To receive a cosmetology license in Florida or a license in one of the other beauty practitioner disciplines in this state you have to attend a licensed school and complete the minimum required training hours as specified by the Florida Board of Cosmetology before you can take the exams. An application fee of $20 must be submitted with the license application.
Minimum Required Training Hours
- Cosmetologist: 1200 hours for license
- Body Wrapper: 16 hours for registration (2-day course)
- Facial Specialist: 260 hours for license
- Hair Braider: 16 hours for registration (2-day course) not required with cosmetology license
- Nail Specialist: 240 hours for license
Examinations are already stressful, but a lack of information or misinformation only adds unnecessary stress. Therefore, we advise every applicant to talk to their beauty school teachers to clear all questions. Please also contact the Florida Board of Cosmetology for further questions.
Contact Information Florida Board of Cosmetology
Division of Professions
Board of Cosmetology
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783
Cosmetology License Renewal
In Florida, cosmetology licenses must be renewed every two years. Florida requires 16 hours of cosmetology continuing education to renew licenses. The license renewal fees are between $30 and $55 depending on your beauty specialty.
Out-of-state License
Florida does not allow to transfer an out of state cosmetology license via reciprocity but offers to do so by endorsement when the requirements of the other state are equal or greater than the requirements of Florida. With the current requirement being 1200 hours you don’t need take a Florida cosmetology examination if had 1200 or more training hours in your state. If your state required only 1000 hours you can attend any cosmetology school to obtain the missing 200 educational hours to qualify for endorsement, but can also choose to take the Florida cosmetology examination if you held the license for your state for at least one year. If you, however, fail this exam you will have to complete additional 40 hours in Florida before you can re-take it.
Apprenticeship licenses and apprenticeship education are not eligible for endorsement.
Out-of-country cosmetology license holders are not eligible for licensure by endorsement and must apply by examination.
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Disclaimer: We do not guarantee the accuracy of the above information. Ultimately the Florida Board of Cosmetology determines license requirements and will provide you with all needed information. We are not affiliated with the Board in any way. The information on this page was last updated on 11/13/2017.