For information only. Not meant as advice in any form. Please consult your medical professional or lawyer.
An esthetician is an expert in things related to skin care and cosmetic enhancements to help patients feel good and look their best. If you want to be part of the beauty industry, becoming an esthetician is one of the best career options that you can take. It offers plenty of working opportunities across various states, including in Florida.
So what do you need to know about becoming a licensed esthetician in Florida? Those who want to become a skincare specialist in Florida must graduate from an esthetician program in a beauty school accredited by the state board and complete a minimum of 260 training hours. Unlike in other states, there’s no exam needed to become a facial specialist in Florida.
How to Become A Licensed Esthetician in Florida
Medical spas, wellness centers, and salons are popular businesses in the United States, with more than 1,900 practices located in Florida. This state is one of the best destinations for anyone who’s looking to improve their aging skin and maintain their youthful appearance and overall well-being. Alternatively, it’s also a great place to work in if you want to kickstart your career as an esthetician.
Florida is said to be home to more than 2,000 licensed estheticians and ranks second among the best states for employment for aspiring skin care specialists. To become a proper esthetician, you need to be ready to invest your time and skills. Here’s an overview of the general process to acquire your esthetician license in Florida:
1) Attend A State-Accredited Esthetician School
Generally, individuals who want to become Florida-based estheticians should complete a skin care program at a cosmetology school within the state. The Florida Board of Cosmetology provides a list of accredited esthetician schools where you can get your required esthetics coursework and training. Some of the popular beauty schools in Florida are:
- Aveda Institute – South Florida
- Eastern Florida State College
- Boca Beauty Academy
- Florida Gateway College
- Florida Technical College
- Florida Academy of Medical Aesthetics
- Florida Medical & Aesthetic International School
- Lake Technical College
- Hollywood Institute of Beauty Careers
- Indian River State College
- Marion Technical College
- Manatee Technical Institute
- Robert Morgan Educational Center
- Sheridan Technical College
The requirements to apply for an esthetics course is that you should be over 16 years of age and have a high school diploma. Most accredited esthetics courses in Florida cover a wide range of topics that will be useful for your career as an esthetician. However, the exact curriculum will vary depending on the school and instructor. Here are some of the common topics that you can expect to learn in an esthetics program:
- Principles of Skincare and Facial Anatomy
- Skin Analysis and Diagnosis
- Advanced Facial Techniques
- Facial Massages
- Hair Removal Procedures
- Exfoliation and Cleansing Techniques
- Skin Care Science and Study of Product Ingredients
- Makeup Artistry and Application
- Body Treatments
- Aromatherapy for Facials
- Manicure and Pedicure Techniques
- Safety and Sanitation Protocols
- Salon Management and Marketing
2) Complete The Required Esthetician Training Hours
In addition to classroom-based coursework and learning, the Florida Board of Cosmetology also required estheticians to complete at least 260 hours of practical training. While some states allow apprenticeships to make up for the training hours, Florida doesn’t accept such arrangements. You need to finish your hands-on training from your beauty school and receive a certificate showing that you’ve completed the required hours.
Here’s what you can expect from your hands-on esthetician training:
- Best sanitation and sterilization practices in setting up the treatment room
- Strategies for preparing clients for their procedures
- How to conduct initial consultation and understand a client’s skin goals and medical history
- Aftercare management and how to set client’s expectations regarding their treatments
- Administer skincare treatments on mannequins and live models as guided by the instructor
3) Enroll in an HIV/AIDS Course
In addition to completing an esthetician program, the state of Florida also requires interested facial specialists to finish a board-approved 4-hour HIV/AIDS course. This specialized program will provide a comprehensive overview of HIV/AIDS and how to manage, prevent, and identify its symptoms. It’ll also cover proper protocols on how to treat patients with the condition. You’ll receive a certificate after finishing the program which you’ll also submit for esthetician licensure.
4) Submit and Pay for Licensure Application
Upon finishing your facial specialty training, you can apply for licensure either by submitting your requirements online or downloading the forms and sending them by mail. You should also expect to pay a facial specialist license fee of $75 to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
If you already have an existing active license from another state, you may apply for your Florida license by endorsement. First, you should check if your state’s license requirements meet the qualifications of the Florida Cosmetology Board. You can simply submit your original out-of-state license application via online or mail and pay the corresponding fee.
How Much Is an Esthetician School in Florida?
The cost of esthetician programs in Florida can vary depending on the institution. It can also depend on the length of the course, training hours required, and the educational level you wish to attain. On average, you can expect to spend around $5000 to $20000 for an esthetician training course in Florida. Generally, the tuition already includes the registration fee, textbooks, materials, and equipment that may be used throughout the duration of the course.
If you don’t have enough money to pay for the total cost of an esthetician program, there are several loans that may be provided by the Federal Student Aid under the US Department of Education. You may also check with your school if they offer school loan options to make it easier for you to get your esthetician accreditation.
How Many Hours are Required for Estheticians in Florida?
The state of Florida requires a facial specialist to complete at least 260 hours of hands-on training prior to licensure. However, if you wish to pursue other specializations, you can expect to finish additional training hours. For example, a nail technician typically needs to complete a minimum of 180 hours, electrologists will need at least 320 training hours, and full specialists should have 400 hours to get their license.
How Often Could You Apply for Florida Esthetician License?
Applying for a Florida esthetician license is simple and it doesn’t require any exams so you can submit your applications as many times as you want. The tests are only given if you want to become a state-licensed cosmetologist.
If you don’t pass the cosmetology exam on your first application, you can simply reapply again and retake the part of the test where you failed. All you need to do is to submit a reexamination letter and pay the license fee again for your second application.
However, if you still don’t pass the test on your 3rd and 4th try, you may be required to return to cosmetology school and finish at least 80 remedial hours before reexamination. If you have to take the licensure exam for the 5th time, you don’t need to get additional remedial hours.
How Long Does It Take The Florida Cosmetology Board to Process Your Esthetician License?
The process for getting your Florida esthetician license is relatively convenient. Once you’ve submitted the application, you can expect to wait at least 3 weeks to receive the results of your licensure registration. The state board will email your license number and you can print it on your own and display it in your work.
What Can Estheticians Do in Florida?
Once you have your esthetician license in Florida, you can apply for work in a medical spa, beauty salon, wellness center, or dermatology clinic. Your typical roles and responsibilities as an esthetician may include:
- Recommend custom skincare regimens to clients
- Suggest the best products that will suit a client’s skin type
- Assist supervising physicians in procedures and treatments
- Perform common day-to-day administrative tasks, such as answering phones, scheduling appointments, and welcoming clients at the reception
- Provide pre- and post-procedure care to clients
- Examine clients to determine their specific skin concerns
- Sell retail products in-store
What Services Can an Esthetician Perform in Florida?
Most cosmetic procedures and medical treatments in Florida are legally done by a licensed physician or medical esthetician. However, estheticians can also perform a wide range of skin and beauty services for clients. Here are some of the treatments that you may provide as a standard licensed esthetician:
- Waxing
- Acne treatments
- Light to medium chemical peels
- Makeup application
- Eyelash extensions
- Threading
- Laser hair removal
- Facial treatments
- Massages
- Microdermabrasion
- Skin cleansing, exfoliation, and extraction
- Hair braiding
- Body treatments
Continuing Education for Estheticians in Florida: Is It Required?
Esthetician licenses in Florida have a validity of 2 years. The state cosmetology board mandates that all professional estheticians must renew their license on October 31 every 2 years. Prior to the renewal date, estheticians must pursue continuing education courses to qualify for licensure renewal. You must finish at least 10 hours of cosmetology continuing education program that includes any of the following topics:
- HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases
- Specialized course on OSHA regulations
- Training on issues of worker’s compensations in accordance with Florida law
- A review of state and federal laws for cosmetologists, salons, and specialists
- Study on the chemical makeup related to hair, skin, and nails
- Sanitation and sterilization practices
Get Online Aesthetic Training Courses for Estheticians at FACE Med Store
Florida offers plenty of work opportunities in the medical spa and beauty industry, which is why a lot of estheticians are looking to build a career in the state. To become a licensed skincare professional, you only need to complete a specialized program in the best esthetician school and submit your requirements to the state board.
You can also supplement your cosmetology education with help from our aesthetic training courses at FACE Med Store. We offer a selection of modules covering a variety of esthetics topics that can be useful for your esthetician career. We’re also a proud provider of high-quality medical tools and supplies to hundreds of aesthetic practices and clinics in the country. Call us today to know more about our courses or inquire about our stocks.
