Barber Schools in Maryland

If you're considering attending a barber program in Maryland, you've come to the right place to get your questions answered. Browse our directory of barber schools in Maryland, or skip ahead to learn about the state's barber licensing requirements and job outlook.

Browse All Barber Schools in Maryland

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Award Beauty School – Accredited

26 East Antietam Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740

(301) 733-4520
Programs:
Cosmetology, Barbering, Nail Technology

8660 Pulaski Highway
Baltimore, MD 21237

(443) 969-4474
Programs:
Cosmetology, Barbering

29 Greenmeadow Drive
Timonium, MD 21093

(443) 275-2038
Programs:
Cosmetology, Barbering, Nail Technology

8435 Annapolis Road
New Carrollton, MD 20784

(301) 459-2509
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering
Hair Academy II – Accredited

3705 Branch Avenue Lower Level Unit 1010
Hillcrest Heights, MD 20748

(301) 899-9100
Programs:
Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering

8736 Arliss Street
Silver Spring, MD 20901

(301) 588-3570
Programs:
Barbering, Cosmetology

7351 Assateague Drive Suite 370
Jessup, MD 20794

(443) 661-4173
Programs:
Cosmetology, Barbering
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Academy Of Professional Barber-Stylists – Accredited

2401 Blueridge Avenue Suite 102
Silver Spring, MD 20902

Avara's Academy of Hair Design – Accredited

16 North Dundalk Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21222

Aveda Institute Maryland – Accredited

227 Archer Street 3639
Bel Air, MD 21014

Bladensburg Barber School – Accredited

4810 Annapolis Road
Bladensburg, MD 20710

The Temple - Annapolis – Accredited

2303 Forest Drive Suite C
Annapolis, MD 21401

The Temple - Frederick – Accredited

22 West Church Street
Frederick, MD 21701
Accredited School

You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.

Barber Schools Near Me

Check out the Barbering schools these cities in Maryland have to offer.

Comparing Program Costs in MD

Cosmetology School Costs
Highest range: $14,395 - $24,000
Lowest range: $4,790 - $14,395
Average: $19,376
Barbering School Costs
Highest range: $15,820 - $19,640
Lowest range: $12,000 - $15,820
Average: $17,071

How to Become a Barber in Maryland

Maryland Barber Careers At a Glance
  • 1,200 education hours or 2,250 apprentice hours are required to become licensed.
  • You must renew your license every 2 years.
  • 0 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
  • The average salary for barbers in Maryland is $35,410.
  • There is a predicted 8% job increase between 2021–2031 for barbers nationally.

To become a barber in Maryland, you must complete a 2,250-hour apprenticeship under a master barber or 1,200 hours of training in a state-approved barber program. Then, you need to pass a theory exam and a practical exam. Finally, you have to apply and pay a fee to the board.

What to Expect From a Barber Program in Maryland

1,200 Education Hours

Required to earn a barber license

Maryland barber programs include 200 hours of training on barbering theory and demonstrations of barber services and 1,000 hours of performing the barbering treatments you learn in the first part of your program.

The Maryland Board of Barbers reviews and approves the curriculum of each barber school program that applies for licensure. Expect to study topics like sanitation, barber tools, basic barbering science, and all commonly performed barber services in your barber school program.

A few more required topics of study are:

  • Anatomy and physiology in barbering
  • Barber careers
  • Skin, scalp, and hair diseases and disorders
  • State laws and regulations

Maryland Barber Licensing Requirements

To get your Maryland barber's license, you must complete a barber program or apprenticeship, take a theory-based and practical exam, and pay a $50 initial licensing fee. 

Maryland barber exams are administered by PSI. The tests include a 120-minute theory exam and a 100-minute practical exam. Taking both on one day costs $77, or you can take just one at a time for $49 each.

The required theory exam covers barber industry topics like:

  • Chemical Services
  • Client Consultation
  • Hair cutting
  • Hairstyling
  • Hair, Scalp, and Skin Analysis
  • Safety and Infection Control
  • Shaving
  • Skincare

You take the test on a computer and find out if you passed when you complete the test.

You need a 70% on the practical exam to pass. For the practical exam, be ready to perform services related to safety, hair cutting, and shaving on a mannequin in a barber shop setting.

Complete PSI's Special Arrangement Request Form if you need any accommodations on test day due to a disability.

Can I Apprentice as a Barber in Maryland?

2,250 Apprenticeship Hours

Required to earn a barber license

Yes, you can become a licensed Maryland barber by completing an apprenticeship.

Your apprenticeship must include 2,250 hours of training and be sponsored by a Master Barber who oversees and reports your training hours to the state board.

Maryland Barber License Reciprocity

If you were trained or licensed as a barber in a state other than Maryland, you could sit for Maryland's licensing exams. But you must prove that your previous barber training aligns with Maryland's requirements.

Barber-Stylist and Cosmetology Crossover Barber Licenses in Maryland

Maryland offers a few specific types of barber's licenses and crossover licenses.

If you only want to perform basic barbering services, you may want to earn your Barber-Stylist License.

The four barber-stylist services you can offer are:

  • Cutting, shaving, or styling hair
  • Facial massage
  • Shaving or cutting beards
  • Similar hair, beard, or facial procedures

For this type of license, you're only required to complete 900 hours of training in a barber program. You can also do a 1,650-hour apprenticeship to meet your training requirements.

After completing your training, you must pass barber-stylist theory and practical exams. The services you're tested on are limited to those that barber-stylists perform.

Another license type is Master Barber. To be eligible for this license, you must have 15 months of experience and a passing score on the Master Barber practical and theory exams. As a Master Barber, you can oversee barber apprentices.

Maryland also offers "bridge" crossover licenses for Maryland cosmetologists who want to earn their barber license. Licensed Maryland cosmetologists only need to complete 600 hours of barbering instruction to be eligible for their crossover licensing exams

Barber License Renewal in Maryland

2 Years

License renewal period

0 Hours

Continuing education required

You must renew your Maryland barber's license every two years. License expiration dates are based on individuals' original licensing dates. The board sends a renewal reminder and instructions 60 days before your license expires. Be on the lookout for important mail as your expiration date draws near.

You can renew your license online by submitting a short application and paying a $50 fee.

There are no continuing education requirements, though keeping your knowledge and skills sharp is always wise.

Barber Salary and Projected Job Growth in Maryland

$35,410

Average yearly salary for barbers in Maryland

Barbers in Maryland earned an average yearly salary of $35,410 ($17.03 per hour) in 2022. The state doesn't publish growth expectations, but on the national level, the number of barber jobs is expected to grow by 8% between 2021 and 2031.

Contact the Maryland State Board of Barbers

Maryland Department of Labor

Resources for Barbers in Maryland

Licensing FAQs
The Maryland Board of Barbers put together this handy FAQ document to answer common questions about barber licensing in the state.

Maryland Department of Labor Barber, Master Barber, and Barber Stylist Candidate Information Bulletin
This is the best place for the most comprehensive information about Maryland barber education, licensing, and exams.

Smocks and Clips Newsletter
The state board puts out this newsletter once a quarter. It includes updates from both the barber and cosmetology boards.

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Barbering
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