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

What Is a Business License in Pennsylvania?

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 Pennsylvania, what exactly is there?

Well, Pennsylvania— 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 Philadelphia will need a Food Preparation and Serving License from the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections.
• A barbershop will likely need a professional license from the Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners.
• A retail store selling taxable goods in Allentown will need a Sales Tax License from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
• A business that wants to install signage in Erie will need a sign permit from the City of Erie.

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 Pennsylvania 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:

Pennsylvania 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, Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax License	Businesses selling taxable goods or services, or purchasing items for resale. Apply via Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
	Professional Licenses	Required for professions (e.g., insurance agents, contractors, accountants, etc). Apply via the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food, liquor, environmental, vehicle dealers). Apply through the relevant Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania

The process of obtaining a business license in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Pennsylvania Local Business Licenses

Many Pennsylvania 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 Licenses: Some municipalities require all businesses to obtain a general business license or privilege license (e.g., if your business is based in Bethlehem, you would need to obtain a Business Privilege License through the City of Bethlehem).
• 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 were based in Philadelphia, you would check with the City of Philadelphia).
• Sign Permits: These are required before installing business signage (e.g., if you were based in Pittsburgh, you would apply through the City of Pittsburgh).
• Fire Permits: Many businesses open to the public need fire safety inspections and certificates (e.g., if your business is in Harrisburg, you would schedule an inspection with the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire).
• Home Occupation Permits: Most municipalities have specific regulations about what types of businesses can be run from home and may restrict signage, customer visits, or business-related traffic (e.g., if you operate a home business in Erie, you would verify requirements with the City of Erie Zoning Office).

To find your local county or city’s official contact information and licensing requirements, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s municipal directory.

Pennsylvania State Business Licenses

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

Pennsylvania Sales Tax License

You can register for a Pennsylvania sales tax license online by filing directly with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.

Apply Online With the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue

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 Pennsylvania Sales Tax guide.

Tip: Your business does not need to pay sales tax when purchasing goods for resale. See the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue’s Exemption Certificate for more information.

Pennsylvania 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:

• State Real Estate Commission: Licenses real estate brokers, salespersons, cemetery brokers, and campground membership salespersons.
• State Board of Accountancy: Oversees the licensing and regulation of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). 
• State Board of Barber Examiners: Regulates barbers, manager-barbers, and barber-teachers in the Commonwealth.
• State Board of Medicine: Licenses medical doctors, physician assistants, respiratory therapists, athletic trainers, and other medical professionals. 
• State Board of Nursing: Regulates registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified registered nurse practitioners, and dietitian-nutritionists.

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 Pennsylvania businesses require additional licenses based on the specific industry they operate in. These industry-specific state licenses are tied to the type of goods or services your business provides, with the most common examples including:

• Retail Food Facility License: Required for businesses that prepare, serve, or sell food to the public, including restaurants, grocery stores, and certain temporary food vendors. Regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Food Safety and Laboratory Services. 
• Alcoholic Beverage License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcohol. Regulated by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Often involves purchasing an existing license and transferring it, due to strict quota systems.
• Vehicle Dealer License: Required for buying, selling, or exchanging new or used vehicles. Regulated by the Pennsylvania State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers, and Salespersons. Includes requirements such as a permanent business location, criminal background checks, a surety bond, and specific property checklists.
• Child Care Facility License/Certification: Required for child care centers, group day care homes, and family day care homes providing care for four or more unrelated children. Regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Air Quality Permits 
• Water Quality Management Permits 
• Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permits 
• Erosion and Sediment Control Permits 
• Waste Management Permits 
• Oil and Gas Well Permits 
• Dam Safety Permits 
• Section 401 Water Quality Storage Tank Permits

Federal Business Licenses for Pennsylvania 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

Pennsylvania Business License Renewal

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

Sales tax permits in Pennsylvania are automatically renewed every five years by the Department of Revenue (provided your account remains active and in good standing). 

Professional and occupational licenses are typically renewed every one to two years and often require continuing education or updated disclosures.

Several of the local permits will also need to be renewed annually; this includes health department permits, signage permits, and fire department permits (though this will depend on both your location and the license in question).

Pennsylvania Business License FAQs

Quick Resources

• Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
• myPATH Business Registration
• Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs
• Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
• County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania