Cosmetology

Cosmetology

Ruthanne Christie, interim Executive Director

The Board of Cosmetology  is responsible for licensing and regulating cosmetology. The board meets regularly to consider applications for licensure, to review disciplinary cases, and to conduct informal hearings relating to licensure and discipline. The board engages in rulemaking to implement the provisions set forth in its statutes and conducts other general business, as necessary.

Reciprocity and Substantially Equivalent Exams

Getting Started In Cosmetology

License Types

Cosmetology license types

Cosmetologist

CL – A “cosmetologist” means a person who is licensed to engage in the practice of cosmetology which includes the mechanical or chemical treatment of the head, face, and scalp for aesthetic rather than medical purposes, including, but not limited to, hair shampooing, hair cutting, hair arranging, hair coloring, permanent waving, hair relaxing, hair removing, pedicuring, and manicuring, for compensation.

Nail Specialist

FV – A “nail specialist” means a person registered to engage in the practice of manicuring and pedicuring in the State of Florida. Manicuring means the cutting, polishing, tinting, coloring, cleansing, adding, or extending of the nails, and massaging of the hands. This term includes any procedure or process for affixing of artificial nails, except those nails which may be applied by a simple adhesive. Pedicuring means the shaping, polishing, tinting, or cleansing of the nails of the feet, and massaging or beautifying of the feet. These services must be performed in a licensed salon.

Facial Specialist

FB – A “facial specialist” means a person registered to do facials in the State of Florida. Facial means the massaging or treating of the face or scalp with oils, creams, lotions, or other preparations. These services must be performed in a licensed salon.

Full Specialist

FS – A “full specialist” means any person who can perform any services allowed by a facial specialist registration and a nail specialist registration.

Cosmetology Salon

CE – A “cosmetology salon” means a licensed and inspected facility where the practice of cosmetology is conducted by licensed persons.

Apply For A License

The requirements for becoming licensed in Florida are described in the statutes and rules.  Choose a license type to apply.

Cosmetologist
Nail Specialist
Facial Specialist
Full Specialist
Cosmetology Salon
Continuing Education Provider and Course Approval

Cosmetology Courses

Examination Information

DBPR offers examinations in a computer-based testing (CBT) format. Candidates who have been approved to sit for an examination may do so by contacting the department’s examination vendor, Pearson VUE. Examinations are available on a daily basis at testing sites throughout the world. For more information, including to schedule an examination, visit the Examination Information page.

Fee Waiver Applications

Note: If you have previously applied for your license, you may check your application status.

Prior Criminal Offenses

HB 7125 required the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to post lists of crimes that do not relate to the practice of cosmetology or the ability to practice cosmetology, and criminal offenses that were used as basis for denial of licensure to practice cosmetology. The bill prohibits the consideration of certain convictions for licensure purposes if the convictions occurred over five years before the date of the application, but allows the consideration of convictions for crimes listed in s.775.21(4)(a)1 and s.776.08, Florida Statutes.

Renew My License

Cosmetologists, Nail Specialists, Facial Specialists and Full Specialists
– Group 2

Licenses expire October 31st every even year. However, due to Hurricane Milton, the deadline has been extended to November 30th; and because the 30th falls on a Saturday this year, the deadline has been further extended to December 2nd.

DBPR will send you a notification that the renewal period is open, at which time you can renew your license(s). This will be 90-120 days before the expiration. All notices will be provided via email. 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.

Before midnight EST on December 2, 2024, you will need to complete the following requirements to renew your license:

  • Complete the continuing education requirement; and
  • Pay the renewal fee

See the “CE Requirements” tab for further information on Continuing Education to renew your license.

For more information concerning your license’s unique requirements, please click the relevant link below:

Cosmetology Salons

Licenses expire November 30th every even year. However, because the 30th falls on a Saturday this year, the deadline has been extended to December 2nd.

DBPR will send you a notification that the renewal period is open, at which time you can renew your license(s). This will be 90-120 days before the expiration. All notices will be provided via email. 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.

Before midnight EST on December 2, 2024, you will need to complete the following requirements to renew your license:

  • Pay the renewal fee

For more information concerning your license’s unique requirements, please click the relevant link below:

Cosmetologists, Nail Specialists, Facial Specialists and Full Specialists
– Group 1

Licenses expire October 31st every odd year.

DBPR will send you a notification that the renewal period is open, at which time you can renew your license(s). This will be 90-120 days before the expiration. All notices will be provided via email. 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.

Before midnight EST on October 31, 2023, you will need to complete the following requirements to renew your license:

  • Complete the continuing education requirement; and
  • Pay the renewal fee

See the “CE Requirements” tab for further information on Continuing Education to renew your license.

For more information concerning your license’s unique requirements, please click the relevant link below:

Continuing Education Providers

Continuing Education Provider licenses expire May 31st every odd year.

DBPR will send you a notification that the renewal period is open, at which time you can renew your license. This will be 90-120 days before the expiration. All notices will be provided via email. 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.

Before midnight EST on May 31, 2023, you will need to complete the renewal requirements. For more information, please click this link:
Renewal Information For CE Providers

We encourage you to renew online. However, you can mail your renewal form and fee to:
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783

Print a Blank Renewal Form

CE Requirements

Education Course Lists

Continuing Education (Chemical Makeup, Environmental Issues, Elective, HIV/AIDS, State/Federal Laws & Rules, Occupational Safety Health Administration [OSHA], Sanitation/Sterilization, Workers’ Compensation)

You may also use the department’s Find a CE Course tool to locate specific subject areas or course topics.

License Types Continuing Education Requirements Fee Expiration Date
Cosmetology Salon N/A $45.00 11/30/EVEN Year
Cosmetologist 10 hours of CE – minimum of 1 hour HIV/AIDS, 3 hours of sanitation and sterilization, one-half (.5) hour OSHA, one-half (.5) hour workers’ compensation, 2 hours of laws and rules, one (1) hours of chemical makeup, 1 hour of environmental issues, 1 hour of any subject related to the practice of cosmetology. $45.00 Group 1: 10/31/ODD Year
Group 2: 10/31/EVEN Year
Nail Specialist 10 hours of CE – minimum of 1 hour HIV/AIDS, 3 hours of sanitation and sterilization, one-half (.5) hour OSHA, one-half (.5) hour workers’ compensation, 2 hours of laws and rules, one (1) hours of chemical makeup, 1 hour of environmental issues, 1 hour of any subject related to the practice of cosmetology. $45.00 Group 1: 10/31/ODD Year
Group 2: 10/31/EVEN Year
Facial Specialist 10 hours of CE – minimum of 1 hour HIV/AIDS, 3 hours of sanitation and sterilization, one-half (.5) hour OSHA, one-half (.5) hour workers’ compensation, 2 hours of laws and rules, one (1) hours of chemical makeup, 1 hour of environmental issues, 1 hour of any subject related to the practice of cosmetology. $45.00 Group 1: 10/31/ODD Year
Group 2: 10/31/EVEN Year
Full Specialist 10 hours of CE – minimum of 1 hour HIV/AIDS, 3 hours of sanitation and sterilization, one-half (.5) hour OSHA, one-half (.5) hour workers’ compensation, 2 hours of laws and rules, one (1) hours of chemical makeup, 1 hour of environmental issues, 1 hour of any subject related to the practice of cosmetology. $45.00 Group 1: 10/31/ODD Year
Group 2: 10/31/EVEN Year

Quick Links

Need Help?

All requests for publications, documents, forms, applications for licenses, permits and other similar certifications can be obtained by contacting the Customer Contact Center.

Division of Professions
Board of Cosmetology
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0791

Telephone: 850.487.1395
Facsimile: 850.488.8040

Cosmetology