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

What Is a Business License in Oregon?

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 Oregon, what exactly is there?

Well, Oregon — 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 Portland will need a Food Service Facility License from the Oregon Health Authority, a business license from the City of Portland Revenue Division, and food handler permits for all staff from the Portland Health Department.
• A licensed massage therapist in Eugene will need a Massage Therapist License from the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists and comply with zoning requirements from the Eugene Planning and Development Department.
• A retail store in Salem, if installing signage, must get a sign permit from the Salem Building and Safety Division.
• A cannabis dispensary in Bend will need a Recreational Marijuana Retailer License from the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC), a marijuana business license from the City of Bend Community Development, and comply with state tracking requirements through Metrc.

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 Oregon 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:

Oregon 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	Professional Licenses	Required for regulated professions (e.g., contractors, real estate agents, healthcare providers, etc.).  Apply through the relevant state board.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., cannabis, liquor, environmental, childcare). Apply through the relevant Oregon 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 Oregon

The process of obtaining a business license in Oregon 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 Oregon

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Oregon Local Business Licenses

Many Oregon 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: Most Oregon cities require all businesses operating within city limits to obtain a business license, regardless of business type. Fees and renewal periods vary by location (e.g., if your business is based in Portland, you would apply for a business license through the City of Portland Revenue Division).
• Health Permits: Required for restaurants, food trucks, grocery stores, and any business handling food products. These are typically issued by county health departments (e.g., if your business is based in Multnomah County, you would obtain permits from the Multnomah County Environmental Health).
• Zoning Permits: Required to ensure your business location complies with local zoning ordinances. This is especially important for home-based businesses or businesses in mixed-use areas (e.g., if your business is based in Eugene, you would verify zoning compliance with the City of Eugene Planning and Development).
• Sign Permits: Required before installing any exterior business signage, including wall signs, projecting signs, and freestanding signs (e.g., if your business is based in Salem, you would apply for sign permits through the Salem Building and Safety Division).
• Building Permits: Required for new construction, renovations, or changes to commercial spaces. This includes tenant improvements and change of occupancy permits (e.g., if your business is based in Bend, you would obtain building permits from the City of Bend Building Division).
• Fire and Life Safety Permits: Required for businesses with public assembly areas, commercial kitchens, or hazardous materials. Includes fire suppression systems and occupancy permits (e.g., if your business is based in Medford, you would work with Medford Fire-Rescue).

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

Oregon State Business Licenses

Oregon 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:

• Oregon Construction Contractors Board: Licenses general contractors, specialty contractors, residential and commercial contractors, and handles contractor registration and bonding requirements.
• Oregon Real Estate Agency: Oversees licensing for real estate brokers, principal brokers, property managers, and real estate appraisers.
• Oregon State Board of Nursing: Regulates registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses.
• Oregon Medical Board: Licenses physicians, physician assistants, acupuncturists, and podiatrists practicing in Oregon.
• Board of Cosmetology: Oversees licenses for cosmetologists, nail technicians, estheticians, barbers, and facility licenses for salons and schools.
• Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists: Regulates professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and approved clinical supervisors.
• Oregon State Bar: Handles admission and regulation of attorneys practicing law in Oregon, including continuing legal education requirements.

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 Oregon 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 Oregon:

• Liquor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Regulated by the OLCC. Oregon has various license types including full on-premises, limited on-premises, off-premises, brewery, winery, and distillery licenses.
• Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses selling five or more vehicles per year. Regulated by the Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services. Includes new, used, motorcycle, and wholesale dealer licenses.
• Child Care License: Required for child care centers, certified family child care homes, and registered family child care homes. Regulated by the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care. Requirements vary based on the number of children and hours of operation.
• Private Security License: Required for private security providers, private investigators, and executive protection specialists. Regulated by the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.
• Weights and Measures License: Required for businesses using commercial weighing or measuring devices, including scales at grocery stores, gas pumps, and vehicle scales. Regulated by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).

Oregon 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 Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Air Quality Permits: Required for facilities that emit air pollutants, including manufacturing plants, gas stations with vapor recovery systems, dry cleaners, and auto body shops. Includes Air Contaminant Discharge Permits and Title V Operating Permits for major sources.
• Water Quality Permits: Required for businesses discharging wastewater or stormwater to surface waters or ground. Includes National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and Water Pollution Control Facility permits.
• Underground Storage Tank Registration: Required for businesses operating underground tanks storing petroleum or hazardous substances over 1,100 gallons. This includes gas stations, fleet fueling facilities, and heating oil tanks.
• Hazardous Waste Generator ID: Required for businesses that generate, transport, treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste. Categories include Large Quantity Generators (over 2,200 lbs/month), Small Quantity Generators (220-2,200 lbs/month), and Very Small Quantity Generators.
• Stormwater Permits: Required for construction activities disturbing one or more acres and for industrial facilities with specific SIC codes. Includes 1200-C permits for construction and 1200-Z permits for industrial stormwater.
• Solid Waste Permits: Required for facilities that collect, transport, process, or dispose of solid waste, including transfer stations, composting facilities, and material recovery facilities.
• Septic System Permits: Required for businesses installing or operating onsite septic systems. Regulated through DEQ’s Onsite Wastewater Management Program for systems over 2,500 gallons per day.
• Wetlands and Waterways Permits: Required for projects that involve removal, fill, or alteration in wetlands or waterways. Includes both state Removal-Fill permits and federal Section 404 permits.

Federal Business Licenses for Oregon 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

Oregon Business License Renewal

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

This 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.

Oregon Business License FAQs

Quick Resources

• Oregon Business Xpress
• Oregon Department of Revenue
• Oregon Secretary of State
• League of Oregon Cities
• Association of Oregon Counties