How to Start a Salon in Florida

Last updated: February 23, 2026

Starting a hair salon in Florida means navigating a licensing system that most other businesses never touch — the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Unlike many service businesses, Florida requires both a salon establishment license and individual practitioner licenses for every person performing services. The state also enforces strict sanitation standards through unannounced inspections.

This guide covers every requirement, cost, and step to legally open and operate a hair salon in Florida, whether you’re running a booth-rental operation or building a full-service salon with employees.

Hair Salon Requirements in Florida at a Glance

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

Step 1: Get Your Individual Practitioner License

Before you can open a salon in Florida, you (and every person who will perform services) must hold an individual practitioner license from the DBPR. This is separate from the salon establishment license.

Florida Practitioner License Requirements

Important: All practitioner types must complete an HIV/AIDS course as part of their initial training. This is a Florida-specific requirement.

For a cosmetologist license specifically, you’ll need to pass two exams — a written theory exam and a practical exam. Each costs $15.75 and requires a score of 75% or higher to pass. Apply for your license through MyFloridaLicense.com.

Step 2: Form Your Florida LLC

File your Articles of Organization online at Sunbiz.org. Total cost: $125 ($100 filing fee + $25 registered agent fee). Processing takes 3–5 business days.

Your LLC name must include “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” or “Limited Liability Company” and must be distinguishable from existing entities on file. You’ll need a Florida Registered Agent with a physical street address in the state — you can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Florida address.

If you want to operate under a different name (e.g., “Glow Beauty Studio” instead of “Glow Beauty Studio LLC”), file a Fictitious Name Registration for $50.

Step 3: Get Your Federal EIN

Apply for a free Employer Identification Number at IRS.gov. You’ll receive it immediately when applying online. You need this to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file business taxes.

Step 4: Secure Your Salon Location

Your salon space must meet DBPR minimum requirements:

• Minimum 100 sq ft for one practitioner
• Plus 50 sq ft for each additional practitioner
• Hot and cold running water
• Adequate ventilation
• Bathroom access for clients and staff

Before signing a lease, confirm that the location is zoned for commercial use and permits salon operations. If you’re doing any build-out or renovation, you’ll need a building permit from your local government. A sign permit may also be required for exterior signage.

Step 5: Apply for Your DBPR Salon Establishment License

Apply for your salon establishment license at MyFloridaLicense.com. This is required for any location where cosmetology, barbering, nail, or facial services are performed.

• Cost: ~$50–$75 initial application
• Exam: No exam required for the salon establishment license
• Renewal: $45 biennial (due November 30 of even-numbered years)
• Inspection: DBPR schedules an inspection after the license is issued

Note: The salon establishment license is separate from each practitioner’s individual license. Both are required — the establishment license covers the physical location, and the practitioner licenses cover the individuals working there.

Step 6: Get Your Local Business Tax Receipt

Visit your county Tax Collector’s office to apply for a Local Business Tax Receipt. This is your primary local business permit in Florida.

• Cost: $25–$150 depending on your county and business classification
• City license too: If you’re within an incorporated city, you’ll typically need both a county and a city business tax receipt
• Zoning approval: Some municipalities require zoning approval or a Certificate of Use before issuing the business tax receipt
• Renewal: Annual, due by October 1
• Display: Must be visible at your place of business

Step 7: Register for Sales Tax

This is where Florida salon taxes get nuanced:

• Salon SERVICES (cuts, color, nails, facials) are NOT taxable in Florida
• Retail product SALES are TAXABLE at 6% + county discretionary surtax
• Booth/space rental fees are TAXABLE at 2% + county discretionary surtax

Register with the Florida Department of Revenue (free online) to collect and remit sales tax on product sales and booth rentals. You’ll receive a Certificate of Registration by mail.

Important: Even if you don’t sell products at launch, register for sales tax if you plan to offer booth rentals. The 2% commercial rent tax on booth/space rental fees is a commonly missed obligation for salon owners.

Step 8: Get Insurance

General Liability Insurance

Covers third-party bodily injury and property damage — a client who slips on a wet floor, an allergic reaction, etc.

• Average cost in Florida: ~$500–$600/year
• Typical coverage: $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate

Professional Liability Insurance

Also called “malpractice” or “errors and omissions” — covers claims related to the services you provide (chemical burns, bad reactions, hair damage).

• Average cost: ~$360+/year

Property Insurance

Covers your equipment, furniture, and inventory if damaged or stolen.

• Average cost: ~$800/year

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Bundles general liability, property, and sometimes professional liability into a single policy — often cheaper than buying separately.

• Average cost: $1,200–$2,500/year

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Required in Florida for non-construction businesses with 4 or more employees (including LLC members and corporate officers).

• LLC members and officers count toward the employee threshold
• Owners can file for an exemption through the FL Division of Workers’ Compensation

Step 9: Pass Your DBPR Inspection

After your salon establishment license is issued, DBPR will schedule an inspection of your location. Inspectors will check for compliance with Florida’s salon sanitation standards. Be prepared for:

• Clean linens stored in a dustproof cabinet — soiled linens must be stored separately
• Implements disinfected between every patron using an EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant
• Pedicure equipment log — must document cleaning/disinfection after every client
• Current licenses displayed — both the salon establishment license and all individual practitioner licenses
• Adequate sanitation stations with soap, running water, and clean towels

After opening: DBPR conducts unannounced inspections on an ongoing basis. Violations can result in fines, mandatory corrective action, or license suspension.

Florida Salon Sanitation Standards

DBPR takes sanitation seriously and it’s the most common reason for violations during inspections. Key rules to follow:

• All reusable implements must be cleaned and disinfected between each patron
• Single-use items (nail files, buffers, toe separators) must be discarded after one use or given to the client
• Clean linens must be stored in a closed, dustproof container
• Soiled linens must be stored in a covered receptacle, separate from clean linens
• A pedicure cleaning log is required — document the cleaning and disinfection of every pedicure unit after every client
• All products must be clearly labeled and stored in sanitary conditions
• No animals in the salon (except service animals)

Does the Health Department Regulate Salons in Florida?

No. The DBPR — not the county health department — is the agency that regulates and inspects salons in Florida. The county health department only becomes relevant if your salon offers services like microblading, tattooing, or body piercing (which require separate health department permits), or if you serve food or beverages on the premises.

Cost to Start a Hair Salon in Florida

Booth Rental Model

Full-Service Salon with Employees

Related Florida Business Guides

• Starting a Business in Florida: Complete Guide

← Back to all Florida business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What licenses do I need to open a salon in Florida?

You need two types of licenses: a DBPR salon establishment license (~$50–$75) for the physical location, and individual practitioner licenses for every person performing services (cosmetologist, barber, nail specialist, or facial specialist). Apply for both at MyFloridaLicense.com. Every practitioner must complete the required training hours and, for cosmetologists and barbers, pass state exams.

Are salon services taxable in Florida?

Salon services — haircuts, color, nails, facials — are NOT taxable in Florida. However, retail product sales are taxable at 6% plus your county’s discretionary surtax. Additionally, booth/space rental fees are taxable at 2% plus county surtax. You must register with the Florida Department of Revenue to collect and remit tax on product sales and booth rentals.

How much does it cost to open a salon in Florida?

A booth rental model salon typically costs $18,000–$90,000 to open, depending on location, build-out scope, and equipment quality. A full-service salon with employees typically costs $65,000–$215,000, with the largest expenses being build-out/renovation and equipment.

Does the health department inspect salons in Florida?

No. The DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) — not the county health department — is responsible for regulating and inspecting salons in Florida. DBPR conducts unannounced inspections to verify sanitation compliance and proper licensing. The health department only gets involved if you offer services like microblading or body piercing, or serve food and beverages.

What are the space requirements for a Florida salon?

DBPR requires a minimum of 100 square feet for one practitioner, plus 50 square feet for each additional practitioner. The space must also have hot and cold running water, adequate ventilation, and bathroom access for clients and staff.

Do I need insurance for a salon in Florida?

Salon insurance is not legally mandated for a sole proprietor or small salon, but it is practically essential. General liability runs approximately $500–$600/year, professional liability around $360+/year, and a Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) combining multiple coverages costs $1,200–$2,500/year. Workers’ compensation is legally required once you have 4 or more employees.