Moving to a new state is usually exciting. Florida’s sunshine, beaches, and opportunities make it an attractive place to live and work. However, once you start to transfer a barber license to Florida (or any other state) the process can become overwhelming. That is because it is new and unfamiliar.
Helping barbers transfer a barber license to Florida is not new to us. We have helped thousands of professionals transfer licenses to Florida, quickly and easily. Whether you are moving to Miami, Orlando, or (best coast-west coast) Tampa, let’s cover the licensing process, step by step, and help you take the first steps today towards getting your license. And we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from new licensees and applicants.
If you are ready to get started on transferring your license to Florida, we are ready to help you get started on this process. Let’s go.
3 Steps to Transfer a Barber License to Florida
- Complete a Barber Board-approved 2-Hour HIV/AIDS course
- Fill out the appropriate application and pay the application fee
- Print your license
Yes, that does seem simple. But we know you still have questions about the required hours, applications, and licensed barbershops. So, let’s cover each step in a little more detail.
Step 1: Complete an initial 2-hour HIV course approved by the Florida Barber Board
The first step to transfer a barber license to Florida is to complete a barber board-approved 2-hour HIV/AIDS course. This is the only course required for barber and restricted barber applicants. And it can be taken online, right here.
Purchase 2-Hour HIV/AIDS Course
Don’t worry, we will have another link to the course later on if you need to keep reading.
Step 2: Fill out the appropriate application and pay the application fee
Florida has a few different licenses and applications that you will need to look at and see what requirements you meet. To look at the applications and requirements, visit the Barber Board website or the Department of Professional Business and Regulation website.
What licenses are issued by the Florida Barbers’ Board?
Barber
License Prefix: BB
A barber is licensed to practice barbering in the State of Florida.
“Barbering” refers to the following practices: shaving, cutting, trimming, coloring, shampooing, arranging, dressing, curling, or waving the hair or beard; or applying oils, creams, lotions, or other preparations to the face, scalp, or neck, either by hand or by mechanical appliances.
Restricted Barber
License Prefix: BR
A restricted barber’s practice is restricted to the terms, conditions and restrictions imposed on their license.
The restrictions include hair cutting, shave, shampoo, blow-dry hair, and apply hair tonics and hair sprays.
Barber Assistant
License Prefix: BA
A barber assistant’s practice is confined solely to shampooing hair and applying hair tonics or conditioner under the supervision of a licensed barber.
The Barbers’ Board no longer issues new Barber Assistant licenses, but those previously issued can still be renewed.
Barbershop
License Prefix: BS
A “barbershop” is a place of business where the practice of barbering takes place.
Please Note
There is not a “Master Barber” or “Barber Instructor” license designation issued by the Florida Barbers’ Board.
What are the differences between barber and cosmetologist licenses in Florida?
Barbers in Florida are licensed by the Barbers’ Board. Cosmetologists have their own Board. The Cosmetology Board, in addition to Cosmetologists, also licenses/registers Nail Specialists, Facial Specialists, Full Specialists, Salons, Hair Braiders, Hair Wrappers, and Body Wrappers.
The differences between barbers and cosmetologists may seem minor, but still are important to know.
Do I qualify for a Florida Barber License?
Maybe. Everyone’s situation different because every state has different requirements. Unfortunately, this means we cannot give you a definitive “yes” or “no”. You need to determine this, but the below information should help you determine what requirements you need to complete.
Remember, Florida does not have reciprocity; meaning your license in another state is not enough to legally practice in Florida. You must have a Florida Barber License to legally practice your trade and straight razor skills in Florida.
License via Endorsement
Endorsement means you qualify for a license in Florida without having to take an examination by holding an active barber license in another state or country whose requirements for licensure are comparable or more stringent than Florida requirements. This means you have completed 1,200 educational hours and passed a written examination.
All endorsement applicants must submit a board-approved 2 Hour HIV/AIDS course with their application and fees.
Out-of-country barber endorsement applicants
If you are a licensed barber in another country, you must obtain an evaluation from a credential evaluation service which is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). The credential evaluation must be submitted with your application.
All out-of-country endorsement applicants must submit a board-approved 2 Hour HIV/AIDS course with their application and fees.
License via Examination
If you were/are licensed in a state that does/did not require 1200 hours or a written examination, you most likely do not qualify for endorsement.
This is for out-of-state or out-of-country barbers who are unable to endorse a license in Florida. You may be eligible for examination as a barber or restricted barber in Florida if you have held your barber license for at least one year.
If you meet this eligibility requirement, you must provide proof of licensure by submitting a current license copy that contains proof of an issuance date of one year earlier or a certification from the applicable state or country verifying licensure or authority to practice with your application. Once your application is approved, you will be eligible to sit for the examination.
What are the Restricted Barber requirements?
Actually, in 2019, the Barber Board reduced the number of hours required for a Restricted Barber license to 600 hours. If you do not qualify for the barber licenses we talked about above, you may qualify for a Restricted Barber license.
License Application Fees
These fees are new after 3/31/2020:
- Barber – Range from $173.50 to $255
- Restricted Barber – Range from $194.50 to $244.20
- Barbershop – $130
- Barber Assistant – This license is only able to be renewed. The board no longer takes new applications for this license designation.
Yes, there are different application fees for even and odd years.
Barber by Examination
- $223.50 if applying between April 1st of even years through July 31st of odd years.
- $173.50 if applying between August 1st of odd years through March 31st of even years.
Restricted Barber by Examination
- $244.50 if applying between April 1st of even years through July 31st of odd years.
- $194.50 if applying between August 1st of odd years through March 31st of even years.
Barber by Endorsement
- $255.00 if applying between April 1st of even years through July 31st of odd years.
- $205.00 if applying between August 1st of odd years through March 31st of even years.
All license applications for the Barbers’ Board can be found here.
Step 3: Print Your License
The Barber Board has moved to paperless licensing, which means that they no longer mail newly issued, duplicate, or renewed licenses. Once your license is issued, you will receive an email with instructions to print your new license.
Back to Step 1
Ready t start the process to transfer your Florida a barber license to Florida? Here is your first step again, the 2-hour HIV/AIDS course.
Purchase 2-Hour HIV/AIDS Course
Florida Barber FAQ’s
How do I renew my Florida barber license?
Every Florida licensed barber, restricted barber, and barber assistant must renew their license every two years by the July 31st deadline during an even year (2020, 2022) to keep it active.
A 2-hour HIV/AIDS course is required for the renewal of a barber and restricted barber license during each renewal cycle.
How do I obtain a barbershop license?
- Application BAR5
- Fee $110-$130
All rules regarding Barbershops can be found at the end of the application. Rules include who can work in a Barbershop, the display of licenses, and sanitation requirements.
Inspections
You must complete the barbershop application and pay the required application fee.
After your barbershop license is issued, within approximately 90 days, an inspector will visit your shop unannounced for the initial inspection. You can open your barbershop when you receive the barbershop license. You do not need to wait to open until you are inspected.
Here is the link to renew your license.
Can licensed barbers work in a licensed salon?
Yes. A licensed barber is allowed to work in a cosmetology salon as long as a licensed cosmetologist is also employed.
Can licensed cosmetologists work in a licensed barbershop?
Yes. A licensed cosmetologist is allowed to work in a barbershop as long as a licensed barber is also employed.
Can I complete your website’s 4 hour HIV/AIDS course for initial licensure and use it for applying to the Barbers’ Board?
Again, the barber and cosmetology professions have different boards and separately approve providers and courses. If you hold cosmetology and barber licenses, you will need to complete an approved HIV/AIDS course for each board.
While we are approved by each board, our 4-Hour HIV/AIDS course is only approved by the Cosmetology board and this 2-Hour course is approved by the Barbers’ board. If you are licensed in both professions, you will need to complete both an approved 4-hour and 2-hour HIV/AIDS course, as there is no reciprocity between the boards for continuing education. A link to purchase the 4-hour course is under the “Courses” tab at the top of the page.
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