General Business Licenses

Businesses are typically required to obtain a license before operating in any jurisdiction.

In addition to industry-specific occupational licenses, companies may also be required to apply for a general business license. General Business licenses are generic licenses that are required for any company regardless of the industry, or the products and services they offer.

Most general business licenses are issued at the county or city level, however, a few states also require licenses. Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Nevada, and Washington all require business entities to obtain a state-level general business license in addition to any required local business licenses. After obtaining a license, it is important to keep up with any ongoing requirements associated with licensure. General business licenses usually need to be renewed annually or biennially, and if entity information changes, an update must be filed in a timely manner.

Companies that provide service across multiple counties or states will likely need to obtain several business licenses. As a full service business licensing provider, Harbor Compliance can help you apply for and maintain your licenses. Learn more.

Alabama

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Agency

Alabama Department of Revenue - Business Licensing Section

Initial Application

Fee:

Varies by county.

Filing Method:

In person or mail.

License Renewal

Fee:

Varies by county.

Filing Method:

In person or mail.

Due:

Licenses expire on September 30 of each year and must be renewed annually by October 31.

Alaska

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Agency

Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing

Initial Application

Fee:

$50 per year. Applicants may choose to pay for either 1 or 2 years.

Form:

Alaska Business License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

License Renewal

Fee:

$50 per year. Applicants may choose to pay for either 1 or 2 years.

Form:

Alaska Business License Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Due:

Annually or Biennially by December 31 depending on if you paid for one year or two.

Arizona

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Arizona

Arizona does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Arkansas

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Arkansas

Arkansas does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

California

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in California

Business licensing is conducted at the city level in California.

Colorado

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Colorado

Colorado does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Connecticut

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Connecticut

Connecticut does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Delaware

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Agency

Delaware Department of Finance - Division of Revenue

Initial Application

Fee:
  • $75
  • License fees are prorated based on the month in which the application is submitted
Filing Method:

Online

License Renewal

Fee:

$75

Form:

Online

Due:
  • Annually by December 31. Licensees may also choose to renew on a triennial basis.
  • Licenses can be renewed starting 60 days prior to the renewal date.

District of Columbia

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Agency

District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection - Business and Professional Licensing Administration - Business Licensing Division

Initial Application

Fee:

$99

Filing Method:

Online

License Renewal

Fee:

$99

Filing Method:

Online

Due:
  • Biennially by the end of the month prior to the registration anniversary month.
  • Renewals can be filed as early as 75 days prior to the expiration date.

Florida

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Florida

Florida does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Georgia

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Georgia

Business licensing is conducted at the city level in Georgia.

Hawaii

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Hawaii

Hawaii does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Idaho

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Idaho

Idaho does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Illinois

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Illinois

Illinois does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Indiana

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Indiana

Indiana does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Iowa

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Iowa

Iowa does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Kansas

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Kansas

Kansas does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Kentucky

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Kentucky

Kentucky does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Louisiana

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Louisiana

Louisiana does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Maine

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Maine

Maine does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Maryland

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Maryland

Maryland does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Massachusetts

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Massachusetts

Massachusetts does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Michigan

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Michigan

Michigan does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Minnesota

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Minnesota

Minnesota does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Mississippi

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Mississippi

Mississippi does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Missouri

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Missouri

Missouri does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Montana

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Montana

Montana does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Nebraska

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Nebraska

Nebraska does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Nevada

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More Info

Agency

Nevada Secretary of State - Commercial Recordings Division

Initial Application

Fee:

$500 for business corporations and $200 for all other entities.

Filing Method:

Online

License Renewal

Fee:

$500 for business corporations and $200 for all other entities.

Filing Method:

Online

Due:

File annually along with the annual list of officers. 

New Hampshire

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in New Hampshire

New Hampshire does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

New Jersey

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in New Jersey

New Jersey does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

New Mexico

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in New Mexico

New Mexico does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

New York

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in New York

New York does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

North Carolina

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in North Carolina

North Carolina does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

North Dakota

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in North Dakota

North Dakota does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Ohio

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Ohio

Ohio does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Oklahoma

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Oklahoma

Oklahoma does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Oregon

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Oregon

Oregon does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Pennsylvania

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Rhode Island

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Rhode Island

Rhode Island does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

South Carolina

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in South Carolina

South Carolina does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

South Dakota

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in South Dakota

South Dakota does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Tennessee

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Tennessee

Tennessee counties and municipalities issue Minimal Activity Licenses (for businesses with more than $3,000 but less than $100,000 in gross receipts) and Standard Business Licenses (for businesses with gross receipts of $100,000 or more).

Texas

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Texas

Texas does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Utah

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Utah

There is no state basic business license in Utah, however, all businesses are required to hold a city or county level license.

Vermont

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Vermont

Vermont does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Virginia

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Virginia

Virginia does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Washington

Our Resources:

More Info

Agency

Washington Department of Revenue - Business Licensing Service

Initial Application

Fee:

Fees vary. There is a $50 fee for opening a new business and a $5 for registering a trade name, adding additional endorsements to an existing location, or making similar changes to an existing license. See the full fee schedule for more information. Online payments incur a $1.79 processing fee. 

Form:

Business License Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online

License Renewal

West Virginia

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in West Virginia

West Virginia does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Wisconsin

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Wisconsin

Wisconsin does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Wyoming

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Not Required

General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Wyoming

Wyoming does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.