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

What Is a Business License in Wisconsin?

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 Wisconsin, what exactly is there?

Well, Wisconsin — 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 Milwaukee will need a food establishment license from the local health department, a seller’s permit from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, and may need additional permits from the City of Milwaukee Department of City Development for signage and occupancy.
• A hair salon in Madison will need professional cosmetology licenses from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) and may need a zoning compliance permit from the City of Madison Development Services Center.
• A retail clothing store in Green Bay will need a seller’s permit from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, a Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Green Bay Building Permits & Inspections, and potentially a sign permit from the city.
• A home-based accounting firm in Kenosha will need a certified public accountant (CPA) license from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services and a home occupation permit from the City of Kenosha.

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 Wisconsin 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:

Wisconsin 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 city clerk’s office to determine local requirements.
State	Seller’s Permit	Businesses selling taxable goods or services, or purchasing items for resale. Apply via the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
	Professional Licenses	Required for professions (e.g., contractors, cosmetologists, accountants, etc).    Apply via the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
	Industry-Specific State Licenses	Businesses in regulated industries (e.g., food, liquor, environmental, childcare). Apply through the relevant Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin

The process of obtaining a business license in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin

This step will depend on the business license in question.

Wisconsin Local Business Licenses

Many Wisconsin 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 municipalities require businesses to obtain a general license to operate within city limits. This is a basic permit that registers your business with the local government (e.g., if your business is in Racine, you would contact the City of Racine Clerk’s Office).
• Industry Permits: This includes health permits required for restaurants, food trucks, and businesses handling food products (e.g., if your business is based in Appleton, you would contact the City of Appleton Health Department).
• Zoning Permits: You may need this in order to ensure that your business’s location is zoned appropriately and is compliant with local laws (e.g., if you were based in Oshkosh, you would check with the City of Oshkosh Planning Services).
• Sign Permits: These can be required before installing business signage (e.g., if you were based in Eau Claire, you would need to apply through the City of Eau Claire Inspection Services Division).
• Certificate of Occupancy or Building Permits: 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 La Crosse, you would obtain this from the City of La Crosse Building & Inspections Division).
• Home-Based Business Permits: Required for businesses operating out of a residence in many municipalities. Requirements and restrictions vary by location (e.g., if operating from home in Wausau, you would check with the City of Wausau Inspections & Zoning Department).

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

Wisconsin State Business Licenses

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

Wisconsin Seller’s Permit

You can register for a Wisconsin Seller’s Permit in one of two ways: either online or by mail.

OPTION 1: Apply Online

Apply Online

– OR –

OPTION 2: Apply by Mail

Download Form

Fee: $20

Mailing Address:
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8902
Madison, WI 53708-8902

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 Wisconsin Sales Tax guide.

Wisconsin 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:

• Board of Nursing: Oversees registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), advanced practice nurses, and nurse midwives.
• Medical Examining Board: Regulates physicians, surgeons, and includes affiliated boards for physician assistants, anesthesiologist assistants, and occupational therapists.
• Real Estate Examining Board: Oversees real estate brokers and salespersons operating in Wisconsin.
• State Bar of Wisconsin: Handles the licensing and regulation of attorneys practicing law in the state.
• Pharmacy Examining Board: Oversees pharmacies, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and wholesale drug distributors.
• Dentistry Examining Board: Regulates dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, and others in the dental field.
• Psychology Examining Board: Oversees psychologists, while social workers and other counselors are regulated by the Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling and Social Work Examining Board.

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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin:

• Food Processing License: Required for businesses that process and package food products for wholesale distribution. Regulated by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
• Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Required for anyone engaged in the business of buying and selling five or more vehicles in a 12-month period. Regulated by the Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Dealer Board. This includes new and used car dealers, as well as motorcycle and trailer dealers.
• Child Care License: Under Wisconsin law, no person may provide care and supervision for four or more children under the age of seven for less than 24 hours a day unless that person obtains a license to operate a child care center from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
• Private Security Agency License: Required for businesses providing private security, investigation, or guard services. Regulated by the Wisconsin Private Detective/Security Agency.

Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Examples of industries regulated here include:

• Underground/Aboveground Storage Tank Registration: For facilities storing petroleum products or hazardous liquids.  
• Air Quality Permits: For industrial sources emitting pollutants above threshold levels, including both construction and operation permits.
• WPDES Permits: For facilities discharging wastewater to surface water or groundwater.
• Stormwater Permits: For construction sites and industrial facilities discharging stormwater runoff.
• Hazardous Waste Generator ID: For businesses generating hazardous waste, with requirements varying by generator size.
• Wetlands Permits: For projects involving filling, excavating, or impacting wetland areas.
• Solid Waste Facility Permits: For facilities that store, treat, process, or dispose of solid waste.
• High Capacity Well Approvals: For wells with combined pumping capacity of 70 gallons per minute or more.

Federal Business Licenses for Wisconsin 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

Wisconsin Business License Renewal 

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

Your Wisconsin Seller’s Permit must be renewed every two years. A renewal notice is mailed, and a $10 fee is required.

The same is true for most professional licenses and local permits, which also usually require renewal every one to two years.

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

Wisconsin Business License FAQs

Quick Resources

• Wisconsin Department of Revenue
• Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
• Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal
• League of Wisconsin Municipalities
• Wisconsin Counties Association