How to Start a Hair Salon in Utah (2026)

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Starting a hair salon in Utah requires a cosmetology license for each stylist from the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) and a salon/establishment license for the business itself. Utah’s cosmetology licensing underwent a major overhaul in 2026 under Senate Bill 330 (effective January 1, 2026): training hours were reduced from 1,600 to 1,250, barbering and cosmetology licenses were consolidated, a new apprenticeship pathway was created, and all applications moved to online-only as of January 31, 2026. No continuing education is required in Utah after licensure, which is a significant advantage over other states. Utah is also one of a small number of states where salon services are not subject to sales tax (product sales are taxable).

Hair Salon Requirements in Utah at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC formation	Utah Division of Corporations	$59	Instant online
Cosmetology license (per stylist)	Utah DOPL	$60 application + $52 renewal/2yr	After 1,250 hours + exams
Cosmetology school or apprenticeship	Licensed Utah school or employer	$8,000-$20,000 (school)	1,250 hours
NIC Theory Exam	NIC/PSI	Included in school fees or ~$80	1 day
NIC Practical Exam	NIC/PSI	Included in school fees or ~$80	1 day
Salon/Establishment License	Utah DOPL	$250	2-4 weeks
Local business license	City or county clerk	$50-$200/year	1-2 weeks
Workers’ comp insurance	Private insurer	Varies	Required from 1st employee

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

Step 1: Complete Cosmetology Training (1,250 Hours)

Under Utah’s updated licensing law (SB 330, effective January 1, 2026), you must complete 1,250 hours of cosmetology training – reduced from the previous 1,600-hour requirement. You have two pathways:

Cosmetology school: Enroll in a DOPL-licensed cosmetology school in Utah. Programs cost $8,000-$20,000 and take approximately 9-14 months full-time. Schools provide the clock hour documentation DOPL requires for licensure.
Apprenticeship: Complete 1,250 hours working under a licensed Utah cosmetologist at a licensed salon. This new pathway was created by SB 330 and is equal to the school pathway. Register your apprenticeship with DOPL at the start ($20 for apprentice registration).

Other license types available under Utah’s 2026 updated rules:

License Type	Hours Required (2026)
Cosmetology License	1,250 hours
Master Esthetics License	1,200 hours
Master Barber License	1,000 hours
Master Hair Design License	1,000 hours
Nail Technology License	300 hours
Eyelash/Eyebrow Technology License	270 hours

Step 2: Pass the NIC Theory and Practical Exams

After completing your training hours, you must pass both:

NIC Theory Exam – Written test on cosmetology knowledge, laws, and safety
NIC Practical Exam – Hands-on demonstration of cosmetology skills

Both exams require a passing score of 75% or higher. Exams must be passed within one year before your application date – scores older than one year are not accepted. Schedule exams through PSIexams.com. Most Utah cosmetology schools include exam fees in their tuition.

Step 3: Apply for Your Cosmetology License

As of January 31, 2026, all Utah cosmetology applications are processed online only through the DOPL licensing portal at utahdoc.mylicenseone.com. Paper applications are no longer accepted. The application fee is $60.

License renewal: Utah cosmetology licenses expire September 30 of odd-numbered years (2-year cycle). Renewal fee is $52. No continuing education is required for individual practitioners in Utah – this is a major advantage compared to most other states.

Step 4: Form Your Business Entity

Register your salon as an LLC with the Utah Division of Corporations at businessregistration.utah.gov for $59. This is required before DOPL will issue a salon establishment license to your business.

Step 5: Apply for Your Salon Establishment License

Every salon operating in Utah must hold a Salon/Establishment License from DOPL. The fee is $250 (same for both initial and renewal). Apply through DOPL’s online portal. DOPL will conduct an inspection of your salon space to verify:

Adequate sanitation equipment and procedures
Proper ventilation and lighting
Appropriate workstations and shampoo bowl setup
Sterilization equipment for tools and implements
Posted DOPL license for each licensed practitioner

Contact DOPL at (801) 530-6628 or visit commerce.utah.gov/dopl/cosmetology/ for inspection requirements.

Step 6: Utah Sales Tax Rules for Salons

This is an important Utah advantage: cosmetology and salon services are NOT subject to Utah sales tax. You do not collect sales tax on haircuts, color, styling, or other services. However:

Products you sell to clients (shampoos, conditioners, styling products) ARE taxable
Register for a sales tax account at tap.utah.gov (free) to handle product sales

Step 7: Get Your Local Business License and Insurance

Obtain a local business license from your city or county ($50-$200/year). Purchase general liability insurance (typically $500K-$1M per occurrence for salons) and workers’ compensation insurance for any employees. In Utah, workers’ comp is required from the very first employee with no minimum threshold.

Cost to Start a Hair Salon in Utah

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC formation	$59	One-time, online, instant
LLC annual renewal	$18/year
Cosmetology school (1,250 hours)	$8,000-$20,000	Or apprenticeship (lower cost)
Cosmetology license application	$60	One-time
Cosmetology license renewal	$52 every 2 years	No CE required
Salon/Establishment License	$250	DOPL, every 2 years
Local business license	$50-$200/year
Salon buildout or lease improvements	$10,000-$75,000	Varies significantly by size
Equipment (chairs, sinks, dryers)	$5,000-$30,000	Per stylist station ~$2,000-$5,000
Initial inventory (products)	$1,000-$5,000
General liability insurance	$500-$1,500/year
Workers’ comp insurance	Varies by payroll	Required from 1st employee

Estimated total startup cost (owner-operator, excluding school): $15,000-$50,000

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours of training are required for a cosmetology license in Utah in 2026?

Under Utah’s updated SB 330 law effective January 1, 2026, the requirement was reduced from 1,600 hours to 1,250 hours. You can complete these hours through a licensed Utah cosmetology school or through the new apprenticeship pathway (working under a licensed cosmetologist at a salon).

Does Utah require continuing education for cosmetologists?

No. Utah is one of the few states that does not require continuing education for individual cosmetology licensees. Your license renews every two years (by September 30 of odd-numbered years) for $52 with no CE hours required.

What is the Salon Establishment License fee in Utah?

The Utah DOPL Salon/Establishment License costs $250, which applies to both the initial license and renewal. All salons – regardless of size – need this establishment license in addition to individual practitioner licenses.

Are hair salon services taxable in Utah?

No. Cosmetology and salon services are exempt from Utah sales tax. You do not charge sales tax on haircuts, coloring, styling, or other services. However, product sales to clients ARE taxable, so you need a sales tax account (free at tap.utah.gov) if you sell retail products.

Can I open a booth rental salon in Utah?

Yes. Booth rental is permitted in Utah. The salon owner must hold the Establishment License. Each booth renter operating as an independent contractor must hold their own individual cosmetology license. If the booth renter has no employees of their own, they may not need workers’ comp coverage; however, the salon owner should consult an insurance advisor about their specific liability structure.

Is there a new apprenticeship path for cosmetology in Utah?

Yes. SB 330 (effective January 1, 2026) created a formal apprenticeship pathway equal to the school pathway. You can complete your 1,250 required hours by working under a licensed cosmetologist at a licensed Utah salon instead of attending school. Register your apprenticeship with DOPL at the start of your training ($20 apprentice registration renewal fee).

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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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