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Licensees Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Cosmetologists

  1. How many Hours of Continuing Education is a Licensee required to take?
  2. When am I required to take the 6 hours of Continuing Education Courses?
  3. Which Licensees are required to take Continuing Education Courses:
  4. What is the requirement if I hold more than one license?
  5. Who are the Approved Continuing Education Course Providers?
  6. Can I take courses from more than one of the Approved Continuing Education Providers?
  7. Can I take continuing education courses from providers not on the list of Approved Continuing Education Providers to meet the requirement of six hours of continuing education?
  8. How often must I take continuing education courses?
  9. How do I submit my certificate of completion?
  10. Where can I find the Regulations for Continuing Education?
  11. How are the courses offered?
  12. Is there a fee?
  13. Does the Certificate of Completion expire?
  14. What if I currently do not reside in the state of Maryland, does the continuing education requirement apply to me?
  15. Is there a grandfather clause for the continuing education requirement?
  16. Are there any courses offered by Milady Training that Licensees cannot take for credit to renew your license?
  17. Does Maryland offer a military exemption for cosmetologists’ continuing education while serving?
  18. Must I take CE courses in my county?
  19. Can a licensee take six hours of only Required Topics to satisfy the six hours of Continuing Education Hours?
  20. Is there a law that states this?
  21. Is there a Regulation that states this?
  22. What are Elective Topics?
  23. Must a licensee take one, four-hour course to meet the four hours of electives topics?
  24. If a licensee takes more than six hours of continuing education courses, will they be credited?

1. How many Hours of Continuing Education is a Licensee required to take?
Continuing Education (CE) requirements for licensees include a total of 6 hours, divided between required and elective topics.

Required Topics – 2 hours total. Must cover Health, Safety, Welfare, Sanitation, and/or Board Laws/Regulations. You only need to complete a total of 2 hours from these required 5 categories.

Elective Topics-4 hours total. Electives are courses chosen based on individual interests, as long as they fall within the scope of practice for your license type. Examples of elective topics include Business, the practice of cosmetology, esthetics, and nail techniques, and Product Knowledge.

Licensees are required to complete 2 hours of required topics and 4 hours of elective topics, for a total of 6 CE hours.

2. When am I required to take the 6 hours of Continuing Education Courses?
The new law goes into effect January 1, 2026.

Example: If your license was issued on February 1, 2024, and expires on February 1, 2026, you must complete all six required courses within that two-year period to remain in compliance.

3. Which Licensees are required to take Continuing Education Courses:

  1. Cosmetologist.
  2. Limited Blow Dry Stylist.
  3. Limited Esthetician.
  4. Limited Hair Stylist.
  5. Limited Nail Technician.
  6. Senior Cosmetologist.
This is not a requirement for someone licensed under the Board of Barbers.

4. What is the requirement if I hold more than one license?
You must take six hours per license that you hold.

5. Who are the Approved Continuing Education Course Providers?
Approved Continuing Education Providers

6. Can I take courses from more than one of the Approved Continuing Education Providers?
Yes.

7. Can I take continuing education courses from providers not on the list of Approved Continuing Education Providers to meet the requirement of six hours of continuing education?
No.

8. How often must I take continuing education courses?
Every two years as a condition of license renewal.

9. How do I submit my certificate of completion?
The Provider is responsible for uploading your Certificate of Completion to the Board. Milady Certificates of Completion are to be submitted to the Board via barbers.cos@maryland.gov. Please include your name, license type, and your license number. You must share a link with the Board so that the certificate can be downloaded.

10. Where can I find the Regulations for Continuing Education?
Continuing Education Regulations

11. How are the courses offered?
They are offered virtually or in person. Some Providers offer both options.

12. Is there a fee?
Yes, the fees vary depending on the Provider.

13. Does the Certificate of Completion expire?
Yes, the certificate of completion expires after two years, it is dated.

14. What if I currently do not reside in the state of Maryland, does the continuing education requirement apply to me?
Yes.

15. Is there a grandfather clause for the continuing education requirement?
No. If you would like to maintain an active license you are required to take six hours of continuing education courses.

16. Are there any courses offered by Milady Training that Licensees cannot take for credit to renew your license?

Yes, they are:

  • How to Enter Hair Competitions
  • Short Hair Cutting & Barbering Techniques
  • Mastering the Basics of Fading & Hair Design

17. Does Maryland offer a military exemption for cosmetologists’ continuing education while serving?
No. There is no military clause or exemption from continuing education requirements for Maryland cosmetologists. If you wish to maintain your Maryland license, completing the required continuing education is a condition of license renewal, even while serving in the military.

18. Must I take CE courses in my county?
No.

19. Can a licensee take six hours of only Required Topics to satisfy the six hours of Continuing Education Hours?
No. A license must take two hours of Required Topics and four hours of Required Elective Topics:

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

Required Elective Topics: 4 Hours

Total – 6 Hours

20. 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.

21. 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).

22. What are Elective Topics?

  1. Business
  2. The practice of cosmetology, esthetics, and nail techniques
  3. Product knowledge

23. Must a licensee take one, four-hour course to meet the four hours of electives topics?
You have the option of taking:

One, four-hour course.
Two, two-hour courses.
Four, one-hour courses.

24. If a licensee takes more than six hours of continuing education courses, will they be credited?
No. A licensee will only be credited for the required six hours of continuing education.