Esthetician student practicing facial treatment at Hyphen Beauty School

How to Become a Licensed Esthetician in Orlando, Florida

Florida is one of the easiest and fastest states in the country to become a licensed esthetician. With a required 220 hours of training and no state board exam, the entire licensing process can be completed in just 10 weeks when you choose the right school. This makes esthetics an ideal path for career changers, especially women working in retail, hospitality, or service jobs who want a more stable and fulfilling career.

Below is a clear, step-by-step overview of how to become a licensed Facial Specialist (Florida’s official term for estheticians), plus how Hyphen Beauty School streamlines the process.

1. Understand Florida’s Facial Specialist License

In Florida, estheticians are officially licensed as Facial Specialists. While the terminology differs from other states, the services are the same: facials, waxing, skincare treatments, makeup artistry, brow and lash services, and more. Understanding this terminology will help when researching licensing requirements or completing state paperwork.

Florida’s system is simpler than most states because it does not require a state exam for esthetician licensure. Once you complete the required education and submit your application, you can legally work as an esthetician in spas, salons, medspas, and other beauty environments.

2. Complete 220 Hours of Approved Esthetics Training

To become licensed, Florida requires completion of 220 hours at a Florida-approved esthetician school. These hours must include training in facials, hair removal, makeup, sanitation practices, skincare theory, and hands-on work.

Hyphen Beauty School meets this requirement through a 10-week hybrid program designed for working adults. Students complete up to 100 hours online using Hyphen’s eLearning platform, with the remaining hands-on hours completed on campus over two days per week. This structure makes it possible for students to maintain their income while working toward licensure.

3. Build Hands-On Skills Through Real Client Experience

Hands-on practice is essential for developing confidence and skill as an esthetician. Florida requires students to perform real treatments such as facials, extractions, waxing, and brow shaping under instructor supervision. At Hyphen, students train in a professional student spa environment, giving them experience with real clients and real skincare concerns.

This practical training helps students learn proper consultation techniques, treatment planning, customer service etiquette, and the ability to adapt services to different skin types and sensitivities. By graduation, students feel comfortable performing services at a professional level.

4. Submit Your Application to Become Licensed

Once you complete your hours, you can apply to the Florida Board of Cosmetology for your Facial Specialist license. The process is simple:

  • Submit your Facial Specialist registration form

  • Complete the required HIV/AIDS course (included at Hyphen)

  • Pay the state fee

  • Ensure your school submits proof of completed hours

Unlike many states, there is no written exam required. Hyphen’s staff assists students with the application process to ensure everything is submitted correctly and without delay.

5. Start Working as a Licensed Esthetician

Once your application is processed, you will receive your Facial Specialist license and can begin working immediately. Many students secure employment even before finishing the program, especially in Orlando’s booming spa and hospitality industry.

Licensed estheticians in Florida work in day spas, resort spas, dermatology and medspa clinics, brow bars, lash studios, and makeup-focused environments. Some also go on to freelance or open their own skincare studios. Because Florida has such a strong beauty and tourism market, job opportunities are abundant year-round.

6. Why Hyphen Is One of the Fastest Paths to Licensure

Hyphen’s hybrid esthetics program is designed for speed, flexibility, and real-world readiness:

  • Only 10 weeks to complete Florida’s required 220 hours

  • Two days per week of on-campus training for working students

  • Up to 100 hours online, completed at your own pace

  • Dermalogica product training included

  • Small class sizes and personalized instruction

  • Hands-on practice with real clients in a professional spa setting

Students are often surprised by how quickly they can transition into a well-paying beauty career—without sacrificing quality training.

7. How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

Most students complete their training in 10 weeks, submit their application immediately afterward, and receive their license within a few additional weeks depending on state processing times. That means many students begin their new career in under three months, making esthetics one of the fastest-growing and most accessible paths into the beauty industry.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a licensed esthetician in Florida is a simple and efficient process when you choose the right school. With Florida’s 220-hour requirement, no state exam, and Orlando’s high demand for beauty professionals, students can start earning quickly. Hyphen’s hybrid esthetics program makes the journey even smoother by offering flexible scheduling, professional-grade training, and hands-on spa experience.

If you're ready to begin your career in skincare, schedule a campus tour and see how quickly Hyphen can help you become a licensed esthetician.

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Start Your Journey to Becoming an Esthetician Today

If you’re ready to begin your skincare career, Hyphen Beauty School offers everything you need: affordable tuition, flexible schedules, bilingual instruction, and hands-on spa practice.

With a 95%+ placement rate, a 2-day per week schedule and one of the fastest completion times in Florida, Hyphen is the smart choice for anyone ready to become a licensed Esthetician.

Book your tour today and see why students across Central Florida choose Hyphen to launch their beauty careers. Call our admissions staff at (321) 323-3216 so they can arrange a tour and block off 5-minutes with your future instructor.

Esthetics

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Hyphen Beauty School Orlando

501 N Wymore Rd, Suite 100

Winter Park, FL 32789

Telephone: (321) 323-3216

Hyphen faces Interstate I-4 off Lee Rd, making your commute quick and accessible from anywhere in the greater Orlando area.

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