Legal Question in Business Law in New Jersey

Re: esthetician working on your own

I believe that you will need to be licensed by the State of New Jersey. Please contact the State of New Jersey. I believe Consumer Affairs may be able to direct you. website: http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/

Call me if you need assistance. 973 890 0400

Bob Davies

Re: esthetician working on your own

I suggest you contact the Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling (973-504-6400) for the question of being licensed. As to your main question, the answer depends upon how you want to do business. If you are just going to operate the business under your own name, such as Mary Smith, you need do nothing but register as a business with the State (Form Reg 1), which you can do on line through the State of NJ web site. If you are going to use a fictitious tradename (a name different from your real name), you have to file a Tradename Certificate with the county in which you are conducting the business. These forms are also available on line at most county websites. If you are going to rent space and not operate out of your home (you need to check if your Town allows businesses like you propose to be operated from your home, as many do not unless your home is zoned for it), I suggest forming a Limited Liability Company (one person can do this under NJ law), which both allows you to operate under a fictitious name and may also give you some liability protection (such as if you lease property and the business fails), but not for any negligence in your work). This can also be done on line at the State web site. I really suggest you contact someone, like myself, who handles these matters regularly, plus does lease reviews and the like, to assist you. The few dollars you may pay in fees for consultation and assistance, are dollars well spent, to see you have done everything required.