Barbering Schools in Florida
Are you thinking of joining the barbering community in Florida but want to know the details? No problem. We have information about licensure, salary, and more here for you.
Browse our directory of barbering schools in Florida, or skip ahead to learn about the state's barbering licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Barbering Schools in Florida
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2800 34th Street North
St Petersburg, FL 33713
985 East Memorial Boulevard
Lakeland, FL 33801
495 North Semoran Boulevard
Winter Park, FL 32792
7329 North State Road 7
Parkland, FL 33073
5090 West 12th Avenue
Hialeah, FL 33012
855 Southwest 79th Avenue
Miami, FL 33144
1271 State Road 436 Suite 131
Casselberry, FL 32707
420 South State Road 7
Hollywood, FL 33023
5000 Coconut Creek Parkway C
Margate, FL 33063
7587-7599 South Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
6250 Northwest 23rd Street
Gainesville, FL 32653
1901 North Federal Highway Unit 201
Pompano Beach, FL 33062
2601 South Military Trail Suite 13
West Palm Beach, FL 33415
552 East Woolbright Road
Boynton Beach, FL 33435
4842 Cypress Gardens Road
Winter Haven, FL 33884
Academy of Cosmetology - Merritt Island – Accredited
Merritt Island, FL 32953
Beauty Academy of South Florida - Hialeah Gardens – Accredited
Hialeah Gardens, FL 33016
Florida Academy of Health & Beauty – Accredited
Oakland Park, FL 33311
New Concept Massage and Beauty School, Cutler Bay – Accredited
Miami, FL 33157
Paul Mitchell The School Fort Lauderdale – Accredited
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33388
Pinellas Technical College - Saint Petersburg – Accredited
Saint Petersburg, FL 33711
Prestige Health & Beauty Sciences Academy – Accredited
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
The Beauty Institute - West Palm Beach – Accredited
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
The Salon Professional Academy - Melbourne – Accredited
Melbourne, FL 32904
You must attend a school that meets any licensure requirements as defined by your state. Most states require that you graduate from an accredited or state-approved school.
Related Beauty Careers
Not sure this is the right fit for you? Learn more about other career options in the beauty industry. Related specializations include:
Barbering Schools Near Me
Check out the Barbering schools these cities in Florida have to offer.
How to Become a Barber in Florida
- 600 hours with special approval or 900 education hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 2 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average salary for barbers in Florida is $33,780.
- There is a predicted 23% job increase between 2020–2030 for barbers.
To become a barber or restricted barber in Florida, you must complete a state-approved barber education program, pass an exam, and meet other age and background requirements.
Specifically, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) requires barbers and restricted barbers to:
What's a Restricted Barber?
Restricted barbers in Florida can perform many typical barber services, but they can't provide chemical treatments. Because of this, the program runs for 600 hours rather than barbers' 600 to 900.
From here on, this article talks about standard barbers. But, if you're on the fence about making barbering your career, this may be an excellent way to test the waters.
What to Expect From a Barber Program in Florida
Required to earn a barbering license
Florida barber students must complete 600 to 900 hours of training. This typically takes about a year. Barber programs cover topics like haircutting, styling, shaving, beard trimming, safety, and sanitation.
While the classes for barber students in Florida vary among programs, prospective students can expect some standard topics. We list some common barber classes below:
To maintain their status as an approved barber education program, schools must meet the standards set by the DBPR. The best schools boast a roster of experienced licensed professionals and provide facilities that meet Florida's safety and sanitation standards.
Can I Apprentice as a Barber in Florida?
No, you can't get your barber license via an apprenticeship in Florida.
Florida Barber Licensing Requirements
In Florida, barber licensing requirements include completing an accredited barber education program. Upon completion, graduates must pass a practical and written exam, meet the age and education requirements, and pay all relevant fees. Specifically, Florida barbers must:
The board looks at your criminal record from the past five years. But they can go back further if a conviction has occurred in the last three, if you've been convicted of a forcible felony, or if your crimes could be related to barbering.
In general, if you haven't been convicted of a crime unrelated to barbering in the last five years, you may be allowed to practice. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, so try to keep your nose clean.
The 600- to 900-hour requirement is relatively unique—most states have a set amount of required training. In Florida, you need to complete at least 600 barber training hours, at which point your school can decide if you are ready to take your test. They can do this at any point between 600 and 900 hours.
At 900 hours, you are legally considered ready to take the test whether your school clears you or not.
That said, if you take the test before hitting 900 hours and do not pass, you must complete the rest of your training and take a new exam.
The Florida barber exam is a two-part written and practical exam. The written exam tests a student's knowledge in areas such as safety, sanitation, barbering laws, and theoretical barbering techniques. You have three hours to answer the 100 multiple-choice questions.
The practical portion of the exam evaluates your ability to perform standard techniques, including haircuts and shaving. You will execute several styles and techniques on a mannequin during this hands-on test.
The minimum score required to pass Florida's barber exam is 75%. Test-takers can anticipate their exam results immediately following the test.
Students can sign up for the test through Pearson Vue and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Florida barber license fees vary based on when you apply. For full barbers, the cost is $205.50 between April 1st of even-numbered years and July 31st of odd years. It is $155.50 from August 1st of odd years through April 31st of even years. Restricted barbers owe $238.50 or $188.50 for those same periods.
The exception for out-of-state and out-of-country applicants is if they qualify for the non-exam licensure option. In those cases, the costs are $255 and $205.
Military members, veterans, and spouses can waive all but $80 in fees with proper paperwork.
Barber license fee waivers are available for qualifying military members, veterans, and spouses and those considered low-income earners.
Forida Barber License Reciprocity
If you plan to move to Florida from another state or country and already have a barber license, you can get your new license by proving you're trained and taking the HIV/AIDS course required by the state. But things can be a little more complicated.
There are several license possibilities for barbers moving to Florida:
BAR 2 requires you to have at least one year of licensure under your belt. If that describes you, turn in a copy of your current license, pass an HIV/AIDS course, and pass a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) test (if from another country) along with your application and fee. You must also pass the required Florida written test if you have not already done so.
If your previous training was at least as challenging as Florida's 900-hour requirement, you might be able to earn your state barber license without taking another test. But you need to take the HIV/AIDS course and, if relevant, submit a NACES credential.
The MVL 003 option is for military personnel, veterans, military spouses, or surviving spouses of military members. To qualify, in addition to being in one of these categories, you need to already have a valid barber license in another state, DC, territory, or country. If you can prove your existing license is valid and agree to submit your fingerprints, you may be able to get your license without any fee or additional requirements.
Barber Specialties in Florida
Florida barbers can specialize in a few areas or earn an additional license to add to the services they can offer through continuing education.
You can get a barbershop license or barbershop license specifically for flea markets if you want to run your own shop. You need to secure a location and meet sanitation and other standards before you can run your own business.
If you want to become a barber instructor, you need to go through the Florida Department of Education. Individual schools certify teachers.
When looking through the DBPR website, you may see references to "Barber Assistants." Those licenses are only available to people who already have them, so it is not a specialty. As soon as the last Barber Assistant leaves the field, the job will no longer be available.
Barber License Renewal in Florida
License renewal period
Continuing education required
After securing your Florida barber license, you must renew your barber license every two years, in even-numbered years, after completing a two-hour HIV/AIDS course. The application is due no later than July 31st of that year.
Restricted barbers and typical barbers owe $75 for renewal. Barbershop owners, who don't need to pass an HIV/AIDs class, owe $110.
Barber Salary and Projected Job Growth in Florida
Average yearly salary for barbering in Florida
While Florida's barbers make a little less than the national average, the number of jobs is expected to grow faster than the nationwide average.
The mean salary for Florida barbers is $33,780 annually ($16.24 hourly). Factors like location, years in the field, and services offered can affect compensation. If you live in a densely populated area or popular tourist spot, you may be able to earn more than if you lived in a more rural area. As of 2022, the highest paying city metro area in Florida is Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent at a median of $29,320 per year.
While the national expectation is 11%, Florida barber jobs should grow by 23% between 2020 and 2030!
Contact the Florida State Board of Barbering
- 2601 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, FL 32399
- Website: Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulations
- Email: call.center@dbpr.state.fl.us
- Call: (850) 487-1395
- Fax: 866-888-1176
Resources for Barbers in Florida
Florida Department of Education
This is a solid resource for finding state-approved barber programs.
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
This department oversees the licensure process for Florida barbers.
American Safety Council: HIV/AIDS Course for License Renewal
This links to one of several continuing education options required to maintain Florida barber licensure.
Florida Barber Association
In partnership with the American Barber Association, this page offers information regarding licensing, reciprocity, and Florida barbering news.
Barbering FAQs
This page tackles some of our readers' most common questions.
Candidate Information Booklet
Here, you can find tons of information about how to take your state barber test, including sample questions.
DBPR Application Center
This is a list of all barber license options, from standard licenses to fee waivers and everything in between.