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

As of 2025, Missouri does not impose a general business license requirement; instead, business licensing is regulated on a local, state, and federal level.

This means that whether you need a Missouri business license or not 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 Missouri?

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 Missouri, what exactly is there?

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

For example:

A barbecue restaurant in Kansas City will need a Food Establishment License from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, a building permit from the Kansas City Health Department, and a local business license from the Kansas City Finance Department Business License Section.
A furniture manufacturing business in Springfield will need a Sales and Use Tax permit from the Missouri Department of Revenue, manufacturing permits from the Missouri Department of Economic Development, and may need environmental permits from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
A barbershop in St. Louis will need professional licenses from the Missouri State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, a Graduated Business License from the City of St. Louis License Collector’s Office, and a Sales and Use Tax permit from the Missouri Department of Revenue.
A hotel in Columbia will need lodging establishment licenses from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, liquor licenses from the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, building permits from the city, and various health and safety permits from both state and local agencies.

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 Missouri 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:

Missouri 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 Tax License	Businesses selling tangible personal property, digital property, or certain taxable services. Apply with the Missouri Department of Revenue.
	Professional Licenses	Required for regulated professions (e.g., healthcare, contractors, real estate, etc.) Apply through the Missouri Division of Professional Registration.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food establishments, liquor, childcare, environmental permits). Apply through the relevant agency. (e.g., Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Health and Senior Services, 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 Missouri

The process of obtaining a business license in Missouri 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 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 Missouri 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 Missouri

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Missouri Local Business Licenses

Many Missouri 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:

County Merchant’s License: Most Missouri counties require a Merchant’s License for businesses dealing in goods, wares, and merchandise. This standardized county-level license costs $25 annually (though fees may vary by county) and is required for each business location (e.g., if your business is based in Cole County, you would apply through the Cole County Collector of Revenue Office).
City Business License: Most Missouri cities require a Business License for businesses operating within their jurisdiction. This is Missouri’s term for a general local business license, though terminology varies by city (e.g., if your business is based in Kansas City, you would apply through the Kansas City Finance Department Business License Section).
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 are also required (e.g., if your business is based in Springfield, you would coordinate with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department for local food service 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 Troy, you would check with the City of Troy Planning and Zoning department for zoning compliance).
Sign Permits: These can be required before installing business signage (e.g., if you were based in St. Louis, you would apply through the City of St. Louis Building Division 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 Springfield, you would check with the City of Springfield Development Services for occupancy permits).
Home-Based Business Permits: Required for businesses operating out of a residence. Many Missouri jurisdictions have specific requirements for home-based businesses including zoning compliance and possible business license requirements (e.g., Blue Springs requires home occupation permits through the Community Development Department with restrictions on signage and customer traffic).

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

Missouri State Business Licenses

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

Missouri Sales and Use Tax

You can apply for a Missouri Sales and Use Tax License online or by mail with the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Apply Online

– OR –

Apply by Mail

Download Form

Fee: Free

Mailing Address:
Sales and Use Tax
Taxation Division
P.O. Box 357
Jefferson City, MO 65105-0357

Note: Sales and use tax bonds are only required if specifically requested by the Department of Revenue. If required, businesses must post a bond equal to three times their estimated monthly tax liability, with a minimum of $25 if the calculated amount is under $500.

Missouri 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:

Missouri Board of Registration for the Healing Arts: Regulates physicians, podiatrists, physician assistants, radiology assistants, and acupuncturists in Missouri.
Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners: Regulates licensing for cosmetologists and barbers.
Real Estate Commission: Oversees licensing for real estate agents, brokers, and real estate-related professionals.
Board of Nursing: Regulates nurses, registered nurses (RNs), and licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
Board of Accountancy: Regulates certified public accountants (CPAs) and public accountants, and firms of CPAs and public accountants.
Office of Tattooing, Body Piercing, & Branding: Regulates licensing for practitioners and owners/operators of tattoo and piercing establishments.

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

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

Liquor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Regulated by the Missouri Department of Public Safety: Alcohol & Tobacco Control. Missouri offers multiple permit types including manufacturer, retail, and wholesaler licenses.
Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses selling eight or more motor vehicles per year, or six or more trailers, powersports, or boats per year. Regulated by the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Child Care License: Required for facilities caring for more than six children, or more than three children under the age of two at the same address. Regulated by the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education.
Food Establishment License: Required for businesses preparing, holding, transporting, or serving food for pay. Regulated by the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services.

Note: This is not a complete list. Licensing requirements vary by industry and business model. For more, we recommend visiting the Missouri Business Services website.

Missouri 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 Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Examples of industries regulated here include:

Stormwater
Wastewater
Oil and gas drilling
Well drilling
Construction
Laboratories
Solid or hazardous waste

Federal Business Licenses for Missouri 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

Missouri Business License Renewal

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

A Missouri Sales and Use Tax License 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.

Missouri Business License FAQs

Missouri does not require a general state business license, but most cities and counties do require local business licenses. You’ll typically need a county Merchant’s License ($25 annually) if you sell goods, and a city Business License from whatever municipality you operate in. Professional services may also need state occupational licenses from relevant Missouri licensing boards.

The licenses you need depend on your business type and location. Common requirements include a local city Business License, county Merchant’s License (for retail), Missouri Sales Tax License from the Department of Revenue, and any professional licenses from state boards. Food businesses need health permits, while contractors need specific trade licenses and bonding.

Yes, most Missouri business licenses require annual renewal. City business licenses typically expire December 31st and must be renewed by January 31st to avoid penalties. County Merchant’s Licenses are also annual, and state professional licenses have varying renewal periods. Sales tax licenses remain active as long as you file required returns.

The Sales and Use Tax permit does not require renewal and remains valid until canceled. Most other licenses require periodic renewal. Professional licenses, health permits, and local business privilege licenses typically renew annually or biannually. You should check with the relevant issuing agency for your specific renewal requirements.

Generally, no. You should not operate without required licenses in Missouri. Most cities prohibit business operations without valid local business licenses, and operating without proper permits can result in fines, penalties, and potential closure orders. Apply for all required licenses before beginning operations to avoid legal issues.

Yes, home-based businesses typically need the same licenses as other businesses, including city business licenses and applicable state permits. Many Missouri cities also require special home occupation permits with restrictions on signage, customer traffic, and employees. Zoning compliance is particularly important for home-based operations.