Hair Salon Permit Requirements in Huntsville, AL

Complete permit and license guide for starting a hair salon in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama.

Verified 2026-09-03 5 stops $300–$1,000 est. 4–10 weeks to obtain all permits and licenses
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Key agencies and fees on this page were re-checked against official government sources on .

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Alabama

2 stops

  1. Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering - Individual Cosmetologist License

    Each cosmetologist working in the salon must hold a valid Alabama cosmetologist license from the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. Requires 1,500 hours of cosmetology school (or 3,000 apprentice hours) and passing the state board examination.

    Official government source

    $50 original license; $100 personal renewal; written exam $75 and practical exam $130Not published by the board; confirm current processing time with the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering

  2. Alabama Department of Revenue - Sales Tax License

    Required for businesses making retail sales of tangible personal property in Alabama. Alabama sales tax is a privilege tax on retail sales; most services are not taxable, so service-only businesses may not need to register. Local city and county sales taxes are also due on top of the state rate and vary by jurisdiction - use ADOR's local tax rate lookup for your address. Register with the Alabama Department of Revenue via My Alabama Taxes (MAT); state and local returns are filed together through ONE SPOT.

    Official government source

    No registration fee is published by ADOR; registration is made through the My Alabama Taxes portalNot published by ADOR; confirm current processing time with the Department of Revenue

City of Huntsville / Madison County

2 stops

  1. Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering - Cosmetology Salon License

    All cosmetology salons in Alabama must hold a shop license from the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. The salon must pass an inspection before the license is issued, and the license must be renewed; the board's fee page lists a shop renewal fee but does not state the renewal cycle.

    Official government source

    $200 (new shop); $150 (shop renewal)Not published by the board; confirm current processing time with the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering

  2. City of Huntsville Finance Department, Revenue Division — Business License

    Huntsville requires a business license (privilege license tax) for all businesses within city limits. Most licenses are issued by the Finance Department's Revenue Division (256-427-5080); licenses for contractors, subcontractors and building permits are issued through the Inspection Division. The license tax is graduated by annual gross receipts under one of roughly 92 numbered category schedules in the city's License Fees by Schedule — for example Service schedule (77) minimum $35, Profession and vocation schedule (67) minimum $65, Contractor general building schedule (26) minimum $75, and Barbershop or beauty shop schedule (7) at $50 for the first chair/station plus $20 for each additional chair/station — rather than a single flat range. Must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

    Official government source

    Graduated by gross receipts and business category (minimum tiers start at $35 and rise by schedule); see the city's License Fees by ScheduleNot published; confirm with the Revenue Division (256-427-5080)

Terminus

Open for business — est. $300–$1,000 · 4–10 weeks to obtain all permits and licenses

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