To become a licensed barber in the State of Florida, complete the following steps:
The Barber’s Board, part of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, is responsible for licensing and regulating barbers that practice in the state.
Florida is one of just a few states that licenses barbers at different levels. The class codes for licensed barbers in Florida include:
Barber Assistant: A Florida barber whose job responsibilities are restricted to shampooing hair and applying hair tonics or conditioner. Barber assistants must always work under the supervision of a licensed barber. Although the Barber’s Board in Florida, no longer issues new licenses for barber assistants, it does renew previously licensed barber assistants.
Barber: A barber is a licensed professional who is permitted to engage in the following services related to hair and beards:
- Shaving
- Cutting
- Trimming
- Coloring
- Shampooing
- Arranging
- Dressing
- Curling
- Waving
Barbers may also apply oils, lotions, or creams to the face, scalp, or neck, either by hand or by a mechanical appliance.
Restricted Barber: A restricted barber is restricted to:
- Hair cutting
- Shaving
- Shampooing
- Blow drying
- Applying hair tonics and hair sprays
Step 1. Complete a Program at One of Florida’s Barber Schools
To become a licensed barber in Florida, you must successfully complete a program of barbering through a Florida barbering school. Programs that are approved by the Barber’s Board consist of at least 1,200 hours of barber training.
You may also complete a restricted barber program in Florida, which generally consists of at least 1,000 hours of barber training as it does not include chemically treating hair.
You can contact the Florida Department of Education at 1-888-224-6684 or visit www.fldoe.org for a list of Florida barber schools.
Step 2. Apply for a Florida Barber License
Once you have completed the required educational hours, you submit an Application for Initial License Based on Florida Education (either a barber license or a restricted barber license). You may also apply online through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Online Application Services.
If you have any questions regarding the application process, you may direct them to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Customer Contact Center at 1-850-487-1395.
Once you have submitted a completed examination application to the Department for processing, you can expect to be contacted by the Pearson VUE, the examination vendor, to schedule a date and time to take your written examination for barber licensure.
Step 3. Take and Pass the Required Barber Examinations
The Bureau of Education and Testing is responsible for developing, administering, grading, and reviewing all barber examinations in Florida. The Bureau utilizes Pearson VUE to schedule, administer, and score the examinations. You must call Pearson VUE at 1-888-204-6230 to schedule a convenient examination time, date, and location. You may also register on Pearson’s website at www.pearsonvue.com.
Because there are currently two types of barber licenses issued by the Department: a restricted barber license and a barber license. A barber is permitted to perform chemical services; therefore, the examination for a restricted barber license and a barber license is different:
Examination for Barbers
The examination for barber licensure in Florida consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, and you are given 3 hours to complete the exam. The examination consists of the following content areas:
- Safety, Sanitation, and Sterilization: 30 percent
- Florida Barber Rules and Laws: 25 percent
- Hair Cutting and Hair Styling: 15 percent
- Chemical Procedures: 10 percent
- Hair Structure and Chemistry
- Shaving, Beard, and Mustache Trimming
- Shampooing
Examination for Restricted Barbers
The examination for restricted barber licenses consists of 30 questions that cover Florida’s barber laws and rules. You are given one hour to complete the examination.
You can expect to receive an official photo-bearing exam result report immediately following the completion of your examination.
Step 4. Seek Professional Opportunities in Florida as a Licensed Barber
Licensed barbers in Florida may work as barber shop or salon employees, as independent contractors, and as business owners. Independent contractors often rent booth space at a salon or barbershop, which often allows them to better control their income potential and the atmosphere of their shop. It is more common for experienced barbers to begin working as independent contractors or to consider opening their own barber shop business once they build a solid clientele.
Florida’s barbershops are widespread throughout the state. Just a few of the top barbershops in Florida where employment and booth rental opportunities may be available include:
- Leo’s Barber Shop, New Port Richey
- Tim’s Barber Shop, St. Petersburg
- Fort Myers Barber Shop, Fort Myers
- Renegade Barber Shop, Tallahassee
- Cutmasters Barber Shop, Sunrise
- The Heights Barber Shop, Tampa
- Hall of Fame Barber Shop, Miami and Coral Springs
- Yates Barber Shop, Orlando
Step 5. Keep your Florida Barber License Current
All barber licenses in Florida must be renewed on or before July 31 of all even-numbered years. Before the expiration of your barber license, you must complete a Board-approved HIV/AIDS course, which details such topics as the modes of transmission, infection control procedures, the prevention of HIV and AIDS, clinical management, and related sanitary requirements.
You can view a list of approved HIV/AIDS courses here. The cost of biennial barber license and restricted barber license renewal is $105.
Barber Salaries in Florida
Both the mean and median salaries for barbers in Florida in 2014 were very similar according to the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity. The average salary for barbers in Florida was $22,880, while the median one was $22,048.
These values do not include tips. Since customers generally tip their barbers, the take-home pay for these professionals will be substantially higher than these figures indicate.
Experienced barbers are more skilled at providing their services, so they usually earn higher salaries. This was the case in Florida. Experienced barbers earned an average of $7,904 more than those just starting out. The average salary for entry-level barbers in Florida was $17,618, while experienced professionals earned an average of $25,522.
Barber salaries by city in Florida:
Jacksonville – $38,000
Miami – $39,000
Tampa – $35,000
Petersburg – $35,000
Job Growth for Barbers in Florida
The number of barbers in Florida is expected to increase by 11.1% between 2014 and 2022. Job growth should be substantially higher than this in four Florida counties:
Lee 7%
Alachua 3%
Duval 1%
Seminole 8%
Barber Licensing Process in Florida
Barbers in Florida must go through a rigorous licensing process with The Barber’s Board to be able to practice in the state. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and have to train at a school for at least 1,000 hours. At this point, a school official can deem them competent to sit for the barber’s exam. Another option for the students is to get 1,200 hours of school training. The Barber’s Board also requires that barbers take at least two hours of an approved course in HIV/AIDS.
There are two types of barber’s licenses in Florida. One is the standard barber license, while the other is for restricted barbers. Barbers with a restricted license cannot perform chemical services. They are able to cut hair, give shaves, shampoo and blow-dry hair. They can also apply hair sprays and tonics.