Florida Massage and Beauty Institute

Florida Massage and Beauty Institute was founded in 2010 by its director, Natalia M. López. The school is licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education (License #4477) and is listed as a candidate for accreditation. Its Tampa campus is in Suite 10-11 at 3911 W Waters Ave.

Programs range from short courses to full cosmetology and barbering training. Massage therapy is a 500-hour course covering massage theory, body physiology, hydrotherapy, ethics and Florida laws and rules. Esthetics is 260 hours, split evenly between theory and lab, and covers skin care, hair removal, facials, makeup and microdermabrasion. Cosmetology is 1200 hours, split evenly between theory and lab or service credit, and covers hair cutting, coloring, treatments, permanent waving, straightening, skin care and nail services, with state board exam preparation included. Nail technology is 250 hours, split evenly between theory and service, and covers manicuring, pedicuring, nail art, tips and overlays, sculptured nails and salon management. Barbering is 1200 hours and covers haircutting, shaving, facial hair, chemical services, hair coloring and state board exam preparation.

Classes for esthetics, cosmetology, nail technology and barbering start every week. Students can finish on a full-time schedule or part time at a minimum of 16 hours per week, and the time to complete depends on attendance. Esthetics and nail technology can take about 8 to 9 weeks full time, while cosmetology and barbering take about 37 to 40 weeks full time. Massage therapy meets Monday through Thursday in morning and evening blocks, and esthetics, cosmetology, nail technology and barbering each have set weekday meeting times. Esthetics and barbering also offer online classes.

Admission involves an interview, proof of a 12th-grade diploma or equivalent, photo ID and a signed enrollment agreement. Massage therapy applicants must be at least 18, and applicants to the other programs must be at least 16. The registration fee is $600 and covers registration, books and a uniform, with the esthetics fee also including a kit. Tuition is not published, so prospective students are asked to call for pricing.

The salon services are performed by students under instructor supervision. Prices are not published, and clients are asked to call the school to ask about pricing and to book an appointment. Classes are offered in both Spanish and English, and the school says it serves newly arrived Latino students. Testimonials on the home page describe a family-like community where students support one another.

The school says its main goal is to help students reach their goals and become working professionals in the beauty field. It states that it prepares students for the Florida state licensing exams and helps with license applications.

The school describes its community as family-like, with students helping each other.