Apply for Licensure by Endorsement (Reciprocal) - Cosmetologists
Important:
Do not apply for licensure until the Maryland Board has confirmed receipt of Step 2 below.
All application fees are non-refundable.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for licensure by endorsement in Maryland, applicants must:
- Hold a current license in good standing from another U.S. state.
- Provide certification that their license was obtained under standards equivalent to those required in Maryland.
Applicants meeting these requirements may be granted a waiver of the theory and practical examinations.
Note: Certifications documents are only valid if sent directly from the issuing state board to the Maryland Board.
Application process
Step 1:Contact the state where you originally trained and took both the practical and theory exams. Request that a certification of licensure be sent directly to the Maryland Board. Your certification letter must include:
- Your full name and address
- License type(s) (if more than one was obtained)
- Original license issue and expiration dates
- Language of exam or use of an interpreter
- Program clock hours
Once you have confirmation that the certification has been sent, email the following to: Barbers.cos@maryland.gov.
- Your full name
- Mailing address
- License number
- State you are transferring from
Once your certification is received, the Board will notify you via email regarding your eligibility.
Note: If your original license (from the state where you tested) is expired, you must still obtain certification from that state in addition to the state where your license is currently active. This means two certifications are required.
License Term
Licenses are valid for a two-year period from the date of issuance.
Additional Instructions
Applicants from Foreign Countries:
All Foreign Country applicants must pass both the theory and practical exams in Maryland. Please email the following to Barbers.cos@maryland.gov
- An original copy of your school transcript
- A translated copy (if not in English)
- Your current mailing address
Out of State applications (Not Yet Licensed):
If you have completed cosmetology schooling but are not licensed in your state, and wish to test in Maryland, email the following to: Barbers.cos@maryland.gov
- An original official transcript (must have school seal)
- Your mailing address
If your Maryland Cosmetology School is Closed:
- If you attended a closed Maryland Cosmetology School, contact the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) at 410-767-3300 for your transcript.
- If you completed cosmetology training through a Maryland Public High School, contact the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) at 410-767-0100.
Email your transcipt and mailing address to Barbers.cos@maryland.gov.
States Requiring Six (6) Months of Work Experience
Acceptable proof: Notarized letter from a former employer or tax documentation. Maryland work experience will not be accepted.- Alaska (Estheticians - if tested before December 7,2020)
- Maine (Nail Technicians)
- Massachusetts (Cosmetologist, Estheticians, Nail Technicians)
- New Jersey (Cosmetologists)
- New York (Cosmetologists)
- Ohio (Nail Technicians)
- Pennsylvania (Cosmetologist, Nail Technician, Estheticians) Note: If tested after November 24, 2014, must take MD exams.
- Tennessee (Cosmetologists)
- Texas (Cosmetologists if tested after 2020)
- Virginia (Nail Technicians, Cosmetologist and barbers who tested after 9/1/2024)
States That Do Not Qualify for Reciprocity
Applicants from the following states must take the Maryland theory and practical exams:- Alaska (If tested after December 7, 2020)
- California (If tested after Jan 1, 2022)
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Missouri (Cosmetologists)
- Nebraska
- Pennsylvania (If tested after November 24, 2014)
- South Dakota