Apply for an aesthetics, cosmetology, or manicuring salon license

Before starting the application process decide what type of salon license you need.  

• Aesthetics salon (Type 5) 
• Cosmetology salon (Type 1)  
• Manicuring salon (Type 3)

Note: The board no longer issues or requires booth renter or booth shop licenses. Salons that offer manicuring and aesthetics services but not hair services will need to complete applications for both Manicuring salon (Type 3) and Aesthetics salon (Type 5) licenses.

Requirements for all license types

•  An 8-and-a-half-inch by 11-inch floor plan that includes the entire layout of the salon, including:
  • All stations, chairs, manicuring tables, and aesthetics room must be labeled 
  • Additional sinks (cannot be in a bathroom or be a shampoo bowl)  
  • Shop sign 
  • Bathrooms 
• A 2-inch by 2-inch photo of each owner or partner. 
• A copy of the driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID for each owner and a copy of the aesthetics, cosmetology, or manicuring license of a person who will be working at the salon. This person may also be the owner.  
• A notarized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Form for each owner. This form must be notarized or your application will be incomplete. 
• If plumbing or electrical work has been one, submit an original Plumbing and Electrical Form. If no work has been done, submit a No Plumbing or Electrical Work Required Form.  
• If your business is incorporated, include a copy of the Articles of Incorporation; if it’s a partnership or LLP, a copy of the partnership agreement; for LLCs, a copy of the Certificate of Organization. 
• A 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 an application for an aesthetics salon (Type 5) and manicuring salon (Type 3).  You do not need more than one license if you are applying for a cosmetology salon (Type 1).
• Bathrooms must be within the confines of the salon or easily accessible and close to the salon. If facilities are not in the salon, the salon owner will remain responsible for ensuring 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 rules and regulations and 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 Cosmetology (Type 1) salons within the same space. 

• If your salon has undergone a renovation, or the floorplan has changed, submit a Salon Expansion Application by mail. If your salon has a new address or a new owner, you must apply for a new salon license.