Do You Need A License To Face Paint?

If you’re thinking of taking up face painting as a full or part-time gig, you might be wondering if there are any laws or regulations on licensure for this type of work. With many independent businesses, you need a business license. So, does this apply to face painting?

Business licenses are required for any business for tax purposes. There may be other licenses or certificates needed on a city or county level, depending on the area you live in and the laws there.

Disclaimer: Please remember that this is not legal advice, and you should always check with a lawyer if you have further questions. Read on if you’re interested in learning more about business licenses for face painting.

Business License Requirements in the US

Whether or not you need a business license to work as a face painter depends on whether you’re going to be working this job seriously or not.

You need a business license if:

You plan to work full or part-time as a face-painter out of an office, home, or location for profit.
You plan to hire employees for your face painting business.

You do not need a business license if:

You plan to face paint as a hobby occasionally.
You do not intend to start an entire business as a face painter.
You plan to face paint just for family and friends.
You are face painting short-term or for events (you may need a license for some events).

Depending on what you’re looking to do, you’ll need to obtain:

An LLC
A business license
An EIN Federal ID

Disclaimer: You don’t need an EIN Federal ID unless you hire employees or help for your business. An employee is anyone you pay to do work for the company.

When Should You Get an LLC for Your Face Painting Business?

LLC stands for Limited Liability Company. To register your business as one, you need to:

Choose your business name.
Make sure your business name is unique.
Get all applicable business licenses from your city, county, and state.
Submit your documentation to the court.
Pay licensing fees.

An LLC allows you to have more legal rights over your work, less liability for company mistakes, and protect your assets.

It’s always a good idea to have more legal rights than none, and this is especially true if you plan to hire anyone for the company, as you won’t be liable for their mistakes with an LLC.

Getting a Business License for Your Face Painting Business

Getting a business license can vary by state, county, and city. To make sure you’re up-to-date on all of the legal information, contact an attorney or your local courthouse. They can point you in the right direction.

Getting a business license usually follows these steps:

Register your business name through the state or county (sometimes both).
Complete all tax registrations necessary.
Sign up for an EIN if you have employees.
Check what type of business license you need and apply for it with your county, state, or city.
Pay any fees associated with your business license application/s.

You may have to renew your license yearly or less often, depending on the laws in your area. Remember, you don’t need a business license if you’re going to be doing face painting as a hobby or a short-term job.

Your License Shouldn’t Be the Only Thing You’re Doing

If you’re ready to start a face painting business, you’ll need to take a few steps to get started. You may not need to get licensed for a while. A legal business office in your area can help you determine the requirements.

First, you’ll want to buy the necessary products to start face painting. A good starting point would be to buy the following:

Face paints in as many colors as possible
Sponges and face brushes
Wet wipes
A table to set up at events
A logo, signs, and pricing information to put up at events
A chair for your clients and for you
Water for washing
Guidebooks for inspiration
A flash-sheet to show what you can offer to clients

If you’re looking to start a face painting business, you most likely won’t be renting a shop, so you won’t have to worry about renting or paying tons of shop license fees. However, you may have to pay fees to work at farmer’s markets, children’s events, etc.

Some more first steps to take could include:

Setting up your website for people to find you
Establishing a price for your work
Establishing a portfolio (you can paint family and friends first to get experience)
Creating a logo or having one made for you

Once you’ve finished setting up your business, the last step is to book your first event. Check the rules before signing up to ensure you have all licensure and items required for the specific event. You can call beforehand to make sure.

FAQ

Here are a couple of the most frequently asked questions about face painting and licensure.

How Much Does a License for Face Painting Cost?

Business licenses on a state level usually cost between $50-$1000, depending on your area. You’ll have to check with the licensing authority to get specific information, and extra licenses for city and county laws can make this charge even more costly for you.

Remember: You may need one-time or short-term licenses that are specific to events, such as the farmer’s market in your area. This extra cost should be kept in mind.

Do I Need Insurance to Be a Face Painter?

Insurance exists for those who paint on other people due to the liability of the job. When working with someone else, you want to have insurance, so you will be covered if something happens (such as an allergic reaction, health issues, or an accident).

Some popular insurance companies offer face and body painter insurance so that you don’t have to worry when you go to events. Some events even require that you have this insurance, so it’s vital to look into getting it as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Congratulations on choosing to start a face painting job, whether it’s for the short or long term. Remember, when starting any business, it’s a good idea to call local licensing offices or a lawyer for legal advice on what you’ll need in your area, as it can vary vastly. Now, go out and enjoy your new venture!