Hair Salon Permit Requirements in Jersey City, NJ

Complete permit and license guide for starting a hair salon in Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey.

Verified 2026-08-31 5 stops $300–$1,000 est. 4–10 weeks to obtain all permits and licenses
Get my personalized route — $14.99

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 New Jersey

2 stops

  1. New Jersey Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling — Cosmetologist-Hairstylist License (per person)

    Each cosmetologist working in the salon must hold a New Jersey cosmetologist-hairstylist license from the State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling (Division of Consumer Affairs). Applicants must be at least 17 years old, provide proof of high school completion or its equivalent, complete 1,200 hours of instruction at a Board-approved cosmetology and hairstyling school, and pass the examination administered by the Board. Licensure by endorsement is available to applicants already licensed elsewhere whose training the Board finds substantially similar.

    Official government source

    $140 in the first year of the biennial licensing cycle ($50 nonrefundable application filing fee plus a $90 license fee) or $95 in the second year ($50 plus $45), by check or money order payable to the State of New Jersey; confirm the current renewal fee with the Board4–8 weeks

  2. New Jersey Division of Taxation — Sales Tax Certificate of Authority

    Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in New Jersey. New Jersey charges a 6.625% state sales tax. Most services are exempt; retail product sales and certain services are taxable. Register free online via the State of New Jersey Business Registration portal.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate to 3 business days (online)

City of Jersey City / Hudson County

2 stops

  1. New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling — Shop License

    All cosmetology salons in New Jersey must be licensed as a shop by the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling, part of the Division of Consumer Affairs. Under N.J.A.C. 13:28-2.1 the application requires the lease or deed, ownership documents, the municipality's final Certificate of Occupancy with zoning certificate and fire permit, a scaled floor plan, and an Experienced Practicing Licensee (manager) with at least three years of licensed experience. The salon is inspected before the license is issued and the license is renewed every two years. Chair and booth rentals and sublets are prohibited. In Jersey City the salon also needs a Cosmetology health license from the city's Division of Environmental Health.

    Official government source

    $350.00 in the even year of the biennial licensing period or $250.00 in the odd year — nonrefundable, by certified check or money order payable to the State of New Jersey. Jersey City's Class A Cosmetology health license (beauty salon with nails, nail salon, or day spa) is $350 per year and Class B (beauty salon without nails) is $210 per year.Contact the Board about one week after submitting the application to receive the salon inspection date; the license issues after a satisfactory inspection.

  2. Jersey City Business Licensing (activity-specific, no general license)

    Jersey City does not issue a general Municipal Business License, and there is no gross-receipts-based city business license. Licensing is activity-specific: the Division of Commerce licenses regulated activities (alcohol, cannabis, peddlers, taxis, used cars, towing, second-hand dealers, parking lots, nightclubs, florists, sidewalk cafes and similar); the Department of Health & Human Services licenses food establishments, mobile food vendors, body art, cosmetology, laundries, childcare and animal-related businesses; and the Division of Construction Code issues Certificates of Occupancy. Determine which specific license, if any, applies to your business.

    Official government source

    Varies by license category — no blanket business license fee exists1–3 weeks

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?

Get my personalized route — $14.99

Official Sources

Related Guides