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

As of 2025, Kansas doesn’t impose a general business license requirement; instead, business licensing is regulated on a local, state, and federal level.

This means that whether or not you need a Kansas business license will depend on your business’s location and industry.

This article will cover:

What a Business License Is
Who Needs a Business License
How to Get a Business License
Business License Renewals
Frequently Asked Questions

Woman holding open sign after getting her business license

What Is a Business License in Kansas?

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

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

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

For example:

A mobile food vendor in Wichita will need a food establishment permit from the Kansas Department of Agriculture and additional Mobile Food Vendor License from the city of Wichita.
An accounting firm in Topeka will need a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license for each of its accountants and a permit to practice as a CPA firm in Kansas from the Kansas Board of Accountancy.
A massage therapy business in Overland Park will need a Massage Therapist License through the Overland Park City Clerk’s office.
A retail store in Kansas City, Kansas, must complete a Zoning Memorandum and an Occupation Tax application with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City.

Note: These examples are simplified to illustrate common licensing requirements and do not list every permit that may be needed. Operating without proper licensing can result in penalties including fines, business closure orders, and legal complications. Always research the specific requirements for your business type and location.

Do I Need a Kansas Business License?

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

Kansas 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 Kansas Apply via the Kansas Department of Revenue.
	Professional Licenses	Required for regulated professions (e.g., healthcare, construction, real estate, etc.) Apply through the relevant Kansas agency.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food establishments, liquor retailers, child care providers, and companies impacting the environment). Apply through the relevant Kansas 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 Kansas

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

1. Form a Business Structure & Obtain an Employer Identification Number (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 financing

We generally recommend almost all small business owners to form a limited liability company (LLC). This offers personal liability protection, is extremely affordable, and offers a ton of flexibility when it comes to how it can be taxed and managed.

Want to make sure your LLC is formed correctly? Northwest can handle your Kansas LLC formation with first year free registered agent service and excellent customer support.

Note: You should obtain an EIN after forming your LLC. See our How to Get an EIN overview for more information.

2. Apply for the Right Business License in Kansas

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Kansas Local Business Licenses

Many Kansas cities and counties require you to obtain local business licenses or permits. 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 the state as well as local governments (e.g., if you’re operating a mobile food business based in Topeka, you’d apply with the Topeka City Clerk and the Kansas Department of Agriculture).
Zoning Permits: You may need this in order to ensure your business’s location is zoned appropriately and complies with local laws (e.g., if you’re based in Kansas City, Kansas, you’d undergo a zoning inspection and apply for an Occupation Tax License afterward with the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City).
Sign Permits: These may be required before installing business signage (e.g., if you’re based in Wichita, you’d apply through the city of Wichita for a signage permit).
Building Permits: These are 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 Overland Park, you’d apply through Overland Park’s ePLACE online permitting system).
Certificate of Occupancy: This is required for most businesses before they can legally occupy a building or space. It verifies the structure meets building codes and is safe for the intended use (e.g., if your business is in Lawrence, you’d obtain this through the city of Lawrence Planning & Development Services Department).
Home-Based Business Permits: Some municipalities require special permits for businesses operating from residential properties — particularly those that may generate traffic or impact neighbors. (e.g., a home-based business in Lenexa must obtain a home occupation license through the Community Development Licensing and Permitting division).

To find your local county or city’s official contact information and licensing requirements, visit the League of Kansas Municipalities.

Kansas State Business Licenses

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

Kansas Seller’s Permit

You can register for a Kansas seller’s permit online through the Kansas Department of Revenue website, by mail, or by fax.

Apply for a Kansas Seller’s Permit

Apply Online With the Kansas Department of Revenue

Apply Online

– OR –

Apply by Mail

Download Form

Fee: $0

Mailing Address:
Kansas Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 3506
Topeka, KS 66625-3506

Fax: (785) 291-3614

Kansas Professional Licenses

If you’re interested in a professional license, you’ll need to head over to the relevant state commission because 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:

Board of Accountancy: Oversees the licensing of CPAs and Public Accountants (PAs), including individual licenses and accounting firm permits.
Real Estate Commission: Regulates real estate brokers, salespeople, and property managers, along with continuing education requirements.
State Board of Healing Arts: Licenses physicians (e.g., M.D.s and D.O.s), physician assistants, and other medical professionals.
Board of Nursing: Oversees licensing for Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).
Board of Pharmacy: Regulates pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmaceutical facilities.
Board of Cosmetology: Licenses cosmetologists, estheticians, manicurists, and related beauty professionals.

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

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

Liquor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Regulated by the Kansas Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Kansas offers various permit types, including on-premises consumption, off-premises sales, and manufacturer permits.
Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses that sell, offer to sell, or advertise for sale five or more motor vehicles in a calendar year. Regulated by the Kansas Department of Revenue. Requires the obtainment and maintenance of a surety bond.
Child Care License: Required for child care centers and home-based providers. Regulated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Division of Public Health. Requires an orientation with a license specialist.
Food Processor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, process, or package food products for wholesale or retail distribution. Regulated by the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Note: This is not a complete list. Licensing requirements vary by industry and business model. For more information, visit the State of Kansas’s list of common business licenses and permits.

Kansas 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 Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Examples of industries regulated here include:

Air Permitting
Hazardous Waste Permitting & Corrective Action
Household Hazardous Waste Disposal
Lead Licensing & Certification
Public Water Supply Engineering & Permits
Remediation Licensing & Permitting
Solid Waste Program
Water Permitting & Compliance
Water Well Contractors

Federal Business Licenses for Kansas 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

Kansas Business License Renewal

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

Your Kansas sales tax permit doesn’t need to be renewed.

Several of the local permits will need to be renewed annually, such as health department permits, signage permits, and fire department permits.

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

Kansas Business License FAQs

Kansas doesn’t require a general business license that applies to all businesses. However, depending on your location and industry, you’ll likely need specific permits or licenses at the local, state, or federal level. Most businesses need at least a sales tax permit if they sell taxable goods or services.

This depends on your business type and location. Common requirements include: a sales tax permit, local permits (e.g., health, zoning, and occupancy), professional licenses (for regulated professions), and industry-specific licenses (e.g., liquor, child care, motor vehicle dealer). Contact your local municipality and review the Kansas professional licensing agency requirements for your specific industry.

The sales tax permit is free to obtain. Other license costs vary significantly: local permits may range from $30 to $500, professional licenses can cost $50 to $300+, and specialized licenses like liquor permits or motor vehicle dealer licenses can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars, including required bonds and insurance.

The Kansas sales tax permit is perpetual so doesn’t need to be renewed. Other state and local permits or licenses will require varying renewal processes.

Generally, no. You must obtain all required licenses before beginning operations. Operating without proper licenses can result in fines, legal action, and difficulty obtaining licenses in the future. Some licenses allow provisional operation while applications are pending so you should check with the specific agency.

Yes, home-based businesses need the same licenses as traditional businesses and they must comply with local zoning laws. You’ll need a sales tax permit if selling taxable goods/services, any required professional licenses, and you must ensure your residential area is zoned for business use or obtain the appropriate permits.