As you look through possible careers in the Florida health and beauty industry, or search for the license of a Florida beauty professional, you may see a unique term, a “full specialist” on cosmetology school and salon websites. What is exactly is a full specialist?
A nail specialist and a facial specialist are both pretty self-explanatory. In Florida, nail techs are registered by the state as “nail specialists”. A nail specialist is someone who does manicures and pedicures. And what most other states call estheticians, are registered by the Board of Cosmetology in Florida as facial specialists. A facial specialist is someone who is licensed to perform skincare services, such as facials and makeup.
The Board of Cosmetology also registers Full Specialists. This is someone who is trained and registered to offer the services of both a nail and facial specialist. They can do manicures, pedicures, facials, and many other skincare services. If you have more questions about this career, including renewal courses and licensing questions for out of state estheticians and nail techs, I promise to cover all of that below.
How to find a full specialist training program?
Are you interested in doing facials and doing nails? If so, a full specialist license might be something to look closer at.
Full specialist programs are typically completed and a cosmetology school. If you are interested in becoming a full specialist, contact a Florida cosmetology school. Recently, Florida reduced (link) the number of hours required for a full specialist license. A full specialist program can be completed in as little as 400 to 500 hours. Facial and nail specialists trainings are each around 200 hours. That means within four to six months you can have a new career in the beauty industry.
Where do specialists work?
Like most other cosmetology professionals, full specialists work in licensed salons or at the client’s chosen location. Being licensed or registered to do facial, skincare, and nail services open up wide possibilities of careers and unique opportunities. It also breaks up the monotony of doing one job all day long.
I have talked to many full specialists about their job. When I ask them why they chose this career, or their favorite thing about it, time and time again, I’ve been told they love the variety. The variety of services they can offer made it worth the extra time spent in school.
You can open up your own big or little salon. Maybe you dream of a trendy nail or brow bar. You could also focus on wedding parties, doing just makeup and nails for brides and their wedding parties. There are many exciting possibilities.
Again, here are just a few services a full specialist may offer:
- Facials
- Waxing
- Makeup
- Eyebrow services
- Manicures
- Pedicures
You can also add on other licenses or services, like tattoo artist (eyebrow microblading), electrolysis tech (hair removal), or massage therapist. You can also choose the route of just becoming a nail specialist or facial specialist.
How do you know if someone is a licensed full specialist?
If their license number starts with an FV, they are a nail specialist. If their license number starts with an FB, they are a facial specialist. And, if their license number starts with an FS, they are a full specialist. You can check to see if a license is active/valid right here, DBPR license verification.
How much can a specialist make?
Since it is such a unique qualification, it is difficult to pinpoint. What we do know is that nail specialists make around $25,000 a year and facial specialists make around $32,000 a year. Income for a full specialist should be in that ballpark. It is unclear if tips are included in either of these figures either. These figures are the averages. There are professionals that make more and less than these figures.
What are the continuing education requirements for full specialist
In 2020, the continuing education requirement to renew a full specialist license was reduced from 16 hours to 10 hours. You can find our 10-hour board-approved renewal course for cosmetologists and all specialists here, 10-hour Florida Cosmetology Continuing Education Course.
I am a licensed nail tech and esthetician in another state. How do I get licensed as a full specialist in Florida?
If you are dual-licensed as a nail tech and esthetician in another state and plan to move to Florida, you can use both your active licenses to apply for a full specialist by endorsement. You will need to complete a cosmetology board-approved 4-hour HIV/AIDS course.
Still have questions about any of the above, let me know below and I will respond as soon as possible. Or share your career plans or experience as a specialist. I love to hear what people are doing in Florida with their careers.
Moving to Florida, does florida allow full specialist to do extractions or do I need to get an esthetician license?
A full specialist is a combination of a nail and facial (aka esthetician) specialist license.
I am not sure exactly which extractions you are meaning, but you can contact the cosmetology board about the scope of a full or facial specialist.
Ivy
I am a licensed nail technician in Florida and interested in becoming a full specialist what so I have to do
I would assume you would need to complete a facial specialist program and then fill out an application for a full specialist.
Thank you
Hi. I’m a full specialist in Florida. What are the requirements to teach other estheticians? Can I hold courses on eyelash extensions, lash/brow lift/tint, dermaplanning … for example…
Thank you! I can’t seem to find the info anywhere.
Hi Kelsey!
Florida does not have an instructor license for cosmetologists, nail, facial, or full specialists.
If you are wanting to teach CE courses, you would need to get those courses approved by the cosmetology board. There are applications on their website – http://www.myfloridalicense.com.
Buenas noches, Es que coji el examen de cuatro hora de sida. Y no se si falta algo más de pagar. Necesito ayuda soy full specialist.
¿Su licencia de Florida está vencida o es nula? ¿O está intentando transferir una licencia de otro estado?
I went to cosmetology in 2013 but was not able to complete my state board. I’m interested in doing brow services like threading, wax, micro blading but also would like to add eyelashes, and make up.. would a full specialist license allow me to go so? Or would I have to get different license in the state of Florida.
Some of those services would be full or facial specialist services. But microblading would be under the tattoo licensing, I believe. A full specialist could also do nails. If you do not care to do nails, then I would look at facial specialists. Also, if you have finished school, have you thought about taking your exam again and getting licensed as a cosmetologist? They can do hair, nail, and facial services.
If I get a license as a nail tech, then later on for facial speciality, would I still need to complete the HIV/AIDS course?
My guess is that you could use the certificate for your application as long as it is was taken within the last two years. That is the same for all applications, I believe.
I am a licensed nail specialist already so I would need an additional 200 hours to receive my full specialist license?
You would need meet the minimum hours for the facial portion which looks to be 220 hours.
Full specialist – 400 school hours (180 nail hours, plus 220 facial hours)
http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/cosmetology/faqs/#1488479371253-872f97e5-2e03
Hi! I am a facial specialist and would like to become dual licensed. I can’t seem to figure out if I need to take a course to complete hours that the state observes as an accredited facility or if I can test out because I already have one license.
I believe you would just use your previous education as proof for the facial portion. Then once you complete the nail course, you would send proof of both programs in with your application. http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/cosmetology/faqs/#1488479371253-872f97e5-2e03
What is the difference between a licensed esthetician vs a full specialist? Can full specialist still do anything a licensed esthetician can do also?
Hello, I need some guidance, I cant seem to find this information anywhere?
1. Are Facial Specialist only allowed to work inside a licensed salon?
2. Are Facial Specialists allowed to perform non-invasive body treatments to clients, such as RF, cavitation? (I do not see anything that speaks about non-invasive body treatments).
The board website FAQ is a great place for these types of questions – http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/cosmetology/faqs/
This question is great for scope questions – http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/cosmetology/faqs/#1595007276585-9243d62f-dbc9 (Actually, the whole scope of practice faq is worth reading for all licensees).
This page on Statutes is also very helpful – http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0400-0499/0477/Sections/0477.013.html
I have Japanese cosmetology license, and lash specialist license of Texas. The school hours was 1400 hours, can I get full specialist license of Florida ?
I have Japanese cosmetology license and eye lash specialist license of Texsus , is it possible to apply full specialist of florida ?
This is tricky (international education and then a different license in another state). I would contact the Florida board. You may be able to apply using COSMO 2 application and get your cosmetology license. I am just not sure how they will handle your unique situation.
Si soy cosmetologa puedo trabajar solamente los tratamientos faciales o debo estudiar ademas full especialista
HI I am a full speciaallist in florida and I wanted to know if Full Specialist can work in a barbershop
Great question! I did not see anything on the Barber FAQ http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/barbers/faqs/. The Cosmo board faq (http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/cosmetology/faqs/#1595007276585-9243d62f-dbc9) says something about a cosmetologist being able to, but does not mention any specialist licenses. I would contact both boards to see what they recommend. A location can only have either a salon or barbershop license, so it will be interesting to see what they say.