The license renewal process is the same for all Florida cosmetology license types (cosmetologist, facial specialist, nail specialist, full specialist). Here’s a guide on how to renew your Florida cosmetology license quickly and easily.
How to Renew Your Florida Cosmetology License in Two Simple Steps
-
Complete a 10-Hour Florida cosmetology CE course. This course package includes all the CE required to renew your Florida cosmetology license (hair, nail, facial, or full specialist). It is all online and it works on any device.
You will receive your completion certificate immediately after completing your course and your hours will be reported to Florida DBPR the next business day.
- Complete the license renewal application. Once your hours have posted to the DBPR website, you can pay your renewal fee to complete your Florida cosmetology license renewal. The DBPR will email you a renewed license to print.
$20.00
Have more questions before you get started on the course? Not a problem!
License Renewal Information and FAQ’s
If you have some questions about renewing your license before starting your continuing education course, keep reading. We are going to answer the most common questions we receive about renewing a Florida license or registration.
When do I renew my license?
Not everyone licensed or registered by the Board of Cosmetology renews at the same time. You belong to one of two renewal groups. All licenses and registrations issued by the Cosmetology Board need to be renewed biennially, or every two years.
If you do not know which group you belong to, check your displayed license, or view your license status online.
Group 1
These licenses and registrations expire on October 31st of odd years (2021, 2023, 2025).
Group 2
These licenses and registrations expire on October 31st of even years (2022, 2024, 2026).
What courses are required to renew my license?
All Florida licensed cosmetologists or registered specialists (Nail, Facial, and Full Specialists) are now required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education each biennial period before renewing their license. This requirement reduction from 16 hours to 10 hours occurred in February 2020.
Here are the required hours:
- 3 hours of Sanitation and Sterilization
- 1 hour of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases
- 2 hours of Florida and Federal Laws and Rules
- 1 hour of Chemical Makeup related to the Hair, Skin, and Nails
- .5 hour of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations
- .5 hour of issues of Workers’ Compensation related to Florida law
- 1 hour of Environmental Issues
- 1 hour of Continuing Education Electives
The electives include additional instruction in any of the courses approved by the State of Florida for the purpose of continuing education.
All of the above courses add up to 10 hours of continuing education, and are included in our 10-hour Renewal Course.
Can I take the course package online?
Yes! Florida allows all professions under the cosmetology board to complete all of the required renewal courses online. There is not a hands-on/live requirement to renew a license or registration.
How do I check my CE credits in Florida?
First, log into your DBPR account. This is the same link you will use to pay your license renewal fee.
You can view your continuing education requirements once logged in. Your account will show you how many hours are required in each subject and how many you have completed. Note: if your license is delinquent, CE hours are applied to previous renewal cycles before the current cycle.
Be sure you use the drop down menu to view the correct renewal period.
For example:
- If you are renewing your license for 2023 (Group 1), your renewal period would be 11/01/2023 to 10/31/2025.
- If you are renewing your license for 2024 (Group 2), your renewal period would be 11/01/2022 to 10/31/2024.
How much does it cost to renew my license?
Here are the current biennial license and registration renewal fees for 2022, 2023, and 2024:
- Cosmetology License: $45
- Specialty Registrations
- Nail Specialist: $45
- Facial Specialist: $45
- Full Specialist: $45
- Salon Licenses
- Cosmetology Salons: $45
- Mobile Cosmetology Salon: $45
Note: There are no continuing education requirements for salon or mobile salon licenses. All Salon licenses expire on November 30th (11/30) of even years (2024, 2026).
Can I renew my cosmetology license after it expires in Florida?
Yes! However, you need to look up your license expiration date to make sure you complete the correct course depending how long your license has been expired. Look up your license status here.
Delinquent Status
If you missed only one renewal deadline, your license is delinquent. To get it back to active status, simply complete this 10-hour continuing education requirement and pay the renewal fee, including an additional late fee.
If you have missed two or more renewals, your license is now null and void.
Null and Void Status
If you have missed more than one renewal deadline for your cosmetology board license, your license is now considered “null and void”.
A null and void license requires a null and void application. The applicant must also explain in the application that he or she failed to renew the license due to an illness or economic hardship.
In addition, a null and void application requires a different course. Null and void applications require a board-approved initial 4-hour HIV/AIDS course instead of the 10-hour renewal course. Submit the 4-hour HIV course completion certificate with your application.
Are there any exemptions for continuing education or CEs?
Yes! As of July 1st, 2024 a licensee is exempt from continuing education requirements if they meet the following criteria:
The licensee is licensed by one of the following Department of Business and Professional Regulation Boards:
- Barbers’ Board
- Board of Cosmetology
and
- The licensee holds an active license.
- The licensee has held their license continuously for at least 10 years.
- No discipline has been imposed against the license.
You can verify your exemption status through your My Florida License Account or on the DBPR License Verification Portal.
Florida Esthetician License Renewal
In Florida, estheticians are formally licensed as facial specialists. Maybe you refer to yourself as an aesthetician or skincare specialist. You may focus on waxing, brows, lashes, makeup artistry, or facials.
Whatever you call yourself or focus on in your salon, you have the same renewal requirements as all other cosmetology board licensees.
Here is more information about your Florida esthetician license renewal requirements.
When do I renew my Florida esthetician license?
If you do not know which group you belong to, check your displayed license, or view your license status online.
| Group 1 | Licenses and registrations expire on October 31st of odd years (2021, 2023, 2025) | Group 2 | Licenses and registrations expire on October 31st of even years (2022, 2024, 2026) |
What courses are required to renew my Florida esthetician license?
A board-approved 10-hour Florida renewal course is required to renew your Florida esthetician license.
How much does it cost to renew my Florida esthetician license?
The renewal fee for a Florida esthetician license (or facial specialist license) is $45 every two years.
Can I renew my esthetician license after it expires in Florida?
Yes, but it is important to first know if your esthetician license is delinquent or null and void. These two statuses have different course requirements. Look up your license status here.
| License Status | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Delinquent | You have missed one renewal deadline. Complete a 10-hour renewal course. |
| Null and Void | You have missed more than one renewal deadline. Complete a 4-hour HIV/AIDS course and Null and Void application. |
Florida Nail License Renewal
To your clients, you may be a nail tech, manicurist, or pedicurist, but to the State of Florida, you are a licensed nail specialist.
Here is a guide to your Florida nail license renewal.
When do I renew my Florida nail license?
If you do not know which group you belong to, check your displayed license, or view your license status online.
| Group 1 | Licenses and registrations expire on October 31st of odd years (2021, 2023, 2025) | Group 2 | Licenses and registrations expire on October 31st of even years (2022, 2024, 2026) |
What courses are required to renew my Florida nail license?
A board-approved 10-hour Florida renewal course is required to renew your Florida nail license.
How much does it cost to renew my Florida nail license?
The renewal fee for a Florida nail license (or nail specialist license) is $45 every two years.
Can I renew my nail license after it expires in Florida?
Yes, but it is important to know if your Florida nail license is delinquent or null and void first. These two statuses have different course requirements. Look up your license status here.
| License Status | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Delinquent | You have missed one renewal deadline. Complete a 10-hour renewal course. |
| Null and Void | You have missed more than one renewal deadline. Complete a 4-hour HIV/AIDS course and Null and Void application. |
Florida Full Specialist License Renewal
A full specialist is the combination of a nail license and esthetician in one license. As a full specialist, you can offer a variety of services in Florida, including nails, makeup, brows, lash tints, and waxing services.
Here is a guide to your Florida full specialist license renewal.
When do I renew my Florida full specialist license?
If you do not know which group you belong to, check your displayed license, or view your license status online.
| Group 1 | Licenses and registrations expire on October 31st of odd years (2021, 2023, 2025) | Group 2 | Licenses and registrations expire on October 31st of even years (2022, 2024, 2026) |
What courses are required to renew my Florida full specialist license?
A board-approved 10-hour Florida renewal course is required to renew your Florida full specialist license.
How much does it cost to renew my Florida full specialist license?
The renewal fee for a Florida full specialist license is $45 every two years.
Can I renew my full specialist license after it expires in Florida?
Yes, but it is important to know if your full specialist license is delinquent or null and void first. These two statuses have different course requirements. Look up your license status here.
| License Status | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Delinquent | You have missed one renewal deadline. Complete a 10-hour renewal course. |
| Null and Void | You have missed more than one renewal deadline. Complete a 4-hour HIV/AIDS course and Null and Void application. |
Ready to Renew Your Florida Cosmetology License?
If you are ready to complete the 10-Hour continuing education course and start to renew your Florida cosmetology license the first thing you need to do is purchase the below course. Again, this course is for cosmetologists, nail, facial, and full specialists.
$20.00
You can easily complete the course at any time. After you finish your exam we will report your hours to the DBPR/Cosmetology Board the next business day. You will be able to quickly renew your license and then get back to enjoying the Florida sun and making your clients feel and look their best.
Hopefully, you have all the answers to all of the questions about how to renew your Florida cosmetology license or specialist registration. If you still have other questions, let us know.