State Laws

Business License Requirements by State

Only a minority of states issue a true statewide business license. Every guide here says plainly what your state actually requires: state registrations, seller's permits, local licenses, and industry-specific rules.

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Business license regulations by state

Where you operate shapes what you file

52 of 52 jurisdictions documented. Pick a state to see the regulator, the license rule, and the bond.

Business license regulations by state

Interactive map requires JavaScript. The full state directory is below.

Alabama
Regulator: Alabama Department of Revenue with county probate judges and license commissioners
License: varies
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Alabama guide
Alaska
Regulator: Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
License: yes
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Alaska guide
Arizona
Regulator: Arizona Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Arizona guide
Arkansas
Regulator: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Arkansas guide
California
Regulator: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open California guide
Colorado
Regulator: Colorado Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Colorado guide
Connecticut
Regulator: Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Connecticut guide
Delaware
Regulator: Delaware Division of Revenue
License: yes
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Delaware guide
District of Columbia
Regulator: DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
License: yes
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open District of Columbia guide
Florida
Regulator: Florida Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Florida guide
Georgia
Regulator: Georgia Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Georgia guide
Hawaii
Regulator: Hawaii Department of Taxation
License: yes
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Hawaii guide
Idaho
Regulator: Idaho State Tax Commission (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Idaho guide
Illinois
Regulator: Illinois Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Illinois guide
Indiana
Regulator: Indiana Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Indiana guide
Iowa
Regulator: Iowa Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Iowa guide
Kansas
Regulator: Kansas Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Kansas guide
Kentucky
Regulator: Kentucky Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Kentucky guide
Louisiana
Regulator: Louisiana Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Louisiana guide
Maine
Regulator: Maine Revenue Services (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Maine guide
Maryland
Regulator: Comptroller of Maryland (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Maryland guide
Massachusetts
Regulator: Massachusetts Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Massachusetts guide
Michigan
Regulator: Michigan Department of Treasury (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Michigan guide
Minnesota
Regulator: Minnesota Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Minnesota guide
Mississippi
Regulator: Mississippi Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Mississippi guide
Missouri
Regulator: Missouri Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Missouri guide
Montana
Regulator: Montana Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Montana guide
Nebraska
Regulator: Nebraska Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Nebraska guide
Nevada
Regulator: Nevada Secretary of State
License: yes
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Nevada guide
New Hampshire
Regulator: New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open New Hampshire guide
New Jersey
Regulator: New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
License: varies
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open New Jersey guide
New Mexico
Regulator: New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open New Mexico guide
New York
Regulator: New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open New York guide
North Carolina
Regulator: North Carolina Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open North Carolina guide
North Dakota
Regulator: North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open North Dakota guide
Ohio
Regulator: Ohio Department of Taxation (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Ohio guide
Oklahoma
Regulator: Oklahoma Tax Commission (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Oklahoma guide
Oregon
Regulator: Oregon Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Oregon guide
Pennsylvania
Regulator: Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Pennsylvania guide
Puerto Rico
Regulator: Puerto Rico Department of Treasury (Hacienda) and municipalities
License: varies
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Puerto Rico guide
Rhode Island
Regulator: Rhode Island Division of Taxation (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Rhode Island guide
South Carolina
Regulator: South Carolina Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open South Carolina guide
South Dakota
Regulator: South Dakota Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open South Dakota guide
Tennessee
Regulator: Tennessee Department of Revenue (business tax) with county and municipal clerks (license issuance)
License: yes
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Tennessee guide
Texas
Regulator: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Texas guide
Utah
Regulator: Utah State Tax Commission (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Utah guide
Vermont
Regulator: Vermont Department of Taxes (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Vermont guide
Virginia
Regulator: Virginia Department of Taxation (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Virginia guide
Washington
Regulator: Washington State Department of Revenue, Business Licensing Service
License: yes
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Washington guide
West Virginia
Regulator: West Virginia Tax Division
License: yes
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open West Virginia guide
Wisconsin
Regulator: Wisconsin Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Wisconsin guide
Wyoming
Regulator: Wyoming Department of Revenue (tax registration; no general state business license)
License: no
Bond: Not required. No state general business license carries a surety bond; specific licensed industries such as contractors, motor vehicle dealers, and money transmitters have their own bond requirements.
Open Wyoming guide

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