Esthetician Schools in Florida
The demand for estheticians in Florida is growing, meaning now may be the perfect time to start your career as an esthetician.
If you're searching for "esthetician licenses" in Florida, you may find yourself coming up empty. This could be because Florida doesn't use the term "esthetician" for these professionals. Instead, they use "facial specialist" and "full specialist." Additionally, they don't license in these areas—they provide registrations.
Browse our directory of esthetician schools in Florida, or skip ahead to learn about the state's esthetician licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Esthetician Schools in Florida
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985 East Memorial Boulevard
Lakeland, FL 33801
2001 West Sample Road Suite 100
Pompano Beach, FL 33064
420 South State Road 7
Hollywood, FL 33023
5000 Coconut Creek Parkway C
Margate, FL 33063
7587-7599 South Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
2620 Southwest 17th Road #700
Ocala, FL 34471
1901 North Federal Highway Unit 201
Pompano Beach, FL 33062
2601 South Military Trail Suite 13
West Palm Beach, FL 33415
552 East Woolbright Road
Boynton Beach, FL 33435
Aveda Institute Jacksonville – Accredited
Jacksonville, FL 32257
Prestige Health & Beauty Sciences Academy – Accredited
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
The Salon Professional Academy – Accredited
Melbourne, FL 32904
You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
Esthetician Schools Near Me
Check out the Esthetics/Skin Care schools these cities in Florida have to offer.
How to Become a Esthetician in Florida
- 220 education hours (facial specialist) or 400 education hours (full specialist) are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 10 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average salary for estheticians in Florida is $33,930 ($16.31/hour). This is higher than the national average of $34,090 ($16.39/hour).
- There is a predicted 19% job increase between 2016–2026 for estheticians. This is higher than the expected national growth of 11%.
In Florida, estheticians are divided into two types: facial specialists and full specialists (more on those later).
To become an esthetician in Florida, you need to meet the following requirements:
There aren't any exams required for facial or full specialist registrations. It's worth noting these are "registrations," not "licenses," though you do need to have this registration to practice.
If you ever want to become a cosmetologist in the state, you'll need to take additional courses and earn a standard license.
What are the Differences Between Florida's Facial Specialist and Full Specialist Fields?
A facial specialist may perform facial and basic scalp treatments in a licensed salon. This program takes 220 hours to complete.
A full specialist may provide facial and nail services after 400 training hours.
There's a separate nail specialist license available, which requires 180 training hours. If you only have the time or money to complete a facial or nail specialty program, you may undergo training in the other field later if you want to work as a full specialist. The combined number of hours equals the full specialist training hours.
Florida Esthetician Careers
Average yearly salary for esthetician in Florida
The esthetician profession is growing rapidly in the United States with a 17% projected job growth rate. In Florida, the profession is growing at an even faster pace, with a projected 19% job growth for skincare specialists.
Florida estheticians earn an average of $33,930 per year ($16.31/hour) as of 2019.
The highest-paying metro areas for estheticians in Florida are:
It would be wise to assume this amount is particularly relevant to full specialists; the state doesn't provide specific information for facial specialists alone. By comparison, Florida's manicurists and pedicurists—who provide about half the services full specialists do—make an average of $27,240 ($13.10).
What to Expect From a Esthetician Program in Florida
Required to earn a esthetician license
Florida requires 220 hours of training to become a facial specialist and 400 hours of education for full specialist registration.
As these aren't full licenses, there isn't a prescribed curriculum for either registration. However, your coursework needs to cover all skills you'll use in your career, including:
You're also expected to undergo a four-hour HIV/AIDS course and have extensive knowledge of state laws, rules, and regulations, as well as sanitation and sterilization.
You have several options when it comes to completing your esthetician studies. You can pursue training at a private cosmetology school licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, public school, government-operated cosmetology program, or the Cosmetology Division of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. Schools must be accredited.
Can I Apprentice as an Esthetician in Florida?
Florida doesn't accept apprenticeship licenses or education.
Florida Esthetician Licensing Requirements
You don't need to take the cosmetology licensure examination to become registered as a facial or full specialist in Florida.
However, you must complete 220 hours of facial specialty training or 400 hours of full specialty training along with completing a four-hour-long, board-approved Initial HIV/AIDS course.
After finishing your education, you can apply for registration. You need to pay a $75 fee to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation as part of your application for both specialties.
Florida Esthetician Licensure Reciprocity
If you have a valid and current license or registration from another state, you may be eligible for endorsement if the other state's requirements meet or exceed Florida's requirements.
If you're moving to Florida from another country, you aren't eligible for an endorsement. However, a cosmetology school can look at your previous training and give you credit for none, some, or all of your required hours.
Active duty members of the military, National Guard members, veterans, and their spouses applying for reciprocity can have their application fees waived, reimbursed, or discounted.
What Procedures Can Florida Estheticians Not Perform?
While some of these treatments may be permitted in other states, Florida doesn't allow any beauty professionals to perform the following:
These are all considered medical treatments. If you want to perform any of these, check into regulations from Florida Health.
License Renewal
License renewal period
Continuing education required
Registrations for specialists are broken up into two groups. The first group's registrations expire on October 31 of every odd year, and the second expires on that same day every even year.
As of 2021, renewal fees have been waived. In some cases, late fees may also be waived. However, this may only last until the end of the COVID-19 crisis, so it's important to keep an eye on the board website for updates.
Traditionally, the fee has been $45.
You must complete 10 hours of continuing education and pay the renewal fee before midnight EST on the expiration date.
Below are the continuing education requirements for both facial and full specialists:
Contact the Florida State Board of Esthetics
- 2601 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, FL 32399
- Website: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- Email: call.center@dbpr.state.fl.us
- Call: 850-487-1395
- Fax: 866-888-1176
Resources for Estheticians in Florida
The Board of Cosmetology
Responsible for licensing and regulating cosmetology in the state
The Florida Association of Cosmetology and Technical Schools (FACTS)
Advocates on behalf of beauty schools, educators, and students in Florida
Esthetics Association Florida
Focuses on education, working conditions, and networking
Florida Spa Association (FSA)
Provides continuing education, product access, and networking and employment opportunities for spa professionals