Business License Requirements by State (2026): Which States Require One

ADOR BEST guide: a privilege license is "required for certain businesses or professions to engage in a particular activity within the state of Alabama, as indicated in Title 40, Chapter 12, Code of Alabama 1975"; issued at the county license office ("county probate judge, revenue commissioner, license commissioner"). ADOR FAQ: "You may also be required to purchase a State/County Business License (i.e. Privilege License)" and "a City Business License". Not a single general license - it is enumerated by business type.

CBPL FAQ: "Per AS 43.70.020(a) a business license is required for the privilege of engaging in a business in the State of Alaska." "The fee for each business license is $50 per year (including all or a part of the initial year)." Business licenses "will expire on December 31 of the licensing period purchased." Few exemptions (fisheries business etc.).

ADOR: "If a business is selling a product or engaging in a service subject to TPT, that business will likely need a license from the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) and a TPT, or business/occupational license, from the city or cities in which the business has a base or operation." "The cost for each license per location is $12." ADOR news: "The due date to renew a TPT license is January 1"; licenses "valid for one calendar year, from January 1 through December 31."

AR SOS FAQ: "A state board, commission, or association regulates most businesses that require a state license or permit." DFA: "$50.00 sales tax permit fee to be paid electronically upon submission."

SOS FAQ: "The Secretary of State does not issue licenses or permits for business entities. Please refer to the CalGold (California Government: On-Line to Desktops) website for information about business license/permit requirements." CalGold: "provides contact information for the various agencies that administer & issue these permits" at state, local, regional and federal levels.

tax.colorado.gov: license fee "January through June on even-numbered years (2022, 2024, 2026) $16.00"; "For new accounts, a $50 deposit must be remitted... a new account + a sales tax license for one physical location would be a total of $66." SUTS FAQ: "Some local jurisdictions may have a separate requirement for retailers doing business in their jurisdictions to register with them for a business license."

business.ct.gov: DCP "provides licenses and permits for industries such as accounting, real estate, construction, retail, and more"; DPH "issues permits and licenses for healthcare facilities and professionals". No universal license described; New Business Checklist tool.

FAQ: "Any person or entity conducting a trade or business in the State of Delaware is required to obtain a Delaware business license from the Delaware Division of Revenue." Step-2 page: "The annual fee for a Delaware business license varies; however, the rate is generally $75.00 for a first location." "A separate license is required for each separate business activity." FAQ: "All Delaware business licenses expire on December 31st of each year or December 31st of the third year for 3-year licenses."

DLCP FAQ: "If you are conducting business to or from the District, a Basic Business License may be required depending upon the business activity being conducted." General Business license: "retail stores, online retail stores, consultants, tutors, tax preparers (no CPAs), and a number of other businesses, that do not fall under an existing licensing category." Fees page: 2-year $99, 4-year $198.

§205.022 defines "Local business tax" and "Receipt" ("Local Business Tax Receipt"); §205.042/.043 = county/municipal levy authority; dos.fl.gov: "Many industries may require a license from the State of Florida" (DBPR, DACS).

Ga. Dept of Audits (O.C.G.A. § 36-60-6(d)): "Before any county or municipal corporation issues a business license, occupation tax certificate, or other document required to operate a business to any person, the person shall provide evidence that he or she is authorized to use the federal work authorization program." DOR: "Any entity that conducts business within Georgia may be required to register for one or more tax specific identification numbers, permits, and/or licenses."

DOTAX FAQ: "What is the fee for a GET license? A one-time $20 fee." "Complete the Form BB-1, State of Hawaii Basic Business Application... and pay a one-time $20 registration fee."

business.idaho.gov: "Idaho does not have a state business license. Registering your business is a registration, not a license." "You need a seller’s permit (sales tax permit) if you sell or rent taxable goods or provide services such as collecting recreational fees or admission fees."

DCEO step-by-step guide: "In Illinois, most business are required to be registered and/or licensed by the IDOR." "The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) is the main licensing agency for the State of Illinois for most professions." "Contact your city or county clerk for information on local restrictions." No general license appears in the state’s own start-up sequence.

IN.gov Business Owner’s Guide: "Indiana does not have any one single, comprehensive business license." RRMC: "$25.00 non refundable application fee". "Cities and Counties in Indiana have jurisdiction over many areas, which can affect small business."

Iowa DOR: "The sales tax permit itself is free of charge." Iowa SOS: "The Secretary of State’s office does not handle licenses and permits." IASourceLink (Iowa SBDC/IEDA): "The state of Iowa does not offer a general business license." [absence statement is from the state-supported SBDC portal, not a .gov page]

ksbiz.kansas.gov: "State and local governments require many industries to have permits or licenses to operate." "Businesses should also check with the county and local government where they are doing business to determine any local permitting, filing, and reporting requirements." No general state license appears in the One Stop sequence.

onestop.ky.gov: "Kentucky does not have a statewide business license that applies to all businesses, but certain types of businesses are required to have a special license or permit to legally operate their business."

R.S. 47:341(A): "Any municipality or parish shall have the right to impose a license tax on any person conducting any business herein enumerated within the territorial jurisdiction of the municipality or parish at a rate which shall not exceed the maximum tax rates set forth in this Chapter". R.S. 47:344: "In the case of a new business, the license tax is due and payable upon commencement of the business." geauxBIZ generates the federal/state/local license checklist.

maine.gov: "General licenses to operate a business are managed at the town/city level in Maine." "Certain professions and types of businesses require additional permits and licenses" from the state.

DLS: "A person who sells merchandise not manufactured by the business generally must obtain a trader’s license for each store or fixed place of business"; "Fees range from $15 to $800 in a local jurisdiction other than Baltimore City or Baltimore County"; "licenses take effect May 1 and expire April 30." Business Express: "Some areas require a local business license."

Secretary of the Commonwealth CIS guide, under "Business License MGL Chapter 110 sec.5": "Any individual who is going to do business under a name other than his/her own name must file a business certificate in the town or city hall Clerks’ office where the business is to be located, often called a DBA certificate." c. 110 § 5: "shall file in the office of the clerk of every city or town where an office... may be situated a certificate".

Michigan Business Roadmap (LARA Corporations Division): "Find New Business License Information at www.michigan.gov/som/government/state-license-search to find out if your new business needs a license. Contact your county and local government offices to determine if additional licensing or permitting is required for your business. Note: The Corporations Division does not issue licenses."

DEED, A Guide to Starting a Business in Minnesota: "In addition to the licensing requirements imposed by the state, some local governments also require certain kinds of business activity to be licensed on the local level. In some cases this local licensure may take the form of a general business license involving no more than registration and payment of a fee." MN DOR: "Before you make any taxable sales in Minnesota, you must register for a Minnesota Tax ID Number and a Sales and Use Tax account."

MS DOR FAQ: "For information concerning local permits or licenses you may need to engage in business, please contact the municipal clerk and the county tax collector for the area where your business is located." MS One Stop: "Business Licenses/Tax Permits: From your city or county clerk or revenue department. Many jurisdictions require a trader’s license or tax certificate in order to operate."

dor.mo.gov: "State law, Section 144.083, RSMo, requires businesses to demonstrate they are compliant with state sales and withholding tax laws before they can receive or obtain certain licenses that are required to conduct business in the state." "A business that makes no retail sales is not required by Section 144.083, RSMo, to present a Certificate of No Tax Due in order to obtain or renew its license." DOR FAQ: "Effective August 28, 2018, bonds are no longer required."

Montana Dept of Commerce: "Local city and county offices provide all business licensing in Montana. The State of Montana provides professional licenses."

sos.nebraska.gov: "There is not a general business license in Nebraska." DOR: "If you indicate that you will be collecting sales tax, you will be issued a Sales Tax Permit. The permit must be displayed at each retail location."

NRS 76.100: "A person shall not conduct a business in this State unless and until the person obtains a state business license issued by the Secretary of State"; fee "$200, except that if the applicant is a corporation organized pursuant to chapter 78, 78A or 78B of NRS, or a foreign corporation... $500". Exemptions incl. 501(c) nonprofits and home-based businesses under 66 2/3% of average annual wage.

NH DRA FAQ: "Although you don’t have to register your new business with this Department, you must obtain the appropriate state tax forms to file. There are also licenses that must be obtained if you are a meals, rooms or motor vehicle rental operator, communications services provider, or Tobacco manufacturer, wholesaler or subjobber."

"Any person, business entity, or organization doing business in New Jersey must complete a Business Registration Application (NJ-REG)" "at least 15 business days before doing business, or opening an additional place of business in New Jersey." BRC is "for public contracting and applying for State grants and tax credits."

NMSA § 3-38-4 (as carried in 2026 SB 96): "Prior to engaging in any business, any person proposing to engage in a business, except for a child care facility, shall pay to the municipality any applicable business registration fee or any applicable business license fee." "Each year, any person engaging in a business within a municipality shall apply for the renewal." biz.nm.gov lists state licenses for specific industries only.

ny.gov: "Not all businesses require a license or permit." "Use Business Express to find the requirements for your business and apply online." Starting a business "requires working with both the State and your local government."

nc.gov: "North Carolina has no single generic business license that will ensure compliance with all requirements." NC Commerce: "Effective July 1, 2024, professional privilege licenses are no longer required."

tax.nd.gov: "If they are, you need to apply for a North Dakota Sales Tax Permit." "There may be additional registrations or applications required depending on the products and services you sell." SOS lists only seven licensed occupations.

ORC 5739.17: "No person shall engage in making retail sales subject to a tax... as a business without having a license therefor"; "the applicant shall pay into the county treasury a license fee in the sum of fifty dollars for each fixed place of business in the county". Ohio SBDC state checklist: "If you will make any retail sales, you must have a VENDOR’S LICENSE from YOUR COUNTY AUDITOR’S OFFICE." No general license appears in the state’s own start-up sequence (Ohio Business Gateway registration + vendor’s license + local).

oklahoma.gov: "If your business will sell a product, you will need a Sales or Use Tax Permit from the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC)" - "$20 plus a handling fee". "Your municipality may require licensing with the city."

sos.oregon.gov: "The State of Oregon does not issue a general “business license.” Your business registration serves that purpose." "Cities and counties may also require a business license or permit."

PA Business One-Stop Hub: "There is no general business license that all Pennsylvania businesses must obtain." "Contact your locality to determine if you need any LOCAL business licenses."

RI Business Assistant: "Some businesses are required to obtain a license from the State of Rhode Island prior to opening. The Rhode Island Licensed Occupations identifies those professions which require a state license issued by various state agencies." "If you plan on selling anything as part of your new business, you will need to obtain a Permit to Make Sales at Retail." Division of Taxation advisory 2022-05: $10 sales tax permit fee eliminated for permit periods beginning on or after July 1, 2022. tax.ri.gov: "Every person, firm or organization engaged in the business of making retail sales in this state is required to obtain a permit." "Sales and use tax permits must be renewed annually" - "due annually by February 1st."

scbos.sc.gov: "There is no statewide business license in South Carolina." "Each county and municipality (city or town) may administer its own local business license." Standardized Business License Application available for multi-city operators.

SD DOR Tax Fact: "Businesses are required to have a South Dakota sales tax license and must collect and remit sales tax on taxable transactions if: the business has a physical presence in South Dakota." "There is no fee for a sales or contractor’s excise tax license." No general license appears in DOR guidance.

tn.gov: standard license if "gross receipts are $100,000* or more"; minimal activity license for "more than $3,000 but less than $100,000"; "A separate $15 business license registration fee must be paid to the county and/or municipal clerk for each new business."

gov.texas.gov: "A general business license is not required in Texas." Comptroller: sales tax permit required if you "sell or lease tangible personal property in Texas; or you sell taxable services in Texas" - FAQ: "There is no fee for the permit, but you may be required to post a security bond."

commerce.utah.gov: "After you register your business with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code, you then need to get a business license from the city, town, or county where your business is located or operating."

tax.vermont.gov: "A business tax license authorizes you to collect Vermont taxes on behalf of the State of Vermont." Separate accounts for Sales and Use, Meals and Rooms, and Withholding. No general license appears in the state sequence.

Va. Code § 58.1-3703: "The governing body of any county, city or town may charge a fee for issuing a license in an amount not to exceed $100" (localities over 50,000; $50 for 25,000-50,000; $30 under 25,000). Virginia Tax: BPOL "is imposed and administered by local officials."

DOR: register and get a business license if "gross income is $12,000 per year or more", sell taxable goods/services, hire employees, or use a trade name. Variable fees page: "$50" to open first location, "$5" renewal processing, "$10" other purposes. Statutory cap $90 (RCW 19.02.075).

"Before engaging in business activity in West Virginia, every individual or business entity must obtain a West Virginia business registration certificate"; FAQ: "The Business Registration Certificate is permanent"; $30 fee with six exempt categories. CONFLICT RESOLVED: a search summary said "valid two years beginning July 1" - that is the pre-2010 rule; the live FAQ says permanent. Special Notice 10-01: "Effective July 1, 2010, the renewal of the business registration certificate will no longer be necessary. The certificate will be permanent."

DOR: "A seller’s permit is required for every individual, partnership, corporation, or other organization with a Wisconsin sales location making retail sales... of taxable products in Wisconsin, unless all sales are exempt". "The initial BTR fee of $20 covers a period of two years. At the end of the two-year period, a $10 BTR renewal fee applies for the next two-year period."

W.S. 39-15-106(a): "Every vendor shall obtain from the department a sales tax license to conduct business in the state." "a license fee of sixty dollars ($60.00) shall be required from each new vendor". WY SOS FAQ: "Other than registration with the Secretary of State, a company may be in need of a specific business license or business permit based on their business purpose... please contact the City Clerk’s Office in the Wyoming city you are conducting business."