Loading...
Loading...
Florida requires 900 training hours and a written exam through Pearson VUE. The DBPR oversees all barber licensing, and you'll need a 2-hour HIV/AIDS course before applying. Here's the full breakdown for 2026.
900
Training Hours
Written
Exam Only
$70+
Renewal Fee
2 hrs
HIV CE Required
Florida's barber licensing is handled by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) under the Florida Barbers' Board. The state requires 900 hours of training at an approved barbering school — less than many states require for cosmetology but more than some other states require for barbering.
One distinction worth knowing: Florida barbering and Florida cosmetology are regulated separately. The barber exam is different from the cosmetology exam, the HIV/AIDS course is shorter (2 hours vs. 4 hours), and the renewal cycle has different deadlines. If you've been looking at cosmetology resources, double-check that you're reading barber-specific information.
You need to be at least 16 years old to enroll in a Florida barbering program. Florida does not have a high school diploma requirement at the state level for barber licensure, though individual schools may have their own enrollment policies. Some schools allow students to begin barber training while still in high school.
Enroll in a Florida-approved barbering school and complete all 900 training hours. The curriculum covers haircutting, shaving, facial hair services, scalp treatments, sanitation, and Florida state laws. At full-time attendance of 35-40 hours per week, you can finish the program in roughly 5-6 months. A restricted barber license requires only 600 hours but comes with a narrower scope of practice.
Before applying for your license, complete a 2-hour HIV/AIDS education course approved by the Florida Barbers' Board. This is not the same as the 4-hour course required for cosmetology — you need the barber-specific 2-hour version. It can be done online. Keep the completion certificate for your license application.
Once your school certifies your hour completion, you can apply to sit for the Florida barber exam through Pearson VUE. The exam is computer-based and covers barbering theory, sanitation practices, and Florida regulations. The passing score is 70%. There is no practical component — Florida barbers only take a written exam.
Submit your license application through the MyFloridaLicense.com portal. You will need proof of training completion, your Pearson VUE exam results, and your HIV/AIDS course certificate. Pay the application fee. DBPR reviews your application and issues your Florida barber license.
Florida's barber exam is administered by Pearson VUE in computer-based testing (CBT) format. You schedule the exam through Pearson VUE after the DBPR approves your application. The exam covers barbering theory, sanitation and infection control, and Florida-specific rules for barbering practice.
Florida does not require a practical exam for barber licensure. The written exam tests your knowledge of barbering science, sanitation protocols, and state law. You need a 70% to pass. This is lower than Florida's cosmetology passing score of 75%, and it reflects the national norm for barber exams.
Pearson VUE administers the exam at testing centers throughout Florida. You schedule after DBPR approval. Results are typically available immediately after the exam. If you don't pass, the DBPR candidate information booklet outlines the retake policy and waiting periods.
Florida's barber exam includes questions on Florida state law and DBPR regulations. Generic national study materials won't fully prepare you for these questions. Make sure your study plan includes Florida-specific barbering statutes and DBPR rules, not just general barbering theory.
Florida offers two barber license tiers. The full barber license requires 900 hours and gives you the complete scope of practice. The restricted barber license requires 600 hours but limits what services you can legally perform.
900 hrs
Complete scope of practice: haircutting, shaving, beard services, scalp treatments, chemical services, and all DBPR-authorized barbering services.
600 hrs
Limited scope of practice as defined by the Florida Barbers' Board. Faster path to licensure but with service restrictions. Most working barbers pursue the full 900-hour license.
Florida barber licenses expire on July 31 of every even-numbered year. You need to complete a 2-hour HIV/AIDS refresher course during each renewal period. The renewal fee is approximately $70-$105 depending on the license type. Unlike Florida's cosmetology license, there is no broader CE requirement beyond the HIV/AIDS course — but that course is mandatory every renewal cycle.
Florida barber licenses expire on July 31 of even-numbered years regardless of when you were licensed. That fixed expiration date means your renewal window depends on when you got licensed. Check MyFloridaLicense.com to see your specific expiration date.
Each renewal requires a new 2-hour HIV/AIDS course from a Florida Barbers' Board-approved provider. The course taken for initial licensure does not count for renewal. Online courses are available and typically run $15-$30.
The renewal fee is approximately $70-$105 (depending on license type) plus the cost of the 2-hour HIV/AIDS course ($15-$30 online). Total renewal cost runs roughly $85-$135 every 2 years. Renew before July 31 to avoid late fees and potential reinstatement requirements.
Barbering Exam Prep Guide
Full exam format, domains, and study plan for barber licensing
Florida Cosmetology License
1,200 hours — Florida's full-service beauty license
Florida Esthetics License
260 hours — skin care and facial specialist license
Florida Nail Tech License
240 hours — fastest path to a Florida beauty license
Cosmetology License by State
Compare requirements across all 50 states
License Renewal Guide
Renewal periods, CE hours, and fees by state