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

What Is a Business License in West Virginia?

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 West Virginia, most businesses must obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the West Virginia State Tax Department. 

Beyond this, West Virginia imposes additional requirements depending on where you’re located and what you actually do.

For example:

• A restaurant in Charleston will need a health permit from the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, a business license from the City of Charleston, and if selling alcohol, permits from the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (ABCA).
• A plumbing contractor in Huntington will need a state contractor’s license from the West Virginia Division of Labor, a local business license from the City of Huntington, and must register for a Business Registration Certificate with the West Virginia Tax Division.
• A retail clothing store in Morgantown selling taxable goods will need a Business Registration Certificate from the West Virginia Tax Division, a local business license from the City of Morgantown, and a Certificate of Occupancy from the local building department.
• A coal mining operation in Beckley will need various permits from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, including mining permits, water discharge permits, and air quality permits, plus a Business Registration Certificate from the West Virginia Tax Division.

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 West Virginia 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:

West Virginia 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	Business Registration Certificate	Every business entity engaging in revenue-generating activity in West Virginia. Apply via the West Virginia Tax Division.
	Professional Licenses	Required for regulated professions (e.g., contractors, cosmetologists, healthcare providers, etc.)  Apply via the relevant licensing board or West Virginia Secretary of State.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., mining, liquor, lottery, childcare). Apply through the relevant West Virginia 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 West Virginia

The process of obtaining a business license in West Virginia 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 West Virginia

This step will depend on the business license in question.

West Virginia Local Business Licenses

Many West Virginia 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: Many West Virginia municipalities require a general business license to operate within city limits. This is separate from the state Business Registration Certificate and typically requires annual renewal (e.g., if your business is based in Charleston, you would apply through the City of Charleston Business License Department).
• Health Permits: Required for restaurants, food trucks, grocery stores, and any business handling food products. These are typically issued by your local health department (e.g., if your business is based in Morgantown, you would contact the Monongalia County Health Department).
• Zoning Permits: Required to ensure your business location is properly zoned for your type of business activity. This is especially important for home-based businesses or businesses in mixed-use areas (e.g., if you’re in Huntington, you would check with the City of Huntington Planning & Zoning Department).
• Sign Permits: Most municipalities require permits before installing business signage, including both permanent and temporary signs (e.g., if your business is in Parkersburg, you would apply through the City of Parkersburg Development Department).
• Certificate of Occupancy: Required before occupying a new or renovated commercial space to ensure the building meets safety codes and is suitable for your intended use (e.g., if you’re in Wheeling, you would work with the City of Wheeling Building Department).
• Fire Department Permits: May be required for businesses with public assembly areas, special hazards, or specific occupancy requirements (e.g., if your business is in Beckley, you would contact the Beckley Fire Department).

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

West Virginia State Business Licenses

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

West Virginia Business Registration Certificate

You can get a West Virginia business registration certificate by applying online or by mail.

Apply for a West Virginia Business Registration Certificate

OPTION 1: Apply Online With the WV One Stop Business Portal

Apply Online

– OR –

OPTION 2: Apply by Mail

Download Form

Fee: $30

Mailing Address:
West Virginia State Tax Department
Tax Account Administration Division
Registration & Account Correction Unit
P.O. Box 2666
Charleston WV 25330-2666

Note: The Business Registration Certificate serves as your sales tax permit, employer withholding account, and general state business registration. Keep in mind that you’ll need a NAICS code in order to apply. 

West Virginia 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:

• West Virginia Board of Medicine: Licenses physicians, physician assistants, podiatrists, and other medical practitioners.
• West Virginia RN Board: Oversees licensing for registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses.
• West Virginia Real Estate Commission: Regulates real estate brokers, salespersons, and property managers throughout the state.
• West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board: Licenses general contractors, electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and other construction trades.
• West Virginia Board of Accountancy: Oversees the licensing and regulation of Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and public accounting firms.
• West Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists: Licenses barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, estheticians, and related beauty professionals.
• West Virginia State Bar: Regulates the admission and practice of attorneys in West Virginia.

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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia:

• Liquor License: Required for businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages. Regulated by the West Virginia ABCA. West Virginia offers various license types including Class A (beer only) and Class B (wine and liquor) for different business models.
• Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for businesses selling five or more vehicles per year. Regulated by the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. Includes new car dealers, used car dealers, and motorcycle dealers.
• Child Care License: Required for facilities caring for four or more children who are not related to the caregiver. Regulated by the West Virginia Department of Human Resources. Different licenses apply for child care centers versus family child care homes.
• Mining Permits: Required for coal mining, quarrying, and other mineral extraction operations. Regulated by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Includes surface mining permits, underground mining permits, and various environmental compliance permits.
• Food Establishment Permit: Required for restaurants, food trucks, grocery stores, and food manufacturers. Regulated by local health departments under West Virginia Bureau for Public Health guidelines.

West Virginia 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 West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Underground Storage Tank Registration: Required for businesses operating underground tanks storing petroleum or hazardous substances over 1,100 gallons. This includes gas stations, heating oil companies, and industrial facilities.
• Air Quality Permits: Required for facilities that emit air pollutants, including manufacturing plants, power plants, chemical processors, and large commercial boilers. Different permit types apply based on emission levels.
• NPDES Water Discharge Permits: Required for any facility discharging pollutants into state waters, including industrial wastewater, stormwater from construction sites over one acre, and municipal sewage treatment plants.
• Hazardous Waste Generator ID: Required for businesses generating hazardous waste, with different requirements for large quantity generators (over 2,200 lbs/month), small quantity generators, and conditionally exempt generators.
• Mining Permits: Including surface mining permits, underground mining permits, and coal refuse disposal permits. Mining operations also need separate water pollution control permits and reclamation bonds.
• Oil and Gas Well Permits: Required before drilling, including well work permits, plugging permits, and certificates of clearance for coal operations near oil and gas wells.
• Dam Safety Permits: Required for construction or modification of dams over certain height and storage thresholds, including industrial retention ponds and recreational impoundments.
• Solid Waste Facility Permits: Required for landfills, transfer stations, composting facilities, and processing facilities handling municipal or industrial solid waste.
• Water Withdrawal Permits: Required for large-volume water users withdrawing over 750,000 gallons per month from surface or groundwater sources.
• Stream Activity Permits: Required for any work in or near streams, including culvert installation, bank stabilization, or wetland disturbance.

Federal Business Licenses for West Virginia 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

West Virginia 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 the business registration certificate, 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.

West Virginia Business License FAQs

Quick Resources

• West Virginia Tax Division
• West Virginia One Stop Business Portal
• West Virginia Secretary of State
• West Virginia Municipal League