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Laser Information
Electrolysis Council
The Florida Electrolysis Council and Florida Board of Medicine have streamlined requirements for Florida electrologists who have met specific training and examination requirements to provide laser- and light-based hair removal services. Effective March 14, 2019, Rule 64B8-56.002, Florida Administrative Code, was revised to distinguish the laser- and light-based hair removal qualifications for electrologists based on completed pre-licensure training and examination.
For licensed electrologists who completed a council-approved 320-hour combined epilator, laser, and light-based training program and passed the Florida IBEC Electrology, Laser, and IPL Exam: You are eligible to provide laser- and light-based hair removal services once you meet the additional requirements noted below. You are not required to obtain Certified Clinical Electrologist (CCE) or Certified Medical Electrologist (CME) credentials. You are not required to complete an additional 30-hour continuing education course in laser- and light-based hair removal services.
For currently licensed electrologists who completed a council-approved 320-hour needle-type epilation training program and passed the old IBEC Epilator-Only Licensure Exam or the currently required Florida IBEC Electrology, Laser, and IPL Exam: You are eligible to provide laser- and light-based hair removal services once you meet the additional requirements noted below and complete the following continuing education and certification requirements. Current applicants, please see the licensing tab in the left column for testing information.
Continuing education: A 30-hour laser- and light-based hair removal course approved by the Florida Electrolysis Council is required. Approved courses may be found using the course-search function for Florida electrologists at CEBroker continuing education.
Certification: FInd Certified Medical Electrologist (CME) examinations for laser- and light-based hair removal through the Society of Clinical and Medical Hair Removal. Once you're a CME, you are not required to recertify, but must have official documentation of having previously been certified. If you need the CME credential, please contact Stephanie Gronemus at SGronemus@ReesGroupINC.com.
Questions? Please contact the Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance, Electrolysis Council Office at MQA.Electrolysis@FLHealth.gov or call 850-245-4373, option 6, then option 2.
Additional Requirements
- Direct Supervision
- Use of Devices
- Working in a Licensed Electrolysis Facility
- Supervision Protocols
Electrologists who meet the laser- and light-based hair removal qualifications above must operate under the direct supervision and responsibility of a physician properly trained in hair removal and licensed under the provisions of Chapter 458 (medical doctors), or 459, Florida Statutes (osteopathic physicians). On March 11, 2021, direct supervision requirements were updated to allow for supervision via telehealth according to the requirements of Rule 64B8-56.002, F.A.C., Equipment and Devices; Protocols for Laser and Light-Based Devices. More information is available under the Telehealth section of this website. Protocol requirements are noted below.
Once you have an electrologist license, you can only use the laser- and light-based hair removal or reduction devices that you have been trained on.
You must ensure you are working in an actively licensed electrolysis facility. Verify if a company holds an active license on FloridaHealth.gov.
The supervising physician and the electrologist must develop jointly written protocols as described in Rule 64B8-56.002(4), F.A.C., and furnish them to the council office before practicing laser hair removal. Please carefully review and use the Rule and Checklist for Preparation of Electrologist-Physician Protocols to ensure your protocols are up to date with current protocol requirements.
Protocols are not needed in needle-type epilation facilities, only in electrolysis facilities. For electrolysis facilities performing laser- and light-based hair removal, protocols are mandatory.
- Protocols must be typed and agreed upon by both the electrologist and supervising physician.
- All licensed electrologists must be under the supervision of a licensed medical doctor or an osteopathic physician.
- The supervising physician must hold an active license with no disciplinary history.
- The supervising physician must be either on-site, within 150 miles of the facility, or available via telehealth.
- Even though a physician’s assistant and advanced registered nurse practitioner are able to perform electrolysis, they cannot be supervisors for a electrologist.
- Protocols must be displayed in the electrologist’s working area and the supervisor must have them on hand.
- Protocols are only required for working electrologists in a facility and are not needed by medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, and advanced registered nurse practitioners performing electrolysis.
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