Apply for a Cosmetology Salon, Mini-Salon or Dual-Shop License
On this page:
Application and Fee
To apply for a license, submit a completed license application along with the non-refundable fee.
You must provide detailed information of all business owners on the application form as well as information about how your business ownership is structured (e.g. sole proprietorship, corporation, etc.).
| Title | Online Application | PDF Appliaction | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology Salon License | Apply Online | Apply by Mail | $106 |
| Cosmetology Mini-Salon License | Apply Online | Apply by Mail | $60 |
| Dual Cosmetology Salon and Barber Shop License | Apply Online | Apply by Mail | $130 |
Salon licenses are valid for two years from the date of issue.
All requirements must be met within 12 months of the filing date or the application will be terminated.
For mobile cosmetology salons, please see the apply for a mobile cosmetology salon page.
Required Equipment
Salon owners are responsible for providing certain equipment for use by customers and licensed cosmetologists. Please see the required equipment for cosmetology salons page for complete details.
Operational Requirements
Cosmetology salon owners will be responsible for understanding and complying with all relevant sections of the cosmetology law and administrative rules, including:
- Responsibilities of Beauty Salons, Mini-Salons, Specialty Salons, Dual Shops, and Mini-Dual Shops (§83.71)
- Health and Safety Standards (§§83.100-115)
Leasing Space
You may lease space to any individual who holds a valid cosmetology license in Texas.
You may lease to mini-salon licensees or mini-dual shop permittees. If you choose to lease to these types of businesses, you will be responsible for maintaining all common areas.
You must maintain a list of all persons renting space in your salon or shop, including their names and license numbers. This list must be provided to the department upon request.
Mini-salon licensees and mini-dual shop permittees must maintain the name, license number, and license expiration date of each person working in the mini-salon or mini-dual shop.
Prohibited Uses
Licensed premises may not be used for living or sleeping purposes, or any other purpose that would tend to make the premises unsanitary, unsafe, or endanger the health and safety of the public.
An establishment that is attached to a residence must have an entrance that is separate and distinct from the residential entrance, Any door between a residence and a licensed facility must be closed during business hours.
Applicants with Criminal Convictions
If you have ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (other than a minor traffic violation) or pleaded guilty or no contest (resulting in a deferred adjudication) to any in-state, out-of-state or federal criminal offense, you must provide a completed Criminal History Questionnaire (PDF) along with your application materials.
The department will conduct a criminal history background check on all persons who apply for a hearing instrument fitter and dispenser license. Criminal convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Licenses may be denied based on the nature of the conviction and how long prior to the application the conviction occurred. Depending on your criminal history, a review can take from one to six weeks to complete.
Individuals may request TDLR review their criminal background before actually applying for a license. TDLR uses the same process for this pre-application evaluation as the process described below. See the Criminal History Evaluation Letter page for more information.
Please see the Guidelines for License Applicants with Criminal Convictions, which describe the process that TDLR uses to determine whether a criminal conviction renders an applicant an unsuitable candidate for the license, or whether a conviction warrants revocation or suspension of a license previously granted.