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

What Is a Business License in Maine?

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 Maine, what exactly is there?

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

For example:

• A restaurant in Portland will need a license from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Health Inspection Program, a local business license from the city of Portland’s Business License Administrator, and a Retailer Certificate from Maine Revenue Services.
• A lobster processing facility in Lewiston will need a Food Establishment License from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, a Retailer Certificate for wholesale sales, and potentially a Retail Seafood License from the Maine Department of Marine Resources, along with any required local permits from the city of Lewiston.
• A professional accounting firm in Bangor will need a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license from the Maine Board of Accountancy under the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, and should check with the city of Bangor for any local business licensing requirements.
• A wild blueberry processing and packaging business in Auburn will need a Food Establishment License from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, a Retailer Certificate if selling products directly, and must comply with any local zoning and business permit requirements from the city of Auburn.

Do I Need a Maine Business License? 

The answer will, ultimately, depend on your business’s situation. Have a look at the table below to get a general idea.

Maine 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	Retailer Certificate	Businesses selling tangible personal property, digital property, or certain taxable services Apply through the Maine Revenue Services.
	Professional Licenses	Required for regulated professions (e.g., healthcare, construction, real estate, etc.) Apply with the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation or independent boards for certain healthcare professions.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food establishments, liquor, child care, environmental permits) Apply through the relevant agency (e.g., Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, etc.).
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 Maine

The process of obtaining a business license in Maine 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 Maine

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Maine Local Business Licenses

Many Maine 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:

• General Business License: Some Maine municipalities require a general business license for any business operating within their jurisdiction. These licenses typically need to be renewed annually (e.g., if your business is based in Portland, you’d apply through the city of Portland’s Business License Administrator).
• Industry Permits: This includes health permits required for restaurants, food trucks, and businesses handling food products. Many of these are handled at the local level in Maine (e.g., if your business is based in South Portland, you should visit the city of South Portland’s Business License Applications page).
• Zoning Permits: You may need this to ensure your business’s location is zoned appropriately and is compliant with local laws. Contact your local planning or zoning department to determine requirements.
• Sign Permits: These may be required before installing business signage. Requirements vary by municipality (e.g., if your business is in Bangor, you should check with the city of Bangor’s Code Enforcement Department).

To find your local county or city’s official contact information and licensing requirements, visit the Maine Municipal Association or use the Maine.gov Local Government portal to locate your specific municipality’s website.

Maine State Business Licenses

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

Maine Seller’s Permit

You can register for a Maine Retailer Certificate, also called a seller’s permit, online.

Apply for a Maine Seller’s Permit

Apply Online With the Maine Revenue Services

Apply Online

Fee: $0

Maine 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:

• Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation: Oversees licensing for over 60 professions, including architects, electricians, plumbers, barbers, cosmetologists, massage therapists, real estate agents, appraisers, accountants, social workers, psychologists, counselors, and many healthcare professionals.
• Maine State Board of Nursing: Regulates registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists.
• Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine: Licenses medical doctors (MDs) and physician assistants (PAs) who practice allopathic medicine in the state.
• Maine Board of Osteopathic Licensure: Regulates osteopathic physicians (DOs) and physician assistants working under osteopathic physician supervision.
• Maine Board of Dental Practice: Oversees licensing for dentists and dental hygienists.
• Maine Board of Pharmacy: Licenses pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
• Maine State Board of Optometry: Regulates optometrists and issues licenses for eye care 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 Maine businesses require additional licenses based on the specific industry they operate in.

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

• Liquor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Regulated by the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operations.
• Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses that buy vehicles to resell, sell more than five vehicles over a 12-month period, or advertise/display three or more vehicles within a 30-day period. Regulated by the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles Dealer Section. Requires passing a dealership inspection, obtaining surety bonds, and completing dealer training.
• Child Care License: Required for facilities providing care for three or more children under 13 years of age who aren’t the provider’s children. Regulated by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services. Includes family child care providers (three to12 children) and child care centers (13+ children).
• Food Processing License: Required for businesses that process, manufacture, or sell food products. Regulated by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry. Common license types include home food processing, commercial food processing, and mobile vendor licenses for farmers markets and food trucks.
• Restaurant & Food Service License: Required for businesses serving prepared food to the public. Regulated by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Health Inspection Program. Includes restaurants, cafes, mobile food units, and take-out establishments.
• Retail Seafood License: Required for businesses selling seafood products. Regulated jointly by the Maine Department of Marine Resources and the Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry. Includes specific permits for lobster meat sales and requirements for proper handling and storage.

Maine 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 Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Underground Storage Tank Registration (for tanks over the 1,100-gallon threshold)
• Air Quality Permits (major and minor source permits)
• Stormwater Management Permits (construction and industrial activities)
• Waste Discharge Permits (surface and groundwater discharges)
• Natural Resources Protection Act (NRPA) Permits (wetlands, streams, lakes)
• Site Location of Development Permits (large-scale projects)
• Solid Waste Facility Licenses (landfills, transfer stations)
• Hazardous Waste Generator Registration (with quantity thresholds)

Federal Business Licenses for Maine 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

Maine Business License Renewal

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

You don’t need to renew your Maine seller’s permit. 

Several types of local permits will need to be renewed annually; this includes health department permits, signage permits, and fire department permits.

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

Maine Business License FAQs

Quick Links

• Maine Revenue Services 
• Maine Business Answers 
• Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation 
• Maine Municipal Association
• Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Permits