Opening a nail salon in California: the salon licence

Fees

A $50 nonrefundable application fee. Renewal is $40, and a $20 delinquency fee applies to late renewals. These figures are printed on the Board's establishment application form, revised 25 March 2024.

Source: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology - Application for establishment license (PDF) · Checked September 7, 2026

Who applies and signs

The owner applies. An individual owner signs; a partnership needs the signature of every partner; a corporation or LLC signs through its authorised representative and must give its California Secretary of State registration number.

Source: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology - Application for establishment license (PDF) · Checked September 7, 2026

Before opening

The applicant certifies that the establishment will meet all the requirements of the Barbering and Cosmetology Act and the California Code of Regulations before opening for business. The form asks for the planned opening date and for a preferred language.

Source: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology - Application for establishment license (PDF) · Checked September 7, 2026

How to apply

Apply on paper with form F-BBC-05 or online. The Board states that online applications carry a 2.3 percent credit card service fee. The same page holds the closure, name-change and ownership-disclosure forms.

Source: California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology - Forms and publications · Checked September 7, 2026

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The oldest line on this page was checked September 7, 2026