Cosmetology / Barber License from Georgia to Maryland: Does It Transfer? (2026)

What's different between Georgia and Maryland

Computed from both states' verified data rows, in both directions, and from the route every other origin gets into Maryland. Exam notes are our summary of each board's published rules, with sources below.

Route, each way

Georgia to Maryland (this page): Licensure by endorsement.

Maryland to Georgia (the reverse move): Licensure by endorsement.

The route is the same in both directions.

Does coming from Georgia matter?

Georgia gets Maryland's most common result: 38 of 50 origins (the other 49 states and DC) get the same one, so for most movers the origin does not change the answer.

The others get: compact enacted — not yet issuing; until it issues, licensure by endorsement (12).

CLC membership

Maryland has enacted the Cosmetology Licensure Compact; Georgia has not.

Application fee

Maryland lists $28 for an out-of-state applicant and Georgia lists $75 for the reverse move; neither may be the full cost.

Training hours

Maryland's first-time-applicant standard is 1,500 training hours for the standard license; Georgia's is 1,500.

The two standards are the same.

Exam rules on record

Maryland and Georgia carry different exam notes (our summaries, below); any state law or jurisprudence exam is listed with each state's requirements.

• Maryland (this move): Most transfer applicants do not retake exams; applicants originally examined in Alaska (after 12/7/2020), California (after 1/1/2022), Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania (after 11/24/2014), or South Dakota must pass both the Maryland theory and practical examinations
• Georgia (the reverse move): Written and practical exams are not retaken if you provide proof of passing a national or state-approved written and practical exam in English; otherwise the Board issues an exam-eligibility letter and you must pass the Georgia (NIC/PSI) exams within three attempts

What changes, Georgia → Maryland

The destination column is what you must satisfy — Maryland sets the rules for this move.

Step by step

1. Confirm Maryland's current requirements on the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing) website (linked below) — rules change.
2. Submit the endorsement application to the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists (Department of Labor, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing) (application linked below).
3. Arrange license verification from your current state.
4. Hold a current, active license in good standing from a U.S. state, territory, or jurisdiction with comparable licensing requirements.
5. Have your original licensing state send an official license certification, including disciplinary history, directly to the board (applicant-submitted documents are not accepted).
6. Complete a one-hour Domestic Violence Awareness training course through a Maryland Board-approved provider.
7. Applicants first licensed in certain states (including Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Tennessee) must document at least 6 months of work experience.
8. Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.

Official links

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