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

What Is a Business License in North Dakota?

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 North Dakota, what exactly is there?

Well, North Dakota — 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 Fargo will need a Food Establishment License from the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Division of Food and Lodging, along with local health permits from the City of Fargo.
• A hair salon in Bismarck will need professional cosmetology licenses from the North Dakota Department of Licensing and Regulation for each stylist, plus local business permits from the City of Bismarck.
• An online retailer shipping products from Grand Forks will need a Sales Tax Permit from the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner, even without a physical storefront, once they exceed $100,000 in taxable sales into the state.
• A home-based accounting business in Minot will need a certified public accountant (CPA) license from the North Dakota State Board of Accountancy and should check with the City of Minot regarding any local zoning requirements for home-based businesses.

It all depends on what you do, and where you’re located. There is no “business license” that you will need to obtain just to operate no matter what, and while most businesses will need some form of business license to operate, this will not be the case for everyone. 

Do I Need a North Dakota 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:

North Dakota 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 Permit	Businesses selling taxable goods or services, or purchasing items for resale.  Apply via the North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner.
	Professional Licenses	Required for professions (e.g., accountants, contractors, cosmetologists, etc).  Apply via the relevant state licensing board.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food, liquor, cannabis, childcare). Apply through the relevant North Dakota 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 North Dakota

The process of obtaining a business license in North Dakota 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 North Dakota 

This step will depend on the business license in question.

North Dakota Local Business Licenses

Many North Dakota 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: While North Dakota doesn’t require a general state business license, some cities require licenses for specific business types (e.g., if you operate a towing service in Grand Forks, you need to obtain a business license from the City of Grand Forks Finance Department).
• Industry Permits: This includes health permits required for restaurants, food trucks, and businesses handling food products (e.g., if you’re opening a bakery in Bismarck, you would need a food establishment permit from the Bismarck Environmental Health Division).
• Zoning Permits: You may need this to ensure that your business’s location is zoned appropriately and complies with local laws (e.g., if you’re converting a residential property to a commercial use in Fargo, you would need to apply through the City of Fargo Planning Department).
• Sign Permits: These can be required before installing business signage (e.g., if you’re installing an outdoor sign for your business in Grand Forks, you would apply through the Grand Forks Building Safety 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 you’re opening a retail store in a newly renovated space in Fargo, you would obtain this through the City of Fargo Inspections Department).
• Home-Based Business Permits: While North Dakota doesn’t require a state license for home-based businesses, some cities and counties may have specific requirements for businesses operating out of residences (e.g., if you’re running a consulting business from your home in West Fargo, you should check with the City of West Fargo for any zoning restrictions).

To find your local county or city’s official contact information and licensing requirements, you can visit the North Dakota League of Cities.

North Dakota State Business Licenses

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

North Dakota Sales Tax License

You can register for a North Dakota sales tax permit online. You will need to create an account to log in to the website.

Apply Online With the North Dakota Taxpayer Access Point

Apply Online

Fee: None

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 North Dakota Sales Tax guide.

North Dakota 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:

• North Dakota Board of Medicine: Licenses physicians, physician assistants, and genetic counselors, and oversees the practice of medicine in the state.
• North Dakota Board of Nursing: Regulates the practice of nursing and licenses registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
• North Dakota Real Estate Commission: Oversees business licenses for real estate agents, brokers, and brokerage firms operating in the state.
• North Dakota State Board of Accountancy: Regulates the practice of accounting and issues licenses to CPAs and CPA firms.
• North Dakota Board of Pharmacy: Licenses pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies, and regulates the practice of pharmacy throughout the state.
• State Bar Association of North Dakota: While technically a unified bar association rather than a board, it oversees the licensing and regulation of attorneys practicing law in the state.
• North Dakota State Electrical Board: Licenses master electricians, journeymen electricians, and electrical contractors throughout the state.

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 North Dakota businesses require additional licenses based on the particular industry they operate in. These licenses are issued by specific state agencies and must be obtained before the business can legally operate.

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

• Liquor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Regulated by the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office. Licenses range from $335-$1,000 annually depending on the type and location.
• Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses buying, selling, or exchanging motor vehicles. New and used vehicle dealers must obtain a license from the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Dealers must sell at least four vehicles annually to maintain their license.
• Child Care License: Required for providers caring for more than five children or more than three children under 24 months old. Regulated by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. Different license types exist for family child care, group child care, and child care centers.
• Food Establishment License: Required for restaurants, food trucks, and businesses preparing or serving food to the public. Regulated by the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Division of Food and Lodging.

North Dakota Environmental Permits

If your business activities could negatively impact the environment, there’s a good chance you’ll need some sort of license or permit from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Underground/Aboveground Storage Tank Registration: Required for tanks storing petroleum products or hazardous substances. Tanks must meet leak detection and prevention requirements set by the Underground Storage Tank Program.
• Air Quality Permits: Required for facilities with emissions or pollutant discharge. This includes both Permits to Construct for new facilities and Permits to Operate for existing facilities that emit regulated air pollutants.
• Stormwater Permits: Required under the North Dakota Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NDPDES) for construction sites disturbing one acre or more, and for industrial facilities with stormwater runoff.
• Hazardous Waste Generator ID: Required for businesses that generate hazardous waste. Different requirements apply based on generator status (very small quantity, small quantity, or large quantity generators).
• Water Quality/Discharge Permits: Required under NDPDES for facilities discharging wastewater to surface waters, including municipal wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities.
• Wetlands Permits: Required for activities that may impact wetlands, including dredging, filling, or construction near water bodies.
• Solid Waste Management Permits: Required for facilities that handle, store, or dispose of solid waste, including landfills and transfer stations.
• Radiation Materials License: Required for facilities using radioactive materials in medical, industrial, or research applications.

Federal Business Licenses for North Dakota 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

North Dakota 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.

North Dakota Business License FAQs

Quick Links

• North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner
• North Dakota Secretary of State
• North Dakota Department of Licensing and Regulation
• North Dakota League of Cities
• North Dakota Association of Counties