Laser Information

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 the pre-licensure training and examination completed.

• For Licensed Electrologists Who Completed a Council-Approved 320-Hour Combined Epilator, Laser and Light-Based Training Program and passed the IBEC Electrology, Laser, And IPL Exam- FL: 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 the Certified Clinical Electrologist (CCE) or Certified Medical Electrologist (CME) credentials. You are not required to complete an additional 30-Hour CE 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 IBEC Electrology, Laser, And IPL Exam- FL *Current Applicants: Please See Licensing Tab for Testing information*: 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.
  
  
  • Continuing Education: 30-hour Laser & Light-Based Hair Removal Course approved by the Florida Electrolysis Council. Approved courses may be found using the "Course Search" function for Florida Electrologists at cebroker.com.
    
    
  • Certification: "Certified Medical Electrologist" (CME) examination process for laser and light-based hair removal, through the Society of Clinical & Medical Hair Removal, Inc. (SCMHR). Once you have obtained your CME, you are not required to recertify, but must have official documentation of having previously been certified. If you need to obtain your CME, please contact Ms.Lisa Nelson with SCMHR at 608-443-2470, or visit the website at https://www.scmhr.org/certification/.

Additional Requirements:

• Direct Supervision: 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 pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 458 (Medical Doctors), or 459, F.S. (Osteopathic Physicians). On March 11, 2021, the 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.
  
  
• Use of Devices: Once you obtain an Electrologist license, you must use only the laser and light-based hair removal or reduction devices upon which you have been trained.
  
  
• Working in a Licensed Electrolysis Facility: The Electrologist must ensure he or she is working in an actively licensed electrolysis facility. You may verify a company holds an electrolysis facility license by visiting the Department of Health's website at https://flhealthsource.gov/.

• Supervision Protocols: The Supervising Physician and the Electrologist shall develop jointly written protocols as described in Rule 64B8-56.002(4), F.A.C., and furnish to the Council office prior to beginning the practice of laser hair removal. Please carefully review and utilize the Rule & 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 Only Electrolysis Facilities. Electrolysis Facilities performing Laser & Light-Based hair removal the protocols are mandatory.

• Protocols must be typed up and agreed upon by both parties (Electrologist and Supervising Physician)

• A licensed Electrologist is needed to be under the supervision of a licensed Medical Doctor or an Osteopathic Physician

• The Supervising Physician must be either on-site or available via Telehealth communication

             * Telehealth supervisor’s need to be within 150 miles of                           the facility

             * Supervising Physician’s need to hold an active license with                  no discipline history

• 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 the facility, and are not needed if those performing Electrolysis are:

             * Medical Doctors

             * Osteopathic Physicians

             * Physician Assistants

             * Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner

Please direct any questions regarding these updates to the Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance, Electrolysis Council Office at mqa.electrolysis@flhealth.gov or by calling 850-245-4373, option 6, then option 2.