How to Start a Hair Salon in Mississippi (2026)

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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

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• How to Start a Private Investigation Business in Mississippi

← Back to all Mississippi business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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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