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Barber vs Cosmetologist: What Is the Difference?

May 2, 2018 By Ivy Hultquist 32 Comments

Barber vs Cosmetologist

Ever wondered what the difference between a licensed cosmetologist and a barber are in the state of Florida? The differences are important to know if you are considering hiring a barber for your salon, or a cosmetologist in your barbershop.

Can they color, use a straight razor to shave the face, or do nails? Or who you should contact if you are opening a trendy barbershop in Winter Park or a specialty nail salon in Naples? Both professions share many common traits, but each is truly unique.

Here are 5 differences between the professions in Florida.

1) Different Regulatory Boards and Rules

More and more states are combining their Barber and Cosmetology boards into one board. This is not true in Florida. In the state of Florida, Cosmetologists and Barbers are governed by two separate boards that are under the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Each board has its own board members, rules, and regulations. Cosmetologists are governed by the Florida Cosmetology Board and Barbers are governed by the Florida Barbers’ Board.

Both board websites can be found under the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at MyFloridaLicense.com under Business and Professions tab and then by scrolling down to each board.

Each Board can be contacted by mail at:

Division of Professions
(Name of Board you are contacting)
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0791

Phone: 850-487-1395

So when you apply for a license, make sure you apply to the correct board.

The Cosmetology Board issues licenses and registrations for the following:

  • Cosmetologists
  • Specialists
    • Nail Specialists
    • Facial Specialists
    • Full Specialists
    • Salon licenses

    The Barbers’ Board issues licenses for the following:

    • Barbers
    • Restricted Barbers
    • Barber Assistant
    • Barbershop licenses

    2) Different Licensing Exams

    Until recently, both professionals had the same minimum training hour requirement.

    To be eligible for a cosmetology license in Florida, a person must complete a minimum of 1200 hours at a Florida School of Cosmetology. Only 900-1000 hours (new Laws are making it a little unclear) are needed for a barber license and 600 hours for a restricted barber license.

    After completing education, submitting a completed application to the appropriate board, the applicant will be contacted to schedule a time to take the written exam at a Pearson VUE location. Both Barbers and Cosmetologists have written exams, although each is tested on different content.

    3) Differences Between Cosmetologists and Barbers in Practice

    Cosmetologists

    A licensed cosmetologist is a jack-of-all-trades. They can perform all hair and facial services, including waxing and nails. A licensed cosmetologist does not have to have a separate registration to do facials, hair braiding, hair wrapping, body wrapping, or nails.

    A licensed cosmetologist cannot perform any shaving of the face.

    Barbers

    A licensed barber can perform all hair services, including color and permanent waving. They can also shave the face. This skill alone is the reason you see many cosmetologists return to school and attend barber crossover courses in order to obtain a barber’s license.

    Licensed barbers cannot do any waxing or nail services.

    A licensed restricted barber cannot do any chemical services.

    A barber assistant can only provide shampooing and applying tonics or conditioners to the hair.

    Can someone be a licensed barber and a cosmetologist in Florida?

    Yes! A person can be both a licensed barber and cosmetologist. They would have to have their hours of education assessed by a Florida Barber or cosmetology school to determine what is needed for the requirements of the license that they wish to obtain.

    Some schools have special crossover courses for cosmetologists that also want a barber’s license. The school would then need to sign off on the application for licensure.

    4) Barbershops vs. Cosmetology Salons

    A Barbershop is a place of business where the practice of barbering occurs.

    A Salon is a place of business where cosmetology services are offered for compensation.

    The practice of cosmetology in a licensed barbershop is allowed, provided the barbershop employs a licensed barber.

    The practice of barbering in a licensed cosmetology salon is allowed, provided the salon employs a licensed cosmetologist.

    Only one business license can be issued for a single location, meaning a business cannot be both a licensed barbershop and a salon in one business location.

    Again, to apply for a Barbershop license, see the Barbers’ board page.

    To apply for a Salon license (including a nail or specialty salon), see the Cosmetology board page.

    5) Renewal Requirements for Each type of License

    Cosmetology License

    The Board of Cosmetology requires all cosmetologists, facial specialists, nail specialists, and full specialists to complete 10 hours of Cosmetology board-approved continuing education prior to the license/registration renewal.

    Cosmetology licenses and Registration expire October 31st every other year (depending on which group the licensee/registrant belongs).

    Salon licenses expire November 30th of even years.

    Barber License

    Barbers and restricted barbers must complete a minimum of a 2-hour Barber board-approved HIV/AIDS continuing education course each renewal cycle. This is the only course required for renewal. Barber Assistants do not need any continuing education for license renewal.

    All Barber licenses expire July 31st of even years.

    Barbershop licenses expire November 30th of even years.

    Wrapping Up

    Do you have a question not answered here, or still confused on certain differences between the two license types? Leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to find an answer for you.

Filed Under: License Types

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Millie Hue says

    October 13, 2018 at 12:51 am

    Thanks for helping me understand that a cosmetologist must have 16 hours of board-approved continuing education to get a license. I will share this information with my best friend since I heard that she wanted to pursue this kind of career. It appears that she will open up a beauty salon in the future as well once she has the license to do so.

    Reply
  2. Stacy Keisler says

    December 9, 2018 at 12:36 am

    My wife attended a 1200+ hour course in Russia for I believe Cosmetology. She has almost 20 years experience. Can she use those credentials to challenge the Florida Barber exam? I’m guessing, she would need to take an HIV Course and have a translated transcript of her course of study. Please advise.

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      March 3, 2019 at 9:25 am

      Yes, follow the advice for foreign and international transcripts – which includes taking the exam and a 4 Hour HIV/AIDS course.

      Here is information on the Florida Cosmetology exam
      And information on the 4-Hour HIV/AIDS course

      Reply
      • Sarah says

        September 11, 2019 at 11:29 am

        If someone is a licensed cosmetologist how many hours do they need to become a barber? And vice versa if someone is a licensed barber how many hours to become a cosmetologist?

        Reply
        • Ivy Hultquist says

          September 11, 2019 at 11:59 am

          Barber/Cosmo crossover courses likely vary by what the person needs and what the school offers. Here is a 400 hour crossover program example: http://therealbarbercollege.com/courses/barbering-crossover-course-for-cosmetologists/

          Reply
          • Sarah says

            September 11, 2019 at 7:52 pm

            Thank you so much for your quick response!

  3. Tyler Johnson says

    March 21, 2019 at 10:30 am

    That’s interesting that both barbers and cosmetologists have different restrictions. I also didn’t know that each one needs a licence to be able to work with your hair. I don’t really need any of the treatments or anything that cosmetologists can do, so I’ll just stick with my barber.

    Reply
  4. Ronn Jones says

    May 15, 2019 at 10:50 am

    what services can a cosmetologist perform with a straight razor?

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      May 16, 2019 at 7:21 am

      This is one of the most common questions I get. Have you contacted the barber and cosmetology boards with this question? They should be able to give you the best and most up-to-date answer.

      Reply
    • Bear says

      September 27, 2020 at 8:13 pm

      All services “except” for making contact with the razor on a clients skin. A barber can shave on skin a cosmetologist can’t.

      Reply
  5. Tyler Johnson says

    June 25, 2019 at 2:06 pm

    That’s good to know that barbers would need to have a license to be able to work. I would think that would be a good way to make sure that they would give you a good hair cut. I’ll have to consider looking for a licensed barber since I hate having a bad hair cut.

    Reply
  6. Isabel Rauscher says

    July 29, 2019 at 11:06 am

    Are Cosmorolgist allowed to use a straight razor on the neck. In Florida

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      July 29, 2019 at 11:27 am

      I would contact the Cosmetology board on this question. I know a growing number of states are allowing safety razors to be used by cosmos on the neck, but not straight razors.

      Reply
    • Bear says

      September 27, 2020 at 8:17 pm

      If the razor is used on the skin a cosmetologist cannot perform the service. Cosmetologist can only use a razor on the hair such as slithering a style or cut.

      Reply
  7. Jackson Bush says

    August 12, 2019 at 1:11 pm

    It’s good to know that licensed barbers can do all hair services. My wife is wanting to become a barber and she was wondering what kind of work she could do as a barber. I’ll let her know that she can work with all things involved with hair if she were to be a barber.

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      August 13, 2019 at 9:44 am

      That is funny you left this message. My husband was just asking me about what a person should do if they just want to do hair (no nails or facials). I said that person should be a barber then. Best wishes to your wife.

      Reply
  8. Richard says

    August 16, 2019 at 4:19 pm

    I do have a question. So as a cosmetologist I can use a straight razor on the head but not on the face? So I have to have a second license for barbering? Now. With that said do I have to go back to school for the full course to get my barbering license or can I just go and take the test?

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      August 17, 2019 at 9:12 am

      Hi Richard,

      There are barber and cosmetologist crossover courses for each profession. More cosmetologists do the barber crossover courses I suspect for just this reason.

      I am not sure you would need to take the exam, but I think it would be pretty likely.

      As far as using a straight razor on the head, I would contact the board office and see what they say. The FAQ only says face-http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/cosmetology/faqs/#1488479648563-fed13fb7-29eb

      Reply
  9. Armando Sanchez says

    August 17, 2019 at 7:30 pm

    Is a lather brush really prohibited from use in Florida barbershops?

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      August 18, 2019 at 10:31 am

      I do not believe it is in the FAQ. I’m guessing, if it is prohibited, it is because it is harder to sterilize bristles to remove all contaminants (AIDS, hepatitis, etc) as the bristles are likely porous. Anything that is porous should be single-use only.

      I will have to look over the Laws and Rules.

      Reply
  10. Braden Bills says

    September 24, 2019 at 8:39 am

    My son wants to become a barber. It makes sense that getting the right schooling would be vital! I can see how different beauty services would have different licensing requirements.

    Reply
  11. Sonni says

    September 25, 2019 at 1:21 am

    So if I wanted to specialize in women’s color corrections AND men’s cuts/shave, would it be best for me to do barbering? I don’t want to do nails or facials.

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      September 25, 2019 at 11:32 am

      I hate making decisions for people. But if those were the things I wanted to do, I would choose barbering too.

      Reply
  12. Skylar Williams says

    December 2, 2019 at 2:17 pm

    I had no idea that a business could not be both a barbershop and a salon at the same time. My nephew just graduated from college but he told me that he thinks he wants to go to take barber training courses. I’ll pass this information onto so he can be prepared for the future.

    Reply
  13. license? Powell says

    May 10, 2020 at 8:44 pm

    If I have a barber license and have owned a shop 31 years, what is required of me to also get a cosmetologist lucense?

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      May 11, 2020 at 10:22 am

      It is hard for me to know without knowing how many hours your barber training was. I would contact a cosmetology or barber school in your area and ask if they have crossover courses or evaluate transcripts to see how many hours you would need.

      Ivy

      Reply
  14. Sheryl Russell says

    November 6, 2020 at 11:27 am

    Omgosh this salon i went to was not a top dollar place , but i HAD LONG BEAUTIFUL HAIR .I WENT IN WITH PICS OF WHAT I WANTED TO GET DONE .NO LENGTH CUT JUST TOP LAYERS TOP VOLUME .OMGOSH MY HAIR IS UP PAST SHOULDERS SHE BUTCHERED MY HAIR ..I HONESTLY DONT THINK SHE WAS LICENCED FOR WOMENS HAIR .MAYBE JUST MENS AND TO DO NAILS ..OMGOSH IM SO DEPRESSED .SERIOUSLY I BOUGHT EXTENTIONS I DONT KNOW HOW TO USE …IM SO DEPRESSED .I DONT K OW WHAT TO DO AND ITS ALREADY SO SHORT IT CANT BE FIXED WITHOUT CUTTING SHORTER AND I DONT WANT HER TOUCHING MY HEAD. PLEASE HELP WHAT CAN I DO .ITS ONLY BEEN NOT EVEN 2 WEEKS THE INTERNET SAID WAIT LIKE 2 WEEKS FOR HAIR TO RELAX .BUT IT IS ME THAT HAS TO WAIT OR ELSE I WILL LOOSE IT IN THERE AND HAVE A NERVIOUS BREAK DOWN .WHAT CAN I DO IT HAS TO BE FIXED BUT HOW AND WHO

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      November 6, 2020 at 3:12 pm

      I would find a reputable salon in your area and consult with a cosmetologist or barber about what can be done to help your current situation. They can give you ideas and hopefully put your mind at ease.

      If you believe you saw someone that is unlicensed, you can report that activity to the DBPR. However, there is not a men’s or women’s license.

      Reply
  15. Yana says

    April 2, 2022 at 10:00 pm

    I want to open a salon where a nail master and a hairdresser will work. What type of license do I need salon or barbershop?

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      April 4, 2022 at 9:17 am

      I would look at a salon license from the board of cosmetology for a nail specialist and cosmetologist.

      Reply
  16. Cindy says

    April 3, 2022 at 12:38 pm

    I am a Licensed Massage Therapist as well as a Licensed Barber. I have been on the quest to find out if I am able to do facials in a spa setting. I Have spoken to numerous Cosmetology/Barber board members who have come to inspect the salon I used to work at yet no one seems to be able to give me a definitive answer.

    I have license to touch /massage the face & scalp with Massage Therapy Lic. (with creams oils and hot towels) as well as with Barber lic. (to touch face and scalp).

    I want to expand my field of work in the Spa industry to occasionally perform facials but did not want to pay for more training as a Facial specialist when I thought I had enough combined training with my dual license.

    If you have any insight on this subject it would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply
    • Ivy Hultquist says

      April 4, 2022 at 9:23 am

      No one is likely giving you an answer since it really is kind of a messy scope/legal issue. So, I really cannot give you a definitive answer either. You will likely need to get that from either a lawyer or a declaratory statement from a board. With massage, we can massage the face for the muscles and muscle, but we really cannot be offering facials for skincare reasons from what I understand. Without knowing what your facials will involve exactly, it is impossible for me to say. Are they just hot towels or are you planning to add masks or do extractions? Those would seem to be more in line with a facial specialist.

      Reply

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