Nail Technician Schools in Florida
If you want to become a nail technician—also called a nail specialist, manicurist and pedicurist, and nail tech—in Florida, now may be the perfect time to begin. The state is experiencing significant growth in the field, and with the number of tourists visiting each year, you could have ample opportunity to perform services for residents and visitors alike.
Browse our directory of nail technician schools in Florida, or skip ahead to learn about the state's nail technician licensing requirements and job outlook.
Browse All Nail Technician Schools in Florida
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985 East Memorial Boulevard
Lakeland, FL 33801
1271 Semoran Boulevard
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
2620 Southwest 17th Road #700
Ocala, FL 34471
2601 South Military Trail
West Palm Beach, FL 33415
552 East Woolbright Road
Boynton Beach, FL 33435
Florida Academy of Health & Beauty – Accredited
Oakland Park, FL 33311
Prestige Health & Beauty Sciences Academy – Accredited
North Miami Beach, FL 33160
Robert Morgan Educational Center and Technical College – Accredited
Miami, FL 33177
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:
Find a Nail Technician School Near You
Check out the Nail Technology schools these cities in Florida have to offer.
How to Become a Nail Technician in Florida
- 240 education hours are required to become licensed.
- You must renew your license every 2 years.
- 10 continuing education hours are required to renew your license.
- The average salary for manicurists in Florida is $24,010 ($11.54/hour). This is lower than the national average of $25,770 ($12.39/hour).
- There is a predicted 16% job increase between 2016–2026 for manicurists. This is higher than the expected national growth of 10%.
To become a nail technician in Florida, you must meet certain standards:
- Be at least 16 years of age or have received a high school diploma.
- Possess a Social Security number.
- Have completed 240 school hours in a Florida nail program, leading to licensure.
- Have a completed four hour HIV/AIDS course certificate from your school, acquired within the two years before submitting your license application.
- Complete the relevant Certification of Eligibility forms.
- Pay the required fees.
If you already hold a nail technician license in another state, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico, you may be eligible for endorsement in Florida. There is also a separate application process for military personnel, veterans, and military spouses. Florida doesn't allow apprenticeships for nail technician licensure.
What to Expect From a Nail Technician Program in Florida
Time to complete a nail technician program in Florida
Training is an integral part of launching a career as a nail specialist, and it's important to choose the right program for you. When picking a school, ensure the program offered is approved and accredited by the Florida Board of Cosmetology, part of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Your training must consist of a minimum of 240 credit hours of both theoretical and practical instruction and will cover such topics as:
Florida Nail Technician Licensing Requirements
Unlike some other states, you don't need to take an exam to gain licensure to become a nail specialist in Florida. Instead, you'll need to complete 240 hours of study, pass a state-recognized four hour HIV/AIDS course, pay any relevant fees, and apply for licensure with the Florida Board of Cosmetology. The initial licensure application costs $75.
Military veterans, their spouses, and Florida National Guard members may be eligible for a fee waiver, fee reimbursement, or fee discount.
Florida Nail Technician Licensure Reciprocity
The Florida Board of Cosmetology doesn't currently have any reciprocal licensing agreements with other states. However, students from other states who hold a current active license to practice cosmetology (including nail technician qualifications) may still qualify for licensure in Florida via endorsement. To do this, your state's education and requirements must meet or exceed those required in Florida, and your license must be currently active in the other state. To qualify, applicants must:
Nail Technician License Renewal in Florida
License renewal period
Continuing education required
All nail technician licenses in Florida must be renewed every two years. The deadline for renewing your license is October 31st, and you'll be placed into one of two groups: those who renew their license in even years and those who renew in odd years. To renew your license, you must complete ten hours of continuing education and pay a $45 fee. However, for 2019 and 2020 renewals, the Board of Cosmetology has issued a "renewal holiday" and waived all fees—keep an eye on the board's website for updates.
If you don't renew your nail specialist license in time, it becomes inactive until you do so, and you may not work as a nail technician during that time. After two consecutive missed licensure cycles, a license becomes null and void. Once considered null and void, your license will not be reinstated unless you can prove to the department that the failure to renew was due to illness or economic hardship. If you can do that, you may renew your license once you meet the following conditions:
Nail Technician Salary in Florida and Projected Job Growth
Average yearly salary for nail technicians in Florida
The median salary for nail specialists in Florida is $24,010 ($11.54/hour) as of 2019. New career opportunities are very likely in the future, with nail technician jobs in the state expected to grow by 16% between 2016-2026, which is higher than the expected growth of 10% nationwide.
Contact the Florida State Board of Nail Technology
- 2601 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, FL 32399
- Website: Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- Email: call.center@dbpr.state.fl.us
- Call: 850-487-1395
- Fax: 866-888-1176
Resources for Nail Technician in Florida
Florida Board of Cosmetology
The Board of Cosmetology is responsible for licensing and regulating cosmetology in the state of Florida and meets regularly to consider applications for licensure, review disciplinary cases, and conduct informal hearings relating to licensure and discipline.
NAILS
NAILS is an award-winning publication for nail technicians and salon owners. The site has state-specific tags on its articles.