Education Providers Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Cosmetologists

1. Who can become an Approved Provider?
2. How often is Open Enrollment to become a Provider
3. How much is the Application Fee?
4. Should I complete an entirely separate application for each additional course?
5. How long is the Provider Certification valid?
6. How much is the renewal for Provider Certification?
7. How often can an Approved Provider add additional courses for review?
8. Must an application be submitted by an Approved Provider to add additional courses for review?
9. How much is each course review?
10. Must Certificates of Completion have an expiration date?
11. Are Providers permitted to offer six hours of only Required Topics to a licensee to satisfy the six hours of Continuing Education required?
12. Is there a law that states this?
13. Is there a Regulation that states this?
14. Does a Provider have a responsibility to be clear with licensees that if they only take six hours of Required Topics, they will not satisfy that law which also requires four hours of Required Electives?

1. Who can become an Approved Provider?
We will only accept applications from the following categories of organizations or institutions:

• Existing, approved Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Private Career Schools
• Maryland Colleges / Universities, including community colleges
• Industry Textbook Publishers

2. How often is Open Enrollment to become a Provider?
Twice a year, April and October.

3. How much is the Application Fee?
The fee is $250, which includes one course review. Each additional course review is $50.

4. Should I complete an entirely separate application for each additional course?
No, there is one application. Within the application use the: Course Identification Form for each course to be reviewed.

5. How long is the Provider Certification valid?
For two years.

6. How much is the renewal for Provider Certification?
It is $250.

7. How often can an Approved Provider add additional courses for review?
Once a year, based on when the certification went into effect.

8. Must an application be submitted by an Approved Provider to add additional courses for review?
Yes, the additional course add application will be made available by the Board of Cosmetologists to existing Providers. There is one application. Within the application use the: Course Identification Form for each course to be reviewed.

9. How much is each course review?
Each course review is $50.

10. Must Certificates of Completion have an expiration date?
Yes, the Certificate of Completion is only valid for two years; therefore, it must have an expiration date.

11. Are Providers permitted to offer six hours of only Required Topics to a licensee to satisfy the six hours of Continuing Education required?
No.
Continuing Education Course Hour Requirements:

Required Topics: 2 Hours
1. Health – 1 to 2 Hours or
2. Safety – 1 to 2 Hours or
3. Welfare – 1 to 2 Hours or
4. Board Laws and Regulations – 1 to 2 Hours

12. Is there a law that states this?
Yes, it is:

§5–205.
(2) The Board shall adopt regulations that set standards for continuing education courses that, at a minimum, require:
    (i) two hours of training in health, safety, and welfare subjects; and
    (ii) four hours of training in general elective courses.

13. Is there a Regulation that states this?
Yes, it is:

09.22.02 Definitions.
(6) “Continuing education course related to cosmetology” means a course that covers one or more of the following topics:
(a) Board Laws and Regulations (1 to 2 hours);
(b) Elective topics (1 to 4 hours);
(c) Health (1 to 2 hours);
(d) Safety (1 to 2 hours); or
(e) Welfare (1 to 2 hours).

14. Does a Provider have a responsibility to be clear with licensees that if they only take six hours of Required Topics, they will not satisfy that law which also requires four hours of Required Electives?
Yes.