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Barber
Exam: Yes
Governing Authority
Maryland Board of Barbers - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
1,200 hrs
Training Hours
Written + Practical
Exam Type
$127
Gov. Fees
Available
Apprenticeship
2 years
Renewal Cycle
1 hrs
CE Required
Minimum Age
Not stated on official requirements page years old
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.
Not sure if you need a barber license? Check whether your state requires one.
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
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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.
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Overall licensing difficulty: 31/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
Barber State Board Exam
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Barber Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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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
Tuition ranges are estimates and vary by school. Contact individual schools for current pricing.
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
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.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Maryland with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
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
Learn more about the renewal process in our barber license renewal requirements guide.
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.
Barber Schools in Maryland
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Barber requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland (you) | $127 | 46–76 wks | |
| District of Columbia | $230 | 56–91 wks | → |
| Delaware | — | — | → |
| Pennsylvania | $173 | 48–79 wks | → |
| Virginia | $289 | 43–71 wks | → |
See how Maryland compares: Barber License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Related Guides
Compare barber requirements across all states →
Barber licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure barber is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Maryland compare to other states for barber? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your barber license →
Study guides and practice tests for the barber licensing exam.
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Other professional licenses in Maryland
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Barber requirements in Maryland verified against Maryland Board of Barbers - Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, April 2026.
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
Moving to Maryland? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Barber license to Maryland →
Transfer your Barber license from Maryland to: Delaware → | Pennsylvania → | Virginia → | West Virginia → | District of Columbia →