Do you have a passion for beauty? Do you enjoy creative and flexible work? Do you enjoy working with others and making others feel great about themselves? Cosmetologists are beauty specialists in hair, skin, and everything in between. And what better place to become a cosmetologist than in Florida?

Every state has its own licensing requirements and we’ll explain exactly what those are here. If you have no idea where to start in your beauty industry path, keep reading and we’ll give you a step-by-step guide to becoming a cosmetologist in Florida.

Enroll in a Program

The first step to becoming a cosmetologist in Florida is attending an accredited school like International Academy.  To get a Cosmetology License, you must complete 1200 cosmetology school hours. At our school, we offer 3 schedules you can choose from:Full-Time Days, Part-Time Days, and Part-Time Nights. We offer flexible hours so that you can work towards your passion in a time that works best for you. At International Academy, you can complete this in as little as 9 months but keep in mind that part-time students can take longer to complete the course.

You can learn:

• Hair coloring
• Hair Styling
• Hair Care
• Skincare
• Makeup
• Hair Removal
• Manicuring & Pedicuring
• Salon and Business Management
• And more!

You’ll also be able to learn hands-on at our student salon* with real clients.

*All services provided by students under the supervision of licensed professionals

Complete a Cosmetology Examination Application

Once you complete the 1200 required hours, you must submit an application along with a $78 fee to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. You will then receive a written notice from Pearson VUE, to schedule a time for the cosmetology exam.

A good thing to note is that you must be 16 years or have already received your high school diploma to be eligible for a Cosmetology License in Florida.

Take and Pass the Exam

Once you get your exams scheduled, you will need to take and pass both portions of the exam. The exam is split into 2 portions: the theory and clinical portion. Both portions are a 2-hour exam and include 65 multiple-choice questions. Here are some topics you can expect in both portions:

Written Theory Exam:

• General Safety and Sanitation Procedures
• Client Services
• Facial, Makeup, and Hair Removal
• Laws and Rules
• Manicuring and Pedicuring

Written Clinical Exam:

• Hair Coloring
• Permanent Waving and Chemical Relaxing
• Scalp and Hair Care
• Hair Shaping and Cutting
• Hair Styling

Complete a Board Approved HIV/AIDS Training

All Florida cosmetology license applicants must take a 4-hour HIV/AIDS training course. The course must be completed no more than 2 years before submitting the application for your license. You can take a course here.

Apply for Your License

This will require proof of graduation from cosmetology school, completion and passing of the license exam and HIV/AIDS course, as well as pay an application fee to the state of Florida.  You can apply for your license here.

Explore Professional Opportunities

Once you pass your exams and receive your license, you are now ready to explore professional opportunities. Cosmetologists can work in a variety of places.

You can work in:

• Salons
• Resorts
• Spas
• Tv sets
• The fashion industry
• Theater
• And more!

You can also hold a lot of different job titles. You can be a:

• Hairstylist
• Nail technician
• Salon manager
• Wedding stylist
• Makeup artist
• Esthetician
• And more!

Regardless of what you end up doing with your license, you’ll now have an amazing opportunity to help people achieve the perfect hair and skin. An amazing thing about the beauty industry is that it is forever changing and growing. So you will have the opportunity to change and grow with it.

Maintain your License

Every license must be maintained and renewed biennially (every other year). To renew your cosmetology license, you must also complete at least 16 continuing education courses listed here and pay a $55 fee. Continuing education is a vital part of the beauty industry and it’s a great way to expand your knowledge and skills.

Get started today

The first step to getting started is to enroll in a cosmetology program. Your priority should be choosing a school that best fits you and your needs. Our Cosmetology Program is designed with your success in mind. If you are near the South Daytona area, give us a visit anytime! You can also reach out to us today for any questions. We can’t wait to hear from you!