Hair Salon Permit Requirements in Warwick, RI

Complete permit and license guide for starting a hair salon in Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island.

Verified 2026-09-06 5 stops $300–$1,000 est. 4–10 weeks to obtain all permits and licenses
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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 Rhode Island

2 stops

  1. Rhode Island Department of Health - Hairdresser/Cosmetologist License

    Each cosmetologist must hold a Rhode Island Hairdresser/Cosmetologist license from the RI Department of Health, administered through the Board of Hairdressing and Barbering. It requires not less than 1,000 hours of continuous study and practice (the 1,500-hour rule applied only before June 22, 2017) plus passing the written theory exam, given by PSI, and the practical exam.

    Official government source

    $25 for application by examination; $25 at each renewal, per RIDOH's fee schedule 216-RICR-10-05-2.Not published by RIDOH.

  2. Rhode Island Division of Taxation — Sales Tax Permit

    Required for all businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services in Rhode Island. Rhode Island charges a 7% state sales tax with no local sales taxes. Register with the RI Division of Taxation online via the RI Tax Portal.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

City of Warwick / Kent County

2 stops

  1. Rhode Island Department of Health - Hair Design Shop License

    Hair salons in Rhode Island are licensed as Hair Design Shops by the RI Department of Health through the Board of Barbering and Hairdressing. An inspection is required before the license issues and the license renews annually. Each stylist separately holds a Hairdresser/Cosmetician license, which under R.I. Gen. Laws 5-10-9(1) requires a course of not less than 1,000 hours of continuous study and practice at an approved school plus written and practical board examinations.

    Official government source

    $170.00 for the Hair Design Shop license, both initial and annual renewal; $25.00 for each individual Hairdresser/Cosmetician license, per RIDOH fee regulation 216-RICR-10-05-2.Not published by RIDOH; the shop inspection must be completed before the license issues.

  2. No General Business License in Warwick

    Warwick issues no general business license or business tax certificate. The city's Licensing Division, administered through the Warwick Police Department and filed on the city's OpenGov portal, licenses only specific activities - liquor, second class victualler, inside and outside entertainment, food truck/cart/trailer, general and produce peddlers, daily vendor, kennel, massage therapy, permanent make-up, second hand dealer, used car dealer, tobacco, private detective, laundromat, dry cleaners and similar. Mobile dog grooming appears nowhere in that catalogue, and Rhode Island has no state grooming license.

    Official government source

    No fee - Warwick issues no general business license, and neither Warwick nor the state licenses dog grooming.Not applicable - no general business license is issued.

Terminus

Open for business — est. $300–$1,000 · 4–10 weeks to obtain all permits and licenses

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