Apply for Licensure by Endorsement - Barbers

Thank you for your interest in licensure as a barber in the State of Maryland through reciprocity.

To apply for licensure by endorsement, you must:

• Hold a current, active license in good standing from another U.S. state, territory, or jurisdiction with comparable licensing requirements.
• The issuing licensing authority must send official license verification, including any disciplinary history, directly to the Maryland Boards of Barbers and Cosmetologists; documents submitted by applicants will NOT be accepted.

Application Steps:

Step 1:

Step 2:

After requesting the certification, a separate email must be sent to [email protected] including the applicant’s full name, mailing address, license number, and the state from which the license is being transferred.

Applicants meeting these criteria may receive a waiver of the theory and practical examinations.

Step 3:

The Board will notify you by email once your certification has been received and reviewed. If the training equivalency is deemed sufficient in accordance with statute, the notification will include instructions for completing the licensing application process. If the training equivalency is determined to be insufficient, the Board will advise on any additional documentation or information required, including whether completion of the practical and theory examinations is necessary for licensure.
Please do not submit an application until confirmation has been received from the Board. All application fees are non-refundable.

Licensing Application fees:

Master Barber, Barber, Limited Barber Stylist: $56

All barbers seeking licensure through reciprocity in the State of Maryland are required to provide proof of at least six (6) months of work experience in the field for which licensure is being sought.

Acceptable documentation includes:

• A notarized letter from your employer confirming your dates of employment, job title, and a brief description of your duties; or
• Official tax documentation (such as W-2 forms or other relevant records) that verifies your employment during the required time period.

Maryland work experience will not be accepted, as services should not be performed without an active license.

States That Do Not Qualify for Reciprocity

Applicants from the following states are required to pass both the Maryland theory and practical examinations. Applicants must still complete Steps 1 and 2 in order to receive a letter of approval to sit for the examinations. No exceptions.

• Alaska
• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Hawaii
• New Jersey (does not issue a Barber license)
• New York

Applicants with foreign training (outside the United States)

All education transcripts,including high school and cosmetology-related transcripts,for foreign-educated applicants who are not currently licensed in the United States or a U.S. territorial possession must be evaluated prior to approval for the theory and practical examinations.
Evaluations must be completed by a NACES-accredited agency. Only evaluations from approved agencies will be accepted and provided with an approval letter from the Board.
Applicants are responsible for contacting a credential evaluation service, submitting their original documents to an accredited translation company for translation and equivalency and covering any associated costs.
This requirement helps ensure that all foreign education and training are reviewed consistently and meet U.S. equivalency standards.
For more information and a list of approved agencies, please visit the NACES- website.

NACES-accredited agencies may email official documentation to [email protected] or mail to:
State Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists Maryland Department of Labor
100 S. Charles Street, Tower I Baltimore, MD 21201
Once the applicant has submitted their documents to an accredited agency, the applicant must email [email protected] the following information:

• Full name
• Current mailing address, including street address (or P.O. Box), city, state, and ZIP Code
• Name of the accredited agency from which the Board should expect the documentation

Once all required documentation has been received, the applicant will receive further instructions via email.

Out-of-State Applicants (Not Yet Licensed)

Applicants who completed the required training outside of Maryland but are not yet licensed must have their education evaluated prior to being authorized to take the Maryland theory and practical examinations.
The training institution must email the following to [email protected]:

• Official academic records or transcripts bearing the school’s official seal (unofficial transcripts are not accepted)
• Applicant’s email address
• Applicant’s current mailing address

Approval letters will be issued via email. If the applicant has undergone a name change, documentation verifying the name change must be included.

Obtaining Maryland Transcripts for Closed schools

For attendance at a closed Maryland cosmetology school, contact the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) at 410-767-3300.
For training completed through a Maryland public high school, contact the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) at 410-767-0100.
Once obtained, the official transcript must be emailed directly to [email protected], along with the applicant’s current mailing address. Approval letters will be issued via email. If the applicant has undergone a name change, documentation verifying the name change must be included.

Domestic Violence Requirement

Additionally, there is a separate one-hour Domestic Violence Awareness training course required by Maryland Code, Business Occupations and Professions § 5-304 and § 4-302. This is a requirement for BOTH the Board of Barbers AND Cosmetologists. This training must be completed through a Maryland Board-approved provider. Courses completed outside of the
approved provider list will not be accepted. Visit our website for a list of approved providers and more program information.