How to Become a Licensed Esthetician in Florida: Step-by-Step Guide

Everything you need to launch your skincare career—from training to legal services you can offer.

Thinking about becoming an esthetician in Florida?
With just 220 hours of training, you can start a rewarding, flexible career helping clients look and feel their best. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to become a licensed Facial Specialist in Florida—including how to apply, what’s legal to perform and what to do if you want to open your own salon or spa.

Step 1: Get Your Facial Specialist License

To become licensed in Florida, you’ll need to meet a few state requirements:

• ✅ Be at least 16 years old or hold a high school diploma/GED
• ✅ Complete 220 hours at a Florida-licensed esthetics or cosmetology school
• ✅ Take a 2-hour HIV/AIDS course from a Board-approved provider
• ✅ Submit your application and pay the license fee to the DBPR

💲 License Fee: $75.00 Apply online:
🔗Apply via DBPR Website

🎓 Where to Complete Your 220-Hour Training

Florida law requires your esthetics training to be completed at a licensed school—and we’ve made that easy.

At the Institute for Medical Aesthetics and Laser (IMAGE), our Facial Specialist Program is an 8-week, 220-hour training course designed to meet all state requirements and prepare you for a successful esthetics career. Our program includes:

• In-person and online curriculum using Milady textbooks
• Hands-on training in facials, chemical peels, LED therapy, dermaplaning, waxing, lash & brow tinting, and more
• A full professional student kit included
• Business education, professional development, and licensure support
• Flexible AM and PM class tracks
• Scholarships and payment plans available

🔍 Step 2: Know What Services You’re Legally Allowed to Offer

Once licensed, you must follow Florida’s regulations for scope of practice. These define what services you can—and cannot—perform as a Facial Specialist.

✅ You CAN perform:

• Facials and skin treatments using approved topical products
• Superficial chemical peels
• LED light therapy, sonic scrubbers, and high-frequency tools
• Waxing and tweezing
• Lash/brow tinting
• Dermaplaning (with proper safety protocols)

❌ You CANNOT perform:

• Laser hair removal (unless also licensed as an Electrologist)
• Microneedling or injections
• Deep chemical peels or skin-penetrating treatments
• Medical diagnosis or treatment of skin conditions

For complete scope of practice rules, visit & download:
🔗FL Administrative Rule 61G5

Step 3: Renew Your License Every 2 Years

Florida Facial Specialist licenses must be renewed biennially (every 2 years).

💲 Renewal Fees:
On-Time Renewal: $20.00
Late Renewal: $45.00

You’ll also need:

• 10 hours of continuing education from a DBPR-approved provider
• Renew before the expiration date to avoid additional penalties

🔗 Renew your license here

Don’t Let Your License Expire!

Letting your license lapse could cost you your career. Under Florida law, if your license is not renewed for a certain period, it can become null and void.

Null and Void License: This means your license is canceled and cannot be reinstated, unless you can prove that failure to renew was due to illness or economic hardship.

• No standard grace period
• You’ll need to reapply as a new applicant
• You may lose the ability to work legally until reinstated

✅ Pro tip: Set a reminder on your phone or calendar to renew early and stay current with your continuing education.

Step 4: Open or Work in a Licensed Salon or Spa

To work legally, you must offer services inside a DBPR-licensed salon or spa.

Salon License Requirements:

• Apply and receive approval from DBPR before opening
• Maintain proper sanitation, water access, and posted licenses
• Have at least one licensed professional on-site during hours of operation

💲 Salon License Fee: $95.00

🔗Apply for a salon license here

Bookmark These Resources for Easy Access in the Future

• Licensing & Renewals
  Florida Facial Specialist License Application
  License Renewal
• Laws & Rules
  FL Statutes & Rules
  FL Legislature Statute (477)
• Salon Licensing
  Salon License Application

Start Your Career the Right Way

Florida offers one of the fastest and most affordable ways to become a licensed esthetician. In as little as 8 weeks, you could be trained, licensed, and building your dream career in skincare.

Learn more and enroll at instituteimage.com
📞 Or call us at (239) 402-6678