Georgia Business License: Who Needs One & How to Apply (2025)

What Is a Business License in Georgia?

A business license is a permit issued by a local, state, or federal body in order to allow businesses to perform a specific business activity and/or operate legitimately.

So, if there isn’t a “general business license” in Georgia, what exactly is there?

Well, Georgia — like the vast majority of states — imposes different requirements depending on where you’re located and what you actually do.

For example:

• A restaurant in Atlanta will need a Business Occupational Tax Certificate from the City of Atlanta Office of Revenue, a Food Service Establishment Permit from the Fulton County Department of Health, and a Food Sales Establishment License from the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA).
• A CPA firm in Savannah will need a CPA Firm License from the Georgia State Board of Accountancy, and a Business Tax Certificate from the City of Savannah Revenue Department.
• A retail store in Augusta will need a Business License from the Augusta License and Inspection Department and a Certificate of Occupancy from local building departments.
• A film production company in Atlanta will need a Business Occupational Tax Certificate from the City of Atlanta, Georgia Film Tax Credit Certification from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, film production permits from local municipalities where filming occurs, and business registration with the Georgia Secretary of State.
• A commercial farm in Columbus will need a Business License from the Columbus Finance Department, a Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption (GATE) Certificate from the Georgia Department of Agriculture, a Food Sales Establishment License from the Georgia Department of Agriculture if selling food products, and tax registration via the Georgia Department of Revenue.

Do I Need a Georgia Business License? 

Well, the answer to this will ultimately depend on your business’s situation. You can have a look at our table below in order to get a general idea:

Georgia Business Licensing at a Glance

Jurisdiction	Business Licenses	Who Needs It & Where to Apply
Local	Health Permits, Zoning Permits, Occupancy Certificates, Industry-Specific Permits, etc.	Varies by city and county. Contact your local municipality to determine local requirements.
State	Sales and Use Tax Registration	Businesses selling taxable goods or services. Apply via Georgia Department of Revenue.
	Professional Licenses	Required for regulated professions (e.g., accountants, contractors, cosmetologists, etc.). Apply via the Georgia Secretary of State Professional Licensing Boards.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food establishments, liquor, childcare, environmental permits). Apply through relevant Georgia agencies.
Federal	Industry-Specific Licenses	Businesses involved in federally regulated activities such as agriculture, aviation, firearms, alcohol, broadcasting, or wildlife. Apply through the relevant federal agency (e.g., USDA, FAA, ATF, FCC, FWS)

*While this table is meant to give you a general idea, it’s by no means exhaustive. For all your licensing needs, we suggest either going with a professional licensing service or consulting with a business attorney.

How to Get a Business License in Georgia

The process of obtaining a business license in Georgia will depend on the permit in question, but generally involves completing the following steps:

1. Form a Business Structure & Obtain an EIN

We recommend formalizing your business before acquiring a business license in order to avoid potentially having to repeat this process again later down the line. 

This also gives other benefits depending on the business model, such as:

• Personal liability protection
• Improved legitimacy 
• Larger access to loans and corporate finance

Note: You should obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) after forming your LLC. You can have a look at our How to Get an EIN overview for more information. 

2. Apply for the Right Business License in Georgia

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Georgia Local Business Licenses

Many Georgia cities and counties require local business licenses or permits to be obtained. This can be in addition to the common state-wide licenses talked about above.

Here are some common local permits you may need:

• Zoning Permits: You may need this to ensure that your business’s location is zoned appropriately and is compliant with local laws. Building permits may also be required depending on the type of business you are opening (e.g., if you were based in Atlanta, you would check with the City of Atlanta Department of City Planning).
• Industry Permits: This includes health permits required for restaurants, food trucks, and businesses handling food products. In Georgia, food service permits are issued by local county health departments (e.g., if your business is based in Atlanta, you would obtain a Food Service Establishment Permit from the Fulton County Board of Health).
• Local Business License: Most Georgia cities require a local business license, also called an occupational tax certificate. (e.g., if your business is based in Atlanta, you would apply through the ATLCORE Business Occupational Tax and Permitting Portal).
• Sign Permits: These can be required before installing business signage (e.g., if you were based in Savannah, you would check with the City of Savannah Planning and Zoning Department).
• Home-Based Business Permits: Required for businesses operating out of a residence. Generally, home-based businesses cannot have employees, clients, or inventory located at the residence, and no exterior evidence of the business is allowed (e.g., if your business is in Augusta, you would check with the City of Augusta Planning and Development Department).
• Certificate of Occupancy: Required for most businesses before they can legally occupy a building or space. This verifies that the structure meets building codes and is safe for the intended use (e.g., if your business is in Columbus, you would obtain this from the City of Columbus Building Inspections Department).

To find your local county or city’s official contact information and licensing requirements, you can visit the Georgia Municipal Association or the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia.

Georgia State Business Licenses

Below we’ve included the most common business licenses that are required on a state level. 

Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration

Georgia’s Sales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration is obtained online through the Georgia Tax Center website.

Apply Online With the Georgia Tax Center

Apply Online

Fee: $0

Georgia Professional Licenses

If you’re interested in a professional license, you’ll need to head over to the relevant state commission, as this is not handled on a local level. We’ve provided the licensing boards of a few of the most common professions below to get you started:

• Georgia Secretary of State Professional Licensing Boards Division: Oversees more than 40 professional licensing boards including cosmetologists, barbers, social workers, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, certified nurse aides, insurance agents, and many other professions.
• State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors: Regulates general contractors, residential contractors, and various specialty contractors. Required for any contracting work exceeding $2,500.
• Georgia Composite Medical Board: Licenses physicians (M.D. and D.O.), physician assistants, and certain other healthcare practitioners. 
• Georgia Real Estate Commission & Appraisers Board: Licenses real estate agents, brokers, and real estate appraisers. 
• Georgia State Board of Accountancy: Regulates professional licensure of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and public accounting firms. 
• Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers: Licenses cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, nail technicians, hair designers, and related establishments. 
• Georgia Department of Insurance: Regulates insurance agents, brokers, and adjusters (note: this is separate from DPR).
• Georgia Board of Nursing: Licenses registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and certified nurse aides. Regulates nursing practice and education standards.

For more information on how to go about getting licensed, you can have a look at StateRequirement’s in-depth licensing guides. 

Industry-Specific State Licenses

Some Georgia businesses require additional licenses based on the specific industry they operate in.

Here are some common examples of industry-specific state licenses in Georgia:

• Liquor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Georgia requires both state and local alcoholic beverage licenses. Regulated by the Georgia Department of Revenue.
• Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for selling used motor vehicles. Anyone who sells, leases with the option to purchase, or negotiates the sale of used motor vehicles must be licensed. Regulated by the Georgia State Board for the Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers.
• Child Care License: Required for childcare providers. Family Child Care Learning Homes (FCCLH) serve 3-6 children, while Child Care Learning Centers (CCLC) serve 7 or more children. Regulated by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL).
• Food Establishment License: Required for businesses that prepare, serve, or sell food products to the public. This includes restaurants, food trucks, catering services, and food processing facilities. Regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

Georgia Environmental Permits

If your business’s industry will mean that it could negatively impact the environment, there’s a good chance you’ll need some sort of license or permit from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. 

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Underground storage tank registration
• Air quality permits 
• Stormwater permits
• Hazardous waste generator registration 
• Water quality and discharge permits 
• Solid waste permits 
• Water withdrawal permits 
• Surface mining permits 

Federal Business Licenses for Georgia LLCs

If your business is in a federally regulated industry (which is uncommon), it’ll need to acquire the appropriate business license from the right body before starting to operate. 

A full list of industries regulated at a federal level can be found below:

• Agriculture: Overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Alcoholic Beverages: Overseen by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and the Local Alcohol Beverage Control Board
• Aviation: Overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration.
• Firearms, Ammunitions, and Explosives: Overseen by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
• Fish and Wildlife: Overseen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Commercial Fishing: Overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service.
• Maritime Transportation: Overseen by the Federal Maritime Commission.
• Mining and Drilling: Overseen by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
• Radio and Television Broadcasting: Overseen by the Federal Communications Commission.
• Transportation and Logistics: Overseen by the U.S. Department of Transportation

Georgia Business License Renewal 

Depending on your business license, you may need to renew it periodically — usually within one or two years. 

Your Georgia sales and use tax license does not need to be renewed. 

Several of the local permits will also need to be renewed annually; this includes health department permits, signage permits, and fire department permits, which generally all need to be renewed annually.

Having said that, this will depend on both your location and the license in question.

Georgia Business License FAQs

Quick Links

• Georgia Department of Revenue
• Georgia Secretary of State Professional Licensing
• Georgia Municipal Association
• Association of County Commissioners of Georgia
• Georgia Business Development