Opening a nail salon in Massachusetts: the salon licence

Application fee

$136 for each salon licence application. The fee is non-refundable. Paying online requires a debit or credit card.

Source: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering - Apply for an aesthetics, cosmetology, or manicuring salon license · Checked September 14, 2026

How many licences does a salon need

A salon that offers manicuring AND aesthetics but no hair services must apply for TWO separate licences: a Manicuring salon licence and an Aesthetics salon licence. Each application is $136, so a salon of this shape pays $272, not $136. A Cosmetology salon licence, by contrast, needs only one. The Board also states that it no longer issues or requires booth renter or booth shop licences.

Source: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering - Apply for an aesthetics, cosmetology, or manicuring salon license · Checked September 14, 2026

What the application must include

An 8.5 by 11 inch floor plan of the whole salon, labelling every station, chair, manicuring table and aesthetics room, with square footage, additional sinks (which may not be in a bathroom and may not be a shampoo bowl), the shop sign and bathrooms. A 2 by 2 inch photo of each owner or partner. A copy of the driver's licence or other government photo ID for each owner, plus a copy of the trade licence of a person who will work at the salon (this may be the owner). A notarised CORI form for EACH owner; without notarisation the application is incomplete. Plumbing and electrical paperwork: the original Plumbing and Electrical Form if work was done, or the No Plumbing or Electrical Work Required form if not. Company paperwork by entity type: Articles of Incorporation, a partnership agreement, or a Certificate of Organization for an LLC. A price list of all services.

Source: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering - Apply for an aesthetics, cosmetology, or manicuring salon license · Checked September 14, 2026

What happens if the salon is sold or moves

A salon licence is NOT transferable and covers only the location or space it was issued for. Changing location, or moving to a different space even at the same address, requires a new application. An owner must notify the Board immediately when planning to sell an operating salon, and the new owner must file a new application; after a change of ownership the salon may stay open for 30 days before the new owner must hold their own licence. A renovation or a changed floor plan is filed as a Salon Expansion application.

Source: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering - Apply for an aesthetics, cosmetology, or manicuring salon license · Checked September 14, 2026

Rules on the salon name and the price list

A salon name may not suggest healing or medical benefits: the Board prohibits words such as 'healing', 'medical', 'med' and 'clinical'. The Board also states that a name using ethnic, gender or age-specific terms MAY violate Massachusetts law and may be rejected or delay the application. This is worth reading closely before ordering a sign. On pricing: charging men and women different prices for the same service is prohibited.

Source: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering - Apply for an aesthetics, cosmetology, or manicuring salon license · Checked September 14, 2026

When you may open

The salon must be completely set up, signed and ready for business to pass the final licensing inspection. An investigator contacts you to schedule the date. A new salon, or one that is changing location, MUST stay closed until it is approved after inspection. The Board asks applicants to allow several weeks for processing.

Source: Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering - Apply for an aesthetics, cosmetology, or manicuring salon license · Checked September 14, 2026

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The oldest line on this page was checked September 14, 2026