Grooming and Salon Services Core: Facials and Nails

Course Description

CSP0009 – Grooming and Salon Services Core: Facials and Nails is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course in the Grooming and Salon Services program area. The course serves as a shared foundational module for students entering several Florida cosmetology-specialty pathways — including Facial Specialist, Nail Specialist, Full Specialist, and Cosmetology programs — providing the core safety, sanitation, professional-practice, and basic anatomy/physiology content required across all Florida Board of Cosmetology disciplines.

The course aligns with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Curriculum Framework for Grooming and Salon Services and with licensure requirements administered by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Board of Cosmetology. Students develop competencies in infection control, salon safety, anatomy and physiology relevant to facial and nail services, client consultation, professional ethics, and Florida licensure law (Chapter 477, F.S., and Chapter 61G5, F.A.C.).

This course is offered at approximately 36 Florida technical colleges. Hours completed in CSP0009 typically count toward the contact-hour requirements for the Facial Specialist program (260 hours), Nail Specialist program (240 hours), Full Specialist program (500 hours), or full Cosmetology program (1,200 hours), depending on the student's program enrollment.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate infection control and decontamination procedures consistent with Florida DBPR rules (Chapter 61G5-20, F.A.C.) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) bloodborne pathogen standards.
• Apply salon safety practices, including ergonomics, electrical safety, fire safety, chemical handling, and Material Safety Data Sheet (SDS) interpretation.
• Identify and properly use tools, implements, and equipment common to facial and nail services, including methods for cleaning, disinfecting, and storing implements.
• Describe relevant anatomy and physiology, including bones, muscles, nerves, and circulatory structures of the head, face, neck, hands, arms, feet, and lower legs; basic skin structure, function, and disorders.
• Conduct client consultations, including intake forms, identification of needs and contraindications, and respectful communication.
• Apply principles of professional ethics, image, and conduct, including confidentiality, professional appearance, scope of practice, and Florida licensing law.
• Describe chemistry concepts relevant to facial and nail products, including pH, cosmetic ingredients, and product safety.
• Recognize conditions requiring referral to a medical professional and contraindications for facial or nail services.
• Demonstrate employability skills for the salon and spa industry, including time management, client service, teamwork, and basic salon business operations.
• Apply Florida HIV/AIDS course content as required for cosmetology-specialty licensure.

Optional Outcomes

• Demonstrate basic point-of-sale and record-keeping systems used in salons and spas.
• Apply basic retail and product knowledge for client recommendations.
• Recognize specialty service categories (medical aesthetics, advanced nail art, spa modalities) at an awareness level.
• Apply cultural competence in serving Florida's diverse clientele.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• The Salon and Spa Profession in Florida: History; Florida licensing structure (Cosmetologist, Full Specialist, Facial Specialist, Nail Specialist); Florida Board of Cosmetology rules; the role of the DBPR.
• Infection Control and Safety: Bloodborne pathogen standards (HIV, HBV, HCV); decontamination methods; EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectants; sterilization vs. disinfection; tool and implement care; salon sanitation; Florida DBPR sanitation requirements.
• Salon Safety: Ergonomics; electrical and fire safety; chemical handling and ventilation (especially for nail product fumes); Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS); OSHA Hazard Communication Standard.
• Anatomy and Physiology: Skull bones; muscles of facial expression and mastication; nerves of the head/neck and arms; arteries and veins of the head/neck; bones of the hand and arm; bones of the foot and lower leg; nail anatomy.
• Skin Structure, Function, and Disorders: Epidermis and dermis layers; skin appendages (hair, glands, nails); functions of skin; common skin disorders (acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea); recognizing conditions requiring medical referral.
• Nail Structure and Disorders: Nail anatomy (matrix, plate, bed, hyponychium, eponychium, lunula); nail growth; common nail disorders (onychomycosis, onycholysis, paronychia); contraindications and referral.
• Basic Chemistry for Salon and Spa: Atoms, elements, compounds; pH; common cosmetic ingredients; product types and selection; allergens and sensitizers.
• Client Consultation and Communication: Greeting and intake; identifying needs and contraindications; client record keeping; communication skills; cultural competence; managing difficult conversations.
• Professional Image and Ethics: Personal appearance; punctuality; confidentiality; professional boundaries; scope of practice (what each license type can and cannot do); Florida professional conduct rules.
• Tools, Implements, and Equipment: Identification, use, cleaning, disinfecting, and storage of implements common to facial and nail services.
• Florida HIV/AIDS Education: Required content for licensure: transmission, prevention, universal precautions, current treatment, professional responsibilities.

Optional Topics

• Salon and Spa Business Fundamentals: Booth rental vs. employment; basic point-of-sale; retail recommendations.
• Career Planning: Resume preparation; interview skills; portfolio development.
• Florida Professional Network: Industry organizations, continuing education, trade shows.
• Specialty Service Awareness: Medical aesthetics, advanced facial modalities, advanced nail art and enhancement systems.

Resources & Tools

• Common Texts: Milady Standard Esthetics: Fundamentals; Milady Standard Nail Technology; Milady Standard Cosmetology (depending on student's program enrollment)
• Implements and Equipment: Salon-grade implements, sanitization supplies, training mannequin hands and faces, manicure tables, facial chairs/beds (depending on program track)
• Reference Standards: Florida Statutes Chapter 477 (Cosmetology); Florida Administrative Code Chapter 61G5; Florida DBPR Rules; FLDOE Curriculum Framework for Grooming and Salon Services; CDC Bloodborne Pathogen standards; OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
• Online Resources: Milady Online (MindTap), Florida DBPR Cosmetology Board portal (myfloridalicense.com)
• Professional Organizations: Professional Beauty Association (PBA); American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS); Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP); Nail Manufacturers Council (NMC)

Career Pathways

CSP0009 is a foundational module that supports entry into multiple Florida licensure pathways:

• Florida Facial Specialist (Esthetician) — Florida-licensed practitioner providing facial services, makeup, and superficial skin treatments. Total program: 260 hours.
• Florida Nail Specialist (Manicurist/Pedicurist) — Florida-licensed practitioner providing nail services including manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements. Total program: 240 hours.
• Florida Full Specialist — Combined facial-and-nail credential. Total program: 500 hours.
• Florida Cosmetologist — Comprehensive license covering hair, skin, and nails. Total program: 1,200 hours.

After licensure, graduates work in salons, day spas, resort spas, medical spas (med-spas, in collaboration with licensed physicians for treatments outside the cosmetology scope), nail salons, and as independent contractors. Florida's tourism, hospitality, and resort economy creates exceptionally strong demand for licensed beauty professionals across all metropolitan areas.

Special Information

Florida Licensing Requirements

To obtain a Florida cosmetology-specialty license, applicants must:

• Be at least 16 years of age
• Complete the required clock hours at a Florida-licensed school: 260 hours for Facial Specialist, 240 hours for Nail Specialist, 500 hours for Full Specialist, or 1,200 hours for Cosmetologist
• Pass the Florida HIV/AIDS course (built into accredited programs)
• Submit application and required fees to the Florida DBPR Board of Cosmetology
• For Full Specialist and Cosmetologist licensure: pass the Florida licensing examination administered through Pearson VUE

Note: Florida Facial Specialist and Nail Specialist licenses are issued without a state practical examination — they are based on completion of an approved program — though students should verify current requirements with the DBPR Board of Cosmetology.

Position in the Program Sequence

CSP0009 is the foundational core that all students in the Grooming and Salon Services CTE cluster begin with. Students enrolled in the Facial Specialist track continue into specialty facial coursework; Nail Specialist students continue into specialty nail coursework; Full Specialist students complete both tracks; Cosmetology students continue into the broader cosmetology curriculum. The shared foundational hours efficiently serve multiple pathways.

Articulation

The Florida PSAV Cosmetology and specialty programs may articulate to Florida college Cosmetology Management or Salon Management A.S. degrees at participating institutions. Students should consult the receiving institution for specific articulation credit awards.

Health and Safety Considerations

Salon and spa work involves chemical exposure (especially for nail technicians working with monomer/MMA/EMA, primers, and acetone) and ergonomic demands. Programs typically introduce students to professional ergonomic practices, ventilation requirements, and PPE protocols at this foundational stage.