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

What Is a Business License in Ohio?

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 Ohio, what exactly is there?

Well, Ohio — 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 Columbus will need a food service operation license from Columbus Public Health, a vendor’s license from the Ohio Department of Taxation, and a liquor permit from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control if serving alcohol.
• A dental practice in Cleveland will need professional licenses for all dentists from the Ohio State Dental Board, a vendor’s license from the Ohio Department of Taxation, and local business registration from the City of Cleveland.
• A retail clothing store in Cincinnati will need a vendor’s license from the Ohio Department of Taxation to collect sales tax, potentially a transient vendor’s license if selling at temporary locations, and a business tax registration certificate from the City of Cincinnati.
• A construction contractor in Akron will need a contractor’s license from the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board, specialty trade licenses for electrical or plumbing work, and local permits from the City of Akron.

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 an Ohio 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:

Ohio 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	Vendor’s License	Businesses selling tangible personal property or taxable services.  Apply via Ohio Business Gateway.
	Professional Licenses	Required for regulated professions (e.g., contractors, cosmetologists, healthcare providers, etc).  Apply via Ohio eLicense Center.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., liquor sales, food service, childcare, motor vehicle dealers). Apply through the relevant Ohio 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 Ohio

The process of obtaining a business license in Ohio 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 Ohio

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Ohio Local Business Licenses

Many Ohio 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 Ohio cities require all businesses to obtain a general business license or registration before operating. This serves as the city’s way of tracking businesses for tax and regulatory purposes (e.g., if your business is based in Columbus, you would register through the City of Columbus Business Registry).
• Health Permits: Required for restaurants, food trucks, and any business handling food products. These ensure compliance with local health and safety codes (e.g., if your business is based in Cleveland, you would apply through the Cleveland Department of Public Health).
• Zoning Permits: Needed to ensure your business location is properly zoned for your intended use. This is especially important for home-based businesses or when changing a property’s use (e.g., if your business is based in Cincinnati, you would check with the Cincinnati Department of Buildings & Inspections).
• Sign Permits: Required before installing any exterior business signage. Regulations cover size, placement, and illumination of signs (e.g., if your business is based in Toledo, you would apply through the Toledo Division of Building Inspection).
• 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 based in Akron, you would obtain this from the Akron Building Services Division).
• Fire Department Permits: May be required for businesses with public access, especially those with occupancy limits or special fire safety requirements (e.g., if your business is based in Dayton, you would work with the Dayton Fire Department).

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

Ohio State Business Licenses

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

Ohio Vendor License

You can register for an Ohio vendor license in one of two ways: through the State of Ohio website or through your local Ohio County Auditor.

OPTION 1: Apply Online With the Ohio Business Gateway

Apply Online

– OR –

OPTION 2: Apply Through an Ohio County Auditor

Search Directory

Fee: $50 per business location

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 Ohio Sales Tax guide.

Ohio 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:

• Ohio State Board of Cosmetology and Barber Board: Licenses cosmetologists, barbers, nail technicians, estheticians, and related beauty professionals.
• Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board: Oversees licensing for electrical, HVAC, plumbing, hydronics, and refrigeration contractors.
• State Medical Board of Ohio: Licenses physicians, physician assistants, massage therapists, acupuncturists, and other medical professionals.
• Ohio Board of Nursing: Regulates registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and dialysis technicians.
• Ohio Division of Real Estate: Licenses real estate brokers, salespersons, appraisers, and foreign real estate dealers.
• Ohio Accountancy Board: Oversees licensing and regulation of certified public accountants (CPAs) and public accounting firms.
• Supreme Court of Ohio: Handles attorney registration and admission to practice law in Ohio.

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 Ohio 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 Ohio:

• Liquor Permit: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Regulated by the Ohio Division of Liquor Control. Ohio offers various permit types including carry-out, on-premises consumption, and manufacturing permits.
• Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses selling five or more motor vehicles in a 12-month period. Regulated by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Includes new, used, and motorcycle dealer licenses.
• Child Care License: Required for centers caring for seven or more children or home providers caring for more than six children. Regulated by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Different license types exist for centers, family child care homes, and in-home aides.
• Food Service Operation License: Required for restaurants, food trucks, and businesses preparing food for public consumption. Regulated by the Ohio Department of Health in conjunction with local health departments.
• Cemetery Registration: Required for businesses operating cemeteries or selling cemetery merchandise and services. Regulated by the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Real Estate.
• Auction Firm License: Required for businesses conducting auctions of goods or real estate. Regulated by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Includes licenses for auction firms and individual auctioneers.

Ohio 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 Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA).

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Air Pollution Control Permits: Required for facilities that emit air pollutants, including manufacturing plants, power plants, and businesses with paint booths or dust-generating operations.
• NPDES Water Discharge Permits: Needed for businesses discharging wastewater or stormwater into Ohio waters, including industrial facilities, construction sites over one acre, and municipal systems.
• Underground Storage Tank Registration: Required for businesses operating underground tanks storing petroleum or hazardous substances over 1,100 gallons, such as gas stations and fleet fueling facilities.
• Hazardous Waste Generator ID Number: Needed by businesses generating any amount of hazardous waste, including auto repair shops, dry cleaners, and manufacturing facilities. Different requirements apply for small, large, and very small quantity generators.
• Solid Waste Facility Permits: Required for landfills, transfer stations, composting facilities, and scrap tire facilities handling solid waste materials.
• Water Withdrawal Registration: Required for facilities withdrawing more than 100,000 gallons per day from waters of the state, including manufacturers, golf courses, and agricultural operations.
• Construction General Permit: Required for construction activities disturbing one or more acres of land to control stormwater runoff and prevent erosion.
• Isolated Wetland Permit: Needed for activities that discharge dredged or fill material into Ohio’s isolated wetlands, including certain development and infrastructure projects.

Federal Business Licenses for Ohio 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

Ohio 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.

Ohio Business License FAQs

Quick Resources

• Ohio Business Gateway
• Ohio Department of Taxation
• Ohio eLicense Center
• Ohio Municipal League
• Ohio County Commissioners Association