Business services
Business License Research
Know exactly which licenses and permits your business needs.
Licensing rules differ by industry, state, county and city. Our research report lists every federal, state and local license or permit that applies to your business, with where and how to apply.
🔒 Secure card payment · Takes about 2 minutes · Tracked in your client portal
How it works
Tell us your business type and location
We research all applicable requirements
Receive your personalised license report
How to get a business license for your LLC
Forming an LLC registers your company with the state, but it is not the same as a business license. Licenses and permits give you permission to operate a particular kind of business in a particular place, and the rules come from up to four levels of government at once.
The four levels of business licensing
- Federal. There is no general federal business license. You only need a federal license or permit if your activity is regulated by a federal agency, for example alcohol (TTB), firearms (ATF), aviation (FAA), commercial fishing, broadcasting (FCC), or transportation and trucking (USDOT).
- State. A few states have a general state business license or registration (Nevada and Washington are well-known examples). Most states instead license specific professions and industries, such as contractors, cosmetologists, real estate agents, accountants, healthcare and childcare providers, and sellers of alcohol or tobacco.
- County. Some counties require their own license or occupational tax registration, particularly for businesses outside city limits.
- City. Many cities require a general business license, tax certificate or home-occupation permit, plus zoning approval for your location and sign permits.
Common registrations people forget
- Sales tax permit (seller's permit or resale certificate) if you sell taxable goods or services
- Employer registration for state payroll tax and unemployment insurance when you hire
- Home-based business permit if you run the business from home
- Health department permits for food, cosmetics and personal-care businesses
- DBA (assumed name) if you trade under a name that is different from your LLC's legal name. See our DBA filing service.
Why a license research report saves time
The hardest part is not applying. It is finding out which licenses apply to your exact business at your exact address, because every city and county publishes its rules differently. Missing one can mean fines, back taxes or being told to stop trading. The Incofile business license research report lists the federal, state, county and city licenses and permits that apply to your industry and location, with links to each application, the issuing agency and the renewal period, so you can apply with confidence.
State-by-state guides
Our state guides explain local licensing alongside LLC formation, for example how to get a business license in Illinois, Georgia business licenses, and the Nevada state business license that every Nevada LLC must hold.
Business License Research — frequently asked questions
Does this include getting the licenses?
This service delivers the research and step-by-step guidance. Applying is straightforward once you know what you need; we can help further on request.
How fast will I get the report?
Usually within 3–5 business days.
Is it accurate for my city?
Yes — we research down to the city and county level, not just state rules.
Ready to get started?
Order in about two minutes. Our US filing team takes it from there.
Order Business License Research — $99