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TO: Licensed Maryland Barbers and Cosmetologists
FROM: Erica Lewis, Executive Director, Maryland Boards of Barbers and Cosmetologists
DATE: April 29, 2020
Update from the Boards of Barbers and Cosmetologists
The Maryland Boards of Barbers and Cosmetologists have been getting questions about offering services in accordance with the interpretive guidance issued on April 20, 2020. Please see our updated frequently asked questions and answers below.
Additionally, in our last newsletter, we answered a question about distance learning that needed some additional clarification from us. That clarification is provided in the final Q&A in this update.
Questions and Answers for Licensees
Q: Can I provide cosmetology or barbering services as a "mobile service" or "house call"?
A: No, in addition to the criminal penalties under the governor's executive order, there are potential Department of Labor violations that could subject you to administrative fines and sanctions.
Q: Can a shop/salon offering nail and esthetician services reopen to provide services to essential personnel?
A: According to the interpretive guidance issued on April 20, 2020, the services performed must be necessary for the customer to meet grooming standards established by the customer’s employer.
Q: If I reopen my shop/salon to provide services to essential workers, will this affect my unemployment?
A: Any income must be reported. The Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI) staff will make a determination based on the Maryland unemployment insurance law regarding whether the monies will affect your weekly benefit amount.
When you file your initial claim or reopen your existing claim, you must report full or part-time wages earned during that week from regular employment, self-employment, odd jobs, etc. regardless of whether you were paid during that week.
Q: Who can receive services?
A: Essential personnel may receive services that are necessary to obtain professional grooming standards as required by their job profiles. Although shops must remain closed to the public, first responders, military personnel and others may obtain one-on-one services by appointment only. See details in the April 20th interpretive guidance.
Q: Can a customer walk in?
A: Walk-in services are still prohibited in Maryland, and only one customer at a time is permitted to be in an establishment. Also, the customer must obtain a letter from his or her employer outlining its required grooming standards and wear a face covering while receiving services.
Q: Is my shop/salon required to open to serve essential personnel?
A: No, shops/salons are not required to open.
Q: I received a temporary shop license that has expired now. What should I do?
A: Please do not worry about your temporary license expiring. Once the stay at home order is lifted and non-essential businesses are permitted to resume operations, you will be added to our inspection schedule. You do not need to wait for an inspection to continue operations at that time.
Q: Where should I report a shop/salon or licensee not following the governor's order?
A: Any possible violations can be called into your local police department, sheriff’s office or state police barrack, but please be sure to contact these departments through a non-emergency line. All departments have been advised to enforce the executive order.
Q: Can I attend a solely online school?
A: The Maryland Boards of Barbers and Cosmetologists have decided that institutions may provide distance learning temporarily to accommodate students as a result of a COVID-19 interruption, including in cases where students began attendance in classes offered in a brick-and-mortar setting but were transitioned to a distance education format in the middle of the term. Hours credited during distance learning will be accepted toward hours needed for licensure, provided the institution has followed all requirements of their accreditor.
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