Florida: licenses for lash extensions, lash lifts, tints and brow work

The short answer

• Lash extensions (“semipermanent lashes”): a cosmetology license, or a full or facial specialist registration.
• Lash lifts and perms: cosmetologists and full or facial specialists, using only a gel form of ammonium thioglycolate.
• Lash and brow tinting and hair removal: not covered by the makeup exemption, so they need a license.
• Threading: Florida law does not name it. As hair removal it is outside the makeup exemption; ask the Board.

What the rules say

Florida Board of Cosmetology rule 61G5-18.00015 defines semipermanent lashes as extensions glued onto natural lashes and says applying them needs a cosmetology license or a full or facial specialist registration. The same rule lets those licensees do lash lifts, with the gel ammonium thioglycolate limit.

Section 477.0135 of the Florida Statutes lets people apply makeup without a license, but says that exemption does not include semipermanent lash application, lash or brow tinting, or hair removal.

Specialist registrations

A facial specialist registration is a shorter path than a full cosmetology license and covers skin care services, including lash work under the rule above. The Board sets the course hours; check the current number with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

The studio

• A cosmetology salon license from DBPR, with an inspection.
• Ten hours of continuing education for licensees at each renewal.