Nail Salon Permit Requirements in New Orleans, LA

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. Louisiana Nail Technician (Manicurist) License (per technician)

   Each nail technician in Louisiana must hold a Manicurist License from the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology (11622 Sunbelt Ct., Baton Rouge; 225-756-3404). Licensure requires 500 hours in an approved cosmetology school's manicuring curriculum and passage of the required State Board written and practical examinations. Some schools require more than the minimum hours.

   Official government source

   $35 per the board's fee schedule effective August 1, 2025 (increased from $25). Failure to renew on time adds a $175 late fee; out-of-state renewals are $50 annually.·Not published by the board. Licensure follows completion of the 500-hour curriculum and passing the State Board examinations, which are held on scheduled board testing dates.

   $35 per the board's fee schedule effective August 1, 2025 (increased from $25). Failure to renew on time adds a $175 late fee; out-of-state renewals are $50 annually.

   Not published by the board. Licensure follows completion of the 500-hour curriculum and passing the State Board examinations, which are held on scheduled board testing dates.

2. Louisiana Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Louisiana. The Louisiana state sales tax rate is 5%. Sellers must apply for a sales tax certificate with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Louisiana also has parish- and municipal-level sales taxes collected separately by local collectors, so the combined rate varies by parish and you must register with each applicable local collector in addition to the state.

   Official government source

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.·Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

   No registration fee is published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

   Not published by the Louisiana Department of Revenue; the '1-5 business days' figure has no official source.

1. Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology — Cosmetology Shop License

   Nail salons in Louisiana must hold a salon (shop) license issued by the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology. The board's district inspector must inspect the premises before the salon license is issued, and a separate inspection is required when a salon moves or changes ownership.

   Official government source

   Not verified: the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology website was unreachable and no official fee schedule could be retrieved, so the $60 initial/$60 renewal figure is unconfirmed. Confirm the current salon license and renewal fees with LSBC (11622 Sunbelt Ct., Baton Rouge; 225-756-3404 / 866-257-7901).·Not published by the board. The license is issued after the district inspector inspects the premises, so timing depends on inspector scheduling — confirm with LSBC.

   Not verified: the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology website was unreachable and no official fee schedule could be retrieved, so the $60 initial/$60 renewal figure is unconfirmed. Confirm the current salon license and renewal fees with LSBC (11622 Sunbelt Ct., Baton Rouge; 225-756-3404 / 866-257-7901).

   Not published by the board. The license is issued after the district inspector inspects the premises, so timing depends on inspector scheduling — confirm with LSBC.

2. City of New Orleans Bureau of Revenue / Department of Safety and Permits — Business License

   New Orleans requires an Occupational License (annual business tax) and a Certificate of Occupancy for all businesses. The Bureau of Revenue (Department of Finance) handles the Occupational License tax; the Department of Safety and Permits handles occupancy and zoning, issuing a Certificate of Occupancy (No Work) for $190. The license must be renewed annually and displayed at your place of business.

   Official government source

   $50/year minimum where gross sales are under $50,000, rising through the city's Occupational License Tax Tables — Table 1 runs to $6,200/year at $5.5M+ in gross sales, well above the claimed $500 ceiling. The Certificate of Occupancy is a separate $190.·Occupational License: not published — a temporary license is generated on approval through the One Stop App and the Amended Return Form is due within the first 40 days of operation. Certificate of Occupancy: same day in some situations, 2-3 days if an inspection is required.

   $50/year minimum where gross sales are under $50,000, rising through the city's Occupational License Tax Tables — Table 1 runs to $6,200/year at $5.5M+ in gross sales, well above the claimed $500 ceiling. The Certificate of Occupancy is a separate $190.

   Occupational License: not published — a temporary license is generated on approval through the One Stop App and the Amended Return Form is due within the first 40 days of operation. Certificate of Occupancy: same day in some situations, 2-3 days if an inspection is required.

Official Sources

• City of New Orleans Bureau of Revenue / Department of Safety and Permits

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