How to Start a Hair Salon in Missouri (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Opening a hair salon in Missouri requires both an individual cosmetologist license and a separate establishment license from the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners. Individual cosmetologists must complete 1,500 hours of training at a Board-approved school (or 3,000 hours of apprenticeship) and pass a two-part state exam ($150). Salon owners need an establishment license (~$100 initial) and must pass a Board inspection before opening. Missouri does not require continuing education for cosmetologists (only for instructors), and there is no background check requirement. One important detail for booth rental models: each booth renter must obtain their own separate establishment license.

Hair Salon Requirements in Missouri at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
Cosmetologist License (individual)	MO Board of Cosmetology & Barber Examiners	$150 exam + $25 issuance = $175	After 1,500 training hours
Salon Establishment License	MO Board of Cosmetology & Barber Examiners	~$100 initial	30+ days before opening
Establishment Renewal	MO Board of Cosmetology & Barber Examiners	$75 biennial	Every 2 years (Sept 30 odd years)
Individual License Renewal	MO Board of Cosmetology & Barber Examiners	$60 biennial	Every 2 years (Sept 30 odd years)
LLC Formation	MO Secretary of State	$50 (online)	3-5 business days
City Business License	City/County	$25-$200+	Before opening
General Liability Insurance	Private Carrier	$179-$300/year (individual)	Before opening
Workers’ Compensation Insurance	Private Carrier	Varies	Required at 5+ employees
Federal EIN	IRS	Free	Immediate (online)

How to Start a Hair Salon in Missouri (Step by Step)

Step 1: Get Your Cosmetologist License

The Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners issues individual cosmetology licenses:

Training requirements:

1,500 hours of cosmetology training at a Board-approved school, OR
3,000 hours of apprenticeship under a licensed cosmetologist
Must be at least 17 years old
Must hold a high school diploma or GED before starting school

Examination:

Two-part exam: theory (written) and practical
Administered by Prov (formerly Pearson VUE)
Exam fee: $150 (covers both written and practical)
Written retake: $90 | Practical retake: $60
License issuance fee: $25

No background check is required for cosmetology licensure, though the Board may review criminal convictions on a case-by-case basis.

No continuing education is required for license renewal (only instructors must complete 8 hours of seminar attendance per renewal cycle).

Fees: pr.mo.gov/cosbar-fees-cosmo.asp | Forms: pr.mo.gov/cosbar-forms.asp

Step 2: Form Your Business Entity

Register an LLC with the Missouri Secretary of State ($50 online, no annual report). Apply for a free federal EIN from the IRS.

Step 3: Apply for an Establishment License

Every salon in Missouri needs an establishment license from the Board of Cosmetology. Submit your application at least 30 days before you plan to open.

Initial establishment fee: ~$100
Biennial renewal: $75 (expires September 30 of odd years, next renewal: September 30, 2027)
Name change/duplicate license: $10
License must be posted in plain view in the establishment

Pre-opening inspection: The Board will inspect your salon before issuing the establishment license. Inspectors verify sanitation procedures, disinfectant storage, tool sterilization, equipment standards, and structural compliance. After opening, expect both scheduled and unannounced inspections.

Step 4: Get City Business License and Register for Taxes

Obtain a business license from your city (Kansas City: $25-$100, St. Louis: $200+, Springfield: varies).

Hair care services (cuts, color, styling): Generally not taxable in Missouri
Retail product sales (shampoo, styling products): Taxable at 4.225% state + local taxes
If you sell retail products, you must collect and remit sales tax

Step 5: Get Insurance

Missouri does not legally require cosmetologists or salon owners to carry liability insurance, but it is strongly recommended:

Professional liability (malpractice): Covers claims from allergic reactions, chemical burns, or service-related injuries. Starting around $179-$300/year for individual coverage
General liability: Covers slip-and-fall, property damage. Often bundled with professional liability
Workers’ compensation: Required at 5 or more employees. Hair salons are not classified as construction, so the standard threshold applies
Booth renters: Should carry their own individual insurance policies

Step 6: Booth Rental vs. Employee Model

Missouri has specific rules for booth rental salons:

Booth renters (independent contractors):

Each booth renter must hold a valid individual cosmetology license
Each booth renter must obtain their own separate establishment license for their rental space
The booth renter’s license must be posted in plain view at their work station
Booth renters report their own income and pay self-employment taxes
Should carry their own liability insurance
A written rental agreement should outline fees, payment terms, and responsibilities

Employees:

The salon owner holds the establishment license
All employee stylists must hold valid individual cosmetology licenses
Salon owner must file employee reporting forms with the Board
Salon owner handles payroll taxes, withholding, and workers’ comp (at 5+ employees)

Missouri Salon Sanitation Requirements

The Board enforces sanitation rules under 20 CSR 2085-11.020. Key requirements:

All implements must be sanitized after use on each patron
Minimum 30 footcandles light intensity in all work areas
Hot and cold water must be available at all lavatories and shampoo bowls
Water heater must provide water not exceeding 120 degrees F
Open powder boxes and common powder puffs are forbidden – powder must come from shakers or dispensers
Creams must be removed with clean, sanitized spatulas
All containers must be covered when not in use
No use of products containing methyl methacrylate (MMA)
Must connect to public water/sewer where available

Cost to Start a Hair Salon in Missouri

Item	Cost	Notes
Cosmetology exam (theory + practical)	$150	Prov/Pearson VUE
Cosmetology license issuance	$25	Board of Cosmetology
Establishment license (initial)	~$100	Board of Cosmetology
LLC Formation	$50	Secretary of State (online), no annual report
Federal EIN	Free	IRS, immediate online
City business license	$25-$200+	Varies by city
Professional/general liability insurance	$179-$300/year	Individual stylist coverage
Salon build-out (lease, renovation)	$10,000-$50,000+	Location and size dependent
Equipment (chairs, stations, sinks)	$5,000-$20,000	Per-station costs add up
Initial product inventory	$1,000-$5,000	Color, styling products, retail stock
Cosmetology license renewal	$60/2 years	Biennial, Sept 30 odd years
Establishment license renewal	$75/2 years	Biennial, Sept 30 odd years

Estimated total startup cost:

Booth rental model (no build-out): $500-$1,500 (license, insurance, supplies)
Own salon (leased space): $20,000-$75,000+ (build-out, equipment, inventory, insurance)

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours of training do I need for a cosmetology license in Missouri?

1,500 hours of cosmetology training at a Board-approved school, or 3,000 hours of apprenticeship under a licensed cosmetologist. You must be at least 17 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED.

How much does a cosmetology license cost in Missouri?

The state exam costs $150 (theory + practical). License issuance is $25. Total: $175. Biennial renewal is $60 (every 2 years). No continuing education is required for renewal.

Do booth renters need their own establishment license in Missouri?

Yes. Each booth renter must obtain a separate establishment license from the Board and post it in plain view at their station. They must also hold a valid individual cosmetology license, carry their own insurance, and report their own income as independent contractors.

Do I need continuing education to renew my Missouri cosmetology license?

No. Missouri does not require continuing education for cosmetologist license renewal. Only cosmetology instructors must complete 8 hours of Board-approved seminar attendance per 2-year renewal cycle.

Is there a background check for a Missouri cosmetology license?

No formal background check or fingerprinting is required. The Board may deny an application for certain serious criminal convictions (reviewed case-by-case), but there is no mandatory fingerprint or background screening as part of the application process.

How much does it cost to open a hair salon in Missouri?

A booth rental model can start for as little as $500-$1,500 (license, insurance, supplies). Opening your own salon with a leased space typically costs $20,000-$75,000+ including build-out, equipment, inventory, and insurance. Missouri’s $50 LLC fee and no annual report keep business formation costs very low.

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About the Author

Robert Smith has run a licensed private investigation firm for 8 years from the Florida-Georgia state line - where he learned firsthand how wildly business licensing rules differ between states just miles apart. He personally researched requirements across all 50 states and D.C., reviewing hundreds of government sources over hundreds of hours to build guides he wished existed when he started. Not a lawyer or accountant - just a business owner who has done the research so you don't have to.

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