You would think the answer to the question "How do I get a small business license?" wouldn't be all that complicated. However, you will need several different licenses from several different places. Luckily, national, state and local governments have online resources that can cut down on your legwork.
Federal, State and Local Licenses
Federal: You will need a federal license if your business involves certain wide-ranging industries, such as investment advising and trucking. As you apply for licenses at the local level, you will find out if you need to look for federal application forms.
State: The Small Business Administration makes business licensing easy by providing a state-by-state list of where you can get a small business license at the state level.
Local: Depending on your state and your business, you may need several different licenses at the city and county level. Call or visit the city hall and county clerk's office in the area in which you plan to do business.
Getting Started
Perhaps the best place to go is business.gov. On the front page, you can enter your zip code and type of business. The site will generate a list of links telling you where to go for the following state licenses and local licenses.
Business.gov doesn't make it completely painless to get a business license, but it is a start. For example, if you want to open a beauty salon in Costa Mesa, California, the site will point you to the city of Costa Mesa's Web site and the official site for Orange County. So you will still need to make calls and investigate the Web sites for Costa Mesa and Orange County. You will discover that you're going to need a cosmetology license as well.
Soon, you will find the list of forms you need growing. That said, the site generates information that you could use as a checklist when you are gathering your applications for small business licenses and permits.
No matter what, a visit to your local city hall in the town in which you plan to do business will be helpful. If you start at the local level, they can give you advice on how to proceed at the higher levels.
 | Failure to obtain the necessary business licenses and permits can delay your opening or result in steep fines or closing your business until you're in compliance. |
 | Applying for a business license is much simpler if you know which licenses you need and where to get the forms. Your licenses will depend on where you live and what the requirements are there. |
Starting a business can be one of the most exciting ventures on which to embark, and it's always a good idea to make sure your business is operating legally. Believe it or not, many small businesses do not get the proper licensing, and as a result, may be at risk of legal ramifications. |
It is imperative to have your business legally prepared. How you ask? You need to have a business license, a home occupation license, if running your business from home, a city or county license, (depending on what State you live) plus you need to register your business as fictitious if you are not using your name as a business. |
Are you considering starting your own small business? Check out everything you need to know about obtaining a small business license from where to find small business licenses to tips for applying for a small business license. |
