How To Get A Business License In Florida? Free Guide 2023

If you live in Florida and run a business, you may need to have an active business license or permit. The state has requirements for certain types of business activities to have such permits, though the process to go about applying for the license and ensuring that you’ve done all the necessary paperwork and steps can be challenging. Continue reading through this guide as we walk you through how to get a Florida business license.

How To Get A Business License In Florida 2023 

Now that you have a better understanding of the licensing requirements in Florida, let’s go over the steps you should take to get a Florida business license for your new business.  

Name & Form Your Florida Business

Before you can apply for a Florida business license, you need to form your new business and give it a name. You’ll want to check with the Secretary of State’s office to see if someone has already incorporated your desired name and make sure it’s not protected by any trademarks, either. 

There are several different business structure options to choose from, including sole proprietorship, partnership, S corporation, LLC, and more. While registering, you may need to set an official business address for your company as well.  

Apply For A Business Tax Certificate

Next, you should apply for business tax receipts from your local area. Some municipalities will also have their own for the county tax collector in addition to the one required at the state level, so be aware that you may need two of these. For instance, this is required in Miami for sales tax purposes. 

Determine Additional Local Licenses Required

Aside from the state business licenses that we’ve discussed so far, you may also need local business licenses from your local government office or local authorities depending on the country or city that you live in. 

So, be sure to consult your local government’s website to see if your local city will require you to apply for further permits or licenses, like a local business license, county business license, occupational license, or local business tax receipt. 

Apply For Any Additional Statewide Licenses

At this point, you can start applying for the statewide business licenses^[1] that we discussed earlier in the guide. So, make sure you know the Florida business licenses you’ll need, and start applying for them.

Apply For Federal Licenses & Tax Treatment

Once you have your local and Florida business licenses taken care of, you can start applying for all relevant licenses you may need based on your industry from the proper federal agency. This is not required for all businesses, though the ones we listed above will need to go through this step of business license application at the federal level. 

Maintain Your Florida Business License

Once you have a Florida business license, you will need to check if it will require you to renew each year, or if it’s covered by a one-time fee. The good news is that the Florida Annual Resale Certificate can be filed for free, and will automatically be renewed by the Florida division of the Department of Revenue. 

Is A Florida Business License Required?

To begin, you may first ask if it’s required to have a business license in Florida. The answer to this question will vary depending on the type of business you run, though it tends to be easier to run a business in Florida compared to some other states. 

They don’t require or issue a statewide business operating license, though they do require you to have a state license and proper certifications if you have a certain industry code and run a business that exposes customers to possible hazards, or if the occupation requires extensive training. 

Some examples of a business in Florida that would need these necessary licenses include architects and engineers, contractors and construction, real estate brokers, accountants, cosmetologists, and medical professionals, among others. 

Three agencies in Florida will issue such licenses, which include the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,^[2] and the Florida Department of Health.^[3]

Each regulatory agency provides licenses for companies that operate in certain industries, so make sure you’re going to the proper regulatory body to get your required license. Once you’ve done your research and know which business license you’ll need, you can apply directly with the relevant agency. 

Different Types Of Business Licenses

Now let’s go over all the different types of business licenses you can have in Florida. 

Business Tax Receipt In Florida

One of the common requirements for businesses in the state is to get a business tax receipt license. This may be referred to as a seller’s permit in other states, though it plays the same role for business owners. 

This type of specific license is required for any business that sells or leases tangible property. This can be done online in just a few minutes. 

Florida Statewide Licenses

As we discussed above, you may need the proper state licenses from Florida. So, if you haven’t already, check out the three regulatory agencies above to see if your business is listed as required for any of them, and proceed if necessary. 

You may need more than one of these licenses for your company, though you must do the proper research to make sure you have each business license in Florida that is required for your line of work. 

Federal Licenses And Permits

Aside from the Florida business license and other state-level permits you’ll need, you may also need to get licenses and permits from the federal government. 

It’s likely that most Florida businesses will not need licenses and permits from federal agencies, though the size of your business or the type of work you do would require you to get the applicable licenses.  

This will include businesses in the following industries: agriculture, aviation, firearms and explosives, fish and wildlife, alcohol, mining and drilling, nuclear energy, radio, maritime transportation, and more. 

Cost of Business License in Florida 

Now we can cover the Florida business license cost. The cost can range from $20 to a few hundred dollars, though this will all depend on the types of licenses you need, the industry you operate in, and your business location. 

Final Thoughts

After reading through this guide, hopefully, you have a better understanding of whether your Florida business will need a business license or not, and the steps you can take to go about getting Florida business licenses. The rule in Florida varies, so while they don’t require a general business license for most businesses operating in the state, you will need to get a business operating license from the appropriate state government agency if you operate in certain industries. Plus, all businesses will need a business tax receipt license to collect sales tax. 

As a business owner, it comes down to you to know which business licenses you need and the licensing requirements at the local, state, and federal levels. So, make sure you do the proper research and access tools and professionals as needed to ensure you have all the required licenses and permits.