New Hampshire Business License: Who Needs One & How to Apply (2025)
As of 2025, New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire business license or not will depend on your business’s location and industry.
This article will cover:
What Is a Business License in New Hampshire?
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 New Hampshire, what exactly is there?
Well, New Hampshire— like the vast majority of states — imposes different requirements depending on where you’re located and what you actually do.
For example:
- A restaurant in Manchester will need a food service license from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
- A barbershop in Nashua will need a barber license from the New Hampshire Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics.
- A hotel in Concord will need a Meals and Rooms Tax License from the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration.
- A business that wants to operate amusement devices in Portsmouth will need an amusement device license from the City of Portsmouth.
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 New Hampshire 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:
New Hampshire Business Licensing at a Glance
| Jurisdiction | Business Licenses | Who Needs It & Where to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| Local |
| Varies by location. Contact your local municipality to determine local requirements. |
| State | Meals and Rooms Tax License | Required for businesses that sell prepared meals, rent rooms for lodging (e.g., hotels, inns, short-term rentals), or lease passenger vehicles. Apply via New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration. |
| Professional Licenses | Required for regulated professions (e.g., barbers, cosmetologists, contractors, real estate agents, etc). Apply via the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. | |
| Industry-Specific State Licenses | Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food service, liquor, childcare, motor vehicle dealers, etc). Apply through the relevant New Hampshire 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.
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How to Get a Business License in New Hampshire
The process of obtaining a business license in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire
This step will depend on the business license in question.
New Hampshire Local Business Licenses
Many New Hampshire 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:
- Health Permits: Required for restaurants, food trucks, and businesses handling food products (e.g., if your business is based in Portsmouth, you would contact the Portsmouth Health Department.)
- Zoning Permits: You may need this to ensure that your business’s location is zoned appropriately and is compliant with local laws (e.g., if you were based in Nashua, you would check with the City of Nashua’s Building Safety Department.)
- Building Permits: Required for new construction or renovations to ensure compliance with building codes (e.g., if you were renovating space in Concord, you would apply through the City of Concord Building Department.)
- Sign Permits: These can be required before installing business signage (e.g., if you were based in Dover, you would apply through the Dover Planning and Community Development Department.)
You can find your local municipality’s official contact information on the State of New Hampshire’s official “Cities & Towns” webpage.
For more information on state-level business licenses, you can have a look at the NH Quickstart online portal.
New Hampshire State Business Licenses
Below we’ve included the most common business licenses that are required on a state level.
New Hampshire Meals and Rooms (Rentals) Tax Operator License
If you plan to sell prepared meals, offer short-term lodging, or rent motor vehicles, you must register for a New Hampshire Meals and Rooms (Rentals) Tax Operator License.
This can be completed online at no cost through the state’s official portal.
Apply OnlineKeep in mind that you’ll need a NAICS code in order to apply. For more information on this, you can have a look at the NHDRA’s Meals and Rooms Tax overview page.
New Hampshire 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:
- Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC): Serves as the primary board for dozens of professions, including electricians, barbers, cosmetologists, land surveyors, foresters, and therapists (among many others).
- New Hampshire Insurance Department: Regulates licenses that relate to insurance agents, producers, and adjusters.
- New Hampshire Real Estate Commission: Oversees business licenses for real estate agents and brokers.
- New Hampshire Board of Accountancy: Oversees the licensing and regulation of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).
- New Hampshire Board of Pharmacy: Oversees the licensing of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies.
- New Hampshire Supreme Court Office of Bar Admissions: Handles the licensing and regulation of attorneys practicing law in the state.
- New Hampshire Board of Medicine: Is responsible for licensing physicians, physician assistants, and certain other medical practitioners.
- New Hampshire Board of Nursing: Regulates the practice of nursing and issues licenses to qualified registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and licensed nursing assistants.
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 New Hampshire businesses require additional licenses based on the specific industry they operate in. Here are some common examples of industry-specific state licenses in New Hampshire:
- Food Service License: Required for businesses that prepare and serve food to the public, including restaurants, cafes, and food trucks. Regulated by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
- Liquor & Wine License: Required for businesses that sell alcohol for on-site or off-site consumption. Regulated by the New Hampshire State Liquor Commission.
- Amusement Ride/Device Permit: Required for any business operating mechanical amusement rides, ski lifts, or even inflatable devices (like bounce houses) for public use. Regulated by the NH Department of Safety, Division of Fire Safety.
- Child Care License: Required for child care centers and home-based providers caring for children. Regulated by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.
- Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses buying, selling, or exchanging motor vehicles. Regulated by the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles.
Note: This is not a complete list. Licensing requirements vary by industry and business model. For more, consult the relevant state agency.
New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.
Examples of industries regulated here include:
- Underground Storage Tank Registration
- Air Quality Permits
- Wastewater Discharge Permits
- Wetlands Permits
- Solid Waste Facility Permits
- Hazardous Waste Generator ID
- Groundwater Discharge Permits
- Alteration of Terrain Permits
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Business licensing can be complicated and time-consuming, taking focus away from running and growing your business. We recommend using an affordable legal service to handle your licensing needs instead.
Federal Business Licenses for New Hampshire 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
New Hampshire Business License Renewal
Depending on your business license, you may need to renew it periodically — usually within one or two years.
This is the case for practically all professional licenses (as well as liquor and tobacco 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.
New Hampshire Business License FAQs
New Hampshire 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.
The process for obtaining a business license in New Hampshire varies depending on the type of license. Check with the relevant state or local government office for more information.
Most business licenses in New Hampshire must be renewed on a regular basis, but the timeline depends on the license type. Local permits often renew annually, while professional and industry-specific licenses typically renew every one to two years.
This depends on what your business does and where it’s based. Most businesses need local permits (like zoning, health, or signage), and many also require a professional or industry-specific license from a state agency before operating.