Do you have questions about the Florida cosmetology license or specialty registration (facial and nails) application process, or need advice about how to get your Florida cosmetology board license back?

• State Of Florida Cosmetology License Lookup
• Florida Cosmetology License Verification
• State Of Florida Cosmetology License Lookup

We know you have a lot to think about right now with moving, finding a job, or changing careers. Right? And we want to help answer all of your questions and help you get licensed quickly and easily.

By now, you have probably visited the Florida Cosmetology Board website and may be confused by what you need to do to get licensed. You are not alone. It is easy to be overwhelmed with the State’s wording, laws, and requirements.

We have worked with thousands of others looking to get licensed in Florida. Some are moving, “transferring”, and others have had null and void licenses and are ready to re-enter the profession.

Search for a License: Welcome to Web Lookup/Verification. Please enter search criteria below to start your search (enter data in any field- we will search with whatever information you provide to us- remember less is more!) If you have partial information, or not sure of the exact name etc. Welcome to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Application Center. Using the links below, you can get information on licensing requirements, check the status of an existing application, apply using a printable application, or access the online application system if available for the specific business or profession. The practice of 'cosmetology' means providing service to the hair, head, face, neck or scalp of a human being, including but not limited to shaving, trimming, and cutting the hair or beard either by hand or mechanical appliances and the application of antiseptics, powders, oils, clays, lotions or applying tonics to the hair, head, or scalp, and in addition includes providing, for a fee or any. Florida Cosmetology License Verification If you need to verify a license for a salon or person, then you can do so by visiting the Florida Board of Cosmetology license verification website. From there you can search for the person or business and see if there are any disciplinary actions on record.

Regardless of your situation, we will work step by step through the process to help you get licensed quickly. If you have all the answers you need already and want to skip right to the 4-hour HIV course requirement for cosmetology, nail, facial, or full specialists, feel free to do that now.

If you still have other questions, let’s make sure those get answered first. To avoid delays in getting your license, it is best to get familiar with the application process and requirements. That way when you find your new home and job, you will have your license in hand and be ready to work.

Let’s do this.

Florida Cosmetology Board License Types

Florida has several license and registration types that are regulated by the Cosmetology Board.

Cosmetologist

A licensed cosmetologist is a professional that focuses on hair, skin, and nails. An equivalent license in another state could be titled Hair Stylist, Stylist, or Hairdresser or Beautician. They have the highest educational hour requirements, but are licensed to provide the widest variety of services. If you obtain a cosmetology license, there is no need to seek separate nail or facial registrations.

Specialty Registration Licenses

This is for those that are not trained or licensed cosmetologists, but have completed training in other specialty areas.

Facial Specialist

An equivalent license in another state could be titled Esthetician, Aesthetician, Skin Care Specialist, or Make-up Artist.

Nail Specialist

An equivalent license in another state could be titled Manicurist, Pedicurist, or Nail Technician.

Full Specialist

A ‘full specialist’ is a combination of the nail specialist and facial specialist registrations.

Salon Licenses

All compensated cosmetology services (including nail and facial services) must be performed in a licensed cosmetology salon.

Types of Salon Licenses

• Cosmetology Salons
• Mobile Cosmetology Salons

If you plan on opening your own business (salon, studio, or spa) and offering any cosmetology services, you will need to also obtain the appropriate salon license. Or if you are looking for employment, make sure the salon has the required license.

Here are the fees and applications for each type of salon:

• Application Fee: $95

• Application Fee: $95

All salon licenses will require an unannounced inspection before opening.

“Other” Registrants

There are a few “other registrations” which were regulated by the board of Cosmetology.

• Hair Braiding
• Hair Wrapping
• Body Wrapping

However, as of July 1st, 2020 hair braiding, hair wrapping, and body wrapping services are no longer regulated in Florida.

Now that you know about all of the different licenses and registrations in Florida, we can talk about how to transfer your current license or registration to Florida.

Transferring a License or Methods of Obtaining a License

First, there really is no such thing as “transferring” any of the cosmetology licenses and registrations to Florida. Some states will allow you to work with your previous state’s license, and without obtaining a new license in that state. This is called reciprocity, and the Florida Board of Cosmetology does not allow reciprocity for any licenses or registrations.

A California license or registration, for example, does not allow one to legally work in Florida. A person needs to have a Florida cosmetology (or insert your specialty) license to work here.

Technically, Florida has different “methods” of obtaining a license or registration. This means you must obtain a license or registration in Florida by examination or endorsement to legally work and receive compensation in the State. There are different applications for each method of licensure.

License or Registration by Endorsement

If you have a cosmetology license in another state, you may be eligible for licensing via endorsement in Florida. This means that the education and requirements in your state meet or exceeds what Florida requires AND your license is currently active in that state.

Florida’s Minimum Educational Requirements for Each License/Registration

• Cosmetologist License: 1200 Hours
• Nail Specialist License/Registration: 240 Hours
• Facial Specialist License/Registration: 260 Hours
• Full Specialist License/Registration(Facial and Nail / 260 + 240 = 500 Hours)

Cosmetology Endorsement Application

• Application Fee: $95

Nail Specialist Endorsement Application

• Application Fee: $59

Facial Specialist Endorsement Application

• Application Fee: $59

Full Specialist Endorsement Application

• Application Fee: $59

Endorsement Application Questions

Does my state meet Florida’s minimum requirements for a cosmetologist license?

In 2020 Florida made it much easier for applicants with valid/active licenses in other states to get license in Florida. The best news is that many cosmetologists that would need to take the cosmetology exam may not get to skip that step if their license in another state is active (New Yorkers, I am talking to you!).

The facial, nail, and full specialist endorsement application says I must have a “current and active” license or registration to apply by endorsement. I let my license/registration lapse and it is now expired. What do I do?

To endorse your license, you likely need to get your expired license back in good standing.

For cosmetologists with an expired out-of-state license, see License or Registration by Examination.

How do I verify my current and active license and the number of educational hours completed as required on the application?

Submitting a copy of your license will not meet this requirement. You most likely need to visit the website of the state board where you are currently licensed. Most states have a place to request that the board verify or certify license. You may pay a small fee to have this information sent to the Florida board for you.

Example: California License Certification

Out-of-country education

If your cosmetology license is issued from another country, you cannot obtain a Florida license by endorsement. You must go through the examination process.

Exceptions may exist for United States territories of Samoa, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico.

About the Florida Cosmetology Exam

For more information about the cosmetology licensing exam, check out our post about the Florida Cosmetology Exam or the Board’s exam handbook.

Exams are administered via computer-based testing at Pearson Vue centers on a daily basis.

There are two parts to the exam.

State Of Florida Cosmetology License Lookup

Written Clinical Only

• 2 hour time limit
• Fee: $13.50

Written Theory Only

• 2 hour time limit
• Fee: $13.50

Application for License by Examination Candidates

• Application fee: $63.50

Null and Void Applications (Expired Licenses)

We have a whole other page devoted to those of you that were previously licensed cosmetologists, nail, facial, and full specialists. If your license has been expired for a while now, and you are ready to get that license back, we suggest you visit this page, How to Renew Your Expired Florida Cosmetology License, to help you get quickly licensed again.

Taking the Next Steps

You now have the application link you need, know what to expect for fees, and an idea of who to contact in order to certify previous licenses/registrations you have held – What is next?

We are back to the Initial 4-Hour HIV/AIDS course you need to the below professionals need to get licensed and registered. If you are wondering what your first step should be, this course is it.

To review, the following licenses and registrations are required to complete a board-approved initial HIV/AIDS course. This course must have been completed within two years prior to submitting an application.

• Cosmetologists (Hairdressers, Stylists)
• Nail Specialists (Nail Technicians/Manicurists/Pedicurist)
• Facial Specialists (Estheticians)
• Full Specialists (Nail Specialist + Facial Specialist)

The HIV course must be from a Florida Cosmetology board-approved provider. It can be completed online.

Initial 4-Hour HIV/AIDS Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• List stages of the HIV/AIDS virus
• Define different treatments for HIV/AIDS, including PrEP, PEP, ART, and HAART
• List 3 High-Risk Populations for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis
• Differentiate between Hepatitis A, B, and C

If you are still looking for a cosmetology school in Florida to attend, check out our Florida cosmetology school guide.

If you have a license in another state and wish to practice in Florida, you may be eligible for a Florida license by endorsement. Your eligibility and steps you need to take depend on what licensure you are looking for and what requirements the state in which you received your license has.

Cosmetology Applicants

To receive a Florida cosmetology license, applicants must have completed 1,200 school hours and passed a licensing exam. If you meet those requirements, you will not have to take the Florida cosmetology exam. If the state where you hold your license has requirements that are equal to or more intensive than Florida's, you may be eligible to receive a Florida license by endorsement without taking any additional classes or sitting for an exam, even if you originally took your original classes abroad.

If you are licensed (current and active) in another state that requires 1,000 school hours, you have two options:

• Attend any cosmetology school (inside or outside of Florida) to take the additional 200 hours of education to qualify for endorsement, or
• You may forego the additional 200 hours of education and take the Florida cosmetology exam. This option requires you to have held your license for at least one year. If you fail the exam twice, you will need to take 40 remedial hours before you can take the exam again. If you fail the exam three times, you will need to take 80 remedial hours before you can take the exam again.

To complete your endorsement license 4-hour HIV/AIDs training requirement, visit http://www.floridaonlinecosmetology.com/cosmetology-continuing-education#two

To apply for an endorsement license, visit the Florida Board of Cosmetology's Application Center: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/intentions2.asp?chBoard=true&boardid=05&SID=

If your cosmetology license is from another country, you are not eligible to receive a license through endorsement. You will need to apply by examination.

Apprenticeship licenses and apprenticeship education are not eligible for endorsement.

Registrant (Facial Specialists, Nail Specialists, Full Specialists) Applicants

To be eligible for registration by endorsement in Florida, you must have a current and active registration or license in another state, and that state must have requirements that are equal to or more intensive than Florida's requirements, which are as follows:

• Nail specialist – 240 school hours
• Facial specialist – 260 school hours
• Full specialist – 500 school hours (240 nail hours plus 260 facial hours)

Florida Cosmetology License Verification

Hair braiders, hair wrappers, body wrappers, and apprenticeship licensees are not eligible for endorsements. Specialists from out of the country are also not eligible for endorsements. Everyone matching these descriptions will need to complete a new application and meet all the training requirements to practice in the state of Florida.

State Of Florida Cosmetology License Lookup

If you have some school hours completed, you can have any Florida cosmetology school evaluate your previous training. They can grant credit hours based on that training toward fulfilling the Florida school requirements. Some, all, or none of your previous school hours may be counted toward this credit.