How to Become a Licensed Esthetician in Maryland

These facts combined with Maryland being so close to our nation’s capital make this state an ideal home for someone working in the beauty industry such as an esthetician. Estheticians here can work for private clients, political clients, as well as in spas, salons, and medical establishments.

If you are considering a career as a licensed esthetician in the state of Maryland, keep reading this article to find out how to navigate your way through the process of obtaining your license, step by step.

Esthetician License Requirements and Training Schools in Maryland

Step 1: Complete a State Approved Esthetics Program

In addition, applicants need to have completed 600 hours of esthetics training or have been a registered apprentice in a licensed beauty salon acquiring at least 6 months of full-time employment (with no less than 30 hours per week) under the supervision of a licensed esthetician.

Your esthetics education and training will need to include:

• Manual and machine facials
• Situations where services are contraindicated
• Waxing and hair removal techniques
• Make-up applications
• Infection control procedures and safety guidelines
• Skin care products
• Communication skills
• Career development

You can register for an esthetician apprenticeship by completing the online Apprentice License Application. You will be required to mail monthly training reports to the Maryland Board of Cosmetologists throughout the duration of your apprenticeship.

Once you complete your apprenticeship training, you will be eligible to take the State Board licensing exams. Once you have passed both exams, you will be able to apply for a full original license.

Let Esthetician Schooling Connect You With a High Quality Esthetician School in Your Area!

Are you ready to take the next step and begin your career as a well-paid esthetician? Esthetician Schooling has partnered with some of the best esthetician schools in the nation.  Our huge network of nationally recognized esthetician schools will make it easy for you to find the right school and get started training immediately!

The beauty schools in our network contain one or more of the following high quality standards:

To get started, simply fill out the quick 1-minute application below.

Step 2: Complete and Submit the Esthetician Application for Examination

In order to be eligible to take the exams, you must complete the registration form at the end of the Candidate Information Bulletin and have the director at your school complete the Eligibility/Examination Registration Form. The registration form must be notarized with the school seal or by a notary.

If you completed an apprentice program, you will need to have your licensed supervisor complete the Apprentice Training Certification portion of the Eligibility/Examination Registration Form. You must also mail your application form and your original letter of eligibility from the State Board to PSI.

Once your application to test is approved, you will receive an email from PSI. You can then go online or call to schedule your exams.

Registering and Scheduling Your Exams

It is your responsibility to contact PSI and set up an appointment to take the written exam. You can register for examination by going here and doing the following:

1. Select “Government/State Licensing Agencies” from the Select Organization drop-down menu.
2. Select “Maryland” from the Jurisdiction drop down menu.
3. Select “MD Barber and Cosmetology” from the Select Account drop down menu.
4. Click the “MD Esthetician English” link in the License Name menu (or click the Spanish or Vietnamese link).
5. After the webpage loads, click the “Sign In or Create an Account” button and either sign in or create a new account.

You also have the option of scheduling your exam over the phone by calling a PSI representative toll-free at 1-800-733-9267 (Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM EST and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST).

You can also schedule your written exam using PSI’s Interactive Voice Response System during non business hours at 1-800-733-
9267.

If you must reschedule your written exam, you can do so without forfeiting your fee by contacting PSI at least 2 business days prior to your scheduled exam date by calling1-800-733-9267 and using the automated system.

Step 3: Take and Pass the Written and Practical Esthetician Examinations

Preparing for the Written and Practical Exams

The National-Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology (NIC) recommends the following reference materials to help you prepare for and pass the written (theory) and practical esthetics exams, which can be purchased at discounted prices on Amazon:

• Milady Standard Esthetics: Fundamentals (2013, 11th Edition)
• Salon Fundamentals: Esthetics Textbook (2007, 11th printing, 2nd Edition, August 2013)

We also recommend that you purchase and study the following books in preparation for your exams:

• Salon Fundamentals Esthetics Licensure Exam Prep Book (Spiral-bound – 2007)
• Modern Esthetics: A Scientific Source for Estheticians (Milady)

What to Bring to the Exam Site

It is advised that you make arrangements to arrive at the exam site at least 30 minutes prior to the start of your exam. Late candidates will be denied entry.

For the written and the practical exam, you will need to ensure you bring two forms of current identification that include your signature (see page 6 of the Candidate Information Bulletin for more information).

The Esthetics Written Exam

The PSI written exam will have 100 scored multiple-choice questions and 10 non-scored questions. You will have 120 minutes for this exam. A 75 percent or better is a passing score. The written exam outline is as follows:

I. Safety, Sanitation, and Disinfection – 25 items
II. Client Consultation and Professional Conduct – 5 items
III. Skin Structure and Physiology – 20 items
IV. Skin Treatments – 20 items
VI. Makeup – 10 items
VII. Maryland Laws and Regulations – 10 items

You will be given your score immediately after the exam.

The Esthetics Practical Exam

You will need to use a model or a mannequin head for the practical esthetics examination. You will also need a supply kit. Rules and guidelines for these supplies and procedures can be found beginning on page 13 of the Candidate Information Bulletin.

You will be given 2 hours to take the esthetician practical exam. This test has a possible total of 102 points and you must score at least a 75% in order to pass.

The exam outline and time allowances are as follows:

• Pre-Exam Set Up and Disinfection
  Time Allowed: 10 minutes
• Skin Cleansing Service
  Time Allowed: 15 minutes
• Face and Neck Steaming Service (Model)
  Time Allowed: 5 minutes
• Face and Neck Massaging Service (Model)
  Time Allowed: 15 minutes
• Mask/Pack and Moisturizing Service (Model)
  Time Allowed: 15 minutes
• Eyebrow Arch Service Using Tweezers (Model)
  Time Allowed: 10 minutes
• Blood Exposure Service
  Time Allowed: Not timed
• Eyebrow Arch Service Using Mock Cold Wax (Model)
  Time Allowed: 10 minutes
• End of Exam Disinfection
  Time Allowed: 10 minutes

About 10 days after you have passed both your written and practical exam, you should receive notice from the Maryland Board that you can now apply for your Original Esthetician License. You will need to apply online and pay a $25 licensing fee.

Step 4: Renew Your MD Esthetician License Every Two Years

Esthetician License Reciprocity in Maryland

• Proof that you passed both written and practical esthetics exams
• Certification of your current esthetics license
• Proof of completion of esthetics education equal or greater to the Maryland state requirements

Maryland State Board of Cosmetology Contact Information

Maryland Written and Practical Exam Locations

Map of Written and Practical Exam Locations in Maryland

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