Working as a cosmetologist in Florida comes with lots of responsibilities, it is important that you know the laws that regulate the profession. The people that work as cosmetologists or in other related professions know the sensitivity of their profession hence, they make sure they know all the laws that govern cosmetology and ensure they abide by them.

Cosmetology is defined as the chemical or mechanical treatment of the face, scalp, and head, for aesthetic rather than medical purposes, under Florida law.

The Most Important Florida Cosmetology Laws You Must Know

  1. Except as specified in the law book, only cosmetologists in licensed salons may provide services.
  2. According to the board’s regulations, when a client is unable to visit a licensed salon due to illness, cosmetology services may be provided by an authorized cosmetologist at a location other than a salon, such as; a nursing home, hospital, or residence.
  3. When providing cosmetology services in connection with the fashion, film, television, or theatrical industries, a photography studio salon, a manufacturer trade show demonstration, or an educational seminar, any person who holds a valid cosmetology license in any state or who is authorized to practice cosmetology in any foreign country, territory, or US jurisdiction may do so.
  4. It is not necessary to practice hair braiding, body wrapping, or hair wrapping in a cosmetology or specialty salon. When body or hair wrapping is done outside of a cosmetology or specialized salon, disposable tools must be used, or all tools must be cleaned with a disinfectant that has been approved for use in hospitals or by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
  5. Anyone offering makeup, special effects, or cosmetology services to an actor, musician, stuntman, extra, or other talents throughout a project acknowledged by the office of film and entertainment as a qualified production, as specified in s. 288.1254 is not required to have a license.
  6. A licensed cosmetologist employed by the salon must be present to supervise the hair-arranging services of such a facility. The salon is required to employ wet or dry sanitizing systems that have been approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
  7. Anyone performing makeup or special effects for an actor, stunt person, musician, extra, or other talents at a theme park or entertainment complex, as well as anyone performing makeup or special effects for the public, is not required to have a license.
  8. According to Section 477.019, the Department may approve the reactivation of a dormant cosmetologist license upon application.
  9. A license issued by the Commission for Independent Education in accordance with Chapter 1005 is required for any private cosmetology school to be able to operate. Note that nothing in this article, however, should be read as prohibiting the department of education from accrediting cosmetology training programs, offered in public schools or the state government from running any other related programs.
  10. A license from the department must be obtained in order for a cosmetology or specialty salon to operate, with the exceptions listed in paragraph (11).
  11. Any individual, business, or organization wishing to run a cosmetology or specialty salon within the State shall submit an application to the department on forms made available by them, together with any pertinent information the department may require, and also an application fee.
  12. No license for running a cosmetology or specialty salon may be changed from the original licensee’s name to another. It can only be moved from one place to another with the department’s approval, which cannot be denied for any reason.
  13. According to the board’s requirements, license registration renewal for cosmetology salons or specialty salons must be done. The board also has the power to establish regulations for late license renewal, including the imposition of fines.
  14. A mobile cosmetology salon is required to keep a permanent business address in the inspection area of the regional department office, where correspondence from the department can be received and where records of appointments, itineraries, employee license numbers, and vehicle identification numbers of the license holder’s mobile salon are kept for department staff to verify.
  15. Prior to the start of each month, each license holder for a mobile salon must submit to the board a documented monthly itinerary, outlining the places, dates, and hours it will be open in order to permit periodic inspections of mobile cosmetology salons.
  16. Mobile salons must operate in accordance with the local laws and ordinances governing commercial businesses, with all applicable ADA criteria pertaining to accommodations for people with disabilities, and with all applicable OSHA regulations.
  17. The legislation mandates that you hold an active license from the State in order to practice as a cosmetologist. All cosmetology services must be provided in a licensed salon in Florida, with a few exceptions, by authorized cosmetologists working there.
  18.  Every two years in Florida, by October 31st, all license types must be renewed. Depending on whether you are in Group 1 or Group 2, you must renew your license in a different year.
  19. You must finish at least 1200 hours from a board-approved school and pass the Florida cosmetology theoretical and practical tests in order to obtain a cosmetology license. The majority of cosmetology courses at Florida beauty schools usually last 9 to 15 months.

The regulatory authority shall set fees according to the following schedule:

  • Fees for initial licensure, license renewal, and late renewal for cosmetologists cannot be more than $25.
  • The cost of an endorsement application, examination, and reexamination for cosmetologists shall not be more than $50.
  • Fees for license applications, initial licensure, license renewals, and late renewals for cosmetology and specialty salons shall not exceed $50.

In Conclusion,

It is important to note that by law, salons and persons carrying out any of the cosmetology services in Florida must be licensed by the Department of Business and Professionals. So, if you have plans to operate as a cosmetologist in Florida, you must make it a point of duty to first visit the DBP to know other requirements you need to obtain, aside from the ones stated above.