Florida cosmetologists, full specialists, nail specialists, and facial specialists must complete 10 hours of Board of Cosmetology approved continuing education before each two-year renewal, unless they qualify for the 10-year exemption.
Anyone renewing an active Florida Cosmetologist, Full Specialist, Nail Specialist, or Facial Specialist license. The Board of Cosmetology lists the same 10-hour requirement for all four.
Cosmetology salon licenses have no continuing education requirement. They expire November 30 of even years. For 2026, the salon renewal deadline is midnight Eastern on November 30. People who only braid, wrap hair, or body wrap have not needed a Florida license since July 1, 2020.
The Board of Cosmetology publishes this minimum on its CE Requirements table. FLCEO's 10-hour courses cover every subject below in one course.
| Subject | Minimum hours |
|---|---|
| Sanitation and sterilization | 3 |
| Florida and federal laws and rules | 2 |
| HIV/AIDS | 1 |
| Chemical makeup (hair, skin, nails) | 1 |
| Environmental issues | 1 |
| Any subject related to the practice of cosmetology | 1 |
| OSHA | 0.5 |
| Workers' compensation | 0.5 |
Individual licenses expire October 31. They are split into two groups that renew in alternating years.
The Board's CE table lists a $45 renewal fee. The current Group 2 renewal insert lists $40 for this period because of a $5 unlicensed-activity fee waiver, and $65 if you renew after November 2, 2026. That fee is paid to DBPR. It is separate from the course price.
Check the expiration date and your group on your record at MyFloridaLicense.com.
Nail, facial, and full specialists follow this same 10-hour rule. Specialist CE requirements.
Source: Florida Board of Cosmetology, Renew My License, Group 2, and Hot Topics.
10 hours of Board of Cosmetology approved continuing education, including minimums for sanitation, laws and rules, HIV/AIDS, chemical makeup, environmental issues, OSHA, and workers' compensation.
Group 2 licenses expire October 31 of even years. For this 2026 renewal only, DBPR extended that deadline to midnight Eastern on November 2, because October 31 falls on a Saturday. Other even years stay October 31. Group 1 licenses expire October 31 of odd years.
No. Cosmetology salon licenses have no CE requirement. They expire November 30 of even years.