HOW TO OPEN A SALON

Laws governing the operation of a salon or shop in West Virginia

Operation of Barber, Beauty Shops, and Schools of Barbering and Beauty Culture SERIES 5.pdf
Schedule of Fines SERIES 7.pdf

Before completing the steps below, it may be helpful to review the West Virginia Small Business Development website for information and assistance about starting your own business.  For more information, please click here. 

Complete the steps below to open a salon/shop in West Virginia:

1. Complete a Shop Opening Inspection application. APPLICATION FOR NEW SHOP OPENING or LOCATION CHANGE OF SHOP.pdf Also, an Electrical Certification form must be completed before the inspector arrives. Electrical Certification Form.pdf
2. Submit the application in step 1 twenty (20) days prior to opening your salon.
3. The Board office will send you a shop opening letter which you must post in your salon.  The shop opening letter will serve as a temporary license for you to operate your salon. After you have successfully completed steps 1-3 and receive your shop opening letter you may begin servicing clients in your salon.
4. The Board office will contact one of our inspectors to conduct a shop opening inspection within twenty (20) days of opening.
5. You must print out and post in your shop Rules and Regulations. Rules and Regulations-Horizontal Sign.pdf
6. All individuals renting a booth or paid by commission must have a Booth Rental Certificate to be renewed annually. Booth or Chair Rental Registration.pdf
7. The inspector will schedule a visit to ensure your salon has the required equipment and layout needed for operating a salon.
8. If you need to make corrections, the inspector will schedule another inspection date with you.
9. If all requirements are met, you will complete an Application for a Shop License Application for Shop License.pdf and will continue operations from a temporary shop license to a licensed West Virginia shop. Please know the 10 most common violations in a salon and help prevent these violations. Ten Most Common Violations in a Salon.pdf
10. Now you are done with the Board's paper work and now must register as a business in West Virginia.  You can do so by going to www.business4wv.com. Just create a login and then proceed.  You can complete this step at any time during the opening process.