How to Become a Licensed Barber in Florida

Apply to a formal training program at a state-recognized barber school. The list of schools recognized by the Florida State Licensing Board includes the Florida Academy of Health and Beauty, The Hair Design School and Burner’s Barber College. Check the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences to make sure the program you choose meets the state's licensing requirements.

To become a licensed barber in the State of Florida you must attend a Florida barbering school and successfully complete a minimum of 1,200 hours of barber training. Upon completion of the educational hours, a completed examination application should be submitted to the department for processing, along with the applicable fees. Once the examination application has been approved, you will be contacted by the departments examination vendor, Pearson VUE, to schedule a date and time for the written examination.

Complete the barbering training program, which takes about nine months. Be prepared to present proof of all your course work and practical training when you apply for the licensing examination.

Apply to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to take the licensing examination, and send an application fee, which was $288 in 2010. An official of the barbering school you attended must sign your application, confirming that you completed the training program. In addition, you must have a high school diploma and be at least 16 years old to take the test.

"Under The Supervision" Of A Licensed Barber Signify

The term "under the supervision" of a licensed barber signifies that the supervising individual holds a current and active Florida barber license and is physically present at all times when the applicant is performing barbering services. However, the supervised work practice exception does not apply to an individual who has applied by endorsement from another state or country. Endorsement applicants must have their Florida barbers’ license prior to practice

Qualifications for an Endorsement Application:

Applicants for endorsement must:

• Complete a minimum of 1,200 hours of schooling in a program similar to, comparable to, or more stringent than what is required of Florida students;


• Demonstrate that he or she has satisfactorily completed a written examination comparable to or more stringent than the examination administered by the department;


• Demonstrate that he or she possesses a current, active license in another state or country; and


• Apply and pay the required application fee of $255.

Apprentice licenses are not eligible for endorsement. All barber endorsement applications must include an education evaluation that was conducted by a credential evaluation service which is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A complete listing of NACES members is located on the barbers’ web page. If the NACES evaluation is not included with the endorsement application, it will be considered deficient.

As soon as you have a license to practice the profession, you can start by becoming apprentice in local barbershops. In this way, you can improve your understanding on the important things and skills that you should learn to become successful. After completing the apprenticeship, you can open your own shop or you can pass application in local shops. If you want to know more about Florida Barbers’ License or Find the best Barber Schools, visit Bestofcolleges.com