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

What Is a Business License in Indiana?

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 Indiana, what exactly is there?

Well, Indiana — 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 Indianapolis will need a food establishment permit from the Marion County Health Department, and a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate from the Indiana Department of Revenue if selling taxable goods.
• An accounting firm in Fort Wayne will need a CPA license from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency and register the business entity with the Indiana Secretary of State.
• A retail clothing store in Evansville will need a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate from the Indiana Department of Revenue to collect and remit sales tax, register the business with the Indiana Secretary of State, and obtain any necessary building permits from the City of Evansville Building Department for store renovations.
• A furniture manufacturing company in South Bend will need environmental permits from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and building permits from the St. Joseph County Building Department for industrial operations.

Do I Need an Indiana 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:

Indiana 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 location. Contact your local municipality to determine local requirements.
State	Seller’s Permit	Businesses selling goods or services or conducting business activities in Indiana. Apply via Indiana Department of Revenue.
	Professional Licenses	Required for regulated professions (e.g., healthcare, contractors, real estate, etc.). Apply via the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food establishments, liquor, childcare, environmental permits). Apply through the relevant Indiana agency.
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 Indiana

The process of obtaining a business license in Indiana 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 Indiana

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Indiana Local Business Licenses

Many Indiana 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:

• Industry Permits: This includes health permits required for restaurants, food trucks, and businesses handling food products. Food establishment licensing is handled by local health departments in Indiana’s 95 counties (e.g., if your business is based in Indianapolis, you would apply with the Marion County Health Department).
• Zoning Permits: You may need this in order to ensure that your business’s location is zoned appropriately and is compliant with local laws (e.g., if you were based in Fort Wayne, you would check with the Allen County Department of Planning Services).
• Sign Permits: These can be required before installing business signage (e.g., if you were based in Evansville, you would apply through the Vanderburgh County Area Plan Commission for signage permits).
• Building Permits: Required for construction, renovation, or modification of business premises to ensure compliance with building codes and safety standards (e.g., if your business is in South Bend, you would apply with the St. Joseph County Building 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 Indianapolis, you would obtain this through the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services).
• Home-Based Business Permits: Some municipalities require special permits for businesses operating from residential properties, particularly those that may generate traffic or impact neighbors.

To find your local county or city’s official contact information and licensing requirements, you can visit the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns or the Association of Indiana Counties.

Indiana State Business Licenses

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

Indiana Registered Retail Merchant Certificate

You can register for an Indiana Registered Retail Merchant Certificate online through the state’s INBiz website or by mail. 

Apply for an Indiana Registered Retail Merchant Certificate

Apply Online With INBiz

Apply Online

– OR –

Apply by Mail

Download Form

Fee: $25

Mailing Address:
Indiana Department of Revenue
Tax Administration Processing
P.O. Box 6197
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6197

Indiana 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:

• Indiana Board of Accountancy: Oversees the licensing of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and Public Accountants (PAs), including individual licenses and accounting firm permits.
• Indiana Real Estate Commission: Regulates real estate brokers, salespeople, and property managers, along with continuing education requirements.
• Indiana Medical Licensing Board: Licenses physicians (MDs and DOs), physician assistants, and other medical professionals.
• Indiana State Board of Nursing: Oversees licensing for Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).
• Indiana Board of Pharmacy: Regulates pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmaceutical facilities.
• Indiana Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners: Licenses cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, manicurists, and related beauty professionals.
• Indiana Auctioneer Commission: Oversees the licensing of auctioneers and auction houses throughout the state.

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

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

• Liquor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Regulated by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission. Indiana offers various permit types including on-premises consumption, off-premises sales, and manufacturer permits. The application process can take 10-12 weeks and requires local alcoholic beverage board approval.
• Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses that sell, offer to sell, or advertise for sale 12 or more motor vehicles in a 12-month period. Regulated by the Indiana Secretary of State Auto Dealer Services Division. Requires a $25,000 surety bond, established place of business with 1,300 square feet minimum, and liability insurance.
• Child Care License: Required for child care centers and home-based providers caring for more than 6 children. Regulated by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning. Includes background checks, training requirements, and facility inspections.
• Food Manufacturing License: Required for businesses that manufacture, process, or package food products for wholesale or retail distribution. Regulated by the Indiana State Department of Health Food Protection Division. Includes facility inspections and compliance with food safety regulations

Indiana 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 Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). 

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Hazardous waste 
• Storage tanks 
• Waste management 
• Animal farms 
• Environmental cleanups 
• Landfills 
• Building construction or modification 
• Automotive coating 
• Cabinet making 
• Concrete batching 
• Storm water 
• Wastewater 
• Printing operations 
• Woodworking and lumber mills 
• Gravel and stone crushing 

Federal Business Licenses for Indiana 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

Indiana Business License Renewal 

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

Your Indiana registered retail merchant certificate is valid for two years and will renew automatically if your business is current with tax payments. 

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.

Indiana Business License FAQs

Quick Links

• Indiana Department of Revenue
• Indiana Professional Licensing Agency
• Indiana Business Owner’s Guide
• Indiana Association of Cities and Towns
• Association of Indiana Counties