Last Updated: July 22, 2025 by TRUiC Team


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:

Woman holding open sign after getting her business license

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:

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

JurisdictionBusiness LicensesWho 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.
StateMeals and Rooms Tax LicenseRequired 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 LicensesRequired for regulated professions (e.g., barbers, cosmetologists, contractors, real estate agents, etc).

Apply via the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification.
Industry-Specific State LicensesBusinesses in regulated industries (e.g., food service, liquor, childcare, motor vehicle dealers, etc).

Apply through the relevant New Hampshire agency.
FederalIndustry-Specific LicensesBusinesses 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. 

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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 Online

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 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:

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:

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:

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.