How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Florida?

Florida requires 1,200 hours of approved training. That is more than 8 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 41.

How long is the Florida cosmetology written exam?

You are allowed 90 minutes for 65 questions.

How old do you have to be to get a cosmetology license in Florida?

You must be at least 16 years old.

How often do you renew a Florida cosmetology license?

The renewal cycle is 2 years. The renewal fee is $45. Continuing education: 10 hours per renewal.

FL Cosmetology licensing

Florida cosmetology license requirements and exam prep

Confirm Florida cosmetology training hours, exam steps, official board sources and the matching state-aware practice app.

At a glance

Florida Cosmetology facts

License type: Cosmetologist
School hours: 1,200 hours
Written exam: Required
Practical exam: Not required
Exam vendor: Pearson VUE
Renewal cycle: 2 years
Minimum age: 16
Last verified: 2026-08-07

Checked against 4 official sources on 2026-08-01. Every figure on this page links to the document it came from.

Application path

What to verify before you apply

1Confirm the license categoryState boards may use different names for the same career path.
2Verify training and exam eligibilityCheck hours, application order, fees, IDs and vendor rules from official sources.
3Practice once your path is clearUse the state-aware course app for written-exam practice and weak-area review.

Exam details

Written and practical exam notes

Written exam

Status: Required
Questions: 65
Time limit: 90 minutes

Practical exam

Status: Not required

Florida does not require a hands-on practical examination for this license, so there is no practical time limit, score or fee to prepare for.

Renewal and transfer

Renewal: 2 years
Renewal fee: $45
Continuing education: 10 hours per renewal
Reciprocity: Case by case - the board compares your training and may require an exam

What it costs

Renewal every 2 years: $45

Fees are set by the state and the exam vendor and exclude school tuition.

Still to verifyNot published in the cited sources: written exam languages. Verify the current board page or candidate bulletin before scheduling or applying.

Study path

How to use this Florida cosmetology guide

Verify the licensing path here, then use the course app for active recall, answer explanations, weak-area drills and timed written-exam practice.

Confirm eligibilityFinish 1,200 approved training hours before relying on exam practice as your only preparation step.
Prepare for the written examUse timed practice against the published written-exam structure: 65 scored questions, 90 minutes. The cited sources name Pearson VUE as the exam vendor.
Focus the exam study loopFlorida does not require a practical exam for this license, so the course app can focus on written theory, explanations and timed drills.
Start the matching practice appBegin with the free questions, then unlock full access when your exam date is close enough that you will use the 90-day study window.

High-yield written topics

Safety and infection controlDisinfection, blood exposure, EPA labels, SDS and salon sanitation rules.
Hair color and chemistryLevels, developers, patch tests, chemical reactions and product safety.
Haircutting and texture servicesElevation, guidelines, relaxers, perms, neutralizers and service steps.
Skin, nails and state lawBasic services outside hair plus scope, licensing and board-rule questions.

Practice Cosmetology questions

Official sources

Source links used for this guide

Cosmetology FAQs ↗Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation · Accessed 2026-07-30Training hours, Written exam, Exam vendor, Transfer route, Renewal fee, Continuing education
Florida Statutes Chapter 477, Cosmetology ↗The Florida Senate · Accessed 2026-07-30Minimum age
Candidate Information Booklet, Cosmetology Licensure Examinations ↗Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation · Accessed 2026-08-06Candidate Bulletin, Question Count, Time Limit
Florida Statutes Chapter 477, Cosmetology ↗The Florida Senate · Accessed 2026-07-31Renewal cycle

Florida in context

What these Florida cosmetology rules mean for you

Florida requires 1,200 training hours for a cosmetology license. Of the 51 jurisdictions tracked here, 8 ask for fewer hours and 41 ask for more, against a range of 1,000 to 2,000 hours and a median of 1,500. Hour requirements matter beyond school cost: a license earned in a low-hour state is often harder to transfer into a high-hour one.

Florida requires a written examination but no hands-on practical examination for this license, which is unusual and means your preparation is entirely theory-based. The examination is administered by Pearson VUE. The written exam has 65 questions with 90 minutes allowed.

Florida Cosmetology licensing questions

How many hours do you need for a cosmetology license in Florida?: Florida requires 1,200 hours of approved training. That is more than 8 of the other jurisdictions tracked here and fewer than 41.
Is there a practical exam for the Florida cosmetology license?: No. Florida does not require a hands-on practical examination for this license.
How long is the Florida cosmetology written exam?: You are allowed 90 minutes for 65 questions.
How old do you have to be to get a cosmetology license in Florida?: You must be at least 16 years old.
How often do you renew a Florida cosmetology license?: The renewal cycle is 2 years. The renewal fee is $45. Continuing education: 10 hours per renewal.

Verify before applying. Licensing rules, fees, providers, and exam formats can change. Use the linked board source as the final authority.