How to Start a Hair Salon in Maine (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Opening a hair salon in Maine requires both an individual cosmetologist (or barber) license and a separate salon establishment license. Both are issued by the Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation (OPOR) through its Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program. Maine’s cosmetologist license requires 1,500 school hours and passing both written and practical NIC exams. The salon establishment license itself is inexpensive ($20/year) but must be renewed by October 31 annually. This guide covers every step using official 2026 sources.

Hair Salon Requirements in Maine at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
Cosmetologist Individual License	Maine OPOR – Barbering & Cosmetology	$40	After 1,500 hours + exam
NIC Written Exam	DL Roope Administrations, Inc. (NIC)	Approx. $94 (written + practical combined)	Schedule after completing school hours
NIC Practical Exam	DL Roope Administrations, Inc. (NIC)	Included in combined exam fee	Same day or separate day from written
Salon Establishment License	Maine OPOR – Barbering & Cosmetology	$20/year (renewal due Oct 31)	Before opening; inspect before approval
LLC Formation	Maine Secretary of State	$175	5-10 business days (mail)
Annual Report	Maine Secretary of State	$85/year	Due June 1 each year
Sales Tax Registration	Maine Revenue Services	Free	Immediate online
Workers’ Compensation	Licensed private insurer	Varies	Required before 1st employee

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

Step 1: Complete Cosmetology School (1,500 Hours)

Every cosmetologist who works in a Maine salon must hold an individual Maine cosmetologist license. To qualify, you must meet all of the following:

Minimum age: 17 years old
Education: Completed 10th grade or equivalent
Training hours: One of the following paths:

School route: Complete 1,500 hours at a Maine Board of Cosmetology-approved cosmetology school
Apprenticeship route: Complete 2,500 apprenticeship hours over a minimum of 18 months under a licensed cosmetologist who holds a current Maine instructor approval

Maine-approved cosmetology schools include programs at community colleges and private beauty schools throughout the state. Contact Maine OPOR at (207) 624-8579 for a list of approved programs.

Step 2: Pass the NIC Written and Practical Exams

After completing your training hours, you must pass two exams – both written and practical – administered through the National Interstate Council (NIC). Maine uses DL Roope Administrations, Inc. as its NIC testing administrator. Contact DL Roope to schedule your exams. You must pass both to qualify for a Maine cosmetologist license. Exam fee information is available through DL Roope at the time of scheduling.

Maine OPOR exam information: maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing.

Step 3: Apply for Your Maine Cosmetologist License

After passing both NIC exams, submit your license application and $40 fee to Maine OPOR:

Contact: Maine OPOR Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program
Phone: (207) 624-8579
Email: barbercosm.lic@maine.gov
Address: 35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0035
Website: maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing

Note: Maine does not require continuing education for licensed cosmetologists to renew their individual license (instructors must complete 14 hours CE every 2 years, but working cosmetologists do not have a CE requirement).

Step 4: Form Your Business Entity

Before opening your salon, form a business entity to protect your personal assets. Mail a Certificate of Formation to the Maine Secretary of State with a $175 filing fee. Maine requires paper/mail filing – no online option. Processing takes 5-10 business days. Annual report: $85, due June 1 each year.

Step 5: Find and Prepare Your Salon Space

Your salon space must meet Maine OPOR standards for cosmetology establishments before the establishment license is issued. Key requirements include:

Proper ventilation and sanitation facilities
Safe and sanitary workstations for each stylist
Shampoo bowls, mirrors, and appropriate lighting
Separate storage for clean and used tools/implements
Running hot and cold water
Clean waiting area separate from service area
Compliance with local building codes and ADA accessibility (if applicable)

Consult Maine OPOR’s establishment requirements before signing a lease to ensure your space can be configured to meet standards.

Step 6: Apply for Your Salon Establishment License

Every hair salon must hold a separate establishment license from Maine OPOR. This is the business’s license (separate from the individual cosmetologist licenses held by each stylist):

Annual renewal fee: $20
Renewal deadline: October 31 each year
Late fee: $50 if renewed after expiration
If more than 90 days past expiration, you must reapply (not renew)
An OPOR inspector will visit to verify compliance before your establishment license is issued

Establishment license page: maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing.

Step 7: Register for Taxes and Handle Employment Requirements

Register with Maine Revenue Services at revenue.maine.gov. Salon services (haircuts, coloring, etc.) are subject to Maine’s 6% Service Provider Tax in most cases. Retail product sales (shampoo, styling products) are subject to Maine’s 5.5% sales tax.

If hiring employees (W-2 stylists), register with the Maine Department of Labor for unemployment insurance (2.54% new employer rate on first $12,000/employee) and obtain workers’ compensation insurance (required from your first employee). Report new hires within 7 days at portal.maine.gov/newhire.

If stylists are independent contractors (booth renters), different tax rules apply – consult a tax professional about your booth rental arrangement to ensure proper classification.

Cost to Start a Hair Salon in Maine

Item	Cost	Notes
Cosmetology School (1,500 hours)	$6,000-$20,000	Varies by school; financial aid available
NIC Exams (written + practical)	~$94	DL Roope exam fees (verify current amount when scheduling)
Maine Cosmetologist License	$40	Individual license fee
Salon Establishment License	$20/year	Renewed annually by October 31
LLC Formation	$175	One-time; mailed to Secretary of State
Annual Report (first year)	$85	Due June 1 each year
Commercial Lease (monthly)	$800-$3,000/month	Varies by Maine market; Portland highest
Salon Equipment (chairs, mirrors, shampoo bowls)	$5,000-$25,000	Per styling station; 2-6 stations typical for small salon
Point-of-Sale System & Booking Software	$50-$150/month	Vagaro, StyleSeat, Square, etc.
General Liability Insurance	$400-$1,500/year	$1M per occurrence recommended
Workers’ Compensation	$500-$1,500/year per employee	Mandatory from first hire
Initial Product Inventory	$500-$3,000	Shampoos, colors, styling products for retail and use

Estimated total startup cost (excluding cosmetology school): $8,000 – $40,000+

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours of training are required for a Maine cosmetologist license?

Maine requires 1,500 school hours at an approved cosmetology program, or 2,500 apprenticeship hours over at least 18 months under a licensed cosmetologist with instructor approval. After completing hours, you must pass both the NIC written and practical exams before your license is issued.

How much does a Maine cosmetologist license cost?

The Maine OPOR cosmetologist license fee is $40. Additionally, you will pay exam fees to DL Roope (approximately $94 for the NIC written and practical combined). Total licensing cost is modest – the major expense is cosmetology school, which runs $6,000-$20,000 depending on the program.

Do Maine cosmetologists need continuing education to renew?

No. Maine does not require continuing education (CE) for licensed cosmetologists to renew their individual license. This distinguishes Maine from many other states. Cosmetology instructors must complete 14 hours of CE per 2-year renewal cycle, but working cosmetologists do not have a CE requirement.

When is the Maine salon establishment license due for renewal?

The Maine salon establishment license must be renewed annually by October 31. The renewal fee is $20. A $50 late fee applies if renewed after the expiration date. If more than 90 days past the expiration date, you must submit a new application rather than renewing.

Are salon services taxable in Maine?

Yes – salon services (haircuts, coloring, styling, etc.) are generally subject to Maine’s 6% Service Provider Tax. Retail product sales (shampoos, conditioners, hair accessories) sold at the salon are subject to the 5.5% sales tax. Register with Maine Revenue Services at revenue.maine.gov for free before your first service.

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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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