477.019  Cosmetologists; qualifications; licensure; license renewal; endorsement.--

(1)  A person desiring to be licensed as a cosmetologist shall apply to the department for licensure.

(2)  An applicant shall be entitled to take the licensure examination to practice cosmetology if the applicant:

(a)  Is at least 16 years of age or has received a high school diploma;

(b)  Pays the required application fee; and

(c)

1.  Holds an active valid license to practice cosmetology in another state or country, has held the license for at least 1 year, and does not qualify for licensure by endorsement as provided for in subsection (5); or

2.  Has received a minimum of 1,200 hours of training as established by the board, which shall include, but shall not be limited to, the equivalent of completion of services directly related to the practice of cosmetology at one of the following:

a.  A school of cosmetology licensed pursuant to chapter 246.

b.  A cosmetology program within the public school system.

c.  The Cosmetology Division of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, provided the division meets the standards of this chapter.

d.  A government-operated cosmetology program in this state.

The board shall establish by rule procedures whereby the school or program may certify that a person is qualified to take the required examination after the completion of a minimum of 1,000 actual school hours. If the person then passes the examination, he or she shall have satisfied this requirement; but if the person fails the examination, he or she shall not be qualified to take the examination again until the completion of the full requirements provided by this section.

(3)  Upon an applicant receiving a passing grade, as established by board rule, on the examination and paying the initial licensing fee, the department shall issue a license to practice cosmetology.

(4)  Renewal of license registration shall be accomplished pursuant to rules adopted by the board.

(5)  The board shall adopt rules specifying procedures for the licensure by endorsement of practitioners desiring to be licensed in this state who hold a current active license in another state and who have met qualifications substantially similar to, equivalent to, or greater than the qualifications required of applicants from this state.