Maryland now requires beauty pros to train on domestic violence

New law took effect in January

Every barber, cosmetologist, and licensed beauty professional in Maryland now needs one hour of domestic violence awareness training.

The requirement kicked in on Jan. 1, 2026, and applies to anyone getting a new license or renewing an existing one. Gov. Wes Moore signed House Bill 1547 into law on May 6, 2025, after it sailed through the legislature.

The bill passed 132-8 in the House and 42-0 in the Senate.

Ten license types fall under the rule

The law covers more professionals than you might expect.

It reaches 10 license categories under the State Board of Barbers and the State Board of Cosmetologists, from master barbers and senior cosmetologists to limited nail technicians and eyelash extension technicians.

Limited blow-dry stylists and limited estheticians also fall under the rule.

Professionals who held a license before Oct. 1, 2025, must complete the training when they next renew.

Training focuses on awareness and resources

The one-hour course must come from a Maryland Board-approved provider, and professionals can take it in person or online.

The training teaches how to spot signs of domestic violence, how to talk with clients who may be victims, and how to point them toward resources and support groups.

Licensees need to keep a copy of their certificate of completion on hand in case the Board audits them.

Professionals do not have to report abuse

Here’s what the law does not do: it does not ask beauty professionals to report abuse, investigate situations, or confront anyone suspected of violence.

The role stops at awareness, listening, and sharing resources when the moment feels right.

That lines up with similar laws in other states and with national programs that stress a simple approach for stylists: recognize the signs, respond with care, and refer clients to help.

Salons build trust that few others can

Supporters say beauty professionals hold a unique position.

They work in close physical contact with a client’s head and neck, areas where signs of abuse often show up. They also build long-term relationships that few other professionals can match.

Victims of domestic violence are often cut off from friends and family, but many still keep their salon appointments.

Advocates say victims will sometimes confide in a trusted stylist before ever reaching out to law enforcement or social services.

Domestic violence affects millions each year

The numbers behind domestic violence are staggering.

About 10 million Americans experience intimate partner violence every year, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Roughly one in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. have faced severe physical violence from an intimate partner during their lifetime.

Intimate partner violence makes up about 15% of all violent crime nationwide. On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines across the country field more than 20,000 calls.

Illinois started the trend in 2017

Maryland isn’t the first state to try this. Illinois became the first to require domestic violence awareness training for licensed beauty professionals back in 2017.

The state partnered with Chicago Says No More, a domestic violence and sexual assault prevention group, to create a one-hour, one-time course.

That mandate covered cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, hair braiders, and their instructors, reaching about 88,000 licensed professionals statewide at the time.

Tennessee and others followed suit

Tennessee passed its own version in 2021. That training came from Shear Haven, a program co-founded by Nashville salon owner and domestic violence survivor Susanne Post, working alongside YWCA Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance helped roll it out to more than 50,000 licensed beauty professionals. Arkansas and Washington state have also passed similar laws.

Congress has pushed a federal version

Lawmakers have tried to take this idea national. The bipartisan SALONS Stories Act has been introduced in both the 118th and 119th Congresses.

The bill would boost grants to states that require free domestic violence awareness training for beauty professionals as part of licensure.

Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois have co-sponsored the Senate version, while Reps. Laurel Lee of Florida and Debbie Dingell of Michigan introduced a House companion.

The bill has not yet become law.

Cut It Out has trained thousands since 2002

The Professional Beauty Association launched its Cut It Out program in Birmingham, Ala., back in 2002.

The program trains salon and spa professionals to spot warning signs of domestic abuse and safely connect clients with local help.

Cut It Out now partners with Shear Haven, which has certified more than 150,000 professionals across over 100 countries. The program also offers free training materials, posters, and safety cards that salons can display.

Some professionals raise concerns about the mandate

Not everyone is on board. Some Maryland beauty professionals have questioned whether the requirement blurs the line between salon services and roles that belong to trained counselors or law enforcement.

Concerns include the chance of getting pulled into family disputes or legal proceedings.

State officials have said the training is short, standardized, and spells out exactly what professionals should and should not do.

Advocates stress the training focuses on awareness and sharing resources, not investigating or stepping in directly.

What licensees need to do next

Maryland beauty professionals must complete their training through a provider approved by the Maryland Board of Barbers or the Board of Cosmetologists.

Courses from providers not on the approved list will not count. Licensees should hold onto their certificate of completion as proof they’ve met the requirement.

The Maryland Department of Labor lists all currently approved training providers on its website.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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