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Maryland barber license — 1,200 training hours, exam details, fees ($127), and application steps. Verified 2026 data. Data verified 2026-03-23. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Barber
Governing Authority
Maryland Board of Barbers - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
68% of data points are verified against official sources. 3 fields based on preliminary research. 3 fields need verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
1,200 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$127
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years
Renewal Cycle
1 hrs
CE Required
Minimum Age
Varies
Education Level
High school diploma or GED (or completion of education requirements set by Maryland statute)
Residency
No state residency required
Background Check
Maryland conducts a criminal history background check as part of the barber license application process.
Total Training Hours
1,200 hours
Barber school (1,200 hours) or apprenticeship (2,250 hours)
Apprenticeship Alternative
2,250 hours required
2,250 hours for Barber (within 2 years) / 1,650 hours for Barber-Stylist (within 18 months). Must be under a Master Barber supervisor. Detention center/correctional facility barber school training can credit up to 600 hours.
Online Hours Allowed
Theory hours may be available online; practical hours must be in-person
Curriculum Includes
Maryland Barber Theory Examination
PSI exam available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese (as of March 2024). Applications must be submitted online only (no mail/fax/email) as of March 2025.
Maryland Barber Practical Examination
100-minute practical examination demonstrating barbering skills. Can be taken on the same day as the theory exam for a combined fee of $77.
Barbering in Maryland includes haircutting, shaving, trimming beards and mustaches, shampooing, styling, and hair coloring for compensation. Maryland offers multiple license tiers: Barber, Barber-Stylist Limited, and Master Barber. The Maryland Board of Barbers is a separate entity from the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Initial barber license application fee | $50 |
Exam Fee Combined theory and practical exams on same day ($49 each if taken separately) | $77 |
License Fee | $50 |
Total Government Fees Application fee ($50) + combined exam fee ($77) | $127 |
Barber School Tuition: $8,000–$20,000
Varies by school; NOT a government fee.
Title: Master Barber
Requires Barber license + 15 months of experience as a licensed barber.
Maryland accepts licensed barbers from other states by endorsement. Applicants must hold a valid barber license in another state and meet Maryland's training requirements.
Additional Requirements: Out-of-state applicants must provide verification of licensure and may need to pass the Maryland barber exam.
Cosmetologist crossover: credited with half the training requirement. Detention center/correctional facility training can credit up to 600 hours toward apprenticeship.
Initial License Term
2 years (expiration based on original licensing date)
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Renewal Fee
$50
Continuing Education
1 hours — 1 hour domestic violence awareness training (one-time requirement, effective Jan 1, 2026 via HB 1547). Required for all initial and renewal applicants.
Regulatory Board
Shop License Fee: $50–$100 (Barbershop permit fee; exact amount should be verified with the Board)
The Board will conduct an inspection of the barbershop prior to issuing a permit. A Use and Occupancy permit must be obtained from the local zoning board prior to completing the application, and must be sent to the Board within 10 days of submitting the application.
Maryland is one of the few states offering a true Master Barber license tier, requiring 15 months of experience as a licensed barber plus passing the master barber exam. The state also offers a generous crossover pathway where licensed cosmetologists need only 600 additional hours (half the normal 1,200) to qualify for a barber license. Effective January 1, 2026, Maryland became one of the first states to require domestic violence awareness training for all barber license applicants and renewals.
Maryland has THREE barber license types: Barber (1,200 hrs), Barber-Stylist Limited (900 hrs), and Master Barber (Barber license + 15 months experience).
Apprenticeship must be under a Master Barber supervisor.
Cosmetologist crossover: credited with half the training requirement.
Detention center/correctional facility barber school training can credit up to 600 hours.
As of March 2024, exams available in Spanish and Vietnamese.
NEW (2026): HB 1547 requires a one-time 1-hour domestic violence awareness training for all initial and renewal applicants.
PSI applications must be submitted online only (no mail/fax/email) as of March 2025.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maryland.
How this state compares to 35 others for this profession
Timeline
#14 of 36
Salary
#13 of 36
Cost
#11 of 36
Processing
#1 of 36
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Barbers (SOC 39-5011)
Entry Level
$45,920
25th percentile
Median
$46,530
+19% vs. national avg ($38,960)Experienced
$49,450
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
Note: BLS OEWS data reflects only base wages reported by employers. Barber income often includes tips and booth rental arrangements not captured in these figures.
Source: BLS OEWS – Barbers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4.1%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+3,100
over 10 years
Annual Openings
8,400
per year (avg.)
76,000 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 46–76 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
2–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
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Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Accessed 2026-03-23
Official Maryland Board of Barbers page
Accessed 2026-02-26
Official application fee
Accessed 2026-02-26
Endorsement information
Accessed 2026-02-26
Inspection and Use & Occupancy permit requirements
Accessed 2026-02-26
600-hour crossover requirement
Accessed 2026-02-26
Maryland requires 1,200 hours of barber training. Find approved schools and programs near you.
Contact your state barber board for a list of approved schools.