Hair Salon Permit Requirements in Billings, MT

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. Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — Individual Cosmetologist License

   Each cosmetologist must hold a valid Montana cosmetologist license from the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists (Dept. of Labor & Industry). Licensure requires completing a 1,500-hour cosmetology course at an authorized school and passing the licensing examination (MCA 37-31-304(4)).

   Official government source

   Application/exam fees set by board rule — see the board's fee schedule at boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov·4–8 weeks

   Application/exam fees set by board rule — see the board's fee schedule at boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov

   4–8 weeks

2. Montana — No Sales Tax

   Montana has no state or local sales tax. Businesses do not need a sales tax permit. However, businesses must register with the Montana Department of Revenue for applicable business taxes (e.g., withholding, corporate income tax if applicable).

   Official government source

   Free (business registration)·Immediate (online via TransAction Portal)

   Free (business registration)

   Immediate (online via TransAction Portal)

1. Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — Salon License

   Barber shops and salons in Montana must hold an establishment (salon/shop) license from the Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists (Department of Labor & Industry). A pre-opening inspection is required before the license is issued ($150 inspection fee in addition to the $125 license fee). Licenses renew annually (regular renewal window roughly May–July 1); relocation or an ownership change over 50% requires a new application rather than a renewal.

   Official government source

   $125 license fee + $150 inspection fee ($275 total initial); renewal $125/year·3–6 weeks

   $125 license fee + $150 inspection fee ($275 total initial); renewal $125/year

   3–6 weeks

2. City of Billings — Business License (Finance Department)

   Billings requires a business license for any business activity conducted within the city — including home-based businesses and businesses located outside city limits that do business in Billings. The license documents payment of the city's annual business tax and is administered by the Finance Department. It is valid for one year from the month of issuance and must be renewed annually; a separate license is required for each business type and each location.

   Official government source

   Varies by business classification (annual business-license tax; some categories add employee-count and health fees). The city does not publish its Business Tax Fee Schedule online — contact City of Billings Finance, 406-657-8433, for current amounts.·1–3 weeks

   Varies by business classification (annual business-license tax; some categories add employee-count and health fees). The city does not publish its Business Tax Fee Schedule online — contact City of Billings Finance, 406-657-8433, for current amounts.

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — Salon License
• City of Billings City Clerk
• Montana — No Sales Tax

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