Beauty licensing in Kenya
Everything beauty professionals need to know about licensing, training and business registration in Kenya — sourced from TVETA — Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority and 1 other regulators.
This page is informational. Regulations change — verify current requirements with the official regulators linked below before making business decisions.
Profession-by-profession requirements
| Profession | License |
|---|---|
Hairdresser No mandatory practitioner license. TVET certificates (Grade 1–3) from accredited colleges are the norm. | Voluntary |
Barber Voluntary TVET certification. Counties issue single business permits to barber shops. | Voluntary |
Nail Technician Voluntary certification. | Voluntary |
Braider No license required. | Not required |
Makeup Artist Voluntary certification through private academies. | Voluntary |
Registering a salon business in Kenya
Entity types
- Sole Proprietorship
- Partnership
- Private Limited Company
Est. cost: KSh 10,000–KSh 25,000 (business name + county permit)
Timeline: 1–2 weeks via eCitizen
VAT (16%) registration required above KSh 5 million annual turnover.
Official government & regulator resources
Common questions about beauty licensing in Kenya
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