Barber Shop Permit Requirements in Silver Spring, MD

Complete permit and license guide for starting a barber shop in Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland.

Verified 2026-08-28 5 stops $200–$800 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 Maryland

2 stops

  1. State Barber License (per barber)

    Each barber must hold a valid Maryland barber license from the Maryland Board of Barbers (Maryland Department of Labor — a separate board from cosmetology). Requires 1,200 hours of barber school training (or 2,250 hours as a registered apprentice) and passing the Board's examination. Effective Jan 1, 2026, initial applicants must also complete a one-hour domestic violence awareness training.

    Official government source

    $50 application (license valid 2 years); exam fee separate4–8 weeks

  2. Maryland Comptroller — Sales Tax Registration

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Maryland (6% state rate; Maryland has no local sales taxes). Retail product sales are taxable. Some services are also taxable — notably cleaning of a COMMERCIAL or industrial building (janitorial/commercial cleaning) under Md. Tax-General §11-101(m): commercial cleaning businesses must collect 6% on the service itself, while residential cleaning is not taxable. Sales of photographs (portrait/wedding) are taxable as tangible personal property. Registration with the Comptroller of Maryland is free.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online via bFile)

City of Silver Spring / Montgomery County

2 stops

  1. Maryland Board of Barbers — Barbershop Permit

    Barbershops in Maryland must hold a shop permit from the Maryland Board of Barbers (a separate board from the Board of Cosmetologists). The shop must meet the board's health and safety standards and is subject to inspection. The permit is renewed every 2 years.

    Official government source

    $225 (initial shop permit); $56 (renewal every 2 years)4–8 weeks after application and inspection

  2. Montgomery County — No General Business License (activity-specific licenses only)

    Silver Spring is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, so all local permits come from the county. Neither Maryland nor Montgomery County requires a general business license. Only specific activities are licensed by the Clerk of the Circuit Court License Department — e.g., retail sales require a Trader's License; garages, vending machines, and construction have their own licenses. Most service businesses need no county business license; confirm any activity-specific license with the Clerk's License Department (licenses expire April 30 annually).

    Official government source

    $0 for most businesses; Trader's License (retail only) fee varies by inventory valueNot applicable for most businesses; Trader's License typically issued within days

Terminus

Open for business — est. $200–$800 · 4–10 weeks to obtain all permits and licenses

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Official Sources

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