Barber Shop Permit Requirements in Charleston, WV

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. State Barber License (per barber)

   Each barber must hold a valid West Virginia Barber License from the WV Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. Requires 1,200 hours of barber school and passing the board-approved third-party licensing exam.

   Official government source

   $35 (flat initial application fee)·4–8 weeks

   $35 (flat initial application fee)

   4–8 weeks

2. West Virginia State Tax Department — Business Registration

   Before engaging in business activity in West Virginia every individual or business entity must obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the WV Tax Division (WV Code §11-12-1 et seq.), applied for through the Business for West Virginia portal at business4.wv.gov or on form BUS-APP. A separate certificate is needed for each business name and each location. The certificate is permanent — it does not expire — until the legal name, location or ownership changes, and it must be surrendered when the business stops operating in West Virginia. It also authorises you to collect the 6% state sales tax plus any municipal sales tax of up to 1%.

   Official government source

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location·1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

   $30 one-time Business Registration Certificate fee, per business name and location

   1–5 business days when filed online through the Business for West Virginia portal (business4.wv.gov); longer by paper BUS-APP

1. West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — Salon License

   Barber shops in West Virginia must be licensed by the WV Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. The shop must pass an opening inspection before the license is issued. Renewal is annual, due July 1st each year.

   Official government source

   $90 (initial shop license/opening inspection); $40 annual renewal·3–6 weeks

   $90 (initial shop license/opening inspection); $40 annual renewal

   3–6 weeks

2. City of Charleston Office of the City Collector — Business Registration / General Business License

   Charleston requires businesses within city limits to register with the Office of the City Collector and obtain a General Business License (flat $20 fee), plus pay the city's Business & Occupation (B&O) privilege tax on gross receipts (rate varies by classification) and a City Service Fee of $3/week per employee working within city limits. Renewed annually and displayed at the place of business.

   Official government source

   $20 flat General Business License fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $3/week per employee City Service Fee·1–3 weeks

   $20 flat General Business License fee, plus B&O gross-receipts tax and $3/week per employee City Service Fee

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists — Salon License
• City of Charleston Business License Division

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