Domestic Violence Awareness Training - Cosmetologists

Licensees

All applicants for an original license and all licensees renewing a license must complete a one-hour domestic violence awareness training course as required by HB 1547 (2025). This training must be completed through a Maryland Board-approved provider. Courses completed outside of the approved provider list will not be accepted.

Which license types are subject to this requirement?

Senior Cosmetologist
Cosmetologist
Limited Hairstylist
Limited Esthetician
Limited Nail Technician
Limited Blow-Dry stylist

Approved Providers

View the Approved Providers List

Certificate Submission and Retention Requirements

Proof of completion may be submitted to the Board by emailing a copy of the certificate to bctraining.verification@maryland.gov. Please include your full name, license type and registration number (if applicable) in the body of the email. If you are not yet licensed, please be sure to clearly indicate that in your submission.

Licensees and applicants for licensure must retain a copy of their certificate of completion for the required Domestic Violence Awareness Training. The certificate should be kept in a safe and accessible location in the event of Board verification or audit.

Providers

Organizations interested in becoming an approved provider for the domestic violence awareness training must submit a curriculum proposal to barbers.cos@maryland.gov. Please include the subject line:

“Domestic Violence Awareness Training Curriculum Submission – [School/Program Name]”

Please note that incomplete proposals or submissions without the required subject line may not be reviewed.

Proposals must demonstrate that the course meets the following requirements under HB 1547:

• It is at least one hour in length.
• Includes guidance on:
  1. Recognizing the signs of domestic violence.
  2. Strategies to navigate conversations with clients who may be victims of domestic violence.
  3. How to listen to and communicate with victims of domestic violence.
  4. Connecting clients with resources and support groups for victims of domestic violence.
• May be offered by the provider in either in-person or virtual formats.

Provider Responsibility:

Approved providers must issue a certificate of completion to each licensee who successfully finishes the course. Certificates should include the licensee’s name, license number (if applicable), date of completion, and provider name, and must be retained by the licensee as proof of meeting the requirement.

Once a proposal is approved, the Board will send a letter of approval with an effective date. Please note: If your organization is an approved Private Career School through the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), you must be approved to modify your program curriculum, and all changes must be reported. The Board will copy MHEC on all letters of approval. Do not begin offering the program until you have received approval from both the Board and MHEC.