My plan

How to Start a Nail Salon in Montana

A nail salon depends on skilled technicians, steady repeat clients and a clean, well-ventilated space. Most states license nail technicians and many also license or inspect the salon itself. Chemical safety and sanitation are central to protecting both workers and clients.

Reviewed November 5, 2026 · Sources linked inline

Montana requirements for this business

  • Montana's Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists licenses manicurists, whose scope includes manicuring, pedicuring and applying and removing artificial nails, gels, tips and wraps. [source]
  • Under MCA 37-31-301, manicuring generally may not be practiced anywhere other than a licensed salon or shop, with limited exceptions such as homebound or disabled customers. [source]
  • Salon and shop licenses are not transferable, so a change of owner or location requires a new application; booth renters need a booth rental license plus a practice license. [source]
  • The board inspects salons, shops and booths initially and annually; a new salon may receive a temporary operating permit pending its first inspection. [source]

Statewide steps for every Montana business — forming an LLC or registering a business name with the Montana Secretary of State — are on our state licensing directory.

FirstBizGuide is not a government agency: any license or registration fees are paid directly to the agency named in each source. These are the Montana facts we have verified so far, not a complete list. City and county rules vary — check with your local government before opening.

Startup costs

We haven't found a reliable published cost range for this business, so we don't show one. Costs vary widely by market, equipment and whether you buy new or used. Plug your own quotes into the worksheet:

Open the nail salon cost worksheet →

SBA 7(a) loans in this industry

Nail Salons (NAICS 812113): 931 loans approved in FY2024–FY2026. Median loan $146,800; middle half $50,000–$300,000.

Loan size is not startup cost — these loans also fund acquisitions, real estate and working capital. Full breakdown and caveats →

How much competition is there?

Census industry: Nail Salons (NAICS 812113)

In Montana: 39 employer establishments (2023) and 546 businesses without employees (2024). Nationwide: 34,417 employer establishments (2023) and 318,382 businesses without employees (2024).

See counts for your county → Counts aren't a measure of saturation — see the caveats on the tool page.

Equipment and supplies

  • Manicure tables with local exhaust or source-capture ventilation
  • Pedicure chairs or basins that are easy to disinfect
  • EPA-registered disinfectant and closed storage for clean tools
  • UV/LED lamps for gel services
  • Nitrile gloves and other protective equipment
  • Reception area and point-of-sale system

Licenses and registration

  • Many states require nail technicians to hold a state license from the cosmetology board; training hours and exams vary by state.
  • Many states also require a separate salon or establishment license and inspection — check with your state board of cosmetology.
  • Nail polishes, glues and other salon products may contain chemicals such as toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate and methacrylate compounds, which can cause breathing problems, irritated eyes and dry, cracked skin. [source]
  • OSHA says employers must provide protection against workplace hazards for their employees, while independent contractors are responsible for their own protection; it notes some salons misclassify workers to avoid providing safety measures. [source]
  • Check whether your city requires a business license, and confirm zoning and ventilation requirements for the space.
  • Booth renters usually need their own license and sometimes a booth rental permit.
  • Get a free Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS if you will hire employees or form an LLC or corporation. Beware of sites that charge for this. [source]
  • To find your state's business registration office, use the SBA's state-by-state registration lookup. [source]

Insurance to consider

  • General liability
  • Professional liability for services
  • Business property coverage
  • Workers' compensation for employees
  • Require booth renters to carry their own coverage

Get quotes from several carriers or an independent agent; coverage needs depend on your contracts, state and staff.

Financing options

  • SBA 7(a) loans — the SBA's main guaranteed loan program, made through participating lenders. [source]
  • SBA Microloans — smaller loans delivered through nonprofit intermediary lenders. [source]
  • SBA Lender Match — a free tool that connects you with interested SBA lenders. [source]
  • Free counseling from your local SBDC or SCORE chapter can help you build the business plan lenders ask for. [source]

Estimate payments with the loan calculator, then check runway with the cash flow projection.

Ongoing operating expenses

  • Rent
  • Products and supplies
  • Technician pay or commission
  • Utilities and laundry
  • Insurance
  • Booking software and card fees
  • Marketing

Use the break-even calculator to see how many jobs or sales cover them, and the employee cost calculator for staffing.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing a space without room for proper ventilation
  • Treating employees as independent contractors (or the reverse)
  • Weak disinfection routines and records
  • No written booth rental or commission agreement
  • Competing only on price

Finding customers

  • Google Business Profile with photos and online booking
  • Instagram nail art portfolio
  • Rebooking and memberships at checkout
  • Bridal and event group packages

Startup checklist

Ticks are saved on this device and appear on My plan.

Compare with other businesses

Sources