(a)    (1)    To qualify for a license to practice as a cosmetologist, an applicant shall be an individual who meets the requirements of this section.

(2)    The applicant shall be at least 17 years old.

(3)    The applicant shall have completed successfully a 9th grade education or the equivalent.

(4)    (i)    Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an applicant shall have received training by:

1.    serving as a registered apprentice as provided under §§ 5–404 and 5–405(e) of this title; or

2.    successfully completing a required program of at least 1,500 hours of training in a cosmetology school that is approved by the State Board of Education or the Maryland Higher Education Commission in consultation with the Board.

(ii)    If an applicant is a barber or master barber currently licensed in this State, the Board shall:

1.    credit the applicant with having met one–half of the training requirements of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph; and

2.    determine the manner in which the credit will be applied.

(iii)    An applicant meets the requirements of this subsection if:

1.    the applicant has held a cosmetologist license in another state or foreign country and has actively practiced cosmetology in the other state or foreign country for a period of 6 months; or

2.    the applicant has been trained in a cosmetology school in another state or foreign country that has standards substantially equivalent to or more stringent than the standards of a school that is approved by the State Board of Education or the Maryland Higher Education Commission in consultation with the Board.

(5)    Except as otherwise provided in this subtitle, the applicant shall pass a written and practical examination given by the Board under this subtitle.

(b)    To qualify for a license as a senior cosmetologist, an applicant shall:

(1)    have 2 years of experience as a licensed cosmetologist; and

(2)    pass an examination approved by the Board.