All states · Florida
Licensing in Florida
In Florida, beauty and contractor licenses are issued by the DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation). Massage therapists, nurses and tattoo artists are regulated by the Department of Health.
State licenses
License names are official, as they appear in state documents. Choose a field.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | 1,200 hours | State exam | October 31, every 2 years | 10 |
| Barber | 900 hours | State exam | July 31 of even years | 2 |
| Nail Specialistmanicure and pedicure | 180 hours | No exam | October 31, every 2 years | 10 |
| Facial Specialistskin care | 220 hours | No exam | October 31, every 2 years | 10 |
| Full Specialistnails and facials | 400 hours | No exam | October 31, every 2 years | 10 |
- Licenses are issued by the DBPR: cosmetologists and specialists by the Board of Cosmetology, barbers by the Barbers’ Board.
- Specialists (Nail, Facial, Full) are registered without an exam and may work only in a licensed salon.
- The 10 CE hours include required topics: HIV/AIDS, sanitation, state laws, OSHA and others. Barbers need 2 hours — an HIV/AIDS course.
| License | Training | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Massage TherapistLMT | 500 hours | MBLEx and a 10-hour Florida laws course | August 31 of odd years | 24 |
- Licenses are issued by the Board of Massage Therapy under the Department of Health. Renewal includes a background screening.
- The 24 CE hours include 2 hours on preventing medical errors, 1 hour on human trafficking, 2 hours of state laws and 2 hours of ethics.
- Massage businesses are licensed by the state — a Massage Establishment license is required.
| License | Issued by | Exam | Renewal | CE hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered NurseRN | Board of Nursing, Department of Health | NCLEX-RN | Every 2 years, date depends on group | 24 |
| Licensed Practical NurseLPN | Board of Nursing, Department of Health | NCLEX-PN | Every 2 years | 24 |
| Certified Nursing AssistantCNA | Board of Nursing, Department of Health | State exam | Every 2 years | 24 hours of in-service training |
| Medical Assistant | No state license | Optional certification | — | — |
- Florida is a Nurse Licensure Compact state: a multistate nursing license from another compact state is valid here.
- Nursing CE includes required topics: medical errors, state laws, human trafficking; every other renewal — recognizing impairment in the workplace.
- A one-time HIV/AIDS course is required before the first renewal, and every third renewal adds 2 hours on domestic violence.
| Profession | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| General, Building, Residential Contractor | DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board | State exam, proven experience and financial stability |
| Roofing Contractor | DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board | State license; exam and experience |
| Plumbing Contractor | DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board | State license; exam and experience |
| Air-Conditioning ContractorHVAC | DBPR, Construction Industry Licensing Board | Classes A, B and C |
| Electrical Contractor | DBPR, Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board | Separate state board; 11 CE hours per cycle |
- There are two kinds of licenses: Certified — work anywhere in Florida, Registered — only in the cities and counties where the contractor is registered.
- Certified licenses renew on August 31 of even years, Registered on August 31 of odd years. Construction contractors need 14 CE hours.
| What | Issued by | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Beauty salon | DBPR | Cosmetology Salon license. Renewal on November 30 of even years |
| Barbershop | DBPR | Barbershop license. Renewal on November 30 of even years |
| Massage business | Board of Massage Therapy | Massage Establishment license, Department of Health inspections |
| Tattoo, PMU, microblading | Department of Health | Studio license and artist license; artists renew every year. A biomedical waste permit is required |
| Beauty school | Commission for Independent Education | A private school may operate only with a license from the commission |
| LLC | Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) | Registration — $125, annual report — $138.75 by May 1; a $400 late fee applies |
| Sales tax | Florida Department of Revenue | Registration if you sell goods |
Your state requires an exam — we prepare you online
An exam-prep platform for Cosmetology, Barber, Esthetician and Nail Technician, as well as state law tests. Questions in the real exam format, a breakdown of every mistake, access from your phone and computer — study whenever it suits you.
Learn about the program- Tests in the real exam format
- An explanation for every answer
- Study materials in your personal account
- Study in Russian and English
Florida specifics
- In the Nurse Licensure Compact. A multistate nursing license from another compact state is valid.
- Specialists — no exam. Nail, Facial and Full Specialists are registered after training.
- Tattoo and PMU — Department of Health. Microblading counts as tattooing: both the artist and the studio need a license.
- Contractors — at the state level. A Certified license is valid statewide, a Registered one only in its cities and counties.
- Massage businesses — at the state level. The Massage Establishment license is issued by the Board of Massage Therapy.
- Barbers — 2 CE hours. Renewal requires only an HIV/AIDS course.
What professionals earn in Florida
Median annual wage statewide, excluding tips. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Frequently asked questions
I have a cosmetology license from another state. Can I transfer it?
Yes, Florida offers licensure by endorsement for holders of a current license from another state. The state board reviews the documents.
Does a nail technician need an exam?
No. A Nail Specialist is registered after 180 hours of training at an approved school, without a state exam.
Does a permanent makeup artist need a license?
Yes. In Florida, microblading and permanent makeup count as tattooing: you need a tattoo artist license and may work only in a licensed studio.
Can a nurse from a compact state work in Florida?
Yes. Florida is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license is valid.
*Current as of September 29, 2026. The information on this page is not official and is for general reference only. Requirements are set by state authorities and may change — always check the official websites: DBPR, Florida Department of Health, Sunbiz, Florida Department of Revenue. Wage data — BLS.