Esthetician / Maryland
2026 data Maryland board official source

Maryland Esthetician License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

What the state board actually requires: fees, renewal cycle, and requirements from official records.

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Specializes in skin care including facials and waxing.

What the Maryland data shows for Estheticians

Maryland's path to esthetician licensure runs through 750 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on State Esthetics Exam, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 16 can be licensed. Maryland folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "Esthetics School".

The initial price tag is $118, and renewal costs $58 every 2 years. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Maryland, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

For estheticians, the reciprocity picture is: Varies by state — check with state board.

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
68/100
Esthetician · Maryland

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training C-
750 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$118
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden B+
$29/yr
$58 every 2 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Maryland

Education / Training Hours
Esthetics School
750 hours
Exam Requirement
State Esthetics Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$118
Renewal Fee
$58
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
16 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Esthetician All Maryland licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Maryland licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Esthetician in Maryland? ▼
Maryland's requirements cover 750 hours of education or training, the State Esthetics Exam exam, and an initial fee of $118. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as an Esthetician in Maryland? ▼
To become a licensed esthetician in Maryland, you must meet the state's requirements including 750 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Maryland licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Esthetician license to Maryland from another state? ▼
For estheticians, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Varies by state — check with state board. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Maryland licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Maryland require a background check for Esthetician licensing? ▼
A criminal background check is mandatory for esthetician licensing in Maryland. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.

Related Guides

What to do with this esthetician license

Esthetician in Maryland, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an esthetician-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Maryland's esthetician requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Esthetician in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state esthetician license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Maryland's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Maryland overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Maryland licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.