Florida State Board of Cosmetology
Information verified:About the Florida State Board of Cosmetology
The Florida Board of Cosmetology operates within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and regulates cosmetologists, facial specialists, nail specialists, full specialists, and cosmetology salons throughout the state. The board is governed by Chapter 477 of the Florida Statutes and Rule 61G5 of the Florida Administrative Code.
The board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor — five licensed cosmetologists and two laypersons. It holds rulemaking authority and handles disciplinary matters, while the DBPR provides administrative support including application processing, examinations, and investigations.
Florida requires 10 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal cycle (reduced from 16 hours effective February 6, 2020). CE must include specific mandatory topics and be completed through board-approved providers. Licensees who have held an active license continuously for at least 10 years with no discipline are exempt from CE requirements under SB 382 (effective July 1, 2024).
All licensing, renewals, and board services are managed through the DBPR's online portal at myfloridalicense.com. The board's executive director is Ruthanne Christie.
Licenses Regulated
The Florida Board of Cosmetology regulates the following license and registration types:
- Cosmetologist (CL) — Full cosmetology services including hair, skin, and nails. Requires 1,200 hours of training and passage of a written examination.
- Nail Specialist (FV) — Manicuring and pedicuring services. Requires 180 hours of training. This is a registration, not a license — no exam required.
- Facial Specialist (FB) — Facials, skin care, and waxing. Requires 220 hours of training. Registration — no exam required.
- Full Specialist (FS) — Combination of nail and facial specialty services. Requires 400 hours of training (180 nail + 220 facial). Registration — no exam required.
- Cosmetology Salon (CE) — Required for any establishment providing cosmetology or specialty services. Minimum 100 square feet of floor space required.
Florida uses the term "registration" for specialists (nail, facial, full) and "license" for cosmetologists. Specialists do not take an exam — they register after completing their education hours. A licensed cosmetologist is not required to hold separate specialist registrations.
Renew Your Florida Cosmetology License
Florida cosmetology licenses and specialist registrations expire on October 31 on a biennial cycle. Licensees are divided into two renewal groups:
- Group 1: Expires October 31 of odd-numbered years
- Group 2: Expires October 31 of even-numbered years
The renewal fee is $45 for all individual license types (cosmetologist, nail specialist, facial specialist, full specialist).
Continuing Education (10 Hours)
All licensees and registrants must complete 10 hours of board-approved CE before renewing. The 10 hours must include:
- HIV/AIDS — 1 hour minimum
- Sanitation and sterilization — 3 hours minimum
- OSHA — 0.5 hour minimum
- Workers' compensation — 0.5 hour minimum
- Laws and rules — 2 hours minimum
- Chemical makeup — 1 hour minimum
- Environmental issues — 1 hour minimum
- Elective (any cosmetology subject) — 1 hour minimum
How to Renew
DBPR sends email notifications 90 days before expiration. Renew online at myfloridalicense.com or mail a check to DBPR at 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. Renewal will not be processed until CE hours are completed.
File a Complaint
Complaints against Florida cosmetology licensees and salons are investigated by the DBPR Division of Regulation, Bureau of Investigative Services. The department enforces Chapter 477 of the Florida Statutes and Rule 61G5 of the Florida Administrative Code.
File a complaint online at myfloridalicense.com or call (850) 487-1395. To report unlicensed activity, call the toll-free hotline at 1-866-532-1440.
Violations can result in citations with fines (up to $500 per offense), required corrective action, probation, license suspension, or revocation. Unpaid fines are referred to collection agencies (Municipal Services Bureau at 800-568-7004 or United Collections Bureau at 866-209-0622). Florida publishes all disciplinary actions — verify any licensee's complaint history through the online license verification portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many CE hours does Florida require for cosmetology license renewal?
- Florida requires 10 hours of board-approved continuing education per biennial renewal cycle. The 10 hours must include 1 hour HIV/AIDS, 3 hours sanitation/sterilization, 0.5 hour OSHA, 0.5 hour workers' compensation, 2 hours laws and rules, 1 hour chemical makeup, 1 hour environmental issues, and 1 elective hour. Licensees with 10+ years of continuous active licensure and no discipline are exempt from CE under SB 382 (effective July 1, 2024).
- What is the Florida Board of Cosmetology phone number?
- The DBPR Customer Contact Center number is (850) 487-1395. The fax number is (850) 488-8040. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time. The mailing address is Board of Cosmetology, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0791.
- When do Florida cosmetology licenses expire?
- Florida cosmetology licenses expire on October 31 of either odd or even years depending on your renewal group. Group 1 expires on October 31 of odd years; Group 2 expires on October 31 of even years. DBPR sends email renewal notifications 90 days before expiration.
- Can I renew my Florida cosmetology license online?
- Yes. Renew online through DBPR Online Services at myfloridalicense.com. You can also print your license directly from your online account — Florida no longer mails paper licenses (effective July 8, 2019). Credit cards and electronic checks are accepted for online renewal.