Florida – Esthetician

Department of Business and Professional Services Florida Facial Specialist License

(Esthetician)

Are you about to graduate from Esthetician school in Florida? That’s great! You’re only a few steps away from becoming a fully licensed Esthetician and receiving your Florida facial specialist license.

And that’s exciting, right? Soon you’ll be spending each day helping people keep their skin in tip-top condition.

But first, you’ll need to apply for licensure. You will have to apply for the Florida facial specialist license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Services (DBPS).

OK, so you might be thinking: ‘don’t I need to pass some kind of exam first?’.

And that’s a great question! In many states, you do need to pass an exam to become a licensed facial specialist.

But in Florida, you don’t need to complete either a written or practical exam to get your Florida facial specialist license. Though you do need to meet some other requirements…

It’s not like the DBPS can just hand these things out!

The process of applying for your Florida Facial Specialist  license (Esthetician)

In Florida, Estheticians must hold a valid Facial Specialist license. This license is awarded by the Department of Business and Professional Services. And your license must be kept up to date, in order for you to practice legally.

Now, you’ve probably been so busy concentrating on your studies, that you haven’t even thought about applying for your license yet. Maybe you’re even feeling a little overwhelmed by the process?

Well, don’t worry, we are here to help you every step of the way.

Starting with…

Step 1: Check that you’re eligible for a Florida Facial Specialist license (Esthetician)

To be eligible for a Florida Facial Specialist license (Esthetician) you must have:

Florida Facial Specialist license
Florida Facial Specialist license
  • Graduated from a Florida Esthetician program AND
  • Worked a minimum of 260 practical hours OR
  • Have a cosmetology license in another state whose requirements for licensure are comparable or more stringent than Florida requirements. AND
  • Have worked a minimum of 260 practical hours

If you meet these requirements, you can move on to the next step.

Step 2: Fill out your application

Before you can be issued with a Florida Facial Specialist license (Esthetician), you need to complete an application with the Department of Business and Professional Services.

You can complete your application online here, or you can download an application form to print and fill in here.

It is important to note that the DBPS uses the same application form for:

  • Cosmetologists
  • Nail Specialists
  • Facial Specialists
  • And Full Specialists (people qualified to provide facial and nail services).

This means that you must be careful to complete the right sections of your form, to ensure it is processed correctly.

For applications for the Florida Facial specialists license, only sections I-II and IV-VI of the application form should be completed.

Before you start, it can help to have some information close to hand. To complete the application form, you will need to provide:

  • Your full name
  • Social security number
  • Your address and contact detail(s)
  • And details of any other cosmetology licenses you hold (if applicable)

You will also be asked to provide background information, including details of any criminal records, and whether you have ever had a license revoked.

Then, once you have entered your personal information, an official from your school must complete section IV of the form on your behalf.

This is to confirm that you have completed the necessary hours of study required for a license to be issued.

Step 3: Submit your evidence

Along with your application, you will need to submit some additional evidence. This is to show that you meet the Department of Business and Professional Services’ licensing requirements.

That means you’ll need to provide:

  • Proof of an approved HIV/Aids course with a duration of at least 4 hours (a list of approved providers can be found here)
  • Document proof of a minimum of 260 practical hours (section IV of the application form, completed and signed by an official from your school)
  • Previous course credit evaluation documentation (if applicable)

Step 4: Pay your application fee

In addition to completing your application and submitting documentation, you will also need to pay the required fee.

Currently, this fee is set at $75.

Step 5: Submit your application

If you are applying online, your application can be submitted following the on-screen directions. However, if you are applying by post, you will need to send your full application, fees, and documentation to:

Department of Business and Professional Regulation

2601 Blair Stone Road

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783

Step 6: Get your Florida State Board cosmetology license!

Once you have completed all the requisite steps, it will take up to 48 hours for your license to be processed.

Excitingly, the state of Florida now allows you to print your own license once it has been approved. This means that you won’t have to wait for your license to arrive by post. Instead, you can begin practicing as soon as you receive approval.

Then… there you have it, the Florida facial specialists license. You’ve completed all the steps and are now a licensed Esthetician in the state of Florida. So go ahead and use your skills to keep all those Florida residents and visitors looking beautiful!

Frequently asked questions about the Florida Facial Specialist license

(Esthetician)

How do I get THE FLORIDA Facial Specialist license (Esthetician)?

To get a Facial Specialist (Esthetician) license in Florida, you must submit an application with the DBPS. You can apply for your license online here, or download the application forms here.

Do I need to take an exam?

No, unlike many states, Florida does not require Estheticians to pass an exam in order to gain their license.

However, if you wish to qualify as a Cosmetologist in Florida, you will be expected to pass two exams first.

How much does it cost to apply for a license?

It costs $75 to apply for a Florida Facial Specialist license (Esthetician).

How many hours of practical work do I need to qualify for the Florida Facial Specialist (Esthetician) License?

Estheticians in the state of Florida need to have completed a minimum of 260 practical hours in order to gain their license.

Can I complete my hours through an apprenticeship instead of attending an Esthetician school in Florida?

No, the state of Florida does not currently recognize apprenticeships in this subject.

Can I apply for my license before I’ve completed the required hours?

No, you’ll need to complete the required hours, and have an official from your school confirm this before you can submit your application.

Will I have to sit a practical examination?

No, the state of Florida does not require that you sit a practical examination before gaining your Facial Specialist (Esthetician) license.

How long does Esthetician school take in Florida?

The length of time it takes to complete an Esthetician program in Florida varies from school to school.

However, if you choose to study full time, you could graduate in just 3 months. However, if you study part-time, your course will last considerably longer.

How do I transfer my cosmetology license to Florida?

If you meet certain requirements, you will be able to transfer your Esthetician license to Florida through an application for endorsement.

In order to be eligible for endorsement, you must:

  1. Hold a valid, up-to-date license from a state whose licensing laws are equal to, or more stringent, than Florida’s. A list of the states eligible for endorsement can be found here.
  2. Be over the age of 16 and hold a GED or high school diploma.
  3. Complete an approved 4-hour AIDS/HIV course (a full list of approved providers can be found here).
  4. And pay a registration fee of $95.

If you meet these requirements, you will need to complete an application with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Services.

To do this, you will need to set up an account here and complete the online application process.

Once your application has been received, it will be reviewed, and you’ll be notified of the outcome within 21 days.

How do I renew my Facial Specialist license in Florida?

In Florida, you must renew your Facial Specialist license by the 31st of October, every other year.

But, in order to renew your license, you must complete 16 hours of training. These short courses are known as ‘continuing education.

Although completing additional training every other year can feel a little time-consuming, it’s a great way to expand and refresh your skills. And, luckily, they are provided by many different schools and organizations.

This means that you will have plenty of choices over which continuing education course you complete.

Once you have completed your mandatory training, you can apply to renew your license via the DBPS portal. The cost of renewing your license is currently $55.

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