How to Start a Hair Salon in Alaska (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Opening a hair salon in Alaska requires an individual cosmetology (hairdresser) license from the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers (part of DCBPL) and a separate shop establishment license before you can open your doors. Individual licensure requires completing 1,650 hours of training at a licensed school (or 2,000 apprenticeship hours), passing written and practical board exams, and paying approximately $450 in combined fees. The shop establishment license requires a board inspection before you can serve clients. Alaska has no state sales tax or individual income tax, which reduces the administrative and tax burden for salon owners compared to most other states. This guide covers every requirement for 2026.

Alaska Hair Salon Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
Alaska Business License	DCBPL	$50/year or $100/2 years	Before opening
LLC formation (Articles of Organization)	DCBPL Corporations Section	$250	Before opening
Cosmetology school training	Licensed cosmetology school in Alaska	Varies ($6,000-$20,000+ tuition)	1,650 hours (approximately 11-14 months full-time)
Individual hairdresser license – Application fee	Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers	$150 (non-refundable)	Paid when submitting application
Individual hairdresser license – Initial license fee	Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers	$180	Paid upon license issuance; biennial renewal
Written board examination	Board-approved exam provider	$60	Scheduled after school completion
Practical board examination	Board-approved exam provider	$60	Scheduled after school completion
Shop establishment (owner) license	Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers	$150 application + $260 initial license fee	Before opening to public; requires board inspection; biennial renewal $260
Workers’ compensation (if employees)	Licensed Alaska insurer	Varies by payroll	Before first employee’s first day

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

Step 1: Complete Cosmetology School Training

To obtain an individual hairdresser license in Alaska, you must complete a mandatory training program at a licensed cosmetology school:

• School hours required: 1,650 hours at a licensed cosmetology school. This includes training in hair cutting, styling, coloring, chemical treatments, scalp treatments, sanitation, and state laws and regulations.
• Apprenticeship alternative: 2,000 hours of apprenticeship training working under a licensed hairdresser at a licensed salon. The apprenticeship program must be structured per Board requirements.
• Full-time timeline: At full-time attendance, 1,650 hours takes approximately 11-14 months to complete.
• Find a licensed school: Contact the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers for a list of Board-approved cosmetology schools operating in Alaska.
• Out-of-state training: Trained in another state? Alaska accepts equivalency applications if your training hours and curriculum meet Alaska standards. Contact the Board to verify.

Step 2: Pass the Board Examinations

After completing your required training hours, you must pass two examinations:

• Written examination: Tests knowledge of cosmetology theory, sanitation, safety, chemistry of hair care products, and Alaska statutes (AS 08.13) and regulations (12 AAC 09). Fee: $60.
• Practical examination: Demonstrates hands-on skill with hair cutting, styling, chemical services, and sanitation. Fee: $60.
• Exam scheduling: Contact the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers to arrange exam scheduling. Phone: (907) 465-2550 (Juneau) or (907) 269-8160 (Anchorage).
• Re-examination: If you fail an exam, you may retake it. An additional exam fee applies for each retake.

Step 3: Apply for Your Individual Hairdresser License

With your exams passed and school documentation ready, submit your application to the Board:

• Application fee: $150 (non-refundable)
• Initial license fee: $180
• Total combined fees (including exams): approximately $450
• Required documentation: Proof of school hours/graduation from a licensed school, exam passing scores, completed application form.
• License renewal: Alaska hairdresser licenses renew biennially (every 2 years). Renewal fee: $180. Licenses expire August 31 of odd-numbered years (a license issued in 2026 expires August 31, 2027). No continuing education requirement for renewal – only renewal fee required. (Per 12 AAC 02.140.)
• Board contact:
  Phone Anchorage: (907) 269-8160
  Phone Juneau: (907) 465-2550
  Email: BoardofBarbersHairdressers@Alaska.Gov
  Website: commerce.alaska.gov – Board of Barbers and Hairdressers

Step 4: Form Your Business Entity and Get Alaska Business License

• LLC formation: File Articles of Organization with DCBPL at commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/Corporations. Fee: $250. Protects your personal assets from business liability claims.
• Alaska Business License: Required before any business activity. Apply at commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/BusinessLicensing. Fee: $50/year or $100/2 years.
• EIN: Apply free at irs.gov.

Step 5: Apply for Your Shop Establishment License

Before opening your salon to clients, you need a separate shop establishment license from the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers. This license is held by the shop owner (not by individual stylists).

• Shop owner license fee: $150 application (non-refundable) + $260 initial license fee. Biennial renewal: $260. Licenses expire August 31 of odd-numbered years. (Per Alaska Administrative Code 12 AAC 02.140.)
• Application requirements: Completed shop owner application form (Form 08-4191), proof of Alaska Business License, proof of entity registration (LLC), and payment of fees.
• Board inspection required: The Board will schedule an inspection of your salon space before the shop license is issued. You must not open to paying clients until the inspection is passed and the license is in hand.

Step 6: Pass the Board Salon Inspection

The Board inspection verifies that your salon meets the requirements in Alaska Statutes AS 08.13 and Alaska Administrative Code 12 AAC 09. Key inspection points include:

• Sanitation: Proper sanitizing and disinfecting stations for tools and equipment; separate clean and dirty storage; covered waste containers.
• Ventilation: Adequate ventilation to remove chemical fumes from services involving permanent wave solutions, hair color, bleach, and nail chemicals (if applicable).
• Workstations: Adequate spacing between service stations; impermeable surfaces at workstations for proper disinfection.
• Shampoo area: Properly plumbed shampoo bowls or back-bar sinks with hot and cold running water.
• Restroom: Accessible restroom facilities for employees and clients.
• License display: All individual licenses must be displayed at each stylist’s workstation; shop license displayed at the reception area.

Schedule your inspection as early as possible – wait times for inspection appointments can be several weeks in some regions.

Step 7: Register for Employer Taxes (If Hiring)

• Workers’ compensation: Required before your first employee’s first day. Purchase from a licensed Alaska insurer. Contact: (907) 465-2790, labor.alaska.gov/wc.
• UI registration: Register with Alaska DOLWD Employment Security Tax at labor.alaska.gov/estax.
• Independent contractor vs. booth rental: If stylists pay you booth rent and set their own hours, they may qualify as independent contractors – not employees. Consult an Alaska employment attorney or accountant before making this determination, as misclassification carries significant penalties.
• Alaska tax advantages: No state individual income tax; no state sales tax on hair services (confirm local municipality tax for services).

Cost to Open a Hair Salon in Alaska

Item	Cost	Notes
Alaska Business License	$50/year	Mandatory for all Alaska businesses
LLC formation	$250	One-time; Articles of Organization
Hairdresser license application fee	$150	Non-refundable
Hairdresser initial license fee	$180	Biennial renewal applies
Written board examination	$60	One-time (retakes extra)
Practical board examination	$60	One-time (retakes extra)
Shop establishment (owner) license – application + initial fee	$150 + $260 = $410	Per 12 AAC 02.140; biennial renewal $260; expires August 31 odd years
General liability insurance	$500-$1,500/year	Strongly recommended for salon operations
Estimated individual license total (exams + fees)	~$450	Application + initial license + written + practical exams

Related Alaska Business Guides

• How to Start a Cleaning Service in Alaska
• How to Start a Food Truck in Alaska
• How to Start a Daycare in Alaska
• How to Start an HVAC Business in Alaska
• How to Start a Landscaping Business in Alaska
• How to Become a Private Investigator in Alaska

← Back to all Alaska business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How many training hours are required for a cosmetology license in Alaska?

Alaska requires 1,650 hours of training at a licensed cosmetology school, or 2,000 hours of approved apprenticeship training. Full-time attendance at a cosmetology school typically takes 11-14 months. After completing training, you must pass written ($60) and practical ($60) board examinations administered by the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers before receiving your individual license.

How much does an Alaska hairdresser license cost?

The total fees for an initial individual hairdresser license in Alaska are approximately $450: application fee ($150, non-refundable) + initial license fee ($180) + written exam ($60) + practical exam ($60). Per Alaska Administrative Code 12 AAC 02.140, the biennial renewal fee is $180. Licenses expire August 31 of odd-numbered years. No continuing education is required to renew. Contact the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers at (907) 465-2591 or BoardofBarbersHairdressers@Alaska.Gov.

Do I need a separate license to open a hair salon in Alaska?

Yes. In addition to your individual hairdresser license, you must obtain a shop establishment (shop owner) license from the Alaska Board of Barbers and Hairdressers before opening your salon to clients. Shop owner license fees: $150 application (non-refundable) + $260 initial license fee, per Alaska Administrative Code 12 AAC 02.140. Biennial renewal: $260. The shop license application requires a Board inspection of your facility – you cannot serve paying clients until the inspection passes and the shop license is issued. Board contact: (907) 465-2591 or BoardofBarbersHairdressers@Alaska.Gov.

Can booth renters in Alaska be treated as independent contractors?

Potentially – but this requires careful legal analysis. Stylists who rent booth space, set their own hours, supply their own products, and operate independently from salon management may qualify as independent contractors rather than employees. However, if the salon controls how and when they work, they are likely employees who require workers’ comp coverage, UI contributions, and payroll tax withholding. Misclassification is a serious violation. Consult an Alaska employment attorney before structuring booth rental arrangements.