Hair Salon Permit Requirements in Hilo, HI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Beauty Operator License

   Hawaii calls the cosmetologist licence a Beauty Operator licence, issued by the DCCA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology; the old /pvl/boards/cosmetology/ address no longer exists. The licence is issued in classes: cosmetologist, covering hairdressing, esthetics and nail technology, at 1,800 beauty school hours (3,600 as an apprentice); hairdresser at 1,250; esthetician at 600; and nail technician at 350. Applicants must be at least 16 with a high school education or equivalent, or qualify on a year of licensed experience in another jurisdiction, and must pass the Board's examinations.

   Official government source

   $92 where the license is issued in an odd-numbered year (application $20 + license $22 + compliance resolution fund $50) or $165 in an even-numbered year (a $100 compliance resolution fund charge plus a $23 half-renewal); a temporary permit is an extra $40·File the exam application by the Board's published deadline; the license is issued after the written and practical exams are passed, and licenses expire December 31 of each odd-numbered year (active renewal $146)

   $92 where the license is issued in an odd-numbered year (application $20 + license $22 + compliance resolution fund $50) or $165 in an even-numbered year (a $100 compliance resolution fund charge plus a $23 half-renewal); a temporary permit is an extra $40

   File the exam application by the Board's published deadline; the license is issued after the written and practical exams are passed, and licenses expire December 31 of each odd-numbered year (active renewal $146)

2. Hawaii Department of Taxation — General Excise Tax (GET) License

   Hawaii has no sales tax. Instead the state levies a General Excise Tax on the gross income of the business itself, and unlike a sales tax it reaches services, commissions and rent as well as goods. Every business must register for a GET licence with the Department of Taxation on Form BB-1 before doing business. The rate is 4% statewide, rising to 4.5% on Oahu because of the 0.5% county surcharge, and it is owed on gross income whether or not it is passed on to the customer.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1)·Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1)

   Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

1. Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — Beauty Shop License

   Hair and beauty salons in Hawaii are licensed as Beauty Shops by the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology — the board is a combined barbering and cosmetology board, not a standalone Board of Cosmetology. The application asks for a labelled floor plan showing the sanitary facilities serving the shop and is reviewed at a Board meeting before the licence is issued. Booth or chair rentals inside an existing shop are licensed separately.

   Official government source

   $138 where the license is issued in an odd-numbered year (application $50 + license $38 + compliance resolution fund $50) or $226 in an even-numbered year (a $100 compliance resolution fund charge plus a $38 half-renewal), per the Board's shop application·Every shop application is reviewed at a Board meeting, so allow time beyond filing; shop licenses expire December 31 of each odd-numbered year and renew at $176 on active status

   $138 where the license is issued in an odd-numbered year (application $50 + license $38 + compliance resolution fund $50) or $226 in an even-numbered year (a $100 compliance resolution fund charge plus a $38 half-renewal), per the Board's shop application

   Every shop application is reviewed at a Board meeting, so allow time beyond filing; shop licenses expire December 31 of each odd-numbered year and renew at $176 on active status

2. Hawaii State General Excise Tax (GET) License

   Hawaii County does not issue a general county business license. Every business operating in Hilo must obtain a State of Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) license, a one-time $20 filing with the Dept. of Taxation. Specific business types may need separate state or county permits.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time (State GET license; no general county business license exists)·Same day–1 week via Hawaii Tax Online

   $20 one-time (State GET license; no general county business license exists)

   Same day–1 week via Hawaii Tax Online

Official Sources

• Hawaii Board of Cosmetology — Salon License
• County of Hawaii Finance Department
• Hawaii Department of Taxation — General Excise Tax License

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