Mississippi cosmetologists need 1,550 training hours — higher than the 1,500 hours common in neighboring states — and Mississippi was an early adopter of hair braiding deregulation. Since 2005, braiders have been exempt from cosmetology licensing under Miss. Code Section 73-7-71, requiring only a $25 DOH registration, not 1,550 hours of school. That contrast matters: if you’re opening a full-service salon, you’re subject to the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (MSBCB); if you’re a braider, you’re not. Opening a salon in Mississippi requires two separate MSBCB authorizations — an individual cosmetologist license and a separate salon establishment permit — plus a local Business Privilege License. The individual license costs $50 to renew every two years with zero continuing education required for standard practitioners. Mississippi has more than 6,700 registered hair braiders, reflecting a vibrant natural hair care market that coexists with the MSBCB-regulated salon industry.
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Want the LLC part done today?
Every permit and policy below — licenses, insurance, the business bank account — attaches to your registered business entity, so the LLC is the step that unlocks the rest. Bizee files your Mississippi LLC with the state and walks you through every step; most people finish the application in one sitting. You choose the package that fits and pay your state’s filing fee.
Mississippi requires 1,550 hours of education at an MSBCB-approved cosmetology school before you are eligible to sit for the licensing exam. This is 50 hours more than the 1,500-hour standard in neighboring Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana — a distinction that matters if you are relocating from another state or comparing Mississippi’s requirements to peer states before deciding where to open.
Programs typically take 10 to 12 months for full-time students. Tuition ranges from approximately $8,000 to $18,000 depending on the school and location. Federal student aid (FAFSA) may be available at accredited schools.
Other Mississippi cosmetology license types and their hour requirements:
License Type
Hours Required
Cosmetologist
1,550 hours
Esthetician
600 hours
Nail Technician
350 hours
Instructor
1,000 hours instructor training + current valid MS license + 1 year active practical experience (or alternative pathways)
Find MSBCB-approved schools through msbc.ms.gov. The board’s website maintains an official list of approved cosmetology schools in Mississippi.
Step 2: Pass the NIC Licensing Exams
After completing your 1,550 hours, you must pass the National-Interstate Council (NIC) licensing exams administered through MSBCB:
NIC Written Theory Exam: Covers cosmetology theory, chemistry, safety, sanitation, and professional practice
NIC Practical Exam: Hands-on skills demonstration
Minimum passing score: 70 for practitioner licenses (75 for instructor licenses).
Contact MSBCB for current exam fees, scheduling information, and testing center locations:
Step 3: Apply for Your Individual Cosmetologist License
After passing both exams, apply to MSBCB for your individual cosmetologist license. Submit:
Completed MSBCB license application
Two recent passport photographs
Criminal background check documentation
$50 initial license fee
Key Mississippi-specific fee and renewal facts:
License Fee
Amount
Initial cosmetologist license
$50
Biennial renewal (standard cosmetologist)
$50
Instructor license renewal (biennial)
$80
Reciprocity application (out-of-state licensees)
$55
Duplicate license
$10
Continuing education requirement for standard cosmetologist, esthetician, and nail technician:None. Mississippi requires zero CE hours for standard practitioner renewals. This makes Mississippi one of the most renewal-friendly states in the country for working cosmetologists. The only exceptions are: Master License holders (8 hours CE per renewal cycle) and instructors (24 hours CE per renewal cycle).
Licenses renew biennially from the date of issuance. MSBCB online licensing portal: ms.gov/msbc/online_licensure.
Step 4: Form Your Business Entity and Get an EIN
File a Certificate of Formation with the Mississippi Secretary of State online portal at business.sos.ms.gov. The filing fee is $50 (plus a $3 online processing fee). Mississippi LLCs file a free annual report due April 15 each year.
Apply for a free federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) through IRS.gov. Mississippi has no general state business license — instead, obtain a Business Privilege License from your city or county before opening.
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Step 5: Secure and Equip Your Salon Location
Your salon must comply with MSBCB facility and equipment standards before the establishment permit will be issued. Key physical requirements include:
One workstation with mirror per cosmetologist
One wet sanitizer per cosmetologist station (for implements)
One dry sanitizer (clean, covered container) for clean implements at each station
Covered clean towel cabinet and covered soiled towel container per station
Adequate covered trash cans of solid construction
Closed cabinet of solid construction for nail technology supplies, if nail services are offered
For esthetics areas, if applicable:
Treatment table, chair, or bed plus practitioner stool per esthetician
One sink within 15 feet of each esthetics treatment area
Treatment areas configured for client privacy
Obtain any required local building permits and a certificate of occupancy from your city or county building authority before applying for the salon establishment permit. Cities like Jackson and Gulfport have their own permitting departments with different timelines.
Step 6: Apply for the MSBCB Salon Establishment Permit
The salon itself must hold a separate Establishment Permit from MSBCB. You must apply before opening — an MSBCB inspector must visit and approve your salon before you may operate. Do not schedule your opening until you have received written confirmation of permit approval.
Establishment permit requirements:
All cosmetologists, estheticians, and nail technicians working at the salon must hold active individual MSBCB licenses
All licenses and sanitation rules must be posted conspicuously in the reception area
A new establishment permit application is required upon change of ownership or change of location
MSBCB inspections after opening are unannounced — inspectors may visit at any time during operating hours
MSBCB contact: 601-359-1820 | info@msbc.ms.gov | 239 N. Lamar Street, Suite 301, Jackson, MS 39201 | msbc.ms.gov
Step 7: Register for Mississippi Taxes
Mississippi sales tax: Cosmetology and personal care services, including haircuts, coloring, chemical treatments, and styling, are subject to Mississippi’s 7% state sales tax. Retail product sales (shampoos, styling products, tools) are also taxable at 7%. Register for a free sales tax permit through the Mississippi DOR TAP portal before opening.
Mississippi income tax (2026): Mississippi LLCs are taxed as pass-through entities. The 2026 individual income tax rate is 0% on the first $10,000 of taxable income and 4.0% on income above $10,000, under the “Build Up Mississippi Act” (HB 1 of 2025). The rate is scheduled to decrease to 3.75% in 2027 and 3.0% by 2030, on a trajectory toward full elimination.
No PFML in Mississippi: Mississippi has no state Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Federal FMLA applies for employers with 50+ employees.
Step 8: Hire Staff and Verify Licenses
Every cosmetologist, esthetician, and nail technician working in your salon must hold an active individual MSBCB license. Verify license status through the MSBCB online lookup before making any hiring decision. Employing an unlicensed practitioner exposes your salon establishment permit to disciplinary action.
Workers’ compensation insurance is required when you have 5 or more employees in Mississippi. Regulated by the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission at mwcc.ms.gov. NCCI workers’ comp code 9586 applies to beauty shops and salons.
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You probably do not need workers’ comp yet — but you do need this
Mississippi sets its workers’ compensation threshold at 5 or more employees, which is high by national standards. If you are opening with two chairs and a part-timer, that obligation genuinely does not apply to you yet, and anyone telling you otherwise is selling something.
General liability is the one that does matter from day one, and it is cheap — roughly $800–$2,000 a year for a Mississippi salon. It covers the client who slips, and a salon-specific policy also answers the chemical-service claims that a generic policy will not: burns, relaxer reactions, colour corrections gone wrong.
Thimble quotes salon general liability and professional liability online, and issues unlimited certificates of insurance free — which your landlord will ask for whether or not the state does.
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Hair Braiding in Mississippi: The 2005 Exemption and What It Means for Your Business
Mississippi enacted one of the country’s earliest and most straightforward hair braiding deregulation laws. Under Miss. Code Section 73-7-71, hair braiding has been exempt from cosmetology licensing since 2005. Braiders do not need to complete 1,550 hours of cosmetology school, pass the NIC exam, or hold an MSBCB cosmetologist license.
What braiders must do instead:
Complete a DOH (Mississippi Department of Health) self-test
Register with the Mississippi Department of Health
Pay a registration fee not exceeding $25
Mississippi has more than 6,700 registered hair braiders, reflecting a substantial natural hair care market that operates entirely outside the MSBCB regulatory framework. That market concentration has direct implications for salon owners:
If you open a full-service MSBCB-licensed salon and want to offer braiding services, the braiders you hire or rent space to are not required to hold cosmetology licenses. However, if a braider also performs services that fall under the cosmetology license definition (chemical services, roller sets, etc.), they need the cosmetology license for those services.
If you are a braider considering expanding to a full-service salon offering chemical services, color, or cuts, you will need to complete the 1,550 hours and obtain the MSBCB license before performing those additional services.
Salon suite models on the Gulf Coast and in Jackson often include braiders as non-licensed suite tenants alongside licensed cosmetologists — this is permitted under Mississippi law as long as braiders only perform braiding services.
The 2005 braiding exemption makes Mississippi one of 33+ states that have moved away from requiring full cosmetology training for braiders — a contrast worth knowing when marketing your salon to clients who may have historically gone to braiders outside the licensed salon system.
The Salon Suite Model in Mississippi
Salon suites — individually rentable studio spaces within a shared facility — are expanding rapidly in Mississippi, particularly in the Jackson metro and the Gulf Coast. National operators including Phenix Salon Suites and Sola Salons have active Mississippi locations.
How It Works
Each suite is a private, self-contained space that a licensed cosmetologist rents on a weekly or monthly basis rather than working as an employee of a salon. The suite renter sets their own prices, hours, and client list. The facility operator typically holds the MSBCB establishment permit for the overall building.
Mississippi-Specific Considerations for Suite Operators
Each individual cosmetologist renting a suite must hold an active individual MSBCB cosmetologist license
Confirm with the suite building operator whether the establishment permit covers individual suites or whether you need a separate permit for your space
Mississippi’s 7% sales tax on salon services applies to suite operators — you must register for a sales tax permit even if you operate alone as a solo practitioner
No MSBCB continuing education is required for biennial renewal, which makes the suite model particularly low-compliance-cost for solo operators
Suite rent in Mississippi typically ranges from $200 to $600 per week depending on market and size
Salon Suite vs. Traditional Employee Model: Mississippi Tax Implications
Suite renters are independent contractors, not employees. Mississippi follows the common-law right-to-control test for classifying workers as employees vs. independent contractors. Misclassification exposure exists if the salon owner exercises day-to-day control over a suite renter’s work. Suite renters file and pay their own Mississippi income tax (0% on first $10K, 4.0% above that in 2026) and self-employment taxes. They do not trigger the salon owner’s workers’ comp obligation unless the total employee count reaches 5 or more.
Mississippi Salon Market: Key Demand Drivers by Metro
Mississippi’s salon market is shaped by its five distinct metro economies. Understanding those drivers helps you select a location, set pricing, and determine which services to offer.
Jackson / Hinds County (and Suburban Rankin / Madison Counties)
Jackson is Mississippi’s capital and largest metro. UMMC (University of Mississippi Medical Center), state government offices, and suburban employers in Brandon, Pearl, and Flowood create a stable professional client base. The suburban migration pattern — residents working in Jackson but living in Rankin and Madison counties — supports strong demand for full-service salons in suburban strip centers with ample parking. Jackson’s medical and government workforce skews toward clients who can afford regular cuts and color appointments at quality-differentiated prices.
Gulf Coast / Gulfport-Biloxi (Harrison County)
The Gulf Coast casino resort economy — Beau Rivage, Harrah’s Gulf Coast, Golden Nugget, IP Casino, Scarlet Pearl, and others — drives a distinct salon market. Casino resort workers and their families, plus the substantial tourism flow to Gulf Coast beaches, create year-round demand for salon services. Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi adds a military family population. Gulf Coast salon operators benefit from a tourism-driven client base that supplements the local resident market during high seasons. The Gulf Coast also has one of the more active salon suite markets in Mississippi.
Tupelo / Lee County
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi (approximately 2,000 direct employees plus supplier chain workers) anchors Tupelo’s industrial economy. The furniture manufacturing industry adds another stable employer base. Tupelo’s workforce is relatively stable, with consistent incomes that support regular salon visits. Tupelo is also a regional retail draw for Lee County and surrounding counties in northeast Mississippi, giving salon operators a broader trade area than the local population alone suggests.
Hattiesburg / Forrest County
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) creates a college-town salon market anchored by students, faculty, and the broader Pine Belt regional population. Forrest General Hospital and the Pine Belt Medical Center add healthcare workers. Hattiesburg is a regional hub for south Mississippi and serves a multi-county catchment area for higher-end salon services.
Southaven and DeSoto County (Memphis Suburb)
DeSoto County is Mississippi’s fastest-growing county, driven by Memphis suburb growth along US-51 and I-55. Southaven, Olive Branch, and Horn Lake have absorbed significant residential growth from workers who commute to Memphis but live in Mississippi for lower taxes and cost of living. The Memphis-adjacent market means DeSoto County salon operators compete with the Memphis metro salon market for client loyalty, but also benefit from Mississippi’s lower cost structure. Salon suite growth in Southaven has been notable as the county’s professional-class resident base expands.
Startup Cost Breakdown: Mississippi Hair Salon
Item
Estimated Cost
Notes
Cosmetology School (1,550 hours)
$8,000 to $18,000
Federal aid may reduce out-of-pocket; min. 10 to 12 months full-time
NIC Written and Practical Exams
Verify with MSBCB
Contact MSBCB at 601-359-1820 for current exam fees
Individual Cosmetologist License
$50
Initial; renews biennially at $50; zero CE required
LLC Formation
$50
Mississippi SOS online filing; free annual report
Salon Establishment Permit
Verify with MSBCB
Initial application and inspection fee; annual renewal
Local Business Privilege License
Varies by city/county
No general state license; required locally
Salon Lease (first + last + deposit)
$2,000 to $8,000+
Highly variable by market, size, and location type
Salon Build-Out and Renovation
$5,000 to $40,000
Stations, plumbing, electrical, flooring, signage
Equipment (chairs, dryers, shampoo bowls)
$5,000 to $15,000
New; used equipment can reduce costs significantly
Supplies (initial inventory)
$500 to $2,000
Color, chemicals, tools, retail products
Sales Tax Registration
Free
TAP portal at tap.dor.ms.gov; 7% on services and retail
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Ready to form your Mississippi LLC?
Bizee files your Certificate of Formation with the Mississippi Secretary of State, so the filing that trips up most first-time owners is handled for you. The ongoing filings Mississippi requires afterwards are a separate compliance service, if you would rather not track those yourself.
How many hours do you need to become a cosmetologist in Mississippi?
Mississippi requires 1,550 hours at an MSBCB-approved cosmetology school — 50 hours more than the 1,500-hour standard in neighboring Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana. Programs typically take 10 to 12 months full-time. Estheticians need 600 hours; nail technicians need 350 hours. Find approved schools at msbc.ms.gov.
Do Mississippi cosmetologists need continuing education to renew their license?
No. Mississippi requires zero continuing education hours for standard cosmetologist, esthetician, and nail technician license renewals. This is one of the most practitioner-friendly renewal structures in the country and a meaningful advantage compared to states like Maryland (6 hours CE effective 2026) or Minnesota (required CE). The only exceptions are Master License holders (8 hours CE per renewal cycle) and instructors (24 hours CE per renewal cycle).
Is hair braiding exempt from cosmetology licensing in Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi has exempted hair braiding from cosmetology licensing since 2005 under Miss. Code Section 73-7-71, making it one of the earliest states nationally to deregulate braiding. Hair braiders are not required to complete 1,550 hours of cosmetology school. Instead, braiders must complete a Mississippi Department of Health self-test and register with MSDH for a fee not exceeding $25. Mississippi has more than 6,700 registered hair braiders. If a braider also wants to perform chemical services, coloring, or cuts, they need the full cosmetology license for those additional services.
Do I need a separate salon establishment permit in Mississippi?
Yes. Owning or operating a salon in Mississippi requires two separate MSBCB authorizations: your individual cosmetologist license and a separate Salon Establishment Permit for the salon itself. The permit is issued in the salon’s name, not your personal name. You cannot open for business until an MSBCB inspector has visited and approved your salon. Inspections after opening are unannounced. Contact MSBCB at 601-359-1820 or visit msbc.ms.gov for current establishment permit fees and the application process.
Are salon services taxable in Mississippi?
Yes. Cosmetology and personal care services — haircuts, coloring, chemical treatments, styling — are subject to Mississippi’s 7% state sales tax. Retail product sales are also taxable at 7%. Register for a sales tax permit through the Mississippi DOR TAP portal at tap.dor.ms.gov before opening. This registration is free.
How does the salon suite model work in Mississippi?
Salon suites are individually rentable studio spaces where licensed cosmetologists operate independently rather than as employees of a salon. Phenix Salon Suites and Sola Salons are active in the Jackson metro and Gulf Coast markets. Each suite operator must hold an active individual MSBCB cosmetologist license. Confirm with the suite facility operator whether the establishment permit covers your suite or whether you need a separate permit. Suite renters must register for Mississippi sales tax independently. No CE is required for biennial renewal, keeping the annual compliance burden low for solo suite operators.
What agency licenses hair salons in Mississippi?
The Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering (MSBCB) licenses all cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, instructors, and salon establishments in Mississippi. The cosmetology and barbering boards were merged into a combined agency. Phone: 601-359-1820. Email: info@msbc.ms.gov. Address: 239 N. Lamar Street, Suite 301, Jackson, MS 39201. Website: msbc.ms.gov.
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.
