Barber Shop Permit Requirements in Portland, OR

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 application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Oregon Health Licensing Office — Facility License (Barber Shop)

   All barber shops in Oregon must hold a cosmetology facility license from the Health Licensing Office (HLO), part of the Oregon Health Authority, which administers the Board of Cosmetology (ORS 690, OAR 817). The facility must meet sanitation, equipment, and safety standards and is subject to inspection.

   Official government source

   $100 application fee + $110 facility license for one year (renewal $110/year)·3–6 weeks (includes application review and on-site inspection)

   $100 application fee + $110 facility license for one year (renewal $110/year)

   3–6 weeks (includes application review and on-site inspection)

2. Individual Barber License (per barber)

   Every barber working in the shop must hold an Oregon barbering certificate from the Health Licensing Office (HLO). This requires completing an approved Oregon program (746 hours of barbering instruction with 465 practical operations, plus 20 hours of Oregon laws & rules and 20 hours of career development) and passing the board-approved written barbering exam plus the Oregon Laws and Rules exam; a practical exam is also required.

   Official government source

   $20 application (per field) + $35 per written exam + $25 original certificate (two years); renewal $45 per two years·4–8 weeks (after completing required education and passing exams)

   $20 application (per field) + $35 per written exam + $25 original certificate (two years); renewal $45 per two years

   4–8 weeks (after completing required education and passing exams)

3. Oregon Business Registry (if operating as LLC/Corporation)

   If your barber shop is structured as an LLC or corporation, register with the Oregon Secretary of State Business Registry.

   Official government source

   $100 (LLC registration)·1–2 weeks (online)

   $100 (LLC registration)

   1–2 weeks (online)

1. City of Portland Business License Tax Registration (Revenue Division)

   Portland has no flat-fee general business license. All businesses operating in Portland - including sole proprietors and home-based businesses - must register for the City of Portland Business License Tax with the Revenue Division within 60 days of starting business. Registration is free. The tax is 2.6% of net business income with a $100 minimum, filed annually on a combined return with the Multnomah County Business Income Tax (2% of net income; gross receipts under $100,000 are exempt from the county tax). Businesses with gross receipts under $75,000 (tax years beginning in 2026; rising to $100,000 in 2027) are exempt from the city tax but must still register. The Metro Supportive Housing Services 1% business income tax applies only to businesses with gross receipts over $5 million.

   Official government source

   Free to register; no annual license fee. Tax: 2.6% of net income ($100 minimum) only if gross receipts exceed $75,000 (2026 threshold; $100,000 from 2027)·1–2 weeks

   Free to register; no annual license fee. Tax: 2.6% of net income ($100 minimum) only if gross receipts exceed $75,000 (2026 threshold; $100,000 from 2027)

   1–2 weeks

2. City of Portland - Building Permit and Certificate of Occupancy

   Check with Portland Permitting & Development (PPD, formerly BDS, 503-823-7300) before leasing: if your barber shop space needs tenant improvements or a change of the building's use or occupancy classification, a building permit is required (even where no alterations are planned, a change-of-occupancy permit documents the new use). A space already approved for the same use needs no new Certificate of Occupancy.

   Official government source

   Permit fees are valuation-based; confirm with PPD·2–6 weeks

   Permit fees are valuation-based; confirm with PPD

   2–6 weeks

3. Oregon Health Licensing Office - Cosmetology Facility License

   Cosmetology facilities (barber shops, hair and nail salons) in Portland are licensed by the STATE - the Oregon Health Licensing Office (HLO), part of the Oregon Health Authority - not by Multnomah County. There is no Multnomah County cosmetology establishment permit or county salon inspection program. The shop owner must obtain an HLO facility license before opening (application fee plus facility license fee per the HLO fee schedule), and HLO inspects licensed facilities for sanitation compliance. Individual practitioners hold their own HLO practitioner certificates.

   Official government source

   HLO facility license application + license fee (modest flat fees; verify current amounts on the HLO fee schedule) - no county fee·2–4 weeks

   HLO facility license application + license fee (modest flat fees; verify current amounts on the HLO fee schedule) - no county fee

   2–4 weeks

Official Sources

• Oregon Health Licensing Office — Cosmetology/Barbering
• City of Portland — Revenue Division
• City of Portland Bureau of Development Services
• Multnomah County — Environmental Health

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