Your barber license renewal is not something to put off until the last minute.
In Florida, licensed barbers and restricted barbers must renew. Every two years through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation or DBPR.
If you miss the deadline. You cannot cut hair, shave clients or earn money as a barber. That is why it is better to start early.
The good news is that the process is simple once you know what to do.This guide explains each step you need to follow in Florida.
It covers how to check your expiration date and complete your required education. It also explains how to send in your application and pay the required fees.
Whether this is your first time or you have done it many times. The Barbering Academy created this guide to help you stay ready. It can also help you avoid last minute surprises.
When Does Your Florida Barber License Expire
Florida barber and restricted barber licenses expire on July 31 of every even numbered year..The next deadline is July 31, 2026.After that the following deadline will be July 31, 2028.
The DBPR usually sends an email. About 90 to 120 days before your license expires. This message lets you know. That you can begin the renewal process.
Still, it is not a good idea to depend only on that email..Your contact details may be old or the message may go into your spam folder. Missing the email will not excuse a late renewal.
It is better to add the deadline to your own calendar. Try to begin the process 30 to 60 days before July 31.
This gives you time to finish your required education and wait for your hours to appear in the system. You will also have time to fix any problems with your DBPR account.
What You Need Before You Start the Renewal Process
Before you log into the DBPR portal and begin your barber license renewal. Make sure you have everything in order.Jumping in unprepared can lead to delays that put your license at risk.
Here is a pre-renewal checklist to work through before you start:
- Verify your email and mailing address with the DBPR. This is where all renewal notices go. Log into your MyFloridaLicense account and confirm your contact details are current.
- Check your license status.Visit the DBPR License Verification Portal and search your name or license number. Confirm whether your license is active, inactive or delinquent. So you know which renewal path applies.
- Confirm your license type. The renewal process is the same for both full barber (BB) and restricted barber (BR) licenses. Same deadline, same CE requirement.
The only difference is scope of practice since full barbers can perform chemical services while restricted barbers cannot.
- Complete your 2-hour HIV/AIDS continuing education course. Your renewal cannot be processed until your CE hours are completed and reported to the DBPR. Do this first.
- Have your payment method ready. Renewal fees are paid online by credit card or electronic check.
The 2 Hour HIV AIDS Course Every Barber Needs to Complete
The single continuing education requirement for your barber license renewal in Florida is a 2-hour board-approved course on HIV/AIDS. No other CE courses are required by the Florida Barbers’ Board.
This course covers important topics that directly affect your work behind the chair:
- How HIV is transmitted and how it is not
- Infection control procedures relevant to barbering
- Prevention strategies for the workplace
- Sanitation requirements when working with blades and skin
- Misconceptions and stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS
- ADA protections for HIV-positive barbers and clients
The course must be completed through a DBPR-approved provider. The Barbering Academy offers a Florida Barber’s 2-Hour HIV/AIDS Course that is fully online and can be completed at your own pace.
Once you finish the course. Your completion is reported to the DBPR and you receive a certificate to keep for your records.
A note about the SB 382 exemption:
As of July 1, 2024, Florida barbers who have held an active license continuously for at least 10 years with no disciplinary action may be exempt from continuing education requirements.
You can verify your exemption status through your MyFloridaLicense account or the DBPR License Verification Portal.
If you qualify, you still need to pay the renewal fee but can skip the HIV/AIDS course.
How to Renew Your Barber License on the DBPR Portal Step by Step
Once your continuing education is complete and reported, you can finish the process through the DBPR portal.
Here is how the process works:
- Go to MyFloridaLicense.com. This is the official DBPR portal for all license management in Florida.
- Log in to your account. Enter your username and password. If you do not have an account. Create one using your license number and personal information.
- Choose the correct license. Your licenses will appear on the dashboard. Select the one you want to update.If you have more than one. Remember that each one must be handled separately.
- Navigate to the renewal section. Follow the steps shown on the screen..Check your name, address, employer and contact information.
- Confirm your CE completion. The system must show that your required hours are complete. If they are missing, contact your course provider.
- Pay the renewal fee. Accepted payment methods include credit card and electronic check. Save your receipt.
- Submit your application. Once submitted, your renewal is in the system. You can check the status of your renewal by logging back into your account at any time.
Barber License Renewal Fees in Florida
Renewal fees vary depending on your license status and whether you submit on time or late.
Here is a breakdown:
| License Status | On-Time Fee | Late Fee |
| Active barber license renewal | $70 | $95 |
| Inactive license renewal | $35 | $60 |
| Active switching to inactive | $35 | $70 |
| Inactive reactivating to active | $170 | $195 |
Late fees apply after the July 31 deadline.The longer you wait beyond that date. The more complicated and expensive the process becomes.
If your license goes null and void, you are looking at a full reinstatement application with additional fees and documentation requirements.
All fees are paid to the DBPR and are non-refundable. The renewal fee covers a two-year license period.
How Long the Renewal Process Takes and When CE Hours Get Reported
Many barbers want to know how long the process takes. Here is what to expect:
CE reporting time. After you finish your HIV and AIDS course, the provider sends your hours to the DBPR. Most providers, including The Barbering Academy, send them within 24 hours.
Still, it may take up to 48 hours for the hours to appear. If you finish your course on July 30 and the hours appear on August 1. You could miss the deadline.
Renewal processing time. After you send your application and pay the fee, the DBPR reviews it online. Your status may appear within a few hours or days.
The process may take longer near the July 31 deadline because many people submit forms at once.
Receiving your updated license. The DBPR does not mail printed copies. You can find your copy in your MyFloridaLicense account.
Florida rules require barbers to display a laminated license at their work area. It must include a recent two by two photo. A glass frame does not meet this rule.
The main point is simple. Finish your course and submit everything at least 30 days early.
What Happens If You Miss the Barber License Renewal Deadline
If you do not complete your barber license renewal by July 31..The consequences escalate quickly:
Delinquent status. Your license becomes delinquent the day after the deadline. You are not legally allowed to practice barbering in Florida with a delinquent license.
Every day you work without a valid license puts you at risk of fines and disciplinary action from the DBPR.
Late fees. Renewal fees increase immediately. An active license that costs $70 on time jumps to $95 after the deadline. An inactive license goes from $35 to $60. These fees only go up the longer you wait.
Null and void status. If you let your license sit long enough without renewing, it can go null and void. At that point, a simple late renewal is no longer an option.
You will need to go through a formal reinstatement process, which requires additional paperwork, higher fees, and a written explanation of why you failed to renew.
The financial cost of missing a barber license renewal deadline is real, but the bigger cost is lost income.
Every day you cannot legally work is a day of lost clients, lost revenue, and lost momentum in your career.
How to Reinstate a Lapsed or Expired Barber License in Florida
If your barber license has already gone null and void, you can still get it back. The reinstatement process is more involved than a standard renewal, but it is not impossible.
Here is what the DBPR requires for reinstatement:
- Submit a reinstatement application..Use the appropriate DBPR form for your license type (BAR 5 for barbers, BAR 6 for restricted barbers).
- Provide a written explanation. You must explain the reason you failed to renew your license. The DBPR accepts illness or economic hardship as valid reasons. Be honest and specific in your explanation.
- Complete your continuing education. If your license lapsed and you are not exempt under SB 382, you will need to complete the 2-hour HIV/AIDS course before your reinstatement can be processed.
- Pay the reinstatement fee. Reinstatement fees are higher than standard renewal fees. The exact amount depends on how long your license has expired.
- Wait for DBPR review. Unlike a standard barber license renewal, reinstatement applications require review and approval. This means longer processing times.
The best way to avoid this process entirely. Is to never let your license lapse in the first place. Set a reminder, complete your CE early and renew on time.
Keep Your License Active and Your Skills Sharp at The Barbering Academy
Your barber license renewal keeps you legal. But staying sharp behind the chair is what keeps clients coming back.
The Barbering Academy is a licensed barber school in Miami with two campuses in Doral and Miami Gardens.
Beyond training the next generation of barbers through its professional barber programs. The Barbering Academy also supports licensed barbers with continuing education and professional development.
If you need to complete your 2-hour HIV/AIDS course for your barber license renewal.
The Barbering Academy offers the course online so you can finish it on your own schedule and get your hours reported to the DBPR quickly.
If you are a licensed barber looking to sharpen your technique or add new services to your skill set, ask about continuing education workshops designed specifically for working professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often do I need to renew my barber license in Florida?
A: You must renew it every two years.Barber and restricted barber licenses expire on July 31 in even numbered years.
Q: What happens if I forget to renew my barber license?
A: Your license becomes delinquent. So you cannot work as a barber. Late fees may apply. If you wait too long..The license may become null and void and you may need to apply for reinstatement.
Q: Do I need continuing education to renew my barber license in Florida?
A: Yes. You must complete a two hour HIV and AIDS course approved by the board. Some barbers may qualify for the SB 382 exemption.After 10 years of active licensing without disciplinary action.
Q: How much does it cost to renew a barber license in Florida?
A: A barber license renewal costs $70 when paid on time..A late renewal costs $95. Reactivating an inactive license costs $170.
Q: Is the barber license renewal process the same for restricted barbers?
A: Yes. Full barbers and restricted barbers follow the same deadline, education rules, and DBPR portal steps.The main difference is the type of services each license allows.
Q: What programs does The Barbering Academy offer?
A: The school offers a 900 hour Barber program that takes about nine months. It also offers a 600 hour Restricted Barber program that takes about six months.Licensed cosmetologists can choose the 300 hour Cosmo to Barber program which takes about three months.
Q: Where is The Barbering Academy located?
A: The school has two Florida campuses..The Doral campus is at 10442 NW 31st Terrace, Doral, Florida 33172. The second campus is in Miami Gardens.
Q: Does The Barbering Academy offer the HIV and AIDS course for license renewal?
A: Yes. The school offers a two hour online course approved by the Florida Barbers Board.
Q: Does The Barbering Academy offer Financial assistance?
A: Yes.Financial assistance may be available for students who qualify. Contact admissions for details.
Q: Can I visit before enrolling?
A: Yes. Tours are available at both campuses..Book a tour online or call 305 454 1234.
The Barbering Academy helps people begin and grow their barbering careers. Whether you need barber license renewal help, career training or stronger skills. A campus visit is a first step.
Book a tour at our Doral or Miami Gardens campus and see the difference for yourself.