To work in Florida as a cosmetologist or beauty professional, you need to meet and pass the cosmetology licensing requirements set by the state of Florida.
Licensing usually happens after you complete your training, and many beauty schools offer licensing training and examination as a part of their curriculum. Florida does not allow apprenticeship licensing, so the only way you can get a cosmetology license in Florida is by passing through an accredited school and completing the license exam.
The license is valid for two years, and in order to maintain its validity, you must complete 16 hours of continuing education during those two years in order to be able to renew it at the end of the period.
Each branch of cosmetology has its own minimum training hours requirement:
- Cosmetologist: 1200 hours
- Barber: 1200 hours
- Nail technician: 240 hours
- Esthetician: 260 hours
- Permanent makeup artist: 3 hour communicable disease course
- Hair braider: 2 day, 16 hour hair braiding course
- Massage therapist: 500 hours
Florida board of cosmetology
The entity that oversees licensing in Florida is the Florida Board Of Cosmetology. It is the Board’s responsibility to set requirements and conditions to ensure that cosmetology is practiced safely in the state of Florida. They meet regularly to make sure their rules and regulations are up to date with the latest developments in the field.
To get in touch with the Board of Cosmetology:
Board of Cosmetology
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783
Phone: 850.487.1395
Email: call.center@dbpr.state.fl.us
Cosmetology License Renewal fees
In Florida, licenses are renewed every two years. The fees for license renewal are as follows(the fees were last revised in October 2015).
Cosmetology = $45
Manicuring/Pedicuring/Nail Extensions = $45
Facials = $45
Hair Braiding = $25
Hair Wrapping = $25
Cosmetology Salons = $45
Specialty Salons = $45
Mobile Cosmetology Salons = $45
Body Wrapping = $25
Types of licenses
- Cosmetology Salon: This license enables any business to operate as a salon offering cosmetology services
- Cosmetologist: This license enables someone to practice as a cosmetologist – dealing with the head, face, and hair
- Full Specialist: This is a broad license enabling someone to give manicures, pedicures, facials, and work on hair
- Facial Specialist: This license is for giving facials and scalp treatments
- Nail Specialist: This license is for manicures and pedicures
- Hair braider: This license is for braiding only – cutting is not permitted under this certification
- Hair braiding salon: This is a license for a premises that provides only braiding services
- Hair wrapping: This license only allows wrapping – no cutting or treatment
- Body wrapper: This license allows body wraps
You can start your application process from here.
Licensure by endorsement
In Florida, it is possible to receive your cosmetology license by endorsement. This means that if you hold a license from another state where the requirements are tougher than those in Florida(1200 hours of education and passing a written exam), you may apply to get your Florida license without having to sit for the exam again.
The following states meet these requirements.
Please note that simply holding a license from one of the below states does not guarantee that you will receive a Florida license. It is still subject to the judgment and decision of the board.
The Florida state website also notes that if your state is not on the list, you may still apply by sending your school transcripts and information and your application can be considered to get a license without having to re-take the exam or go back to school. 42 states meet similar requirements as Florida. If you are in one of the other 8 states, you may still apply.
| Alabama | Kentucky | Ohio |
| Alaska | Louisiana | Oklahoma |
| Arizona | Maine | Oregon |
| Arkansas | Maryland | Pennsylvania |
| California | Michigan | South Carolina |
| Colorado | Minnesota | Tennessee |
| Connecticut | Mississippi | Texas |
| District of Columbia | Missouri | Utah |
| Georgia | Montana | Vermont |
| Idaho | Nebraska | Virginia |
| Illinois | Nevada | Washington |
| Indiana | New Hampshire | West Virginia |
| Iowa | New Jersey | Wisconsin |
| Kansas | North Carolina | Wyoming |