Apply for a Cosmetology/Manicuring/Aesthetics Salon License

Determine Your Salon License Type

Please determine which type of license you need for your business before beginning the application process. The Board issues the following types of salon licenses:

• Type 1 Cosmetology Salon: A full-service cosmetology salon that may offer hair, skin, and nail services.
• Type 3 Manicuring Salon: A salon for manicuring only. This type of salon must employ a cosmetologist or a manicurist.
• Type 5 Aesthetics Salon: An aesthetics salon which can offer services such as facials and waxing. This type of salon must employ an aesthetician or a cosmetologist.
• Please Note: The Board no longer issues or requires booth renter or booth shop licenses. Salons offering both manicuring and aesthetics services, but NOT offering hair services, will need to complete an application for a Type-3 manicuring salon license AND an application for a Type-5 aesthetics salon license.

Requirements for All License Types

• A floor plan which must include the entire layout of the salon (8.5” x 11” only).  The applicant must retain a copy of the floor plan on the premises at all times.  The floor plan must include all of the following:
  • All stations, chairs, manicure tables, and aesthetic rooms. Each room must be labeled.
  • Additional sinks (cannot be located in the bathroom or be a shampoo bowl).  All shops are required to have an additional sink with hot and cold running water located in a space that is accessible at all times to all areas.  For example, an aesthetic shop with three rooms can either have a sink in each room or a minimum of one sink in a common area that is accessible at all times, i.e., not behind a locked door. In full service salons, there must be an additional sink that is not a shampoo bowl. Your floorplan must clearly indicate the additional non-shampoo bowl sink. Salons that do not have an additional non-shampoo bowl sink will not pass inspection.
  • Shop sign
  • Bathrooms  
• One 2” x 2” photo of each owner / partner.
• Copy of the driver’s license or photo ID for each owner, and a copy of the cosmetology, aesthetics, or manicuring license and photo ID of a person who will be working at the salon.  This person may also be the owner. 
• A notarized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Acknowledgment Form for each owner. This form must be notarized or your application will be incomplete.
• Business Certificate from the city or town where the shop is located. All owners must be listed on the certificate.
• If plumbing or electrical work has been done, an original completed “Plumbing and Electrical” form or if no plumbing or electrical work has been done, submit the "No Work Required" form on page 3 of the PDF. 
• If the business is incorporated, submit a copy of the Articles of Incorporation; if it is a partnership or LLP, a copy of the partnership agreement; for LLCs, submit a copy of the Certificate of Organization.
• Price list of all services offered. Gender pricing is prohibited. 

Important Information for All Salon Applicants

• The salon must be completely set up with signage and ready for business to pass final inspection for licensing.  You will be contacted by an investigator with an inspection date.
• A salon license is NOT Transferable.  A salon license only covers the salon at the location or space to which it was issued.  If you change locations or move to a different space, even at the same address, you must submit a new application. 
• You may need to apply for more than one salon license based on the services you offer or the staff at your salon.  For example, if you do both manicuring and aesthetics in your salon, then you would submit one application for a Type 3 manicuring salon and one application for a Type 5 aesthetics salon.  You do not need more than one license if you are applying for a Type 1 cosmetology salon.
• Bathrooms must be within the confines of the salon or conveniently adjacent thereto.  If facilities are not in the salon, the salon owner will remain responsible for ensuring that those facilities remain safe and sanitary. 
• If the layout of your salon changes after you are licensed, you must submit an expansion/renovation application with the board.
• Salon owners must immediately notify the board if they plan to sell an operating salon, and the new owners must file a new salon application.  After a change in ownership, the salon may remain open for 30 days before the new owners must obtain a new license.
• If your salon is a new business or is changing locations, you must remain closed until you are approved for a license after inspection.
• Salon names cannot suggest healing or medical benefits.  Names such as “healing”, “medical”, “med”, or “clinical” are prohibited. 
• Salon names using ethnic, gender, or age specific terms may violate Massachusetts law and may be rejected or delay processing of an application.
• See the board’s website for the board’s rules and regulations and important salon policies, including policies on practices outside the scope of licensure, intense pulsed light (IPL) devices, and the dual use of rooms for cosmetology and massage therapy.
• Gender pricing is prohibited.  You may not charge a different price for men and women for the same service.
• There cannot be multiple Type-1 Cosmetology Salons within the same space

If your Salon has undergone a renovation, please complete and submit the Salon Expansion Application by mail. If your salon has a new address or a new owner, then you must apply for a new salon license.