For groomers: getting started

How to start a mobile dog grooming business: the first steps

Thinking about going mobile? Here are the setup steps the U.S. Small Business Administration lists, the licenses some states ask for, the taxes to plan for, and the safety rules to learn first.

Short answer: Pick a business type, register your business name, get a free tax ID from the IRS, and check your state, county, and city for licenses. Then plan for taxes, insurance, and a van. We found no state that tests or licenses the groomer, but Connecticut licenses grooming businesses, and that includes vans.

Step 1: pick a business type.

The SBA lists this as the first step. A sole proprietor is the simplest kind of business, but you and the business are the same in the eyes of the law. That means you can be on the hook for business debts. An LLC usually keeps your own home and savings apart from the business. Either way, you pay self-employment tax. An accountant can help you choose.

Step 2: register your name and get a tax ID.

If your business name is not your own name, you may need to register it with your state, county, or city. Registering a name does not protect it from others. Next, get an EIN, a federal tax ID number. It is free from the IRS. Both the IRS and the SBA warn about websites that charge for one.

Step 3: check for licenses where you work.

Licenses and permits come from your state, county, and city, and each place sets its own rules. Connecticut requires a state license from its Department of Agriculture to run a grooming business. Its law counts a vehicle or trailer as a grooming place, so mobile groomers need it too. The license costs $200 and renews every two years. Colorado’s law licenses places that keep pets for grooming. We could not confirm that it covers vans, so ask the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Some cities also have their own mobile groomer permit.

No state tests groomers yet.

We found no U.S. state that makes a groomer pass an exam or hold a personal license. New Jersey has tried. Bills called Bijou’s Law have come up again and again since 2014. The 2026 bill, S387, would have the state vet board test and license groomers. As of November 3, 2026, we found it only as an introduced bill, not a law.

Certificates are optional, but they teach a lot.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says animal care workers don’t need a certificate, but a course teaches safety and skills. The AKC S.A.F.E. program is about safety: you take a course, pass a test, and renew every two years. The National Dog Groomers Association has hands-on and written tests in four breed groups. International Professional Groomers starts with a safety track. The ISCC has written and hands-on tests, and its membership was $219.99 a year when we checked.

Plan for taxes.

No boss holds back tax from your pay, so you do it yourself. Self-employment tax is 15.3% once you earn $400 or more after costs. That covers Social Security and Medicare. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more, the IRS wants payments four times a year: April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. A date on a weekend or holiday moves to the next business day.

Learn the safety rules first.

The AKC’s grooming standards say never leave a pet alone within arm’s reach on the table or in the tub. Use a loop or other restraint only while you watch the pet the whole time. Dry on low heat and keep the air moving. In a kennel dryer, check the pet every 5 to 7 minutes. VCA vets list long dryer use and a closed space with poor air as causes of heat stroke. Flat-faced dogs are at higher risk, and a parked van can heat up fast.

If a dog gets too hot.

VCA vets say to pour cool water, not cold, over the head, belly, armpits, and feet. Don’t cover the dog with wet towels. Get the dog to a vet at once, even if it seems to get better.

Then: a van, insurance, prices, and clients.

The van is the big decision. After that, you need insurance, your prices, and a way to take bookings. Of the 852 mobile groomers we list, 595 let clients book online. The links below cover each step.

Questions people ask.

Do you need a license to be a mobile dog groomer?

In most places, you need a regular business license from your city or county, not a groomer license. Connecticut also licenses grooming businesses, vans included. Check your state and city websites before you start.

Do I need a certificate to groom dogs?

No. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says certificates are not required. Programs like AKC S.A.F.E., the National Dog Groomers Association, International Professional Groomers, and the ISCC are optional.

Should a mobile groomer be an LLC?

The SBA says an LLC usually keeps your own things apart from business debts, while a sole proprietor can be held liable for them. Ask an accountant or lawyer which fits you.

How much tax does a self-employed groomer pay?

Self-employment tax is 15.3% of your earnings after costs, once they reach $400. Income tax comes on top. Pay estimated tax four times a year if you expect to owe $1,000 or more.

Is an EIN free?

Yes. You can get an EIN from the IRS for free. Don’t pay a website to get one for you.

Where these facts come from.

We read each page on November 3, 2026. Rules change and differ by place. This is not legal or tax advice.

Next steps.

Written by Fluffmobile. Updated November 3, 2026. This is general advice, and every groomer has their own rules.

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