How to Start a Hair Salon in Vermont (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Opening a hair salon in Vermont requires two separate licenses from the Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation (OPR): an individual cosmetologist license and a separate salon establishment license. Vermont’s cosmetology licensing program requires 1,500 hours of training at an approved school or 2,000 hours through an approved apprenticeship. The initial cosmetologist license fee is $275, and licenses renew every two years with 24 mandatory continuing education hours. Vermont’s cosmetology licensing is administered by the OPR – the same office that handles attorneys, accountants, architects, and dozens of other licensed professions – under the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists. This guide covers every step with current fees and official Vermont sources for 2026.

Hair Salon Requirements in Vermont at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation	Vermont Secretary of State	$155 (online)	~1 business day
Cosmetology School (1,500 hours)	Vermont-approved cosmetology school	$10,000-$20,000 tuition	9-18 months depending on enrollment type
Cosmetologist License – Initial	Vermont OPR – Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists	$275	After passing exams; license issued within weeks of application
Written and Practical Exams	PCS (PSI/Prov) exam provider	$70-$100 combined exam fee (approx.)	Schedule after completing school hours; results typically immediate
Cosmetologist License – Renewal (every 2 years)	Vermont OPR	$130	Renewal by November 30 of odd-numbered years; 24 CE hours required
Salon Establishment License	Vermont OPR	$25 renewal (contact OPR for initial fee)	Required before opening; inspection may be required
Workers’ Compensation Insurance	Vermont Dept of Labor (if employees)	Varies by carrier	Required before first employee starts

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

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

To qualify for a Vermont cosmetologist license, you must complete one of two training pathways:

• Cosmetology school: Complete 1,500 hours of training at a Vermont-licensed cosmetology school. Programs cover haircutting, coloring, styling, chemical services, skin care basics, sanitation, and Vermont licensing law. Full-time programs typically take 9-12 months; part-time programs take 18 months or longer.
• Apprenticeship: Complete 2,000 hours of supervised practical training under a licensed cosmetologist through a Board-approved apprenticeship program. Contact the OPR for the list of approved apprenticeship programs.

Training costs vary by school but typically range from $10,000 to $20,000 in tuition. Financial aid and payment plans are often available. Confirm that your school is approved by the Vermont OPR before enrolling.

Step 2: Pass the Licensing Exams

After completing your training hours, you must pass two exams administered by PCS (PSI/Prov), the Vermont OPR’s contracted exam provider:

• Written examination: Covers cosmetology theory, sanitation principles, chemistry of hair and skin services, and Vermont Board rules and regulations.
• Practical examination: Hands-on demonstration of core cosmetology skills evaluated by a proctor.

Both exams are required. Contact the Vermont OPR at 802-828-1134 or visit sos.vermont.gov/barbers-cosmetologists for current exam scheduling information and fees.

Step 3: Apply for Your Individual Cosmetologist License

After passing both exams, apply for your cosmetologist license through the Vermont OPR:

• Agency: Vermont Secretary of State, Office of Professional Regulation – Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
• Website: sos.vermont.gov/barbers-cosmetologists
• OPR Online Services: sos.vermont.gov/opr/online-services
• Phone: 802-828-1134
• Initial license fee: $275
• License expiration: November 30 of odd-numbered years (e.g., November 30, 2027)

You must maintain a current, accurate email address on file with the OPR – renewal notices are sent via email. Vermont OPR processes license applications online; paper applications are available but take longer.

License Renewal

Vermont cosmetologist licenses renew every 2 years by November 30 of odd-numbered years.

• Renewal fee: $130
• Continuing Education (CE) requirement: 24 hours of approved CE per 2-year renewal cycle. CE hours must be completed before submitting your renewal application.
• CE topics include advanced techniques, sanitation, Vermont Board rules updates, and professional development. Approved providers and topics are listed on the OPR website.

Step 4: Apply for Your Salon Establishment License

In addition to your individual cosmetologist license, a separate salon establishment license is required from the Vermont OPR before you can legally perform cosmetology services at a salon location. You must obtain this license even if you are the only practitioner in the salon.

• Renewal fee: $25 (every 2 years)
• Initial fee: Contact the Vermont OPR at 802-828-1134 to confirm the current initial establishment license fee, as third-party sources have shown inconsistent data on this amount.
• The OPR may conduct a physical inspection of your salon space before issuing the establishment license. Ensure your salon meets Vermont’s sanitation and equipment standards before requesting an inspection.

Vermont salon sanitation standards require proper sterilization of implements, adequate ventilation, separate clean and soiled storage areas, and readily accessible handwashing facilities. Full requirements are in the Vermont Board rules available at sos.vermont.gov/barbers-cosmetologists.

Step 5: Form Your Business Entity

Register your salon business with the Vermont Secretary of State. Most salon owners form an LLC for liability protection. File Articles of Organization online at bizfilings.vermont.gov for $155. File your annual report within 3 months of fiscal year end for $45. Get a free EIN from the IRS at irs.gov for banking and taxes.

Step 6: Register for Vermont Sales Tax

Cosmetology services (haircuts, coloring, styling) are generally subject to Vermont’s 6% sales tax. Register for sales tax through myVTax at myvtax.vermont.gov before your first day of business. No registration fee. Contact the Vermont Department of Taxes at tax.vermont.gov to confirm the taxable status of specific services you plan to offer.

If you hire employees (stylists, assistants, receptionists), also register with the Vermont Department of Labor for unemployment insurance at labor.vermont.gov.

Step 7: Obtain Business Insurance

General liability insurance: $1 million per occurrence is the standard minimum for hair salons. This protects against client injuries, property damage, and product liability claims.

Workers’ compensation: Mandatory under Vermont law for any employer with one or more employees. Includes booth renters if they meet the definition of an employee under Vermont law – consult an attorney if using booth rental arrangements. More info: labor.vermont.gov/workers-compensation.

Other License Types (Vermont Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists)

If you hire or employ other practitioners in your salon, be aware of additional Vermont OPR license types:

• Barber: 1,000 training hours
• Esthetician: 600 training hours
• Nail Technician: 400 training hours
• Electrologist: 600 training hours

Each practitioner working in your salon must hold a current Vermont OPR license in their specialty. Display all licenses at the salon as required by Vermont Board rules.

Cost to Start a Hair Salon in Vermont

Item	Cost	Notes
Cosmetology School Tuition	$10,000-$20,000	1,500 hours at a Vermont-approved school; financial aid often available
Licensing Exam Fees	$70-$100	Written + practical exams; contact OPR for current fees
Cosmetologist License – Initial	$275	Vermont OPR initial license fee
Salon Establishment License	Contact OPR for initial fee	Call 802-828-1134; renewal is $25 every 2 years
LLC Formation	$155	Online at bizfilings.vermont.gov
Annual Report (Year 1)	$45	Due within 3 months of fiscal year end
Salon Space Lease (monthly)	$800-$3,500/month	Highly location-dependent; Burlington area higher than rural Vermont
Salon Build-out and Equipment	$15,000-$50,000	Styling chairs, shampoo bowls, mirrors, backbar, reception desk
General Liability Insurance	$500-$1,500/year	$1M occurrence minimum recommended
Supplies and Product Inventory	$2,000-$5,000	Initial color, chemical, and styling product stock

Estimated total startup cost: $30,000-$100,000+ (primarily driven by salon build-out and location lease terms)

Related Vermont Business Guides

• How to Start a Daycare in Vermont
• How to Start a Cleaning Service in Vermont
• How to Start a Landscaping Business in Vermont

← Back to all Vermont business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Vermont cosmetologist license cost?

The initial Vermont cosmetologist license fee is $275. Renewal is $130 every 2 years (by November 30 of odd-numbered years). Additionally, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle before renewing. The Vermont OPR Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists handles all cosmetology licensing. Contact the OPR at 802-828-1134 or visit sos.vermont.gov/barbers-cosmetologists.

How many training hours are required for Vermont cosmetology school?

Vermont requires 1,500 hours of training at a Vermont-approved cosmetology school, or 2,000 hours through a Board-approved apprenticeship program. Full-time cosmetology school programs typically take 9-12 months to complete. Tuition typically ranges from $10,000 to $20,000. Confirm that your school is Vermont OPR-approved before enrolling.

Do I need a separate license to open a salon in Vermont?

Yes. In addition to your individual cosmetologist license, you must obtain a separate salon establishment license from the Vermont OPR before performing cosmetology services at your salon location. The renewal fee is $25 every 2 years. Contact the OPR at 802-828-1134 for the current initial establishment license fee, as this information was not consistently confirmed in research.

Are cosmetology services subject to Vermont sales tax?

Yes. Cosmetology services (haircuts, coloring, styling, etc.) are generally subject to Vermont’s 6% sales tax. Register for sales tax through myVTax at myvtax.vermont.gov before your first day of business. Confirm the taxable status of specific services with the Vermont Department of Taxes at tax.vermont.gov.

What continuing education is required to renew a Vermont cosmetologist license?

Vermont cosmetologists must complete 24 hours of approved continuing education per 2-year renewal cycle. CE hours must be completed before your renewal application is submitted. Licenses expire November 30 of odd-numbered years. Approved CE topics and providers are listed on the Vermont OPR website at sos.vermont.gov/barbers-cosmetologists. Renewal fee: $130.