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

What Is a Business License in Washington?

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. 

In Washington, all businesses that earn more than $12,000 per year, plan to hire employees, collect sales tax, or operate under a trade name must apply for a state business license.

Depending on your location and the nature of your business, additional licenses or permits may also be required.

For example:

• A restaurant in Seattle will need a state business license from the Washington State Department of Revenue, a Seattle business license tax certificate from the City of Seattle, and a food establishment permit from King County Public Health Division.
• A hair salon in Spokane will need a state business license from the Department of Revenue, cosmetology licenses for all stylists from the Washington State Department of Licensing, and a business license from the City of Spokane.
• A retail store selling taxable goods in Tacoma will need a state business license from the Department of Revenue, a business license from the City of Tacoma, and must register to collect sales tax.
• A software development consultancy operating from home in Bellingham will need a state business license from the Department of Revenue, a business license from the City of Bellingham’s Finance Department, and potentially a home occupation permit from the city’s planning department.

It all depends on what you do and where you’re located. Most businesses in Washington need a combination of local and state-level licenses and permits; though this will not be the case for every business.

Do I Need a Washington 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:

Washington 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	State Business License	Most businesses operating in Washington state.  Apply via the Washington State Department of Revenue.
	Professional Licenses	Required for regulated professions (e.g., contractors, real estate agents, cosmetologists, healthcare providers, etc). Apply via the Washington State Department of Licensing.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food, liquor, environmental, vehicle dealers)  Apply through the relevant Washington 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 Washington

The process of obtaining a business license in Washington 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 Washington

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Washington Local Business Licenses

Many Washington 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 cities in Washington require a general business license to operate within city limits. This is separate from the state business license and typically needs to be renewed annually (e.g., if your business is based in Seattle, you would apply through the City of Seattle Business Licensing).
• Industry Permits: This includes health permits required for restaurants, food trucks, and businesses handling food products. In Washington, these are typically issued at the county level by the local health department (e.g., if your business is based in King County, you would apply through Public Health – Seattle & King County).
• Zoning Permits: You may need this to ensure that your business’s location is zoned appropriately and is compliant with local land use laws (e.g., if you were based in Tacoma, you would check with the City of Tacoma Planning and Development Services).
• Sign Permits: These are required before installing business signage and vary by city based on sign size, type, and location (e.g., if you were based in Spokane, you would apply through the City of Spokane Building Services).
• 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 in Bellevue, you would work with the City of Bellevue Development Services).
• Home Occupation Permits: Required for businesses operating out of a residence. Requirements vary by city but typically include restrictions on signage, traffic, and employees (e.g., if operating from home in Vancouver, you would check with the City of Vancouver Community Development).

To find your local county or city’s official contact information and licensing requirements, you can visit the Association of Washington Cities or the Washington State Association of Counties. 

Washington State Business Licenses

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

Washington State Business License 

You can apply for a Washington business license online or by mail. To apply online, you will need to create an account to log in to the site.

Apply for a Washington Business License

OPTION 1: Apply Online With the Washington State Department of Revenue

Apply Online

– OR –

OPTION 2: Apply by Mail

Download Form

Fee: $90

Mailing Address:
Business Licensing Service
P.O. Box 9034
Olympia, WA 98507-9034

Keep in mind that unlike some states that require a separate application for a sales tax permit, Washington includes sales tax registration in the general business license process. Therefore, if you indicate that your business will make retail sales, you’ll be guided to register for the necessary tax accounts as part of the same application.

Washington 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:

• Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL): Oversees a wide range of professions including real estate agents and brokers, cosmetologists, barbers, contractors, engineers, land surveyors, architects, and many other business and professional licenses.
• Washington State Department of Health: Regulates healthcare professions including physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, mental health counselors, and other medical practitioners.
• Washington State Bar Association: Handles the licensing and regulation of attorneys practicing law in Washington state.
• Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board: Issues licenses for businesses and individuals involved in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcohol and cannabis products.
• Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction: Oversees teacher certification and education professional licensing.

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 Washington 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 Washington:

• Liquor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Regulated by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. Washington has various license types including on-premises, off-premises, brewery, winery, and distillery licenses.
• Food Processor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for wholesale distribution. Regulated by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Different license levels based on annual gross sales.
• Child Care License: Required for child care centers and family home providers caring for children. Regulated by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Requirements vary based on the number of children and type of care provided.
• Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses selling five or more vehicles per year. Regulated by the Washington State Department of Licensing. Includes new and used vehicle dealers, with different requirements for each.
• Contractor Registration: Required for construction contractors before advertising, offering to do work, or performing any contracting work. Regulated by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. 

Washington 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 Washington State Department of Ecology.

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Air Quality Permits: Required for facilities that emit air pollutants, including manufacturing plants, dry cleaners, gas stations, and auto body shops. Includes both Notice of Construction permits for new sources and operating permits for ongoing operations.
• Water Quality Permits: Required for businesses that discharge wastewater or stormwater to surface water or ground water. Includes NPDES permits for industrial facilities, construction sites over one acre, and municipal stormwater systems.
• Dangerous Waste Generator ID: Required for businesses that generate dangerous waste, including many auto repair shops, dry cleaners, photo processors, and manufacturers. Different requirements for small quantity generators (220-2,200 pounds/month) and medium/large quantity generators.
• Underground Storage Tank Registration: Required for facilities with underground tanks storing petroleum or other regulated substances over 1,100 gallons. Common for gas stations, fleet fueling facilities, and heating oil tanks.
• Solid Waste Handling Permits: Required for facilities that collect, transport, store, treat, or dispose of solid waste, including transfer stations, recycling facilities, and composting operations.
• Water Rights Permits: Required for businesses that need to use water from wells, rivers, lakes, or springs for commercial or industrial purposes. Includes permits for new water use and changes to existing water rights.
• Shoreline Permits: Required for development within 200 feet of shorelines of the state, including rivers with a flow greater than 20 cubic feet per second, lakes 20 acres or larger, and all marine waters.
• Wetlands Permits: Required for projects that involve filling, dredging, or altering wetlands. Often needed for construction projects, land development, and infrastructure improvements.

Federal Business Licenses for Washington 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

Washington Business License Renewal 

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

Washington’s state business license must be renewed annually through the Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service.   

Renewal is also required for practically all professional licenses and most local permits, such as health department permits, signage permits, and fire department permits.

Having said that, this will depend on both your location and the license in question.

Washington Business License FAQs

Quick Resources

• Washington State Department of Revenue Business Licensing
• Washington State Department of Licensing
• Washington State Department of Revenue Business Portal
• Association of Washington Cities
• Washington State Association of Counties