Guides · Paperwork and licenses
Do you need a barber license in Florida?
Cutting hair in a barbershop in Florida requires a DBPR license, and there are two versions depending on how many training hours you complete.
Updated 2026-08-22
The two licenses
The Restricted Barber license requires a minimum of 600 hours of training with a competency certification. The full Barber license requires 900 hours at a DBPR-licensed barber school.
The exam
The exam is 100 multiple-choice questions with a three-hour time limit, covering barbering theory, sanitation, Florida law, and HIV/AIDS. There's no separate practical portion: the whole exam is written, computer-based through Pearson VUE.
The HIV course
A 2-hour HIV/AIDS course from a DBPR-approved provider is required, completed within two years before you apply.
Renewal
To renew, the DBPR requires 2 hours of continuing education, and those 2 hours specifically have to be the HIV/AIDS course, not any topic.
doubts
What people usually ask
What's the real difference between the restricted and full license?
The training hours: 600 versus 900. Confirm with the DBPR exactly which services each one authorizes before deciding which to get.
Does the exam have a hands-on portion with clippers?
No, it's entirely written: 100 multiple-choice questions on a computer, no physical demonstration in front of an evaluator.
Does every barber in the shop need their own license?
Yes, the license is individual. The location also needs its own establishment permit separate from each barber's individual license. Sources: [MyFloridaLicense](https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/barbers/faqs/), [Cosmetology Guru](https://cosmetologyguru.com/florida-barber-license/).