Federal, State, and Local Licenses and Permits
When starting a business, the primary step is to secure all necessary business licenses, permits, registrations, and tax IDs at the Federal, State, County, and City levels as required. Each business may have specific federal, state, county, and local requirements.
The links below (not all-inclusive) will provide the information needed and guide you in acquiring your licenses and permits.
Types of Federal Licenses & Permits
If a Federal agency regulates your business activities, you will need a Federal License or Permit from the appropriate issuing authority. You can review the Federal Licenses & Permits list on the SBA website.
You will also need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) available thru the IRS website. The EIN is a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN). This number is used to file your income tax return and employment taxes and is also used frequently in the application for other licenses, permits, and registrations.
Types of State & Local Licenses
State Tax ID for income & employment taxes & benefits. Use the SBA website to connect with your State government website.
Local/City Business License or Tax Certificate (to operate a business)
Professional or Occupational License (for Doctors, Lawyers, CPAs, Contractors, etc.)
License to sell “specific” products & services like Alcohol, Firearms, Gasoline, Tobacco, Prescription Drugs, Catering, Cleaning/Janitorial, Landscaping, etc.
State Employer Identification Number
Unemployment Insurance
Licenses & Permits information by State, click on the link.
Alabama
Dept. of Revenue - Business and License
Alaska
Alaska Department of Commerce - Business License
Arizona
Arizona Commerce Authority - Business License
Arizona Department of Revenue - License Fees & Cancellations
Arkansas -
Arkansas State Govt. - Start a Business
AR City Applications - Business License
California -
Colorado -
MyBizColorado - Start a Business
Checklist for New Businesses - Checklist
CO.gov - Apply for a License or Permit
Connecticut
CT.gov Business - Doing Business in CT
CT.gov - Business License & Permit
SBDC Connecticut - Business Guide
Delaware
OneStop Delaware - Register & License your Business
OneStop Delaware - Requirements
OneStop Delaware - Portal
Florida
Georgia
Secretary of State - Business Division
Secretary of State - Licensing
Secretary of State - Business Guide
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Illinois.gov - Business Portal
Illinois.gov - Registrations, License & Permits
Indiana
IN.gov - Business Owner’s Guide
Iowa
IAsourcelink.com - Business Guide
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Business Express - License & Permits
Massachusetts
Michigan
Michigan SBDC - Starting a business
Michigan SBDC Guide - PDF
Michigan.gov - LIcensing Search
Michigan.gov - Business
Minnesota
MN.gov - eLicense
SOS.state.mn.us - Starting a Business
Mississippi
Corp.SOS.ms.gov - Business Services
MSSBDC.org - Business Services
Missouri
BSD.SOS.mo.gov - Online Business Filing
SOS.mo.gov - Steps to Start a Business
Montana
MTrevenue.gov - Montana License lookup
SBDC.MT.gov - Small Business licensing information
Nebraska
Secretary of State - Small Business Services
Nebraska.gov - Business licensing
Nevada
Nevada Business License - Step-by-step guide
Business Startup - Step-by-step guide
New Hampshire
Dept. of Revenue - New Business Tax, License & Permits
NH.gov - Business information
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
SOS - Business services
OK Commerce - Business Licensing
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Dept. of Revenue - Registration & Licensing
Texas
TX.gov - License and Permits
TX.gov - Start a business
SOS - Guides and Resources for small business
Utah
UT.gov - Business Registration
UT.gov - Occupational & Professional Licensing
UT.gov - Business Guide
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Dept. of Revenue - Apply for a Business License
Dept. of Labor - Licensing
Washington D.C.
West Virginia
WV.gov - Business Portal
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Business.org - Licensing & Permitting
SOS - Start a Business
US Small Business Administration (SBA)
Disclaimer:
Your Books Live (YBL) provides links to official Federal, State, and Local government websites as a convenience. We do not verify any information on these websites for anyone and are not legally liable for any website data. If you are still looking for specific details OR need help finding the correct information, contact the source or the website listing it.
If you find an incorrect or expired link on our website, please email us at info@yourbookslive.com so we can correct it promptly.