What If My Business Is Registered In Washington State But I Move

If y'all run a business concern in Washington, you'll need a Washington state business license, permit, or certificate of some kind in order to operate. In fact, you'll probably demand more than one of these documents, depending on the work that you do and where your concern is located.

What types of business licenses are in that location in the state of Washington and which ones exercise you need to go? We're breaking down everything y'all need to know almost getting a business organization license in Washington.

Federal Licenses and Permits

For most small businesses, the federal regime doesn't require licenses or permits. Just there are some activities that are regulated by one or more federal agencies and those activities might require a federal license or permit. These activities include:

Agriculture
Alcoholic beverages
Aviation
Firearms, ammunition, and explosives
Fish and wild fauna
Commercial fisheries
Maritime transportation
Mining and drilling
Nuclear energy
Radio and television broadcasting
Transportation and logistics

If you're involved in whatever federally regulated activity, the adjacent step is to contact the federal bureau that oversees the activity. Find out what the requirements are and so follow through so that you can conduct business legally.

For case, if your new business is involved with alcoholic beverages, you'd be regulated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Merchandise Agency and the Local Alcohol Potable Control Board. That'southward where you'd go for more than data.

Tip: You tin can access a list of all federally licensed activities, along with links to more information, by visiting this website maintained by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

State of Washington business license requirements

At that place are a few states where all businesses need to get state business licenses, in add-on to any required local licenses. Washington is one of these states.

Almost all businesses in Washington demand to obtain a Washington land business license .

To get your license, all you have to do is complete the Washington state Business License Application and pay a $19 fee. You can utilize online or by mail.

This application registers your business with several Washington state agencies, including the Departments of Revenue, Employment Security, and Labor and Industries.

In one case registered, you'll receive a business organization license and Washington land UBI number, which is your Unified Business Identifier number from the Business Licensing Service. The UBI is a nine-digit number that allows y'all to do business in Washington state.

Professional and occupational licenses in Washington

In addition to getting a general business license in Washington state, you may also need to obtain a professional person or occupational license.

Like all other states, Washington has license and/or certification requirements for business activities and occupations that require all-encompassing training or that expose consumers to potential hazards.

Those include:

Medical professionals
Lawyers
Accountants
Building contractors and other construction-related occupations
Barbers and cosmetologists
Architects and engineers
Existent estate brokers and salespersons, and
Individual investigators and other security services

For example, if you want to work as a real manor broker in Washington, y'all'll demand to become a license from the Washington Land Department of Licensing.

Here's a comprehensive listing of all of the occupations that are regulated by Washington state agencies and the links to the advisable agency.

The procedures for getting an occupational concern license in Washington varies by profession. You lot might have to meet specific educational or preparation requirements or demand experience in the field. You as well may need to take and pass a written exam and, usually, at that place's a license fee that you lot'll need to pay.

All these requirements are complicated. Luckily, the State of Washington has an online Business concern Licensing Wizard that you tin can apply to effigy out which licenses you need and where to get them.

Practice yous really need to get a WA land business license ?

Yes!

If the country discovers that you're operating a business without a state of Washington business license, all sorts of bad things tin can happen. You'll undoubtedly exist ordered to stop doing business and you might be fined.

Also, failure to obtain a license can constitute a crime. And then going through the proper steps to get your licenses before you start conducting business is always a wise movement.

What about getting a local business license in Washington state ?

In improver to a Washington country business license, you might need to obtain a local concern license from the urban center or canton that your business organisation is located in. Y'all may even need multiple licenses if y'all do business concern in more than one surface area.

Each Washington urban center and county establishes its own licensing requirements and procedures. Proceed in mind, though, that most counties and cities in Washington require business licenses or permits for all businesses, including one-person, domicile-based operations.

Usually, y'all just have to pay a fee to get a local business organization license in Washington. Fees volition vary by locality and could range from as low as $25 to equally high equally a few hundred dollars. Fees can besides be based on your projected gross revenue (for example, ten cents per $1,000 of projected revenue).

How to get a business organization license in Washington state

The skilful news is that getting your local license is pretty easy. Your city or county has a website that explains its licensing requirements. You lot can detect a comprehensive set of links to license data for Washington country cities and towns here.

Many localities let you lot apply for a business license using the State of Washington Concern Licensing Service.

Others let online filing through the FileLocal website. Otherwise, yous might be able to download an application and email it to the appropriate party or just mail it in.

You'll likely be asked for the following information when you lot apply for a local Washington state business license:

Social Security Number or Federal Employment Identification Number
A clarification of your business activities
Your legal concern name and any assumed name or "doing business equally" ("dba").
Your business beginning date
The number of employees and your expected annual sales
Your business address and contact information,
Each business owner'due south contact information
Your business organization sales tax number, if any

After submitting your application, you'll unremarkably receive your license or certificate with a business organisation license number within a few weeks in the mail service. Once you have it in your possession, y'all may be required to mail service information technology at your identify of business organisation.

As well good to know: You'll be required to renew your license periodically and that might involve an additional processing fee. Usually, a renewal is required every one to three years, so be sure to mark your calendar.

Can y'all become away with non getting a local concern license in Washington state ?

Nope!

Information technology'due south true that some self-employed individuals, particularly those who piece of work from home, never get a local business license. But if your local government finds out that y'all're running an unlicensed business, you lot could be fined or prevented from doing business organisation until you obtain the license.

It's always best to avoid problems by researching the license(s) yous demand and applying for them so you can practice business organization without having to worry.

Stephen has defended his career every bit an chaser and writer to writing useful, authoritative and recognized guides on taxes and business law for pocket-size businesses, entrepreneurs, independent contractors, and freelancers. He is the author of over 20 books and hundreds of manufactures and has been quoted in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and many other publications. Among his books are Deduct It! Lower Your Small Business organization Taxes, Working with Independent Contractors, and Working for Yourself: Law and Taxes for Independent Contractors, Freelancers & Consultants.