Chauncey grew up on a farm in rural northern California. At 18 he ran away and saw the world with a backpack and a credit card, discovering that the true value of any point or mile is the experience it facilitates. He remains most at home on a tracto.
Chauncey Crail ContributorChauncey grew up on a farm in rural northern California. At 18 he ran away and saw the world with a backpack and a credit card, discovering that the true value of any point or mile is the experience it facilitates. He remains most at home on a tracto.
Written By Chauncey Crail ContributorChauncey grew up on a farm in rural northern California. At 18 he ran away and saw the world with a backpack and a credit card, discovering that the true value of any point or mile is the experience it facilitates. He remains most at home on a tracto.
Chauncey Crail ContributorChauncey grew up on a farm in rural northern California. At 18 he ran away and saw the world with a backpack and a credit card, discovering that the true value of any point or mile is the experience it facilitates. He remains most at home on a tracto.
Contributor Jacqueline Nguyen, Esq. Small Business and Tax Expert WriterJacqi is a seasoned legal professional committed to simplifying complex legal issues. With her in-depth knowledge of tax laws, she thrives on helping individuals and businesses navigate the maze of financial obligations. Clients trust Jacqi to provid.
Jacqueline Nguyen, Esq. Small Business and Tax Expert WriterJacqi is a seasoned legal professional committed to simplifying complex legal issues. With her in-depth knowledge of tax laws, she thrives on helping individuals and businesses navigate the maze of financial obligations. Clients trust Jacqi to provid.
Jacqueline Nguyen, Esq. Small Business and Tax Expert WriterJacqi is a seasoned legal professional committed to simplifying complex legal issues. With her in-depth knowledge of tax laws, she thrives on helping individuals and businesses navigate the maze of financial obligations. Clients trust Jacqi to provid.
Jacqueline Nguyen, Esq. Small Business and Tax Expert WriterJacqi is a seasoned legal professional committed to simplifying complex legal issues. With her in-depth knowledge of tax laws, she thrives on helping individuals and businesses navigate the maze of financial obligations. Clients trust Jacqi to provid.
| Small Business and Tax Expert Writer
Updated: Feb 13, 2024, 6:56pm
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Getty
The state of Florida requires certain types of businesses to maintain an active business license or permit. If it’s your first time obtaining a license, the process may seem overwhelming. But it can be easier than you might think. Follow our guide to learn how to get a business license in Florida in just a few simple steps.
Florida makes running a business significantly easier than many other states by not requiring or issuing statewide business operating licenses. Florida law does, however, require both state licenses and certifications for any businesses exposing customers to potential hazards and involving occupations where extensive training is required. This includes:
Florida has three state-level agencies that issue these types of business licenses. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) controls the construction industry, real estate and alcohol and tobacco business licensing. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) controls the agriculture industry, gambling, oil and gas, private investigation, private security and food handling or production-related licenses. The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) is responsible for regulating healthcare institutions and professions, including athletic trainers, dieticians and massage therapists.
These websites provide comprehensive guides encompassing the various occupations and business types these organizations regulate. Make sure to check if your business or its operations are included on their pages to find more information about the type of licensing you’ll need. Once you know which license(s) your business needs, you can start applying for those licenses.
While DACS, DBPR and FDOH regulate certain Florida industries on a statewide level, most cities (or counties) in Florida require businesses to be licensed to operate within the jurisdiction. This general business license is usually called a business tax receipt in Florida and is required for any new business providing merchandise or services to the public, even if the business is a one-person company and operates out of a private residence. The business tax receipt is proof of payment and must be displayed publicly at your place of business as it is subject to inspection by the city or county officials.
If your business is regulated by the state, you will still also need a local business tax receipt for each place of business and for each separate business tax classification you may be operating at the same location.
For additional resources on starting a business and the types of business licensing you may need, Florida offers the Sunbiz website for common business filing needs and resources.
Virtually all businesses will need at least one type of license or permit to legally operate in the state of Florida. Figuring out exactly which licenses you may need to operate in your area and your specific industry can be tricky. Depending on the kind of business you operate, you might need to obtain local, county, state and/or federal business licenses. Florida’s system can be complicated to navigate because multiple state agencies license different types of businesses. You should check with local and federal agencies to make sure you obtain the correct licenses for operating your type of business.
The most common type of business license you will need is a business operating license, often called a “business tax receipt” in Florida. These licenses will be required to operate essentially all types of businesses and will be nearly identical in all cities and counties across Florida.
A Fictitious Business Name (FBN) or Doing Business As (DBA) registration may be required, or desired, for your business if the name you are doing business as does not match the name you registered the business with the Florida Department of State.
To determine which additional business licenses and permits you may need, visit openmyfloridabusiness.gov/county-websites/ to find the correct links to each county’s building, code enforcement, licensing/permitting, planning and zoning departments.
The most common statewide licensing requirement in Florida isn’t explicitly called a sales and use permit as it may be in other places but the purpose is the same. A business tax application must be submitted to the Florida Department of Revenue and is often casually referred to as a seller’s permit. Any business selling or leasing any tangible property is required to obtain a seller’s permit. You can also do this online through this form on the department’s website.
If your business is involved in the selling, manufacturing, importing or distribution of alcohol or tobacco you must apply for the appropriate license(s) with the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, which regulates alcohol and tobacco.
If the business you operate is related to public health, including medical professionals, therapists, dietitians, tattoo artists and other similar industries, you will be required to license your business with the Florida Department of Health.
Multiple Florida statewide licenses may be required for operating your business. If you’re not sure if you need a specific license or not, you should conduct additional research using the Sunbiz website or by checking DBPR, DACS or FDOH for licensing requirements.
The majority of small businesses in Florida will not need to obtain any federal licenses or permits but, depending on the size of your business or the types of activities that your business conducts, you may need to obtain a federal license. Common business areas where you will likely need federal business licenses include:
