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License and Permit Requirements
When running a small business, you’re likely to need various types of licenses and permits based on your location.
It’s vital for both your bottom line and the future success of your business to stay on top of these legal requirements.
Licenses or permits may be required because of laws, regulations or rules authorized by three levels of government:
- Federal
- State
- Local
LegalShield can make determining what licenses or permits you need easy, giving you confidence your business will be in compliance in your particular location.
Select a Topic to Learn More:
Federal
If the activities in which your business engages are regulated by a federal agency, you likely need federal licenses or permits. At the very least, you almost certainly need a Federal Employment Identification Number (FEIN) to identify your organization for tax purposes. Below is a list of some of the most common industries and activities regulated by the Federal Government.
- Agriculture and Farming
- Manufacture of Alcoholic Beverages
- Firearms and Ammunition
- Mining and Drilling
- Radio and TV Broadcasting
- Commercial Fisheries
- Transportation and Logistics
- Aviation
A Small Business Plan from LegalShield gives you access to unlimited consultation with a small business lawyer who can guide you through the federal licensing and permitting process. Also, you can submit any documents or applications (up to 15 pages each) for review and feedback at no additional cost.
State
State licenses and permits fall into two main categories. The first category includes general business licenses and permits while the second category includes professional licenses and permits specific to an individual, such as a lawyer being licensed to practice law or a barber being licensed to cut hair.
- What state licensing laws apply to my line of work or that of my business as a whole?
- I moved, does my license from another state satisfy the requirements in my new state?
- Are there any state licenses or permits for which my employees need to apply?
- What are the fees associated with each permit?
- Can I apply online? Where do I locate the applications?
From doctors to restaurants to accounting practices, chances are good that the state in which you operate requires you to secure one or more licenses and permits to operate legally. If you’d like to do your own research, start by poking around on the government website for the state(s) in which your business will conduct business. Look for the business license section.
If you’d rather save time and stress less, the most cost-effective way to get the licenses and permits your business needs is to purchase a Small Business Plan from LegalShield.
Local
While a good bit of business licensing and permitting falls under federal or state law, many cities and towns have local ordinances and regulations that require you to secure additional permits and licenses. Here are a few examples of local requirements.
- One time permits for special events
- Sales tax license
- General business permit
- Health permit for restaurants
- Building and zoning permits
- Tobacco, lottery or alcohol licenses for retail stores
The list above is a tiny sample. There are over 150,000 filing jurisdictions across the United States. If you own a business, chances are very good you need one or more local licenses or permits.
Get a Small Business Plan from LegalShield and knock licenses and permits off your task list so you can get on with growing your company.
License and Permit Requirements
It’s vital for both your bottom line and the future success of your business to stay on top of these legal requirements.
Licenses or permits may be required because of laws, regulations or rules authorized by three levels of government:
- Federal
- State
- Local
LegalShield can make determining what licenses or permits you need easy, giving you confidence your business will be in compliance in your particular location.
Select a Topic to Learn More:
Federal
If the activities in which your business engages are regulated by a federal agency, you likely need federal licenses or permits. At the very least, you almost certainly need a Federal Employment Identification Number (FEIN) to identify your organization for tax purposes. Below is a list of some of the most common industries and activities regulated by the Federal Government.
- Agriculture and Farming
- Manufacture of Alcoholic Beverages
- Firearms and Ammunition
- Mining and Drilling
- Radio and TV Broadcasting
- Commercial Fisheries
- Transportation and Logistics
- Aviation
A Small Business Plan from LegalShield gives you access to unlimited consultation with a small business lawyer who can guide you through the federal licensing and permitting process. Also, you can submit any documents or applications (up to 15 pages each) for review and feedback at no additional cost.
State
State licenses and permits fall into two main categories. The first category includes general business licenses and permits while the second category includes professional licenses and permits specific to an individual, such as a lawyer being licensed to practice law or a barber being licensed to cut hair.
- What state licensing laws apply to my line of work or that of my business as a whole?
- I moved, does my license from another state satisfy the requirements in my new state?
- Are there any state licenses or permits for which my employees need to apply?
- What are the fees associated with each permit?
- Can I apply online? Where do I locate the applications?
From doctors to restaurants to accounting practices, chances are good that the state in which you operate requires you to secure one or more licenses and permits to operate legally. If you’d like to do your own research, start by poking around on the government website for the state(s) in which your business will conduct business. Look for the business license section.
If you’d rather save time and stress less, the most cost-effective way to get the licenses and permits your business needs is to purchase a Small Business Plan from LegalShield. If you join on a normal business day, you can be in the phone with a lawyer in 4 hours or less and they will help you navigate the entire application process for a small monthly fee.
Local
While a good bit of business licensing and permitting falls under federal or state law, many cities and towns have local ordinances and regulations that require you to secure additional permits and licenses. Here are a few examples of local requirements.
- One time permits for special events
- Sales tax license
- General business permit
- Health permit for restaurants
- Building and zoning permits
- Tobacco, lottery or alcohol licenses for retail stores
The list above is a tiny sample. There are over 150,000 filing jurisdictions across the United States. If you own a business, chances are very good you need one or more local licenses or permits.
Get a small business plan from LegalShield and knock licenses and permits off your task list so you can get on with growing your company.
Learn About Other
License and Permit Topics
Select a topic to learn more:
Business
Licenses
Federal and
State
Doing Business As (DBA)
See What Our
Customers Say
The attorney who assisted me was very knowledgeable in regards to my questions! He was very patient and courteous as he gave great detail to advise me in the best manner. I was able to achieve my personal goal of obtaining an LLC and EIN for my business by completing the tasks independently.
Patty J.
Mississippi Member
I had some critical questions I needed answered for my business. I received a quick response with the exact information I was looking for.
Steven T.
Minnesota Member
I was completely clueless at how to begin the trademarking process for my business and about to spend hundreds of dollars unnecessarily, however thanks to the attorney I spoke with he led me in the right direction and helped me save so much money and time.
Ashley A.
Arkansas Member
How LegalShield Works
Finding solutions to your legal issues doesn’t have to be stressful, complicated or expensive.
LegalShield puts the power of legal representation within reach of any individual, family, or business. We work hard to make it easy, simple, and affordable to get the legal help you need, when you need it.
Spencer Tadashi Schiefer of provider firm Davis, Miles, McGuire, Gardner has been serving LegalShield members since 2011.
Michael E. Medina Jr. of provider firm Davis, Miles, McGuire, Gardner has been serving LegalShield members since 1993.
How LegalShield Works
Finding solutions to your legal issues doesn’t have to be stressful, complicated or expensive.
LegalShield puts the power of legal representation within reach of any individual, family, or business. We work hard to make it easy, simple, and affordable to get the legal help you need, when you need it.
Spencer Tadashi Schiefer of provider firm Davis, Miles, McGuire, Gardner has been serving LegalShield members since 2011.
Michael E. Medina Jr. of provider firm Davis, Miles, McGuire, Gardner has been serving LegalShield members since 1993.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pre-paid legal plan and how does it work?
Instead of paying a lawyer by the hour, you pay a small fee (starting at $24.95/month for personal and $49/month for small business) and have access to an independent lawyer that will provide a huge variety of legal services without a huge legal bill. Services like consultation with a lawyer, document review, drafting of debt collection letters and defense at civil trials are included as standard benefits. Using the plan just once can save you literally thousands of dollars.
Using the plan is as simple as signing up and contacting our team. Once you’re a member, customer support will connect you with an independent lawyer in your area who specializes in the specific legal issue with which you need help. Also, you can download our super-simple app to quickly access your legal benefits and member perks anytime.
How long after I join can I use the plan?
You can use your plan as soon as your membership application is reviewed and your account is set up. The review process takes 12-24 hours (or less) from the moment you purchase your plan (on regular business days). Once accepted, you can be in contact with a lawyer and begin to use the plan benefits and member perks outlined in the membership agreement right away.
How much can I save with a membership?
The average lawyer in the U.S. charges between $150-$400 per hour. If you use your membership for even just a few hours a year you could easily save over $1,000. If you have a bunch of small legal issues or one rather complicated issue, you can easily save multiple thousands of dollars over hiring a lawyer directly. Not to mention the stress you’ll save by having a lawyer on call instead of trying to handle legal issues yourself.
Also, the lawyers in our network often help our members recover thousands of dollars of damages or avoid thousands of dollars in fees over what they would have experienced had they tried to resolve the legal issue themselves. Obviously, every member and usage situation is different, but when used correctly, your membership can easily save significant amounts of money. Not to mention savings from our member perks.