Opening a nail salon in Massachusetts: the salon license: Application fee

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

Opening a nail salon in Massachusetts: the salon license: How many licenses does a salon need

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

Opening a nail salon in Massachusetts: the salon license: What the application must include

An 8.5 by 11 inch floor plan of the whole salon, labeling 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 license or other government photo ID for each owner, plus a copy of the trade license of a person who will work at the salon (this may be the owner). A notarized CORI form for EACH owner; without notarization 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.

Opening a nail salon in Massachusetts: the salon license: What happens if the salon is sold or moves

A salon license 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 license. A renovation or a changed floor plan is filed as a Salon Expansion application.

Opening a nail salon in Massachusetts: the salon license: 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.

Opening a nail salon in Massachusetts: the salon license: 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.

Opening a nail salon in Massachusetts: the salon license

What Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering publishes about licensing the salon itself, checked on September 14, 2026.

Application fee: $136 for each salon license 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 licenses does a salon need: A salon that offers manicuring AND aesthetics but no hair services must apply for TWO separate licenses: a Manicuring salon license and an Aesthetics salon license. Each application is $136, so a salon of this shape pays $272, not $136. A Cosmetology salon license, by contrast, needs only one. The Board also states that it no longer issues or requires booth renter or booth shop licenses.; 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, labeling 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 license or other government photo ID for each owner, plus a copy of the trade license of a person who will work at the salon (this may be the owner). A notarized CORI form for EACH owner; without notarization 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 license 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 license. 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

Every line carries its own check date, because a page is only as trustworthy as its oldest line.

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

Read the general guide to opening a nail salon

Salon license, state by state

Opening a nail salon in Massachusetts: the salon license

Also about Massachusetts