Professional Edition

Skincare Business Resources by State

©2019 Holistically Haute™, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. of 1 14

Well hello! I know that things like business licenses, permits, rules, and regulations can

seem overwhelming when all you want to do is sell your beautiful products to

the people who need them the most. While it may be tempting to forego the

lengthy and let’s face it—boring—forms and applications, doing so might

come back to haunt you (and cost you valuable time and money) later on. So I

always recommend taking the time to learn about what’s required and obtain

the correct business permits and licenses right from the start.

As a handmade skincare entrepreneur, you’ll have to absolutely comply with

the law both at the federal level (mainly the FDA and FTC but if you’re going

for organic certification, then the USDA comes to the party too—in Canada,

it’s Health Canada), and the state/province level. Some states/provinces

simply echo what the federal agencies require, but others have decided to

have their own sets of rules that make matters a bit more complicated—

albeit not impossible.

While none of what you learn in the Create Your Skincare Professional

Edition is a substitute for proper legal or tax advice from a licensed attorney

or accounting professional, I wanted to at least point you in the right

direction. What I’ve done here is compile some useful links for each of you,

based on the state where you live and either are currently doing business, or

will operate your business. I will add to this list as our CYS pro grows in future

rounds. Not all states require vendor, manufacturing, wholesaler, or retail

licenses, in addition to your regular business licenses, but some do.

While some states provide more resources than others, it’s my hope that this

document will save you some time in your Googling to help you get set up.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions in the Facebook group!

©2019 Holistically Haute™, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. of 2 14

Alabama

• Alabama Soap & Candle Association

• Alabama’s Cottage Food Law (if your products contain ingredients

considered foods)

• Public Health Laws of Alabama (Title 20 begins the Foods, Drugs,

Cosmetics section)

• Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries

• Alabama Business Resource from the Small Business Administration

• Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering

• Alabama Department of Revenue Business References

• Alabama Business Privilege License and Taxes

California

• California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology

• California Department of Public Health’s Cosmetic Safety Program

• California Department of Public Health’s Cosmetic Regulation

Guidelines

• California Organic Products Act of 2003

©2019 Holistically Haute™, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. of 3 14

• Registering your CA business with the Secretary of State

• Sherman Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law (updated 2018)

• California Business License Information

• California State Board of Equalization (taxes, permits, etc)

Colorado

• Colorado Office of Barber and Cosmetology Licensing

• Colorado Small Business Development Center Network

• Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

• Cosmetic Manufacturing Resources

• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

• Colorado SBAP Small Business Ombudsman

• Colorado Business Resource Book

• Colorado Department of Revenue Sales and Use Tax General

Information

• Colorado Sales/Use Tax Rates

©2019 Holistically Haute™, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. of 4 14

Florida

• Florida Cosmetics Regulations—Marie Gale

• Florida Regs—2019 Recap—Marie Gale

• The 2018 Florida Statutes: Chapter 499—Florida Drug and Cosmetic

Act

• The 2018 Florida Statutes: Chapter 500.80—Cottage Food Operations

• Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation

• Application for Cosmetic Manufacturer Permit

• Requirements and Guidelines for Manufacturing Cosmetics

• Florida House of Representatives Staff Analysis Bill #CS/HB 211—

Cosmetic Product Registration

Georgia

• 2010 Georgia Code Title 26: Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

• Georgia Office of Consumer Affairs—Consumer Protection Laws

• Georgia Cottage Food Laws (applies to any products that contain

anything considered food, or dry herb blends)

• Georgia Licenses, Permits, and Registration (Small Business

Administration)

©2019 Holistically Haute™, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. of 5 14

• The Georgia Farmer’s Market Guide

Idaho

• Idaho Cottage Food Law FAQs

• Idaho Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics Act

• Idaho Online Business Services

• Idaho State Tax Commission

• Idaho Farmer’s Market Association: Staying on Top of Rules and

Regulations

Illinois

• Illinois Board of Cosmetology

• Illinois Business Resources

• Registration, Licenses, and Permits

• Illinois Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act

• Office of the Secretary of State Business Services

• Illinois Business Registration

©2019 Holistically Haute™, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. of 6 14

Minnesota

• Minnesota Business Forms and Fees

• Minnesota Business Licenses and Permits

• Minnesota Operational Guidelines for Vendors and Markets

• Minnesota Business Resources

• Minnesota Board of Pharmacy Laws/Rules/Guidelines

• Minnesota Cottage Food Law Guidance

• Minnesota Board of Cosmetology

New York

• Registering for Sales Tax in NY

• Sales from Your Home

• What Licenses Do I Need to Start an Online Business in NY?

• NYC General Vendor License

• NYS Business Express--your guide for doing business in NY

• Create a Custom NY Business Express Checklist

©2019 Holistically Haute™, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. of 7 14

• NY Cosmetic Legislation

Ohio

**No special license needed specifically to make or sell cosmetics**

• Overview of Ohio Cosmetic Regulations by Marie Gale

• Ohio Business Gateway

• 1st Stop Checklist for Cosmetics Sales/Manufacturing

• Ohio’s Pure Food and Drug Law

• Packaging and Pricing of Food and Nonfood Products

• Licensed Agricultural Commodities Handlers

• Anti-spam/email marketing laws

• Ohio Department of Taxation

Pennsylvania

• Pennsylvania Licensing System

• Pennsylvania Drugs, Devices, and Cosmetics Program

©2019 Holistically Haute™, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. of 8 14

• Philadelphia Dept. of Licenses & Inspection

• How to Apply for a Business License in PA

• PA-100 Enterprise Registration Form

• SBDC Pennsylvania Business Checklist

• Guide to Business Registration in PA from the PA Dept. of State

• Pennsylvania Department of Revenue

• Distinction Between Wholesaler’s Certificate and Sales Tax License

• Employer Withholding Tax Information

• Retailer’s Information: Guide to State and Local Sales, Use, and Hotel

Occupancy Tax

Tennessee

• Tennessee Department of Agriculture

• 2010 Tennessee Code Title 53: Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

• Tennessee Home-Based Kitchen Laws (mostly pertains to ingredients

or products considered foods but might still be relevant in some cases)

• Tennessee Right to Earn a Living Act

©2019 Holistically Haute™, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. of 9 14

• Tennessee Cosmetology and Barber Examiners

Texas

• If your products contain food ingredients or food products, you might

need to comply with the Texas Cottage Food Law.

• TEXAS FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT

• Licensing and Guidelines for Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors

• Texas Laws and Rules for Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors

• Certificates of Free Sale and Sanitation and or Certificates of Origin

and Sanitation

Virginia

**In Virginia, cosmetics loosely overseen by their Board of Pharmacy. They don’t have many cosmetics-specific rules but you will need to make sure that your products and messaging in no way imply a drug/health claim or

that your products are in any prescriptive, intended to prevent or treat any disease or disorder. This is a good principle to follow in ALL states.**

• Code of Virginia Pharmacy

• Board of Pharmacy Applications and Forms

• Virginia Business License Rules and Requirements

©2019 Holistically Haute™, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. of 10 14

• Virginia Business OneStop

• Virginia Statutes and Regulations

• Administrative Code for Manufacturers

Washington

• WSDA Regulations for Selling Body Care Products

• Title 69 RCW: Food, Drugs, Cosmetics, and Poisons

• Chapter 70.240 RCW: Children’s Safe Products

• Food Processor’s Licensing (if your product contain ingredients that

are considered foods)

• Washington Department of Agriculture Certifications, Licenses,

Permits, Registrations

• Reseller Permits

• Handmade NW

• State of Washington Business Licensing Service

• Secretary of State—Corporation Resources

• Department of Revenue—Washington State

©2019 Holistically Haute™, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. of 11 14

Wisconsin

**All home-based businesses are subject to all the same license

requirements as any other businesses in WI**

• Wisconsin Business Portal

• Shipping Wisconsin Plant Material to Another State

• “Something Special from Wisconsin” labeling information

• Business Tax Incentives Finder

• State of Wisconsin Department of Revenue

• Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Canada • Regulatory Information for Cosmetics

• Cosmetic Safety Guidelines

• Cosmetic Sales Guidelines

©2019 Holistically Haute™, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. of 12 14

• Marketing, Advertising, and Sales Regulations

• Guide to the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations

• Notification of Cosmetics

• Permits and Licenses by Province

• 10 Important Cosmetic Regulations in Canada

• Cosmetics Alliance Canada

• Personal Care Products Council

• Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors

Alberta

• Licensing and Registering Your Business in Alberta

• Consumer Protection

• Natural Health Products and Functional Ingredients Dictionary—

BioAlberta

British Columbia

• Small Business BC FAQs

©2019 Holistically Haute™, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. of 13 14

• Small Business BC—Industry Regulations—How to Know Which Ones

Apply to Your Small Business

• Small Business Administration—BC

• Personal Service Establishments & Planned Events

©2019 Holistically Haute™, LLC/Rachael Pontillo. All rights reserved. of 14 14