477.011 – Short Title.

477.011 Short title.—This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Florida Cosmetology Act.” History.—s. 1, ch. 78-253; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 35, 36, ch. 85-297; s. 4, ch. 91-429.

477.012 – Purpose.

477.012 Purpose.—The Legislature deems it necessary in the interest of public health to regulate the practice of cosmetology in this state. However, restrictions shall be imposed only to the extent necessary to protect the public from significant and discernible danger to health and not in a manner which will unreasonably affect the competitive market. Further, consumer […]

477.013 – Definitions.

477.013 Definitions.—As used in this chapter: (1) “Board” means the Board of Cosmetology. (2) “Department” means the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. (3) “Cosmetologist” means a person who is licensed to engage in the practice of cosmetology in this state under the authority of this chapter. (4) “Cosmetology” means the mechanical or chemical treatment of the head, face, and […]

477.0135 – Exemptions.

477.0135 Exemptions.— (1) This chapter does not apply to the following persons when practicing pursuant to their professional or occupational responsibilities and duties: (a) Persons authorized under the laws of this state to practice medicine, surgery, osteopathic medicine, chiropractic medicine, massage therapy, naturopathy, or podiatric medicine. (b) Commissioned medical or surgical officers of the United States Armed Forces hospital […]

477.014 – Qualifications for Practice.

477.014 Qualifications for practice.—No person other than a duly licensed cosmetologist shall practice cosmetology or use the name or title of cosmetologist. History.—s. 1, ch. 78-253; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 35, 36, ch. 85-297; s. 36, ch. 89-344; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 67, ch. 2018-110.

477.015 – Board of Cosmetology.

477.015 Board of Cosmetology.— (1) There is created within the department the Board of Cosmetology consisting of seven members, who shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate, and whose function it shall be to carry out the provisions of this act. (2) Five members of the board shall be licensed cosmetologists and shall […]

477.016 – Rulemaking.

477.016 Rulemaking.— (1) The board may adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this chapter conferring duties upon it. (2) The board may by rule adopt any restriction established by a regulation of the United States Food and Drug Administration related to the use of a cosmetic product or any substance used […]

477.017 – Legal Services.

477.017 Legal services.—The department shall provide all legal services needed to carry out the provisions of this act. History.—s. 1, ch. 78-253; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 35, 36, ch. 85-297; s. 4, ch. 91-429.

477.018 – Investigative Services.

477.018 Investigative services.—The department shall provide all investigative services required by the board or the department in carrying out the provisions of this act. History.—s. 1, ch. 78-253; ss. 13, 15, 25, 30, 34, 41, 62, ch. 80-406; s. 2, ch. 81-318; ss. 35, 36, ch. 85-297; s. 4, ch. 91-429.

477.019 – Cosmetologists; Qualifications; Licensure; Supervised Practice; License Renewal; Endorsement; Continuing Education.

477.019 Cosmetologists; qualifications; licensure; supervised practice; license renewal; endorsement; continuing education.— (1) A person desiring to be licensed as a cosmetologist shall apply to the department for licensure. (2) An applicant shall be eligible for licensure by examination to practice cosmetology if the applicant: (a) Is at least 16 years of age or has received a high school diploma; […]

477.0201 – Specialty Registration; Qualifications; Registration Renewal; Endorsement.

477.0201 Specialty registration; qualifications; registration renewal; endorsement.— (1) Any person is qualified for registration as a specialist in any specialty practice within the practice of cosmetology under this chapter who: (a) Is at least 16 years of age or has received a high school diploma. (b) Has received a certificate of completion for: 1. One hundred and eighty hours of […]

477.0212 – Inactive Status.

477.0212 Inactive status.— (1) A cosmetologist’s license that has become inactive may be reactivated under s. 477.019 upon application to the department. (2) The board shall adopt rules relating to licenses that become inactive and for the renewal of inactive licenses. The rules may not require more than one renewal cycle of continuing education to reactivate a license. […]

477.0213 – Cosmetology Graduates of Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind; Licenses.

477.0213 Cosmetology graduates of Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind; licenses.—The department shall license candidates upon graduation from the Cosmetology Division of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. The department shall, by rule, provide fees for licenses issued to candidates from the Cosmetology Division of the Florida School for the Deaf […]

477.022 – Examinations.

477.022 Examinations.— (1) The board shall ensure that examinations adequately measure both an applicant’s competency and her or his knowledge of related statutory requirements. Professional testing services may be utilized to formulate the examinations. The board may offer a written clinical examination or a performance examination, or both, in addition to a written theory examination. (2) The board […]

477.023 – Schools of Cosmetology; Licensure.

477.023 Schools of cosmetology; licensure.—No private school of cosmetology shall be permitted to operate without a license issued by the Commission for Independent Education pursuant to chapter 1005. However, nothing herein shall be construed to prevent certification by the Department of Education of cosmetology training programs within the public school system or to prevent government operation […]

477.025 – Cosmetology Salons; Specialty Salons; Requisites; Licensure; Inspection; Mobile Cosmetology Salons.

477.025 Cosmetology salons; specialty salons; requisites; licensure; inspection; mobile cosmetology salons.— (1) No cosmetology salon or specialty salon shall be permitted to operate without a license issued by the department except as provided in subsection (11). (2) The board shall adopt rules governing the licensure and operation of salons and specialty salons and their facilities, personnel, safety and […]

477.026 – Fees; Disposition.

477.026 Fees; disposition.— (1) The board shall set fees according to the following schedule: (a) For cosmetologists, fees for original licensing, license renewal, and delinquent renewal shall not exceed $50. (b) For cosmetologists, fees for endorsement application, examination, and reexamination shall not exceed $50. (c) For cosmetology and specialty salons, fees for license application, original licensing, license renewal, and delinquent […]

477.0263 – Cosmetology Services to Be Performed in Licensed Salon; Exceptions.

477.0263 Cosmetology services to be performed in licensed salon; exceptions.— (1) Cosmetology services shall be performed only by licensed cosmetologists in licensed salons, except as otherwise provided in this section. (2) Pursuant to rules established by the board, cosmetology services may be performed by a licensed cosmetologist in a location other than a licensed salon, including, but not […]

477.0265 – Prohibited Acts.

477.0265 Prohibited acts.— (1) It is unlawful for any person to: (a) Engage in the practice of cosmetology or a specialty without an active license as a cosmetologist or registration as a specialist issued by the department pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. (b) Own, operate, maintain, open, establish, conduct, or have charge of, either alone or with […]

477.028 – Disciplinary Proceedings.

477.028 Disciplinary proceedings.— (1) The board shall have the power to revoke or suspend the license of a cosmetologist licensed under this chapter, or the registration of a specialist registered under this chapter, and to reprimand, censure, deny subsequent licensure or registration of, or otherwise discipline a cosmetologist or a specialist licensed or registered under this chapter […]