Do you need a licence to be a hairdresser?
If you are solely a mobile hairdresser that visits clients in their home to cut hair, it’s unlikely that you will require a licence.
However, if you are operating within a commercial premises, or have clients come to you, it may be necessary to register your hairdressing business with your local council. The specific requirements may vary depending on your local area.
It is therefore worthwhile getting in touch with your local council to find out what needs to be done. You can also find out what is required in your local area on the Gov.UK website.
What requirements are there to become a hairdresser?
It is likely at the very least that the council will need to be aware of the business that you are running and check that it complies with health and safety requirements:
1. Cleanliness – Your premises are required to be clean, safe, well-lit and well ventilated.
2. Risk of Infection – You will also need to show that you take all necessary precautions to reduce the risk of infection or contamination.
3. Training – Your staff should be adequately trained, work hygienically and use equipment efficiently.
4. Insurance – As with most businesses, it is necessary to have a suitable hairdressing insurance policy in place.
Having Public Liability cover will protect you if a third party should make a claim for compensation and legal costs for injury or damage while on your business premises or while you are working on their premises. So, for example if a client has an accident as a result of a spillage of hair products, they can claim against you.
It’s also worth checking that having professional treatment risk cover and products liability in place too. This will protect you if a third party makes a claim against you due to your negligence. So, for example if your client’s hair is permanently damaged due to a mistake you made with the hair products that you used for them, you could face a huge legal bill. With cover in place, the costs are covered.
Certification
A representative from your local council will come and inspect your premises and check that you have all the necessary procedures in place. They will then issue a certificate and is a requirement that this is displayed so that it can be clearly seen by your customers.
How much does it cost to register my business?
There is no charge for registering a hairdressing business.
What hairdressers would not need to register?
If your business provides hairdressing services to people in their own homes or residential accommodation (for example, a care home), then you are not required to register your business in this way as you do not operate from business premises. So, for example if you are a mobile hairdresser cutting your clients hair in their own homes you would not need to register in this way or hold a hairdresser licence.
So, before you set up as a hairdresser, contact your local council and they can advise on the requirements in your area. Then, make sure that you have all the necessary training, certifications and insurance in place to run your business with peace of mind.