To legally offer services such as facials, waxing, and skin treatments in Florida, licensed estheticians must hold the state-issued license, which is officially titled a “Facial Specialist Registration.” Moving your practice requires navigating the regulatory process overseen by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). This transfer is accomplished through a formal process called licensure by endorsement.
Florida Licensing: Endorsement Versus Examination
The state offers two primary paths for an esthetician to obtain a license: examination or endorsement. The examination path is the default route for new practitioners graduating from a Florida-approved school. This route requires passing the state’s licensing exam after completing the requisite educational hours.
The endorsement process is the mechanism for transferring a license from another state or jurisdiction. This pathway is intended for practitioners already licensed elsewhere who can demonstrate their qualifications are equivalent to Florida’s standards. It allows the applicant to bypass the Florida licensing examination. The Florida Board of Cosmetology, which governs this process under the DBPR, adheres to the regulations outlined in Chapter 477, Florida Statutes.
Qualifying for Licensure by Endorsement
Eligibility for endorsement requires demonstrating that your prior licensing meets or exceeds Florida’s minimum standards. Applicants must hold a current, active esthetician license, or its equivalent, from another state or jurisdiction. The original license must be in good standing, meaning there are no current disciplinary actions against it.
Florida requires 220 educational hours for a Facial Specialist. Your prior state’s educational requirements must have been comparable or more stringent than this standard. Furthermore, the applicant must have passed a written or practical examination in their originating state to qualify for endorsement. Florida law does not allow equivalent work experience to substitute for the required educational hours.
Required Documentation for Verification
The application package requires specific documentation to verify your eligibility and background. A formal Verification of Licensure must be submitted, often requiring direct contact between the originating state’s licensing board and the Florida DBPR. This document confirms your license is active, in good standing, and verifies the number of educational hours completed.
You must also complete a Florida Board of Cosmetology-approved 4-hour initial HIV/AIDS course, and the certificate of completion must be included with your application. Certified Education Transcripts are often required to prove the completion of training hours if the verification of licensure does not explicitly state them. All applicants must also provide Social Security documentation and undergo a mandatory criminal history check.
Submitting Your Application
The process begins with completing the official DBPR application form for the Facial Specialist Registration by Endorsement. You can submit this application online or by mail, though the online portal is recommended for faster processing. Ensure all required documents are sent directly from the third-party sources to the DBPR to prevent delays.
For the mandatory background screening, you must schedule an appointment for electronic fingerprinting through an approved LiveScan service provider. The applicant is responsible for selecting a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) approved provider and ensuring the correct Originating Agency Identification (ORI) number is provided during scanning. You should submit your fingerprints a few days before submitting the license application to allow time for the results to reach the DBPR.
Understanding Fees and Processing Timelines
The application process involves an initial application fee and a separate fee for the background check and fingerprinting service. While specific fee amounts are subject to change, the current schedule is available on the DBPR website. Military veterans, their spouses, and Florida National Guard members may qualify for fee waivers or discounts.
Processing times for endorsement applications can vary, often taking several weeks to a few months, depending on the completeness of documentation and the speed of verification from the previous state. Delays frequently occur when the DBPR is awaiting criminal history results or verification of licensure. Florida does not issue temporary permits, so you must wait for the full Facial Specialist Registration before legally practicing.
Maintaining Your Florida Esthetician License
Once your license is issued, you must adhere to all state requirements to keep your registration active. The Florida Facial Specialist Registration operates on a biennial renewal cycle, meaning it must be renewed every two years, typically by October 31st. You will receive a notification from the DBPR when the renewal window opens.
A mandatory component of the renewal process is the completion of continuing education (CE) requirements. Licensees must complete a minimum of 10 hours of board-approved CE courses during each two-year cycle. These hours must cover specific topics, including sanitation and sterilization, HIV/AIDS, Florida laws and rules, chemical makeup, and environmental issues. You are also legally required to notify the Board of any change to your name or mailing address within a specified timeframe.