Independent guide to Texas TDLR licenses. Not affiliated with TDLR or the State of Texas. Data: TDLR public license file, 20 Sep 2026What's new at TDLR
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Data refreshed 20 Sep 2026 · Not affiliated with TDLR

Hair salon interior with styling chairs

Texas license lookup / Get licensed / Salon (establishment)

How to get a salon license in Texas

In Texas the people and the premises are licensed separately. A licensed cosmetologist or barber still needs the place they work in to hold a TDLR establishment license, whether it is a full salon, a nail bar or a lash suite inside a larger salon.

Reviewed 8 October 2026 against TDLR's application page

At a glance

Full-service establishment$78, non-refundable
Specialty establishment$78 (nail, esthetics, lash, hair weaving and similar)
Mini-establishment$70; must be inside a licensed full-service or specialty establishment
License term2 years for establishments
DeadlineAll requirements within 1 year of the application, or it is void

Official TDLR application page

Step by step

  1. Pick the right license type. Full-service for barbering and cosmetology, specialty for a single discipline such as nails or lashes, mini-establishment for a suite inside a licensed salon. Mobile establishments have their own application.
  2. Gather ownership details. The application asks for detailed information on every owner and how the business is structured: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and so on.
  3. Renting space to others? Add the contractor list. A gallery establishment that rents space to mini-establishments or individual practitioners must include an Independent Contractor List.
  4. Apply and pay. Online is recommended where available, because it goes straight to TDLR's licensing division. Pay the non-refundable fee.
  5. Expect inspections. TDLR inspects establishments. Keep the establishment license and every practitioner's license current.

Buying or moving a salon

A license does not transfer with the business or the address. TDLR has separate processes for a change of ownership and a change of location.

How many people hold this license

The public TDLR license file dated 20 September 2026 shows 57,800 active salon (establishment) licenses, of which 28,147 come up for renewal in the next twelve months.

Where they are: Harris County (9,193), Dallas County (5,691), Tarrant County (5,305), Bexar County (3,950), Collin County (3,047).

See the full county breakdown and renewal calendar

After you are licensed

  • Renewal: every two years, judging by the expiration dates in the license file.
  • Continuing education: Facility license; no CE of its own.

Before you apply

  • Criminal history. TDLR runs a background check on every applicant. With any conviction other than a minor traffic offence, or a guilty or no-contest plea with deferred adjudication, include the Criminal History Questionnaire. Reviews take one to six weeks. You can ask TDLR in advance whether a conviction would bar you, through a criminal history evaluation letter.
  • Lawful presence. TDLR may ask for proof of lawful presence in the United States. Send documents only if it asks. What TDLR accepts.
  • Military. Service members, veterans and spouses may qualify for fee waivers and other provisions.

Questions

Do I need a license to open a salon in Texas?

Yes. The premises need a TDLR establishment license in addition to the individual licenses of everyone working there.

How much is a salon license in Texas?

$78 for a full-service or specialty establishment and $70 for a mini-establishment, per TDLR's application page.

What is a mini-establishment?

A small licensed space, such as a suite, located inside a licensed full-service or specialty establishment.

How many people hold this license in Texas?

The public TDLR license file dated 20 September 2026 shows 57,800 active salon (establishment) licenses.

Related licenses

Sources

TDLR: Apply for an establishment license. License counts compiled from the public TDLR license file dated 20 September 2026.

Reviewed 8 October 2026. Written by an independent site; not an official TDLR publication and not legal advice. Fees and requirements change: confirm them on the TDLR page before you apply.

Cite this page

PermitPulled (2026). How to get a salon license in Texas. Retrieved from https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/salon-license-texas

Figures compiled from the public TDLR license file and published under CC BY 4.0. Attribution required.

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