Hair Salon Permit Requirements in Minneapolis, MN

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners — Salon License

   The Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners issues salon licenses, valid for a 3-year term, to all cosmetology businesses in Minnesota under Chapter 155A. The salon license is required in addition to individual practitioner licenses. Application includes proof of facility compliance with board sanitation and safety standards.

   Official government source

   $350 initial salon license (3-year term); $225 renewal·Board must issue or deny within 15 working days of a complete application (5 business days for an expedited license, $300 extra) per Minn. Stat. 155A.25

   $350 initial salon license (3-year term); $225 renewal

   Board must issue or deny within 15 working days of a complete application (5 business days for an expedited license, $300 extra) per Minn. Stat. 155A.25

2. Individual Cosmetologist Licenses

   All cosmetologists, hair technicians, estheticians and nail technicians working in Minnesota must hold an individual license issued by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners under Minnesota Statutes chapter 155A. Licenses require board-approved training and passing the state licensing exams.

   Official government source

   $195 initial individual practitioner license and $115 renewal, each covering a 3-year term (Minn. Stat. 155A.25)·Issued after board-approved training and the state exams; the license runs a 3-year term and expires on the last day of the licensee's birth month

   $195 initial individual practitioner license and $115 renewal, each covering a 3-year term (Minn. Stat. 155A.25)

   Issued after board-approved training and the state exams; the license runs a 3-year term and expires on the last day of the licensee's birth month

3. Minnesota Secretary of State Business Registration

   All formal business entities operating in Minnesota must register with the Minnesota Secretary of State. An LLC is the most common structure for salon owners and costs approximately $155 to file.

   Official government source

   $155 (LLC filing fee)·Immediate (online or in-person); 4-7 business days if filed by mail

   $155 (LLC filing fee)

   Immediate (online or in-person); 4-7 business days if filed by mail

4. Minnesota Department of Revenue Sales Tax License

   Hair salon services (haircuts, styling, coloring) are not subject to Minnesota sales tax -- they are not on the state's enumerated list of taxable services. However, salon owners selling retail products (shampoo, styling products) must register for a sales tax license with the Minnesota Department of Revenue and collect tax on those tangible sales.

   Official government source

   Free·1 week

   Free

   1 week

1. No Minneapolis Business License for Hair Salons — Licensed by the State

   Minneapolis does not require a general business licence for hair salons. The city's own list of what it does not license puts "Beauticians/Barbers Licenses" with the State of Minnesota, and cosmetology salons are not a Minneapolis licence category. A salon needs a Minneapolis licence only if it also offers body art, massage or tanning services, each of which is separately licensed by the city.

   Official government source

   $0 to the City of Minneapolis. State fees under Minn. Stat. 155A.25: cosmetology salon licence $350 initial and $225 renewal; individual practitioner licence $195 initial and $115 renewal — each a 3-year term.·No city process; state salon and practitioner licences run 3-year terms

   $0 to the City of Minneapolis. State fees under Minn. Stat. 155A.25: cosmetology salon licence $350 initial and $225 renewal; individual practitioner licence $195 initial and $115 renewal — each a 3-year term.

   No city process; state salon and practitioner licences run 3-year terms

2. Certificate of Occupancy

   Minneapolis requires a Certificate of Occupancy before a new building is occupied and whenever a building's use or occupancy classification changes, which covers a new salon in a space previously used for something else. Community Planning & Economic Development (Construction Code Services) reviews the work, and the building official issues the certificate after the final CoO inspection.

   Official government source

   No separate Certificate of Occupancy fee — the certificate is issued as part of the building permit process, and Minneapolis building permit fees are based on the valuation of the job including labor and materials (Minneapolis Code Title 5, Chapter 91)·Issued after the final Certificate of Occupancy inspection, which is requested once all on-site construction inspections (mechanical, plumbing and the rest) have passed

   No separate Certificate of Occupancy fee — the certificate is issued as part of the building permit process, and Minneapolis building permit fees are based on the valuation of the job including labor and materials (Minneapolis Code Title 5, Chapter 91)

   Issued after the final Certificate of Occupancy inspection, which is requested once all on-site construction inspections (mechanical, plumbing and the rest) have passed

3. Hennepin County Environmental Health Salon Inspection

   Hair salons in Minneapolis are not inspected by Hennepin County Environmental Health -- Minneapolis runs its own programs and is excluded from county jurisdiction for food/environmental-health licensing, and salons are not part of that program in any case. Salon sanitation, ventilation, and chemical-storage standards are set and enforced by the Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners, which licenses individual practitioners statewide; Minneapolis does not separately license or inspect salons unless they also offer body art, massage, or tanning.

   Official government source

   Not applicable·Not applicable

   Not applicable

   Not applicable

Official Sources

• Minnesota Board of Cosmetologist Examiners
• City of Minneapolis — Business Licenses
• Hennepin County Environmental Health
• Minnesota Department of Revenue — Sales Tax

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