Florida salon license requirements: the owner's checklist for 2026
Opening a salon in Florida means licensing the place, not just the people. The establishment needs its own license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), the space has to meet the Board of Cosmetology's rules, and every person doing services needs their own license. Here is the checklist, with the rule behind each item.
1. The salon itself needs a license
Under Florida Statutes section 477.025, a cosmetology salon or specialty salon may not operate without a license issued by the DBPR. The license covers the physical location. If you move, open a second location or change ownership, check with the DBPR what that triggers before you do it.
Barbershops are licensed separately, by the Board of Barbers under Chapter 476. If you offer both barbering and cosmetology, confirm which licenses your setup needs.
2. The space has to meet the floor-space rule
Florida Administrative Code rule 61G5-20.002 sets the minimum: a full or specialty salon needs at least 100 square feet of floor space. Only one cosmetologist or specialist can work in a salon that has just the minimum, and each additional cosmetologist or specialist needs another 50 square feet.
| People working at the same time | Minimum floor space |
|---|---|
| 1 | 100 sq ft |
| 2 | 150 sq ft |
| 3 | 200 sq ft |
| 4 | 250 sq ft |
Plan your booking capacity around this too: if your space is licensed for three people, your schedule should never put four on the floor at once.
3. Every practitioner needs their own license
The salon license does not cover the people. Each cosmetologist, nail specialist, facial specialist or barber needs an individual license. That includes booth renters: the renter works under their own license, the space under yours.
4. Sales tax: services no, products yes
Florida Administrative Code rule 12A-1.010 says barber and beauty shops do not collect sales tax on their services. If you sell products (shampoo, polish, nail kits, cosmetics), you must register as a sales and use tax dealer and collect tax on those sales. Supplies you use up while providing services are subject to use tax if you did not pay sales tax when you bought them.
Booth and chair rent: Florida repealed the sales tax on commercial rentals effective October 1, 2025 (Department of Revenue TIP 25A01-04). Rent for periods before that date may still matter in an audit.
5. Local licenses and the practical setup
- Local business tax receipt from your county and, where it applies, your city.
- A booking setup that shows each person's own schedule, so renters and employees are not double-booked.
- Written cancellation and deposit rules, shown on your booking page before people book.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a salon license if every stylist already has a cosmetology license?+
Yes. Florida Statutes section 477.025 requires a license for the salon itself. Individual licenses cover the people, not the location.
How much space does a Florida salon need?+
Rule 61G5-20.002 requires at least 100 square feet, plus 50 square feet for each additional cosmetologist or specialist working there.
Do Florida salons charge sales tax on haircuts or manicures?+
No. Rule 12A-1.010 exempts the services, but products you sell to clients are taxable and you must register as a dealer to sell them.
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Sources
- Florida Statutes §477.025 — Cosmetology salons; specialty salons; requisites; licensure
- Florida Administrative Code 61G5-20.002 — Salon Requirements
- Florida Administrative Code 12A-1.010 — Receipts from sales by barber shops and beauty shops
- Florida Department of Revenue — TIP 25A01-04 (repeal of tax on commercial rentals)
Checked: October 4, 2026. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Check with the DBPR, the Florida Department of Revenue or your accountant for your specific situation.