Guides · Paperwork and licenses
Do you need a cosmetology license in Florida?
Cutting, coloring, or styling hair in Florida requires a DBPR cosmetology license, and it's the longest process among the beauty trades: 1,200 hours of school.
Updated 2026-08-22
The 1,200 hours, and what they cover
Florida's licensed cosmetology program covers hair cutting and shaping, coloring and lightening, permanent waving and chemical relaxing, scalp care, styling (blow drying, thermal styling, braiding), facials and makeup, hair removal (waxing, tweezing), manicuring and pedicuring, sanitation, and Florida cosmetology law. In other words, a single license covers nearly everything a full-service salon offers, not just cutting.
You need to be 16 or hold a high school diploma to enter the program.
The HIV course and renewal
A 4-hour HIV/AIDS course is required before you apply. To renew, the DBPR requires 10 hours of continuing education every two years.
Why this license covers more than it looks like
Because the program includes basic manicuring and pedicuring within the 1,200 hours, a licensed cosmetologist can also offer nail services without a separate nail specialist registration. It doesn't work the other way: a nail-only registration doesn't qualify you to cut hair.
doubts
What people usually ask
Is 1,200 hours a lot compared to other beauty trades?
Yes, it's more than double the 600 hours for a restricted barber license and more than six times the 180 hours for a nail technician. In exchange, it covers a much wider range of services.
Can I open a salon without the individual license?
The location needs its own DBPR establishment permit, but everyone who cuts, colors, or styles inside also needs their own individual license.
Does a license from another state work in Florida?
Depends on whether Florida has a reciprocity agreement with that state. Confirm directly with the DBPR before moving assuming it applies. Sources: [Shear Excellence Hair Academy](https://www.shearexcell.edu/how-to-get-your-cosmetology-license-in-florida/), [Beauty License Guide](https://beautylicenseguide.com/cosmetology-license/florida/).