MD Cosmetology licensing
Maryland cosmetology license requirements and exam prep
Confirm Maryland cosmetology training hours, exam requirements, official board sources and the matching Cosmetology practice app.
At a glance
Maryland Cosmetology facts
- License type
- Cosmetologist
- School hours
- 1,500 hours
- Written exam
- Required
- Practical exam
- Required
- Exam vendor
- PSI Services LLC
- Passing score
- 75%
- Last verified
- 2026-08-07
Application path
What to verify before you apply
- 1Confirm the license categoryState boards may use different names for the same career path.
- 2Verify training and exam eligibilityCheck hours, application order, fees, IDs and vendor rules from official sources.
- 3Practice once your path is clearUse the state-aware course app for written-exam practice and weak-area review.
Exam details
Written and practical exam notes
Written exam
- Status
- Required
- Questions
- 100
- Time limit
- 120 minutes
- Passing score
- 75%
Practical exam
- Status
- Required
- Time limit
- 235 minutes
- Passing score
- 75%
Renewal and transfer
Study path
How to use this Maryland cosmetology guide
Verify the licensing path here, then use the course app for active recall, answer explanations, weak-area drills and timed written-exam practice.
- Confirm eligibilityFinish 1,500 approved training hours before relying on exam practice as your only preparation step.
- Prepare for the written examUse timed practice against the published written-exam structure: 100 scored questions, 120 minutes, passing standard 75%. The cited sources name PSI Services LLC as the exam vendor.
- Plan hands-on practiceMaryland requires a practical exam for this license, so do not let written-question practice replace service practice and kit/exam-day preparation.
- Start the matching practice appBegin with the free questions, then unlock full access when your exam date is close enough that you will use the 90-day study window.
High-yield written topics
- Safety and infection controlDisinfection, blood exposure, EPA labels, SDS and salon sanitation rules.
- Hair color and chemistryLevels, developers, patch tests, chemical reactions and product safety.
- Haircutting and texture servicesElevation, guidelines, relaxers, perms, neutralizers and service steps.
- Skin, nails and state lawBasic services outside hair plus scope, licensing and board-rule questions.
Official sources
Source links used for this guide
- Maryland Cosmetology Test Taker Guide (COSMETOLOGY v1.0 EFF 2/26/26) ↗PSI Services LLC · Accessed 2026-07-30Candidate Bulletin, Exam vendor, Training hours, Question Count, Time Limit, Passing Score
Maryland in context
What these Maryland cosmetology rules mean for you
Maryland requires 1,500 training hours for a cosmetology license. Of the 51 jurisdictions tracked here, 12 ask for fewer hours and 13 ask for more, against a range of 1,000 to 2,000 hours and a median of 1,500. Hour requirements matter beyond school cost: a license earned in a low-hour state is often harder to transfer into a high-hour one.
Maryland requires both a written examination and a hands-on practical examination, so you need bench skills as well as theory. The examination is administered by PSI Services LLC. The written exam has 100 questions with 120 minutes allowed. The published passing standard is 75%.
Maryland Cosmetology licensing questions
- How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Maryland?
- Maryland requires 1,500 hours of approved training. That is more than 12 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 13.
- Is there a practical exam for the Maryland cosmetology license?
- Yes. Maryland requires a hands-on practical examination in addition to the written examination.
- How long is the Maryland cosmetology written exam?
- You are allowed 120 minutes for 100 questions.
Verify before applying. Licensing rules, fees, providers, and exam formats can change. Use the linked board source as the final authority.