DBPR cosmetology renewal: Florida 2026
Regulated by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
Last verified:
Florida cosmetology licenses are valid for 2 years. Renewal requires 10 hours of continuing education within each renewal cycle. You renew through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Online CE is accepted. The current renewal fee is $60.
Florida is unusual in that it does not just hand you a flat continuing-education total. The state's 10 hours per two-year cycle are split into named topic buckets under Rule 61G5-32.001, so you cannot satisfy renewal with any 10 courses you like. Florida also added a notable exemption in 2024 for long-tenured licensees with a clean record.
If you hold a Florida cosmetology license through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), you renew on a two-year cycle and must complete 10 hours of continuing education per cycle. The same 10-hour total applies to specialist (skin care/esthetics) and nail specialist registrations.
What sets Florida apart is the required breakdown. The 10 hours are allocated under Rule 61G5-32.001 as follows:
- 1 hour on HIV/AIDS
- 3 hours on the chemical makeup of hair products or the tools you use
- 2 hours on workplace safety
- 4 hours on any board-approved subject of your choosing
For CE purposes, Florida counts 1 hour as 50 minutes of instruction. Courses may be completed online through board-approved providers, which makes finishing the required topics flexible around a salon schedule.
New exemption (effective July 1, 2024): Under SB 382, a person who has been licensed for 10 or more years and has no disciplinary violations is not required to complete continuing education as a condition of renewal. If you qualify, confirm your standing with DBPR before skipping CE, since the underlying rule text may not yet fully reflect the statute.
The license renewal fee is $60. Keep your CE completion records in case of audit.
How many CE hours does Florida require?
| License types | CE hours | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| cosmetologist, specialist (skin care/esthetics), nail specialist, instructor | 10 hours | every 2 years |
CE topic breakdown
- Hiv Aids: 1 hour
- Chemical Makeup Hair Products Or Tools: 3 hours
- Workplace Safety: 2 hours
- Any Board Approved: 4 hours
- Breakdown per 61G5-32.001. Specialist licenses (esthetics) same 10-hour requirement.
Fees
- Renewal: $60
Exemptions
SB 382 (eff. July 1, 2024): licensees with 10+ years licensed and no disciplinary violations are exempt from CE renewal requirement.
Florida state board contact info
- Board: Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
- Website: https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/
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Frequently asked questions about Florida cosmetology renewal
How many CE hours does Florida require for cosmetology renewal?
Florida requires 10 CE hours per 2-year renewal cycle for cosmetologists, specialist (skin care/esthetics)s, nail specialists, and instructors. Online CE is accepted. Check the DBPR for the current list of approved CE providers.
Can I complete Florida cosmetology CE online?
Yes. Florida accepts online CE. You must use a board-approved provider. Verify the current approved-provider list directly with the DBPR.
How often does a Florida cosmetology license need to be renewed?
Florida cosmetologists, specialist (skin care/esthetics)s, nail specialists, and instructors licenses renew every 2 years. You need to complete 10 CE hours before each renewal.
What happens if my Florida cosmetology license lapses?
If you miss your Florida renewal deadline, your license enters expired or inactive status. You may face late fees, a reinstatement application, and in some cases additional CE hours or re-examination. Set a free reminder on CEFinder so your deadline is never a surprise.
How many CE hours does Florida require to renew a cosmetology license?
10 hours every two-year renewal cycle. Those hours are not open-ended: 1 hour must cover HIV/AIDS, 3 hours the chemical makeup of hair products or tools, 2 hours workplace safety, and 4 hours any board-approved topic.
Do estheticians and nail technicians have the same CE requirement in Florida?
Yes. Specialist (skin care/esthetics) and nail specialist registrations follow the same 10-hour total per two-year cycle under Rule 61G5-32.001.
I have been licensed in Florida for over 10 years. Do I still need CE?
Possibly not. SB 382, effective July 1, 2024, exempts licensees with 10 or more years of licensure and no disciplinary violations from the CE requirement at renewal. Verify your eligibility directly with DBPR before relying on it.
Can I complete my Florida CE hours online?
Yes. Online continuing education is allowed through board-approved providers. Note that one CE hour equals 50 minutes of instruction.
What does it cost to renew a Florida cosmetology license?
The renewal fee is $60. You renew every two years and should complete your required CE before submitting.