Who needs an establishment license (cosmetology or barbering) in Wisconsin?

Issued by Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Cosmetology Examining Board and Barbering Examining Board, at step 4 of 6 in the opening sequence: get the permits for your kind of business.

3 of the 20 kinds of business in Wisconsin

Every salon, nail salon, aesthetics establishment and barbershop holds an establishment license before opening, with a full-time manager on site who holds a Wisconsin license in the practice offered; a separate Barbering Examining Board licenses barbershops on the same model. Apply before opening, display the license and expect an inspection.

Draft. This row was drafted from the agency’s own page and has not yet been confirmed against it. Confirm it with the agency before you pay anything.

Step 4 of 6: Get the permits for your kind of business

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Cosmetology Examining Board and Barbering Examining Board.

Sources and dates

DSPS establishment licensure instructions (form 1397); Wis. Stat. chapter 454. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.