Do Florida nail techs need continuing education?
Yes. A Nail Specialist registration needs 10 hours of Board of Cosmetology approved CE before each renewal, with the same subject minimums required of cosmetologists.
Nail specialists, facial specialists, and full specialists renew on the same 10-hour Board of Cosmetology rule as cosmetologists.
The Board of Cosmetology CE table gives Nail Specialist, Facial Specialist, and Full Specialist licenses the same renewal requirement as a Cosmetologist: 10 hours, with the same subject minimums, the same two renewal groups, and the same $45 state renewal fee.
| 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 |
Group 2 expires 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 expires October 31 of odd years. Salon licenses still have no CE requirement. 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.
Initial training hours are a different rule. Since January 1, 2021, prelicensure training is 180 hours for nail specialists, 220 hours for facial specialists, and 400 hours for full specialists. Those hours are for getting the registration, not for renewing it.
One board-approved 10-hour course covers the renewal subjects. You do not piece the hours together from separate classes.
Source: Florida Board of Cosmetology, Renew My License, Group 2, and Hot Topics.
Yes. A Nail Specialist registration needs 10 hours of Board of Cosmetology approved CE before each renewal, with the same subject minimums required of cosmetologists.
No. The Board of Cosmetology lists the same 10-hour requirement for Facial Specialist, Nail Specialist, Full Specialist, and Cosmetologist licenses.