Free Business License Search Tool - Find What Permits You Need

Almost every business needs at least one license or permit — and most need several. What you need depends on your industry, where you operate, and what you sell or do. Enter your details below to get a list of the federal, state, and local requirements that apply to your business.

Select your industry and the state where your business operates. If you want local results — city or county permits — add your city or county as well. The tool returns a list of licenses and permits that typically apply to businesses like yours, organized by level: federal, state, and local.

Requirements vary by industry. A food business needs health permits and possibly a food facility registration with the FDA. A business selling alcohol needs a federal permit from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) plus a state liquor license. A contractor or cosmetologist needs a state-issued professional or trade license. The tool accounts for these differences based on what you enter.

Your results are a starting point, not a final checklist. Licensing requirements change, and local rules in particular can vary from one city to the next. Use your results to identify which agencies to contact and which applications to start.

For federal requirements, the U.S. Small Business Administration's licensing guide at sba.gov is a reliable reference. For state-level licenses, go directly to your state's business portal or licensing board. For local permits — zoning clearances, occupancy permits, health inspections — contact your city or county clerk's office.

If your industry involves professional licensing (doctors, lawyers, accountants, contractors, cosmetologists), your state licensing board sets the requirements. Those vary significantly by state, so check the board's website directly rather than relying on general guidance.

Once you know what you need, we can help you stay on top of the compliance side — annual reports, registered agent requirements, and the ongoing filings that keep your business in good standing.

Most businesses need a combination of licenses across 3 levels: federal, state, and local. At the federal level, most businesses need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS — it's free to apply for at irs.gov and issued immediately online. Certain industries also require federal permits: alcohol sales (TTB), commercial fishing (NOAA), aviation (FAA), and interstate trucking (FMCSA).

At the state level, requirements split into 2 categories: general business registration and industry-specific licenses. Most states require businesses to register before operating. On top of that, regulated professions — healthcare, law, accounting, construction trades, cosmetology — need a state-issued license from the relevant licensing board.

At the local level, cities and counties often require a general business license or tax receipt, a zoning or land use clearance, and for food businesses, a health permit from the local health department. These are the requirements that catch people off guard most often, because they're the hardest to find in one place.