Small Business Licenses and Permits
State-by-State Small Business Registration Information
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():saturation(0.2):brightness(10):contrast(5)/GettyImages-882200904-5ade2a8b3037130037e53abf.jpg)
The process of starting a small business involves a number of steps, one of which is registering your business and acquiring the necessary licenses and permits.
Most small businesses in the U.S. must register in their local counties, then follow the licensing restrictions set by the state, depending on the type of business being registered. Each state has its own website that outlines the requirements for business registration and provides resources that will help business owners in each state.
Licenses, Permits, and Regulations for Your Small Business
The list below includes links to state pages on the Small Business Administration (SBA) website. The SBA has compiled state-by-state information on small business registration, license, and permit information. We have also included links (where available) to each state's small business division that provides the most accurate and up-to-date small business information for each state, including details on starting and growing a small business.
A State-By-State Listing
Alabama
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Alabama Secretary of State Business Services
Alaska
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing
Arizona
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- State of Arizona Department of Revenue
Arkansas
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Arkansas Business
California
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development
Colorado
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Colorado Business Express
Connecticut
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Connecticut Licensing Info Center
Delaware
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- State of Delaware's One Stop Business Registration and Licensing System
District of Columbia
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- The District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Florida
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Business Portal of the State of Florida
Georgia
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Georgia Business, Labor and Employment
Hawaii
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
Idaho
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Business Resources for the State of Idaho
Illinois
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- State of Illinois Business
Indiana
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
Iowa
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Iowa Secretary of State's Online Business Center
Kansas
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Kansas Business Center
Kentucky
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Kentucky Business Services
Louisiana
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Louisiana Secretary of State Commercial Division
Maine
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
Maryland
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
Massachusetts
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- The Official Website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Business
Michigan
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Michigan Business One Stop
Minnesota
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Positively Minnesota - Department of Employment and Economic Development
Mississippi
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- State of Mississippi - Secretary of State - Business Services
Missouri
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Missouri Business Portal
Montana
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Montana Business Services
Nebraska
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Nebraska Department of Revenue
Nevada
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Nevada Department of Business and Industry
New Hampshire
New Jersey
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- State of New Jersey Business Portal
New Mexico
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Starting a Business in New Mexico
New York
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- New York Department of State - Division of Corporations
North Carolina
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Business Link North Carolina
North Dakota
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- North Dakota Secretary of State Business Services
Ohio
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Ohio Secretary of State Business Services
Oklahoma
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Oregon
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
Pennsylvania
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Pennsylvania Open for Business
Rhode Island
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- State of Rhode Island - Secretary of State - Business Services
South Carolina
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- South Carolina Business One Stop
South Dakota
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development
Tennessee
Texas
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- State of Texas - Business and Professional Services
Utah
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Business in Utah
Vermont
Virginia
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Washington
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Access Washington
West Virginia
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Business in West Virginia
Wisconsin
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- State of Wisconsin Business Services
Wyoming
- SBA - Business Licenses and Permits
- Wyoming Business Council