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

What Is a Business License in Nebraska?

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 Nebraska, what exactly is there?

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

For example:

• A restaurant opening in Omaha will need a Food Facility Health Permit from the Douglas County Health Department.
• A hair salon will need cosmetology licenses from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
• A retail store selling taxable goods will need a Sales Tax Permit from the Nebraska Department of Revenue.
• A business that wants to install signage in Lincoln will need a sign permit from the City of Lincoln Building & Safety Department.

Do I Need a Nebraska 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:

Nebraska 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 city, county, or village to determine local requirements.
State	Sales and Use Tax Registration	Businesses selling taxable goods or services.  Apply through the Nebraska Department of Revenue.
	Professional Licenses	Doctors, nurses, engineers, architects, real estate agents, electricians, and other licensed professionals. Apply via the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food, liquor, environmental, vehicle dealers). Apply through the relevant Nebraska 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 Nebraska

The process of obtaining a business license in Nebraska 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 Nebraska

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Nebraska Local Business Licenses

Many Nebraska 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 Nebraska cities require a general business license for all businesses operating within their jurisdiction (e.g., if your business is based in Grand Island, you would check with the City of Grand Island for requirements).
• Health Permits: Required for restaurants, food trucks, and businesses handling food products (e.g., if your business is based in Omaha, you would have a look at the Douglas County Health Department‘s website).
• 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 Lincoln, you would contact the City of Lincoln’s Planning Department).
• Sign Permits: These can be required before installing business signage (e.g., if you were based in Bellevue, you would apply through the City of Bellevue’s Planning 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 Kearney, you would check the City of Kearney Building Services website).

To find your local county or city’s official contact information and licensing requirements, you can visit the Nebraska Association of County Officials.

Nebraska State Business Licenses

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

Nebraska Sales Tax Permit

You can register for a Nebraska sales tax permit online, by mail, or by fax. To register online, you will need to create an account if you don’t have one already.

OPTION 1: Apply Online With the Nebraska Department of Revenue

Apply Online

– OR –

OPTION 2: Apply by Mail or by Fax

Download Form

Fee: None

Mailing Address:
Nebraska Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 98903
Lincoln, NE 68509-8903

Fax: (402) 471-5927

Keep in mind that you’ll need a NAICS code in order to apply. For more information on this, you can have a look at our Nebraska Sales Tax guide.

Nebraska 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:

• Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services: Oversees licensing for physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, mental health professionals, and other healthcare providers.
• Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects: Licenses professional engineers and architects practicing in Nebraska.
• Nebraska Real Estate Commission: Oversees licensing for real estate brokers, salespersons, and property managers.
• Nebraska State Electrical Division: Issues licenses for electrical contractors, journeyman electricians, and registers apprentice electricians.
• Nebraska Secretary of State Licensing Division: Oversees licensing for collection agencies, debt management agencies, private detectives, and athlete agents.
• Nebraska Department of Labor: Requires registration for all contractors and subcontractors including general contractors, plumbers, and HVAC technicians.

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 Nebraska businesses require additional licenses based on the specific industry they operate in. Below, we’ve listed a few common examples of industry-specific state licenses in Nebraska:

• Liquor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Regulated by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission.
• Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses that sell more than eight vehicles in a 12-month period. Regulated by the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board.
• Child Care License: Required for providers caring for four or more children from different families. Regulated by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
• Grain Dealer License: Required for businesses buying grain directly from producers. Regulated by the Nebraska Public Service Commission. 
• Pesticide Application License: Required for businesses that use restricted-use pesticides as part of their services. Regulated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Nebraska 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 Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment.

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Underground/Aboveground Storage Tank Registration
• Air Quality Construction and Operating Permits
• Stormwater Discharge Permits
• Hazardous Waste Generator Registration
• Water Discharge Permits (NPDES)
• Livestock Waste Control Permits
• Water Well Registration
• Chemigation Permits
• Title V Operating Permits
• Wetlands 404 Permits
• Solid Waste Facility Permits
• Land Application of Biosolids
• Wastewater Treatment Facility Permits
• Public Water System Permits
• Underground Injection Control Permits

Federal Business Licenses for Nebraska 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

Nebraska Business License Renewal

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

This is not required for a sales tax permit, but is required for practically all professional licenses. 

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.

Nebraska Business License FAQs

Quick Resources

• Nebraska Department of Revenue
• Nebraska Secretary of State Business Services
• Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Licensure
• Nebraska Association of County Officials
• Nebraska Department of Economic Development