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Florida Cosmetology — Requirements & Free Practice

US-FL · License preparation

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Cosmetologist

License to practice cosmetology under the Florida Cosmetology Act.

Licensing authority: Florida Board of Cosmetology / Department of Business and Professional Regulation · Application information

Delinquent renewal to active or inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit renewal/status-change request, pay applicable renewal and delinquency fees; active status also requires continuing education.
Practice
No practice while delinquent; failure to renew by the next cycle makes the license null and void.
Status
Delinquent Florida license or registration before it becomes null and void.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military professional licensure — Active duty military member
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background
Submit fingerprints for state and federal criminal history checks and pay fingerprint-processing costs; Section 455.02(3) governs review.
Fee
Initial licensure application fee waived; meet ordinary renewal requirements after issuance.
Military Status
Currently serving on active duty; provide military orders.
Prior License
Valid license for the corresponding profession from another state, District of Columbia, U.S. territory or possession, or foreign jurisdiction.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Preservation of license in good standing during active military duty
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Duration
Remain in good standing without registering, paying fees or taking other renewal action during active duty and for two years after discharge.
Private Practice
If practicing privately for profit in Florida during this period, complete all renewal requirements other than the renewal fee.
Status
Active-duty Armed Forces member in good standing and entitled to practice in Florida when becoming such a member.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military professional licensure — Spouse of active duty member or veteran
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background
Submit fingerprints for state and federal criminal history checks and pay fingerprint-processing costs; Section 455.02(3) governs review.
Fee
Initial licensure application fee waived; meet ordinary renewal requirements after issuance.
Military Status
Married during an active-duty period; provide marriage certificate and the member’s orders or honorable-discharge record.
Prior License
Valid license for the corresponding profession from another state, District of Columbia, U.S. territory or possession, or foreign jurisdiction.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military spouse or surviving spouse renewal protection
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Absence
Exemption from renewal provisions applies while absent from Florida because of the member’s military duties.
Fee
Renewal fees are waived while present in Florida because of the member’s active duty; a surviving spouse qualifies when death on active duty was within two years before renewal.
Status
Spouse married during active duty or surviving spouse of a member on active duty at death, holding a Florida credential in good standing.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military professional licensure — Surviving military spouse
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background
Submit fingerprints for state and federal criminal history checks and pay fingerprint-processing costs; Section 455.02(3) governs review.
Fee
Initial licensure application fee waived; meet ordinary renewal requirements after issuance.
Military Status
Married to a member who was on active duty at death; provide marriage certificate and DD-1300.
Prior License
Valid license for the corresponding profession from another state, District of Columbia, U.S. territory or possession, or foreign jurisdiction.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Military professional licensure — Honorably discharged veteran
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background
Submit fingerprints for state and federal criminal history checks and pay fingerprint-processing costs; Section 455.02(3) governs review.
Fee
Initial licensure application fee waived; meet ordinary renewal requirements after issuance.
Military Status
Former active-duty member honorably discharged; provide DD-214 or NGB-22.
Prior License
Valid license for the corresponding profession from another state, District of Columbia, U.S. territory or possession, or foreign jurisdiction.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement from null and void for illness or economic hardship
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File the Board restoration application, fees and evidence of eligibility for renewal.
Continuing Education
Meet continuing education requirements prescribed by Section 455.271(6)(b).
Hardship
Explain and establish illness or economic hardship that prevented renewal; reinstatement remains the Department’s discretion.
Hiv Aids
Provide a Board-approved Initial HIV/AIDS course completion certificate.
Status
Previously held the same type of Florida license or registration, now null and void after two consecutive cycles without renewal.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation after no more than two consecutive biennial cycles
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Education
Satisfy active-status continuing education for no more than one renewal cycle.
Familiarity
The additional 30-day laws-and-rules affirmation applies only beyond two consecutive biennial cycles.
Fees
Pay reactivation and any applicable processing and status fees.
Status
An inactive Florida license or registration for no more than two consecutive biennial cycles.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reactivation after more than two consecutive biennial cycles
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Education
Satisfy active-status continuing education for no more than one renewal cycle.
Familiarity
For inactivity exceeding two consecutive biennial cycles, affirm reading within the last 30 days and familiarity with Florida cosmetology laws and rules.
Fees
Pay reactivation and any applicable processing and status fees.
Status
An inactive Florida license or registration for more than two consecutive biennial cycles.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Active license or registration renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the completed renewal application, affirm compliance and pay applicable renewal fees by the biennial deadline.
Continuing Education
Ten hours of Board-approved continuing education under Rule 61G5-32.001; Section 455.2124 exempts active licensees continuously licensed at least ten years with no discipline.
Course Assessment
Home-study continuing education courses require a provider-graded post-course examination with a 75% passing score. This is a course-completion condition, not one separately identifiable state licensure examination.
Refresher Discretion
Section 477.019(7)(b) permits a Board rule requiring a continuing-education violator to take a refresher course, or refresher course and examination, up to 48 instructional hours; this unnamed assessment slot is an applicant condition.
Status
Existing active Florida license or registration.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Inactive renewal or election of inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File the completed inactive-status application and pay the inactive fee.
Practice
Inactive status authorizes no practice; the statutory renewal cycle and fees apply.
Status
Hold a Florida license or registration; apply for inactive status at renewal or renew an existing inactive status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Extension of SCRA portability upon updated military orders
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit a change-of-status application and updated military orders; spouses additionally submit marriage certificate.
Duration
Recognition follows the updated military orders.
Status
Already using SCRA professional license portability in Florida.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

SCRA license portability — Active duty member
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit license certification, scope documentation and the federal statutory application affidavit. Florida implementing form requires Social Security number and disclosures.
Duration
Florida’s form recognizes the license for the duration of the military orders and requires a change-of-status application for extended orders.
Military Status
Active-duty member relocating residence because of military orders; submit the orders and, for a spouse, marriage certificate.
Old Form Condition
The incorporated July 2024 SCRA 1 form says: "I confirm that I have actively used this professional license or certificate during the two years immediately preceding the relocation of residency because of military orders". The amended federal statute does not make that earlier-use condition part of Section 705A(a); retain the form’s demand as an applicant condition.
Prior License
Hold a covered professional license in good standing for the corresponding scope; Section 705A(f) excludes revoked, disciplined, investigated or voluntarily surrendered-under-investigation licenses.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

SCRA license portability — Spouse of active duty member
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit license certification, scope documentation and the federal statutory application affidavit. Florida implementing form requires Social Security number and disclosures.
Duration
Florida’s form recognizes the license for the duration of the military orders and requires a change-of-status application for extended orders.
Military Status
Spouse of active-duty member relocating residence because of military orders; submit the orders and, for a spouse, marriage certificate.
Old Form Condition
The incorporated July 2024 SCRA 1 form says: "I confirm that I have actively used this professional license or certificate during the two years immediately preceding the relocation of residency because of military orders". The amended federal statute does not make that earlier-use condition part of Section 705A(a); retain the form’s demand as an applicant condition.
Prior License
Hold a covered professional license in good standing for the corresponding scope; Section 705A(f) excludes revoked, disciplined, investigated or voluntarily surrendered-under-investigation licenses.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Restriction
The Board FAQ additionally states: "Apprenticeship licenses and apprenticeship education are not eligible for endorsement." Section 477.019(6) and Rule 61G5-18.007 govern the no-examination route.
Hiv Aids
Complete a Board-approved HIV/AIDS course, apply and pay the required fee.
Prior License
Hold a current active cosmetology license issued under another state’s law.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination — school certified early examination
Age
At least 16 years old or a high school diploma.
Application
Submit the application, fees, Social Security number, education certification, background disclosures and supporting records requested by COSMO 1.
Education
At least 1,000 actual school hours and the school director’s certification of minimum competency; passing satisfies the training requirement. Failure requires completion of the full 1,200-hour requirement before reexamination.
Hiv Aids
Complete a Board-approved four-hour Initial HIV/AIDS course; COSMO 1 requires completion within two years before applying. Rule 61G5-18.011 permits one six-month extension on a timely good-cause affidavit.
Passing
Pass both separate Florida examinations within the two-year period in Rule 61G5-18.004; supervision in a licensed salon applies between passing and receiving the license.
Licensure by examination — completed Florida education
Age
At least 16 years old or a high school diploma.
Application
Submit the application, fees, Social Security number, education certification, background disclosures and supporting records requested by COSMO 1.
Education
Complete at least 1,200 actual school hours in a qualifying Florida cosmetology program; documented school credit may be evaluated.
Hiv Aids
Complete a Board-approved four-hour Initial HIV/AIDS course; COSMO 1 requires completion within two years before applying. Rule 61G5-18.011 permits one six-month extension on a timely good-cause affidavit.
Passing
Pass both separate Florida examinations within the two-year period in Rule 61G5-18.004; supervision in a licensed salon applies between passing and receiving the license.
Licensure by examination — existing foreign or other jurisdiction license
Age
At least 16 years old or a high school diploma.
Application
Submit the application, fees, Social Security number, education certification, background disclosures and supporting records requested by COSMO 1.
Foreign Evidence
Another country’s authorization is an applicant condition; its examinations are not requirement leaves.
Hiv Aids
Complete a Board-approved four-hour Initial HIV/AIDS course; COSMO 1 requires completion within two years before applying. Rule 61G5-18.011 permits one six-month extension on a timely good-cause affidavit.
Passing
Pass both separate Florida examinations within the two-year period in Rule 61G5-18.004; supervision in a licensed salon applies between passing and receiving the license.
Prior License
COSMO 2 requires a current license or authorization held for at least one year; applicants unable to endorse use this examination pathway.
Remedial Instruction
COSMO 2 states: "Remedial hours may be required with verification by the school." This implementing statement is retained as an applicant condition; Rule 61G5-18.004 governs reexamination.
Reexamination after failure
Application
Submit the reexamination application and fee.
Early Examination
An applicant who failed after qualifying at 1,000 training hours must complete the full training requirement before reexamination.
Previous Results
Retake only each failed examination if both are passed within two years; otherwise retake both. Previously passing a currently offered examination remains a leaf; the applicant’s exemption from retaking it is a condition.
New licensure by endorsement after revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Satisfy Rule 61G5-18.007 application, fee and Board-approved HIV/AIDS requirements.
Prior License
Hold a current active qualifying cosmetology license under another state’s law.
Revocation
A revoked Florida license cannot be reinstated; new licensure requires Board review.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New licensure by examination after revocation
Age
At least 16 years old or a high school diploma.
Application
Submit the application, fees, Social Security number, education certification, background disclosures and supporting records requested by COSMO 1.
Education
Meet the applicable Florida education requirements; early examination requires school competency certification.
Hiv Aids
Complete a Board-approved four-hour Initial HIV/AIDS course; COSMO 1 requires completion within two years before applying. Rule 61G5-18.011 permits one six-month extension on a timely good-cause affidavit.
Passing
Pass both separate Florida examinations within the two-year period in Rule 61G5-18.004; supervision in a licensed salon applies between passing and receiving the license.
Revocation
A revoked license cannot be reinstated. Reapply for a new license with Board review and satisfy the examination issuance conditions.

Written Clinical Examination

Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination
Exam questions
65 multiple-choice questions
Time limit
1.5 hours
Passing score
Scaled score of 75
Examination outline
  • Hair Coloring and Lightening
    • Select and apply temporary color rinse
    • Perform skin sensitivity test (patch test) and/or strand test
    • Select, prepare, and apply semi-permanent color
    • Select, prepare, and apply permanent color and/or toner
    • Select, prepare, and apply lightener
    • Select, prepare, and apply special effects (i.e., frosting, streaking, painting, tipping, etc.)
    • Perform one-step color and retouch
    • Perform corrective color
    • Tint eyelashes and eyebrows
    • Tint beards and mustaches
    • Color/lighten wigs or hairpieces
  • Permanent Waving and Chemical Relaxing
    • Select proper equipment, implements, and sections/pattern
    • Perform test curl
    • Select and apply permanent wave solutions — Using acid wave solutions
    • Select and apply permanent wave solutions — Using exothermic wave
    • Change hair chemically using relaxers/straighteners (thio, acid, no lye, sodium hydroxide, etc.)
    • Apply base at hairline, scalp, and ears
    • Change hair chemically using a chemical blowout
    • Perform re-formation curl (also known as soft curl perm, reconstruction perm, curl rearranging, re-curling, etc.)
  • Scalp and Hair Care
    • Shampoo hair (techniques) — Manipulations
    • Shampoo hair (techniques) — Massage
    • Shampoo hair (techniques) — Cleansing
    • Shampoo hair (techniques) — Rinsing
    • Shampoo hair (chemistry) — Know pH levels of hair
    • Shampoo hair (chemistry) — Know pH levels of shampoo and rinse
    • Condition scalp (identify and apply products)
    • Condition hair (identify and apply products)
  • Hair Cutting/Shaping
    • Select haircutting implements and method (angles, sections)
    • Cut/shape hair using clippers/guard
    • Cut/shape hair using scissors (thin, slither, layer, shingle, blunt cut)
    • Texturizing (thinning shears/channel shears)
    • Cut and shape wigs or hairpieces
    • Trim beard using clippers/scissors
  • Hair Styling
    • Mold hair into finger waves
    • Set hair into pin curls
    • Mold hair by wrapping
    • Set hair using rollers and clips
    • Style hair after set dries
    • Style hair using thermal irons and/or marcel irons
    • Style hair using hot rollers
    • Style hair using electric hot combs
    • Style hair using hair dryers (blow drying/diffuser)
    • Style hair using pressing combs
    • Style hair using freehand techniques (braiding, platting, roping, chignon, etc.)
    • Style hair using heat lamps
Examination sources

Written Theory Examination

Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination
Exam questions
65 multiple-choice questions
Time limit
1.5 hours
Passing score
Scaled score of 75
Examination outline
  • General Safety and Sanitation Procedures
    • Sanitize implements using wet procedures
    • Sanitize implements using dry procedures
    • Clean and sanitize work area
    • Practice personal hygiene
    • Store and dispose of equipment, chemicals, supplies
    • Maintain working environment to ensure safe operation (implements and equipment)
    • Apply first aid
    • Recognize and respond to emergencies/medical emergencies
    • Record all facts pertinent to an accident
  • Client Services
    • Establish communication to determine desired services
    • Protect clients with necessary covering, draping
    • Have a basic knowledge of bone and muscle systems (head, hands and feet)
    • Analyze skin and recognize disorders and diseases
    • Analyze hair structure and recognize disorders and diseases
    • Analyze scalp and recognize disorders and diseases
    • Analyze nails and recognize disorders and diseases
    • Advise client of recommended services (considering hair color, texture, skin tone, shape of face, etc.)
    • Refer clients for medical treatment
    • Check and update client record card
    • Advice regarding at-home maintenance
  • Facials, Make-up and Hair Removal
    • Test for skin sensitivity
    • Remove superfluous hair (waxing, tweezing, depilatories)
    • Lighten superfluous hair
    • Perform facial message
    • Apply make-up
    • Apply artificial eyelashes
  • Manicuring and Pedicuring
    • Repair split or damaged fingernails
    • File fingernails to desired shape
    • Give plain or oil manicure
    • Give plain or oil pedicure
    • Select and apply artificial nail tips (nail extensions)
    • Apply acrylics or porcelain to sculpture fingernails
    • Wrap nails
  • Professional/Legal and Ethical/Laws and Rules
    • Maintain proper licensure status
    • Know actions that are grounds for discipline and penalties
    • Know requirements for facility license
    • Know powers and duties of the Board of Cosmetology
Examination sources