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

What Is a Business License in Mississippi?

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 Mississippi, what exactly is there?

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

For example:

• A seafood restaurant in Gulfport will need a Food Establishment License from the Mississippi State Department of Health, a building permit from the City of Gulfport Urban Development Department, and a local business license from the City of Gulfport Planning Division.
• A catfish farm in Hattiesburg will need a Sales and Use Tax permit from the Mississippi Department of Revenue, aquaculture permits from the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, and may need environmental permits from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
• A barbershop in Jackson will need professional licenses from the Mississippi State Department of Health Professional Licensure Division, a business privilege license from the City of Jackson, and a Sales and Use Tax permit from the Mississippi Department of Revenue.

Do I Need a Mississippi 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:

Mississippi 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	Sales and Use Tax	Businesses selling tangible personal property, digital property, or certain taxable services. Apply with the Mississippi Taxpayer Access Point.
	Professional Licenses	Required for regulated professions (e.g., healthcare, contractors, real estate, etc.) Apply through the relevant agency. (e.g., Mississippi Department of Health, State Board of Contractors, etc.)
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food establishments, liquor, childcare, environmental permits). Apply with the relevant 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 Mississippi

The process of obtaining a business license in Mississippi 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 finance

We generally recommend almost all small business owners to form an 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. 

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 Mississippi

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Mississippi Local Business Licenses

Many Mississippi 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:

• Business Privilege License: Most Mississippi cities and counties require a Business Privilege License (also called a “Trader’s License” in some areas) for businesses operating within their jurisdiction. This is Mississippi’s term for a general local business license (e.g., if your business is based in Jackson, you would apply through the City of Jackson Planning Department).
• Industry Permits: This includes health permits required for restaurants, food trucks, and businesses handling food products. While food establishment licenses are issued by the state, local health inspections may also be required (e.g., if your business is based in Gulfport, you would coordinate with the City of Gulfport Planning Division for local requirements).
• 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 Biloxi, you would check with the City of Biloxi Planning Department for zoning compliance).
• Sign Permits: These can be required before installing business signage (e.g., if you were based in Jackson, you would apply through the City of Jackson for sign permits).
• 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 Gulfport, you would check with the City of Gulfport Building Code Services).
• Home-Based Business Permits: Required for businesses operating out of a residence. Many Mississippi jurisdictions have specific requirements for home-based businesses including zoning compliance and possible privilege license requirements.

To find your local county or city’s official contact information and licensing requirements, you can visit the Mississippi Municipal League.

Mississippi State Business Licenses

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

Mississippi Sales and Use Tax 

You can apply for a Mississippi Sales and Use Tax Number online through the Mississippi Taxpayer Access Point. 

Apply Online

Fee: $0

Mississippi 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:

• Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure: Regulates physicians, podiatrists, physician assistants, radiology assistants, and acupuncturists in Mississippi.
• Mississippi State Department of Health – Professional Licensure Division: Licenses various health-related professions including nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and other healthcare professionals.
• Mississippi Real Estate Commission: Oversees licensing for real estate agents, brokers, and real estate-related professionals.
• Mississippi State Board of Contractors: Licenses general contractors, residential contractors, commercial contractors, and specialty contractors including plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians.
• Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors: Regulates professional engineers and land surveyors in Mississippi.
• Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors: Licenses professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and other mental health professionals.
• Mississippi Insurance Department: Regulates insurance agents, brokers, and other insurance 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 Mississippi businesses require additional licenses based on the specific industry they operate in.

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

• Liquor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Regulated by the Mississippi Department of Revenue – Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. Mississippi offers multiple permit types including On-Premises Retailer permits, Package Retailer permits, and Caterer permits.
• Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses selling more than 5 vehicles per year. Regulated by the Mississippi Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle Licensing Bureau. Includes requirements for dealer education, surety bonds, and proper business location with display lot.
• Child Care License: Required for facilities caring for six or more children under 13 years of age who are not related to the provider. Regulated by the Mississippi State Department of Health – Child Care Facilities Licensure Branch. Includes strict safety, health, and staffing ratio requirements.
• Food Establishment License: Required for businesses preparing, holding, transporting, or serving food for pay. Regulated by the Mississippi State Department of Health – Food Protection Division. Risk levels determine inspection frequency and permit fees.
  

Mississippi 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 Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). 

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Underground Storage Tank Registration
• Air Quality Permits
• NPDES Water Discharge Permits
• Solid Waste Management Permits
• Hazardous Waste Generator Registration
• Water Quality Certification
• Stormwater Permits
• Mining and Reclamation Permits

Federal Business Licenses for Mississippi 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

Mississippi Business License Renewal

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

A Mississippi Sales and Use Tax Number does not need to be renewed.

Several of the local permits will 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.

Mississippi Business License FAQs

Quick Links

• Mississippi Department of Revenue
• Mississippi Business One Stop Shop
• Mississippi State Department of Health – Professional Licensure
• Mississippi Municipal League
• Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality