If you enjoy skin care and want to provide facial services professionally in Florida, understanding the state requirements is a good first step. You need to complete the required education and submit an application, but you do not have to take the Florida cosmetology examination for facial specialist registration.

Here is how the process works for students completing their initial training in Florida.

What Is a Facial Specialist Registration?

Florida requires registration to perform facial specialty services. The state defines facial services as the massaging or treating of the face or scalp with oils, creams, lotions or other preparations. A facial specialist registration focuses on this specialty rather than the broader training required for a cosmetology license.

Before choosing a program, think about the services you want to provide. That can help you decide whether focused facial specialty training fits your interests or whether you want to explore a broader beauty program.

Complete the Required Facial Specialty Training

The first hurdle to clear when becoming a facial specialist in Florida is your age: the state requires all applicants to be at least 16 years old or have received a high school diploma.

From there, the biggest factor is training. Florida requires at least 220 hours of education in a facial specialty program at a Florida school of cosmetology. When comparing programs, look beyond the required hours. Ask how instruction combines classroom learning with supervised practice, what services you will study and how instructors provide feedback.

For example, Empire Beauty School’s facial specialist program, offered at its West Palm Beach, Florida, campus, consists of 220 hours of training. Of that, 105 hours are spent in the classroom and 105 hours are spent in the clinic, with an additional 10 hours of enrichment activities. The program includes training in facials, skin analysis, waxing, makeup and business skills.

Ask the admissions team about current schedules, total program costs and expected completion dates. The number of required hours does not tell you how many weeks the program will take with your particular schedule.

Meet the Initial HIV/AIDS Course Requirement

Florida also requires an initial HIV/AIDS course lasting at least four hours. It must be completed within the two years before you submit your registration application. Students completing their education at a Florida school should submit the board-approved initial HIV/AIDS course completion certificate received from their school. Ask how your program addresses this requirement and which documents you will receive.

Keep your certificates somewhere accessible so you can include them when applying.

Apply for Registration Through Florida DBPR

After completing your education, apply for facial specialist registration through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, commonly called DBPR.

The department’s facial specialist registration checklist provides links to online and printable applications. Required materials include:

• A completed application and the applicable fee.
• The Certification of Eligibility from Section IV of form COSMO 1.
• A copy of your approved training program’s Certificate of Completion.
• Your initial HIV/AIDS course completion certificate.

Review the current application instructions before submitting. Check that your documents are complete and keep copies for your records. DBPR issues the registration once your application has been approved.

Choose a Program That Fits Your Next Step

Required training is the foundation, but your school choice also involves practical questions. Can you attend consistently? Does the commute work? Do you understand the tuition, supplies and other expenses?

For facial specialty training, contact Empire’s West Palm Beach campus to discuss your goals and ask about enrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a facial license the same as a facial specialist registration in Florida?

“Facial license” is a commonly used term, but Florida’s official name for the credential is facial specialist registration.

How many training hours do you need to become a facial specialist in Florida?

Florida requires at least 220 hours of education in a facial specialty program at a Florida school of cosmetology.

Do you have to take a state exam for facial specialist registration?

No. Florida does not require the Florida cosmetology examination for facial specialist registration. You must still meet the education and application requirements.

How long does it take to get a facial specialist registration?

You must complete the required education and allow time for DBPR to review your application. The overall timeline depends on your school schedule and application processing.

Does Empire Beauty School offer facial specialist training in Florida?

Yes. Empire Beauty School offers a 220-hour facial specialist program at its West Palm Beach campus, combining classroom instruction with clinic training.