Orlando criminal defense attorney Jose Rivas appeared on Telemundo 31 as a legal commentator after a Central Florida woman was arrested for providing unlicensed aesthetic treatments in Florida without a valid state license. Performing those services without a license is a third-degree felony under Florida law. Anyone convicted faces up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and thousands of dollars in fines.
The arrest raised questions many professionals in the beauty and wellness industry have not considered. What is the legal difference between a state professional license and a private training certificate? What happens when someone gets it wrong? Attorney Rivas addressed both questions directly in the Telemundo 31 segment on June 22, 2026.
What the Law Says About Unlicensed Aesthetic Treatments in Florida
Florida Statute 456.065 makes it a crime to provide health care services without an active, valid state license. That statute is broad. It covers cosmetic and aesthetic procedures, massage therapy, and a wide range of treatments that many providers may not consider “medical.”
“In Florida, it is illegal to perform a medical procedure without the approved license,” Rivas said. He went further to clarify the scope of the law: “In Florida, providing services that are considered medical without a license is a third-degree felony. This includes aesthetic treatments or massages,” Rivas said.
Under Section 456.065 of the Florida Statutes, a conviction for practicing without a license in Florida carries these potential penalties:
- Up to 5 years in prison and 5 years of probation
- A fine of up to $5,000
- A minimum mandatory sentence of 1 year of incarceration and a $1,000 fine
If unlicensed aesthetic treatments in Florida result in serious bodily injury to a patient, the charge escalates to a second-degree felony. That offense carries a maximum of 15 years in prison — a dramatically higher exposure that reflects how seriously the state treats harm caused by unqualified practitioners.
These are not minor administrative violations. A felony conviction can affect employment, professional licensing applications, housing eligibility, and immigration status for years after the case is resolved. For someone who never intended to break the law, the consequences of providing unlicensed aesthetic treatments in Florida can still be severe and long-lasting.
Central Florida Aesthetician Arrested: The Certificate vs. License Problem
The arrest of a Central Florida aesthetician brought a widespread misconception into focus. Many practitioners complete a private training course, receive a certificate of completion, and believe that document legally authorizes them to work on clients. Under Florida law, it does not.
“A certificate that simply says it is a certificate from a course I took at a school is not a professional license,” Rivas said. The distinction matters enormously — both for the provider and for anyone considering hiring them.
Florida professional licenses are issued by the Department of Health. No private school, spa academy, or online program has the authority to grant that license. A provider operating solely under a private certificate is exposed to criminal prosecution regardless of their skill level, the quality of their training, or the satisfaction of their clients.
Consumers face real risk as well. Receiving aesthetic services from an unlicensed cosmetologist in Orlando or anywhere in the state means there is no regulatory oversight of that person’s methods, safety standards, or equipment. If something goes wrong during an unlicensed procedure, the provider faces not only criminal exposure but also civil liability. The Florida Department of Health unlicensed activity page allows anyone to report suspected violations, and state investigators treat those reports as a priority.
Unlicensed aesthetic treatments in Florida are not a gray area. They are a criminal offense that is actively prosecuted.
How to Verify a License — and How an Orlando Defense Attorney Can Help You
Verifying a provider’s license takes less than a minute. Rivas made the process clear: “Ask for their name — it’s as simple as typing their name on the internet to verify the license.” The MyFloridaLicense.com license search is a free, state-maintained tool that lets any consumer confirm whether a provider holds an active license in Florida. The Florida Department of Health license verification portal provides another official channel for checking credentials.
For a provider now facing aesthetic services criminal charges in Florida, the situation is urgent — but it is not hopeless. A skilled criminal defense lawyer in Orlando can review every element of the case. An attorney will examine whether the state can establish all required elements of the offense, whether the specific services alleged legally qualify as health care practice under the statute, and whether any errors in the arrest or investigation can benefit the defense.
Timing is critical. An attorney can also advocate at the initial appearance. If you or someone you know has been arrested, speaking with an Orlando bail and bond hearing attorney quickly can determine whether they return home while the case is pending.
Florida criminal charges carry long-term consequences that extend well beyond jail time. The criminal defense FAQs on the Rivas Law Firm website address common questions about what to expect after an arrest for a third-degree felony. Acting fast, with qualified legal representation, gives any defendant the best opportunity to protect their rights and fight for the most favorable resolution possible. Do not wait to speak with a lawyer.
Call 407‑644‑2466 to speak with an Orlando criminal defense attorney at the Rivas Law Firm, P.A.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you perform aesthetic treatments without a license in Florida?
Performing unlicensed aesthetic treatments in Florida is a third-degree felony under Florida Statute 456.065. A conviction carries up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and a fine of up to $5,000, plus a minimum mandatory sentence of one year incarceration and a $1,000 fine. If a patient suffers serious bodily injury, the charge becomes a second-degree felony with up to 15 years in prison.
Is doing beauty services without a license a felony in Florida?
Yes. Under Florida law, providing cosmetic or aesthetic services that qualify as health care practice without a valid, active state license is a third-degree felony — regardless of how well the provider was trained. As attorney Jose Rivas explained, a certificate from a private course is not the same as a state professional license, and operating under only a certificate exposes a provider to criminal prosecution.
How do I verify a cosmetologist’s license in Florida?
Florida license verification is free and takes only seconds. You can look up any licensed professional by name using the MyFloridaLicense.com license search or the Florida Department of Health’s MQA provider portal. Attorney Rivas put it simply: typing a provider’s name online to confirm their active state license is all it takes to protect yourself before receiving any treatment.
Orlando Criminal Defense Attorney Jose Rivas is a veteran bilingual TV Legal Analyst who has appeared on Univision, Fox News, Telemundo, and many other news outlets. He is highly rated on professional platforms, maintaining a 4.9/5.0 rating on Avvo based on dozens of client reviews.