Hair salon licenses
in Fort Worth, Texas
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
Hair salon at a commercial location in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas; not home-based; customers and staff on site; W-2 employees planned; sells tangible retail goods; no food, no alcohol, no commercial vehicles.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the legal entity type (LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship)?
- Will the salon operate under a name different from the legal entity name?
- What specific retail products will be sold?
- Is there a plan to install or change exterior signage?
- Will any specialty services (e.g., facials, manicures) be offered?
- What is the current Certificate of Occupancy status for the leased space?
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: Federal employer obligations; Workers' compensation coverage; New-hire reporting; Individual salon practitioner licensing; City business license or tax registration; Business personal-property filing or exemption; Construction permits for the commercial premises. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 8- 01Barbering and Cosmetology Establishment License (Full-Service)Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Barbering and Cosmetology program · Texas
A physical hair salon in Texas that customers visit must be licensed as an establishment before offering cosmetology services.
RequiredEvery 2 years from date of issue. On-time renewal $78; late renewals $117 (expired <18 months) or $156 (expired 18 months to 3 years). TDLR sends renewal notices about 60 days before expiration. - 02Certificate of Occupancy (CO) / Change of Use permitCity of Fort Worth, Development Services Department · Fort Worth
Any building used or occupied in Fort Worth must have a Certificate of Occupancy, and a new business in an existing space (especially a change in occupancy type to a salon) requires a new CO or a Change of Use permit.
RequiredNone for the CO itself (issued once); a new CO is required on change of use or occupancy change. - 03Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit (seller's permit)Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts · Texas
The salon sells tangible personal property (retail hair products) in Texas, and the permit is required for anyone engaged in business in Texas who sells or leases tangible personal property or taxable services.
RequiredNot published - permit remains in force while the holder files sales tax returns - 04Employer Identification Number (EIN)Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Federal
The salon will have W-2 employees, and every employer with employees must have an EIN; it is also required for the sales tax account and for a corporation or LLC.
RequiredOne-time; the EIN is permanent - 05Unemployment Insurance tax account registrationTexas Workforce Commission (TWC) · Texas
The Texas Unemployment Compensation Act requires employers to register with TWC within 10 days of becoming liable; the salon will pay wages to W-2 employees.
RequiredNone (quarterly tax reports and annual wage reports) - 06Sign PermitCity of Fort Worth, Development Services Department · Fort Worth
Only if the salon installs or changes exterior signage; the business facts do not state whether signage is planned.
ConditionalNone (permit is for installation)
This example includes 2 other potential requirements. A report based on your business explains which apply, how to file, published fees and timing, and what to complete first.
Make the checklist yours
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Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a hair salon in Fort Worth check?
This guide does not establish whether Fort Worth requires a stand-alone general business license or registration. Confirm that question with the city, in addition to reviewing the industry permits and registrations below.
How much do licenses and permits cost for a hair salon in Fort Worth?
About $78 in published fixed fees, plus variable fees. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Business entity registration (certificate of formation) (if applicable) (Texas Secretary of State), then Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) (if applicable) (Texas Secretary of State). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical hair salon. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.