Cosmetologist License Requirements in Florida
- Training hours
- 1200 hrs
- Upfront cost
- $32
- Exam
- Written Theory Examination, Written Clinical Examination
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- Issuing board
- Florida Board of Cosmetology, Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
How to get licensed
- 1
Meet the prerequisites
Be at least 16 years old, None required if at least 16 years old; a high school diploma can substitute if under 16 is not applicable (16 is the floor either way per §477.019(2)(a)), pass a criminal background check. Per §477.019(2)(a), F.S., an applicant must be at least 16 years of age or have received a high school diploma. Chapter 477 does not impose a formal pre-licensure criminal background check/fingerprinting requirement, but licensees must self-report any criminal conviction, guilty plea, or nolo contendere plea within 30 days under §455.227(1)(t), F.S., and DBPR's endorsement application (COSMO 4-B) requires disclosure of arrests, dispositions, and disciplinary history, with the Board excluding only crimes unrelated to the practice of cosmetology (or occurring more than 5 years before application) from consideration. [3]
- 2
Complete approved training
Complete 1200 hours of training at a state-approved program. 1,200 hours of education at a licensed Florida cosmetology school (Chapter 477, F.S.; Rule 61G5, F.A.C.). An applicant who has completed at least 1,000 of the 1,200 hours may begin taking the exam, but must complete the full 1,200 hours before retaking any failed portion. [1]
- 3
Written Theory Examination
Pass the Written Theory Examination (fee: $16). Computer-based testing, available daily at Florida and out-of-state testing sites. Total combined written theory + written clinical exam fee is commonly cited at $31.50 ($15.75 each); this individual-component figure is rounded from that total and was not independently itemized on the Board's own fee pages during this research. [1]
- 4
Written Clinical Examination
Pass the Written Clinical Examination (fee: $16). Computer-based, written (not hands-on) assessment of clinical procedures. [1]
- 5
Submit your application
Submit your application to Florida Board of Cosmetology, Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). [2]
- 6
Receive your license
Once your application is approved, Florida Board of Cosmetology, Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) issues your Cosmetologist License for Florida.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee [2] | None specified |
| License fee [2] | None specified |
| Renewal fee [2] | $40 |
| Written Theory Examination [1] | $16 |
| Written Clinical Examination [1] | $16 |
| Combined written theory + clinical exam fee (Pearson VUE) [2] | $31.5 |
| Late renewal fee (after October 31) [2] | $65 |
| Licensure by Endorsement (out-of-state) fee [2] | $95 |
Aggregator sources commonly cite a $63.75 combined application/initial-license fee, but this could not be independently confirmed on DBPR's own fee-schedule pages during this research, so application and license are left null rather than carried over unverified. The $40 on-time renewal fee ($65 if paid after October 31) is confirmed directly from DBPR's official Group 1/Group 2 renewal notice inserts.
Renewal & continuing education
Renew every 2 years. 10 continuing education hours required per cycle.
Licenses renew biennially, expiring October 31 of odd or even years depending on the licensee's assigned renewal group ($40 on-time / $65 late). 10 hours of board-approved continuing education are required per cycle: 1 hr HIV/AIDS, 3 hrs sanitation/sterilization, 0.5 hr OSHA, 0.5 hr workers' compensation, 2 hrs laws/rules, 1 hr chemical makeup, 1 hr environmental issues, 1 hr elective.
Reciprocity
Endorsement/reciprocity from another state is available.
Florida offers Licensure by Endorsement ($95 fee, DBPR COSMO 4-B) for applicants who currently hold an active cosmetology license in another U.S. state and submit a board-approved Initial HIV/AIDS course completion certificate; out-of-country applicants are not eligible for endorsement, and endorsement is not available based on an apprenticeship-only license. Endorsement applicants must not practice in Florida until their Florida license is actually issued. Florida was not found among the enacted states listed on cosmetologycompact.gov, so no interstate compact is listed.
94 state-approved training providers in Florida — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.
Cost calculator
- $16
- $16
Frequently asked questions
How many training hours does Florida require for a cosmetologist license?
1,200 hours at a licensed Florida cosmetology school. Candidates may begin testing after 1,000 hours, but must finish all 1,200 before retaking any failed exam portion.
Who administers Florida's cosmetology licensing exam?
Pearson VUE administers both the written theory and written clinical portions by computer-based testing, at around 22 Florida sites plus out-of-state locations.
Does Florida require continuing education to renew a cosmetology license?
Yes — 10 hours per 2-year renewal cycle, covering HIV/AIDS, sanitation/sterilization, OSHA, workers' compensation, laws/rules, chemical makeup, environmental issues, and one elective hour.
When does a Florida cosmetologist license renew, and how much does it cost?
Biennially, on October 31 of odd or even years depending on the licensee's assigned group. The on-time renewal fee is $40 ($65 if paid late).
Can I transfer my out-of-state cosmetology license to Florida?
Yes, through Licensure by Endorsement for a $95 fee, if you hold a current, active out-of-state license and submit an Initial HIV/AIDS course certificate. Endorsement is not available to applicants licensed only by apprenticeship or to out-of-country applicants.
Sources
- [1] www2.myfloridalicense.com/cosmetology/faqs/ — accessed 2026-07-10
- [2] www2.myfloridalicense.com/pro/cosmo/documents/CL1_Insert_Current.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10
- [3] www2.myfloridalicense.com/pro/cosmo/documents/COSMO4B_Licensure_by_Endorsement.pdf — accessed 2026-07-10