The Board of Cosmetology regulates cosmetologists, nail specialists, facial specialists, full specialists, hair braiders, hair wrappers, body wrappers and cosmetology salons.
Chapter 477 of the Florida Statutes and Rule 61G5 of the Florida Administrative Code are the rules and laws that govern the cosmetology profession.
The laws and rules may be obtained on the Board’s website, Statutes and Rules. If you need further assistance, you may call the Department’s Customer Contact Center at 1.850.487.1395.
The dates and locations are available on the main page, Board Meeting Information.
Agendas and minutes are available on the main page, Board Meeting Information.
To become a licensed cosmetologist in the State of Florida you must attend a Florida school of cosmetology and successfully complete a minimum of 1,200 hours of education. Upon the successful completion of the educational hours, a completed cosmetology examination application should be submitted to the Department along with the applicable fees. Once the examination application has been approved, you will receive written notification from the Department’s examination vendor, Pearson VUE, to schedule a date and time for your written cosmetology examination. After successfully passing both portions of the cosmetology examination, you will be issued a cosmetology license. The website for Pearson VUE is www.pearsonvue.com.
Exception: Florida cosmetology students qualified to take the examination after completion of only 1,000 hours of education and fail the examination must complete the full 1,200 hours of education before reexamination.
To become a registered nail specialist in the State of Florida you must enroll in a nail specialty program offered by a Florida school of cosmetology and successfully complete a minimum of 180 hours of education. Upon the successful completion of the educational hours, a completed nail specialty registration application should be submitted to the Department along with the applicable fees. Once the application has been approved, the nail specialist registration will be issued.
Note: A licensed cosmetologist is not required to have a separate nail specialist registration.
To become a registered facial specialist in the State of Florida you must enroll in a facial specialty program offered by a Florida school of cosmetology and successfully complete a minimum of 220 hours of education. Upon the successful completion of the educational hours, a completed facial specialty registration application should be submitted to the Department along with the applicable fees. Once the application has been approved, the facial specialist registration will be issued.
Note: A licensed cosmetologist is not required to have a separate facial specialist registration.
You are eligible for a Florida registration by endorsement if you have a current and active registration or license in another state, with the requirements of the other state being equal to or greater than the requirements of Florida applicants. Apprenticeship licensees are not eligible for endorsement.
Florida requirements are as follows:
Note: Out-of-country facial specialist, nail specialist and full specialist registrants are not eligible for licensure by endorsement. Any Florida cosmetology school can evaluate your previous school training and grant credit for hours toward fulfilling the Florida school requirements. Schools can grant credit for all, some or none of a person’s previous education.
No. Out-of-country cosmetology license holders are not eligible for licensure by endorsement and must apply by examination.
Yes, you can apply for a full specialist license in Florida if you are holding or have held a nail specialist license and a facial specialist license in Florida.
If you hold a current and active license to practice cosmetology in another state, you will not be required to take the Florida cosmetology exam or meet the educational requirements to endorse your license to Florida.
Apprenticeship licenses and apprenticeship education are not eligible for endorsement.
As a cosmetology examination applicant, you are eligible to work once you have taken and passed both parts of the examination. You are eligible to practice cosmetology under the supervision of a licensed cosmetologist in a licensed cosmetology salon. You must provide the salon owner or representative with a copy of the exam results.
No. If you fail any portion of the examination, you may immediately reapply for reexamination but you are not eligible to practice cosmetology until you have passed both parts of the examination within a two-year period as provided by Rule 61G5-18.004, F.A.C.
The term “under the supervision” of a licensed cosmetologist refers to an individual who holds a current and active Florida cosmetology license that must physically be present at all times when the applicant is performing cosmetology services.
After successfully completing all school hours and submitting an application along with the required fees to the Department, and pending the issuing of the registration, an applicant is eligible to practice under the supervision of a registered specialist in a licensed cosmetology salon with the following conditions:
“Under the supervision” of a registered specialist refers to an individual who holds a current and active specialty registration that must be physically present at all times when the applicant is performing the specialty services. This work practice exception does not apply to an individual who has applied by endorsement from another state. Endorsement applicants must have their Florida license prior to practice.
Requests for a name change should be directed to Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Central Intake Unit, License Maintenance Section, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399. A name change must be submitted in writing along with a copy of the legal document granting the name change.
You may contact the Department of Education at 1.850.245.0509 (public), 1.850.245.0502 (private), or 1.888.224.6684 (toll free) or online at www.fldoe.org. You may contact the Commission for Independent Education at 1.850.245.3200 or online at www.fldoe.org/cie for a list of independent schools, colleges and universities.
Yes. The Board of Cosmetology accepts courses presented by the Florida Department of Health, or other state health departments. Please ensure that the course completion certificate reflects that the course was at least four credit hours.
You must complete the salon application and pay the required application fee. After your salon license is issued, within approximately 90 days, an inspector will visit your salon unannounced for the initial inspection. You can open your salon when you receive your license. You do not need to wait to open until you are inspected.
Yes. You can operate the salon out of your home as long as the salon facilities are separated from the living quarters by a permanent wall. There must be a separate entrance to the salon other than through the living quarters. The toilet and lavatory facilities must be separate than those used by the household. The home salon must also meet all other salon requirements. You must complete a salon application and pay the required application fee.
You can verify your license to another state instantly by using DBPR’s Online Services. Create an online account or logon to your existing account at www.myfloridalicense.com. Select “Request License Certification” from the License Menu. Complete the online application and pay the $25 fee by credit card or electronic check. A copy of your license record will be created and emailed directly to the State Board selected during the transaction. Note: License certifications can only be sent to other State Boards using this method.
If you need to send certification of your license to multiple states you will repeat the instructions above and pay the required $25 application fee for each request.
You may mail your request for license certification to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Board of Cosmetology, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-0790. Your request should include your name, license number, which State Board you would like the certification to be mailed, and your payment of $25. Note: If you mail your request, please allow up to three weeks for processing.
The salon license is not a transferable document. You must submit a new salon application and pay the required application fee. If the salon name, address, or ownership changes, there must be a new salon license application submitted.
Yes, at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Online Services. You can also change your telephone number and email address here.
Three types of addresses have been established to support your needs: main, license mailing, and license location.
An example of the use of different addresses: If Jane Doe is a contractor that works for ACME Builders, she may have 3 different addresses listed in her profile. Her main address would be the address of ACME Builders’ corporate headquarters. Her license mailing may be her home so she doesn’t have to visit the office to pick up her mail. Finally, her License Location would be the address of the ACME Builders’ local office where she works. If Jane Doe worked independently, she might have only one address on file (Main Address) as her office is the same place she wishes to receive her mail.
The main address and license mailing address can be changed online for all license types. License location addresses can also be changed online except for barbershops, cosmetology salons, veterinary establishments, and talent agencies. The location for these license types is tied to the license so a location change will require submission of a new application.
You may submit the change in writing to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Central Intake Unit – License Maintenance, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783 or fax to 1.850.921.0038.
Criminal history is reviewed on a case-by-case situation and your application may require Board review. If your application requires Board review, you will receive notification by mail approximately three weeks prior to the meeting. Your application cannot be pre-approved.
No. Attendance at the meeting is not required, however: it is in your best interest to attend.
The cosmetology examination is offered at 22 testing sites throughout the state of Florida. Out-of-state testing sites are also available. Please contact Pearson VUE at 1.888.204.6230 for more information on testing sites.
No. Florida laws do not allow us to consider experience. If your license is active and has been active for at least one year, you are eligible to sit for the exam.
No. Licenses are not transferable nor are temporary licenses offered. Depending on the type of license you hold, you must either apply for licensure by examination, endorsement or attend a Florida school for evaluation.
Florida cosmetology schools can evaluate a person’s previous school training and grant credit for hours toward fulfilling the Florida school requirements. Schools can grant credit for all, some or none of a person’s previous education.
You can contact the Commission for Independent Education at 1.850.245.3200 for private schools, or the Department of Education at 1.800.445.6739 for public schools, or you can submit a public records request to the DBPR, Attention: Central Intake for an entire copy of your application file.
You should speak with someone in the Bureau of Education and Testing, Candidate Services.
You will receive a Notice of Intent to Deny within 30 days of the meeting. The notice will provide details of why the application was denied and what steps you can take to request a hearing.
If you have any questions or need assistance completing your application, please contact the Department’s Customer Contact Center at 1.850.487.1395.
Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Central Intake Unit, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783.
Board forms are accessible on the main page, Apply For A License.
Please allow up to three weeks for processing. For additional information, please contact the Bureau of Finance and Accounting Office at 1.850.487.2100.
Please contact the Department’s Customer Contact Center at 1.850.487.1395. If they are unable to assist you with your application questions they will forward your request to the Central Intake Unit.
Cosmetologists, Nail Specialists, Facial Specialists, Full Specialists licenses expire on October 31 st of even and odd years under two separate groupings.
Group 1: expires on October 31, ODD Year
Group 2: expires on October 31, EVEN Year
Before midnight EST on the expiration date, you must have completed the continuing education requirements and submission of the renewal fee. The renewal fee for cosmetologists, nail specialists, facial specialists, and full specialists is $45.
DBPR will send an email notification that the renewal period is open, at which time you can renew your license(s). This e-mail notification will sent be 90 days prior to the license expiration to the e-mail address on record. We encourage you to keep your information up-to-date and renew online. DBPR online services offer a quick and easy way to renew your license, find license requirements, apply for a license and update a license.
You may also return the renewal notice along with a check made payable to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0783. Please note that the license renewal will not be processed until your continuing education hours have been completed.
A null and void license can be reinstated; however, you must complete a reinstate null and void application, pay the required application fee and provide an explanation of illness or economic hardship that prevented the renewal of your license.
Please submit a written request to change the status of your license from active to inactive along with a $5 processing fee.
Please submit a written request to change the status of your license from inactive to active along with a $50 processing fee. Please be aware that for cosmetologists, nail specialists, facial specialists and full specialists, you are required to take 10 hours of board-approved continuing education as required for active renewal for the biennium previous to the requested reactivation.
The Board of Cosmetology requires all cosmetologists, facial specialists, nail specialists and full specialists to complete 10 hours of board-approved continuing education prior to the license/registration renewal. All continuing education courses must be completed from a Board of Cosmetology approved continuing education provider.
The list of approved continuing education providers and their courses is available on the main page, CE Requirements.
No. All continuing education courses must be completed from a board-approved continuing education provider. If the Florida Department of Health is not listed as an approved continuing education provider, then course credits are not acceptable for the purpose of renewal.
You may contact the Department’s Customer Contact Center at 1.850.487.1395 or file a complaint online at www.MyFloridaLicense.com.
Please contact the Department’s toll-free unlicensed activity hotline at 1.866.532.1440 or file a complaint online at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > File a Complaint.
Please contact the Florida Department of Health at 1.800.337.3742 for assistance.
You should speak with someone in the Division of Regulation, Bureau of Investigative Services.
You should speak with someone in the Division of Regulation, Bureau of Investigative Services.
You should speak with someone in the Division of Regulation, Bureau of Investigative Services.
You should speak with someone in the Division of Regulation, Bureau of Investigative Services.
Please contact the Department of Revenue at 1.800.622.5437. The suspension will be removed when we receive written notification from the Department of Revenue. For additional information, please contact the Division of Regulation.
No. Payment plans for citations are not authorized. Please contact the Division of Regulation if you have further questions about citations.
You should speak with someone in the Division of Regulation, Bureau of Investigative Services.
Please contact the Department’s Customer Contact Center at 1.850.487.1395 for instructions on how to request a copy of the disciplinary case or contact the General Counsel’s Office at 1.850.488.0062.
Please contact the Department’s Customer Contact Center at 1.850.487.1395 for instructions on how to request a copy of the disciplinary case that resulted in the suspension of your license.
Please contact the Board of Cosmetology office.
Please contact the Department’s Customer Contact Center at 1.850.487.1395 for instructions on how to request a copy of the disciplinary case that resulted in the revocation of your license.
A revoked license cannot be reinstated; however, you may reapply for licensure. Your application will require board review.
Please contact the Board of Cosmetology office.
Once the case has been referred to either Municipal Services Bureau (MSB) or United Collections Bureau (UCB), you may no longer pay your fine directly to the Board of Cosmetology. All inquiries and payments MUST be paid through the collection agency. Please contact MSB at 800.568.7004 or UCB at 866.209.0622. The collection agency will notify the Department that your fine has been paid. For additional information, please contact the Bureau of Finance and Accounting at 850.487.2100.
Please contact Municipal Services Bureau at 800.568.7004 or United Collections Bureau at 866.209.0622. For additional information, please contact the Bureau of Finance and Accounting at 850.487.2100.
Properly licensed individuals may offer hair shampooing, hair cutting, hair arranging, nail polish removal, nail filing, nail buffing, and nail cleansing services outside of a licensed salon after the effective date of July 1, 2020. These services may be performed at homes and other locations.
House Bill 1193, as passed by the Florida Legislature in the 2020 Regular Session, removes the licensure requirements for hair braiding, hair wrapping, and body wrapping individuals. Therefore, persons will no longer be required to submit an application for licensure in any of these professions or as an education provider for these professions.
No. A license is not required to perform hair shampooing, but to rinse or do any work involving other chemicals in the hair, drying or styling of the hair, a cosmetology license is required.
Effective July 1, 2020, individuals whose occupation is confined to applying fingernail or toenail polish is exempt from licensure.
Any cosmetology or specialty service can be performed as long as no compensation is received for the service. Effective July 1, 2020, individuals whose occupation is confined to makeup application, which includes, but is not limited to, application of makeup primer, face paint, lipstick, eyeliner, eye shadow, foundation, rouge or cheek color, mascara, strip lashes, individual lashes, face powder, corrective stick, and makeup remover, is exempt from licensure. However, makeup application does not include manual or chemical exfoliation, semi-permanent lash application, lash or brow tinting, permanent makeup application, microblading, or hair removal. Providing wig/hair piece fitting services can be performed, in conjunction with the sale of the wig/hair piece as long as no cosmetology services are performed (e.g., hair arranging, hair cutting, shaping, coloring, etc.).
A licensed barber is allowed to work in a cosmetology salon as long as a licensed cosmetologist is also employed. A licensed cosmetologist is allowed to work in a barbershop as long as a licensed barber is also employed.
No. Only one business license can be issued per location.
There is a provision in the laws and rules allowing licensed cosmetologists to perform cosmetology services on individuals residing in these facilities and exempting these cosmetologists from having to offer their services in the otherwise required licensed salons. The arrangements for cosmetologists to offer their services in a community care facility or nursing home must be made through a licensed salon and the information as to the name of the client and the address at which the services are to be performed shall be recorded in the appointment book which must remain at the salon and be made available upon request to any Department inspector.
Performing make-up and/or hair arranging services on a deceased person in a funeral home is not regulated by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. For further clarification, please contact the Department of Financial Services, Division of Funeral, Cemetery & Consumer Services at https://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/funeralcemetery/ or by calling 1.850.413.3039.
They can both perform hair and facial services. However, barbers can shave the face and cosmetologists can wax and do nails.
You should attend a Florida school for evaluation of your barbering hours. The school is able to assess what you need to meet the cosmetology requirements, and they are required to sign off on your application for licensure.
The definition of cosmetology includes the mechanical treatment of the head, neck and scalp. Therefore, if the microdermabrasion is performed to the head, face, or scalp, it falls under the definition of cosmetology.
A cosmetologist and full specialist can massage the head, face, scalp, neck, hands and feet. A nail specialist can massage the hands and feet. A facial specialist can massage the head, face, scalp, and neck, but, otherwise, a person must be licensed under the Department of Heath, Board of Massage Therapy.
The Florida laws do not prohibit the use of certain tools; however, the procedures must be nonintrusive.
Yes. A cosmetologist can perform this service.
A cosmetologist, full specialist or facial specialist can perform this service.
A cosmetologist, full specialist or facial specialist can perform this service.
A cosmetologist, full specialist or facial specialist can perform this service.
A cosmetologist can perform this service.
A cosmetologist can perform this service.
The Florida laws and rules do not address the use of devices, machinery or other equipment. If you would like to request an opinion from the Board of Cosmetology, you may submit a request for Declaratory Statement to the Board of Cosmetology, P.O. Box 5377, Tallahassee, Florida 32314- 5377. Please refer to Section 120.565, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 28-105, Florida Administrative Code, which explain the requirements for a Petition for Declaratory Statement.
A cosmetologist, facial specialist or full specialist can perform this service.
Board of Cosmetology licensees cannot perform laser hair removal services. According to the Florida Board of Medicine, laser hair removal may only be performed by Electrologists, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners, Physicians Assistants and Medical Doctors trained in that specialty.
No. Animals are not permitted inside a cosmetology salon with the exception of closed aquariums or service animals.
A Declaratory Statement is the sole means for obtaining a binding interpretation or opinion from the Board of Cosmetology concerning the applicability of statutory provisions, rules or orders over which the Board has authority (Chapters 455 and 477, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 61G5, Florida Administrative Code).
Manufactured materials for use in hair wrapping means multi-strand cotton or polyester blend, twisted, not braided, into a single embroidery or yarn thread.
There are no insurance requirements in the Board of Cosmetology laws and rules.
The Board of Cosmetology does not regulate booth renting. You should contact your local permitting department for more information.
You need to contact the Department’s Customer Contact Center at 1.850.487.1395 or the Bureau of Finance and Accounting at 1.850.487.2100.
You need to contact the Department’s Customer Contact Center at 1.850.487.1395, and they will notify the processing department that the bad check has been paid.
Please contact the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.