topics (health, safety, welfare, sanitation, or Board laws and regulations) plus 4 hours of elective topics. Courses must be taken from a Board-approved provider.
- What is the Domestic Violence Awareness Training requirement?
- Under House Bill 1547, effective January 1, 2026, every applicant for an original license and every renewing licensee must complete a one-hour domestic violence awareness training course from a Department-approved provider. It is a one-time requirement and is separate from the 6-hour continuing education total.
- Where do I renew my Maryland cosmetology license online?
- Through the Maryland Department of Labor eLicensing portal at dllr.state.md.us. You will need your registration number to log in or create a password.
- Who administers the Maryland cosmetology exam?
- PSI Services. Applications must be submitted online at test-takers.psiexams.com — as of March 31, 2025, PSI no longer accepts mailed, faxed, or emailed applications. PSI registrars can be reached at (855) 898-0714.
- How do I contact the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists?
- Phone (410) 230-6190, fax 410-962-8483, email barbers.cos@maryland.gov, or visit 100 S. Charles Street, Tower I, Baltimore, MD 21201. Walk-in service is not available; in-person appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM ET.