Hair Salon Permit Requirements in Nashua, NH
Complete permit and license guide for starting a hair salon in Nashua, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.
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 stopEIN (Employer Identification Number)
Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.
Official government sourceFreeImmediate (online application)
Free
Immediate (online application)
State of New Hampshire
2 stopsNew Hampshire OPLC Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics — Cosmetologist License
Each cosmetologist must hold a New Hampshire Cosmetologist license issued by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification under the Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics. RSA 313-A:11 requires a minimum of 1,200 hours of training in an approved cosmetology school, or 3,000 hours of supervised apprenticeship over at least 18 months, plus passing the board examination — the 1,500-hour figure belongs to the master barber license, not cosmetology.
Official government source$55 application fee for a personal Cosmetology license (renewal and reinstatement are also $55); an apprentice license is likewise $55 and an instructor license is $82No processing time is published by OPLC
$55 application fee for a personal Cosmetology license (renewal and reinstatement are also $55); an apprentice license is likewise $55 and an instructor license is $82
No processing time is published by OPLC
New Hampshire — No Sales Tax
New Hampshire has no state sales tax and no local sales taxes, so businesses need no sales tax permit or resale registration for sales tax purposes. Businesses may instead owe the Business Enterprise Tax and the Business Profits Tax, both administered by the NH Department of Revenue Administration; BET paid can be credited against BPT. Restaurants, caterers and lodging operators separately collect the Meals and Rooms (Rentals) Tax and must hold a DRA license for it. Filing and payment are handled through DRA's Granite Tax Connect portal.
Official government sourceNo fee to register for business taxes with DRA. For taxable periods beginning on or after January 1, 2025, a BET return is due from any enterprise with more than $298,000 in gross receipts or an enterprise value tax base above $298,000; the BET rate is 0.55%Immediate — registration and filing are done online through Granite Tax Connect
No fee to register for business taxes with DRA. For taxable periods beginning on or after January 1, 2025, a BET return is due from any enterprise with more than $298,000 in gross receipts or an enterprise value tax base above $298,000; the BET rate is 0.55%
Immediate — registration and filing are done online through Granite Tax Connect
City of Nashua / Hillsborough County
2 stopsNew Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics — Shop License
All cosmetology salons in New Hampshire must be licensed as a shop by the Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics, administered by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. An inspection is required before the shop license is issued.
Official government source$110 shop application fee plus a $150 initial inspection fee; renewal $110 and routine inspection $100Confirm current processing time with OPLC (603-271-2152)
$110 shop application fee plus a $150 initial inspection fee; renewal $110 and routine inspection $100
Confirm current processing time with OPLC (603-271-2152)
City of Nashua — No General Business License
The City of Nashua does not require a general business license. The City Clerk's Office licenses only specific enumerated activities: chauffeurs (taxi drivers), taxicabs, pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers, itinerant vendors and hawkers/peddlers, amusement devices, and shows such as carnivals and concerts, plus separate permits for raffles, tag days and public events. A business outside these categories does not need a Nashua business license; confirm with the City Clerk (603-589-3010) if unsure.
Official government sourceNot applicable for most businesses; enumerated categories are published: taxicab $100/year, chauffeur $80/year, pawnbroker/secondhand dealer $50/year, shows $50, vendors $10/day, $25/week or $100/year, raffles $10, tag days freeNot applicable
Not applicable for most businesses; enumerated categories are published: taxicab $100/year, chauffeur $80/year, pawnbroker/secondhand dealer $50/year, shows $50, vendors $10/day, $25/week or $100/year, raffles $10, tag days free
Not applicable
Terminus
Open for business — est. $300–$1,000 · 4–10 weeks to obtain all permits and licenses
Want this mapped to your exact business and structure, in filing order?
Official Sources
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