Business Link North Carolina (BLNC) is an economic development partnership with the North Carolina Department of Commerce that provides a free service to anyone looking to start a small business in North Carolina. BLNC provides individuals with telephone consultations for individuals interested in starting a business in North Carolina, including determining the licenses and permits they may need. Choose a name, choose a business structure, register your business. Raleigh – Businesses such as cart vendors, massage companies, pawnshops, liquor vendors, and home-based businesses operating within the city limits of Raleigh will register their businesses with the City of Raleigh. There are more than 700 regulatory licenses and permits, both government-issued and professional. In addition, a local license may be required for your business. There is no fee for a North Carolina registration certificate. The cost of other licenses varies. If you are starting a business that may require a professional license, contact your professional association.

Click here for a list of all professional associations in North Carolina and their contact information. In addition to professional licenses, businesses in various sectors such as food operations, daycares, salvage resellers and many others need a license. The most important state permit or license in North Carolina is the registration certificate, sometimes referred to as a seller`s permit. For example, the City of Charlotte does not have a general business license, but it does require all new businesses that collect and transfer taxes to file a new business registration form. The city also requires certain types of businesses to have special licenses. Your business may need a North Carolina business license, professional license, environmental permits, and/or to meet the area requirements for your specific business type and location. North Carolina does not have a general license that all companies must have. However, many types of businesses need to apply for special licenses to operate in the state. Whether your business needs a license depends on the goods and services you offer. North Carolina also has several professional licensing agencies that oversee certain professions that must be specifically licensed to be practiced in the state. The requirements for a professional licence vary from occupation to profession, but generally require the applicant to meet certain training or examination requirements.

Even if your business doesn`t need to purchase government licenses, many cities and towns have their own licensing requirements that your business must meet. Starting a business in North Carolina can mean registering with a number of federal, state, and local agencies. Let`s take a look at the common licenses and permits that a North Carolina company will register for. Winston-Salem – Certain types of businesses operating in Winston-Salem are required to apply for a privilege license, e.B. Those who sell alcohol, door-to-door lawyers, taxis, pawnshops, fortune tellers and tattoo artists. Licensing fees vary from company to company, but are less than $40. If you need to ask the question, then you probably are. Sometimes a hobby can become a business. You can contact BLNC at 1-800-228-8443 or online at edpnc.com/start-or-grow-a-business/start-a-business/ Contact BLNC although specific requirements vary, most cities require all businesses to obtain a local privilege license to operate a business in their city.

In some areas, some businesses and individuals also require additional municipal licences in order to operate. For example, massage therapists must be state-licensed, but the City of Raleigh also requires them to be specifically licensed by the city, and if they operate a massage business, that business must obtain a special permit in addition to the city`s privilege license. Some cities also require businesses operating from a home office to obtain permission to occupy homes to legally do business in the city. Business licenses, professional licenses, environmental permits, and area requirements Although this is not a business license, it is common for sole proprietorships and partnerships operating under a name other than the full name of the owner(s) to opt for an assumed name certificate (also known as Doing Business As or DBA) with the County Registry Office, in which the company is located. In addition to licensing requirements, certain forms of business, such as corporations, limited liability companies, and limited liability companies, must also register with the North Carolina Department of State to operate in the state. Although sole proprietors and partnerships are not required to register with the state, those who do not operate under a person`s legal name and instead adopt a business name must register the business with the county in which they are located. In addition, companies in certain professions or industries must have certain state licenses or permits. The Department of Commerce hosts a database of North Carolina business and professional licenses with all the various state licenses as well as contact information for relevant state government agencies.

Businesses that sell physical products, certain digital products, the provision of certain services, and the rental of real estate must register to obtain a sales and use tax number (also known as a seller`s license). In general, physical and digital products sold at retail are taxable in North Carolina (Form NC-BR), while services are generally not taxable. For more information about sales and use tax and registration, please contact the North Carolina Department of Revenue. Most businesses require at least a registration certificate or seller`s license. Businesses in certain professions or locations may need additional licenses. These are just a few of the most common business licenses that a new business needs to register before launching. Before you start your business, contact Business Link North Carolina (BLNC), City Hall, the County Clerk, the Chamber of Commerce, and/or the business developer in your area for more information about business licensing. North Carolina does not have a single generic commercial license that ensures compliance with all requirements.

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