Nevada Business Licenses and Permits: Everything You Need to Know

In today’s post, we will discuss exactly who needs licensing and permits, where to get them, and what the general renewal guidelines are. We will also discuss ways to lighten the load when applying for and renewing Nevada business licenses and permits … just in case you, like so many people, are paperwork-averse. We’ll wrap up with some FAQs so you can walk away knowing everything you need to know about your business license and permits.

Why you business licenses and permits

In a nutshell, Nevada business licenses and permits tell the state that you have completed all the steps needed to prove that you’re legally allowed to operate a business. To ensure you comply with all laws and regulations within Nevada, you must do your due diligence to figure out which licenses and permits you need.

Business licenses vs permits

So what exactly do licenses and permits give you permission to do? Well, this depends on your industry.

Essentially, licenses and permits govern 2 different realms. Your license says you can operate a business of almost any kind, while permits are specific to the types of goods or services you’re providing. For instance, the permits needed for construction are different from those needed for serving alcohol.

Another difference between the 2 is how you apply for them and how long they last. While this again differs by industry, your business license is a broad approval to sell goods and services, and you need to renew it annually in Nevada. Permits, on the other hand, approve specific actions, such as:

• You may build a house at this specific site
• You can serve alcohol at this specific bar
• You may hold a launch party outside your shop on this day

… and so on. As you can see, you may need to get permits much more often than your initial business license application and yearly renewal.

The next question becomes, which types of licensing and permits might you need for your Nevada business? Let’s take a look.

State and local business licenses and permits

Any discussion of Nevada business licenses and permits must, first and foremost, start with the Nevada State Business License. This is the document that says you can sell goods and services within state boundaries. You must apply for this through the Nevada Secretary of State (SOS).

Often, your county or municipality will require you to show proof that you have a state license before they will issue you a local one. If you’re not sure about your state business license status, you can use the Secretary of State’s business search function.

Other licenses may include those needed to practice medicine, law, psychiatry, or another regulated field. You will need to apply for these through the board that governs your industry in the state of Nevada.

As for permits, this again relates directly to the field you’re in. Visit the link above, which is the SOS homepage. You’re responsible for researching your own state, county, and city regulations to understand which other small business licenses and permits are required. If you’re having trouble finding answers, you can call the SOS office at 775-684-5708 or email [email protected].

Specialty-specific federal business licenses and permits

Business activities that are regulated by a federal agency will also need a federal license or permit. You are responsible for checking the U.S. Small Business Administration website to see if any of your business activities require licenses or permits.

How to obtain business licenses and permits in Nevada

Obtaining Nevada business licenses and permits isn’t necessarily hard, but it does require diligent research, careful form-filling, and paying attention to due dates. Here’s a basic step-by-step approach to getting your business license.

Step 1: Determine what licenses and permits your business needs

In order to obtain Nevada business licenses and permits, you first need to understand what the necessary business licenses and permits are.

State and local levels

At the state level, you should assume that you will need the official State Business License.

Next, check your county and city to see if you need additional licensing (for instance, a Nevada liquor license), then research whether you will need state permits of any kind. In general, you should include:

• The Nevada State Business License
• A local business license from your city or county, or possibly both
• A Sales/Use Tax Permit (for retailers) or Consumer Use Tax Permit (for non-retailers) selling tangible goods

You may also need health, food, parking, zoning, fire department, liquor, business name registration, and other permits or licenses, depending on your specialty and business type.

Federal level

Check whether you need specialty-specific federal business licenses or permits on the  U.S. Small Business Administration website. It lists the regulated industries—e.g., agriculture, aviation, mining and drilling, or nuclear energy—and the government authority or authorities that regulate them.

For instance, if you want to start a dairy farm, you will need to check with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine which licenses and permits are required. Ditto any other industry and the governing body that sets the federal rules for it.

Step 1b: Who is exempt from a Nevada State Business License?

There are only a few exemptions from the Nevada State Business License, including nonprofits, government entities, and individuals or married couples who operate their business out of their home and make less than 2/3 of the average Nevada annual wage.

To figure out the average wage, you can visit the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation website.

Step 2: Submit all required documents and application fees

Obtaining every permit necessary may take a hot minute. Once you know which licenses and permits you need, work your way through them one at a time, keeping careful track of what you submit and copies/screenshots of all applications.

What you have to submit will, obviously, depend on which regulatory body is issuing your small business licenses and permits. For instance, if you need federal agricultural licenses or permits, you will need to e-file the appropriate documentation through APHIS. If you need a Nevada liquor license, you will use the State Liquor License Application which is available online.

The one thing almost everyone doing business in Nevada will need, however, is the State Business License. To get it:

1. Visit this page
2. Choose which entity you will be, whether sole proprietor or general partnership
3. Decide whether to submit online or via paper form
4. For online registration, click “Online,” which will bring you to the Nevada Business Portal
5. Click “Get a State Business License,” which will bring you to the online form
6. Fill out the form
7. Pay the licensing fee online, which is $500 for corporations and $200 for most small businesses (learn more about the Nevada business license cost)
8. To print and mail in the form, click the link that says “Form,” which will bring you to a printable form
9. Print and fill it out, following the instructions for payment at the bottom of the form

The address for mailing is:

Francisco V. Aguilar

Secretary of State

401 North Carson Street

Carson City, Nevada 89701-4201

If you need help, please contact [email protected].

Step 3: Track the status of your application and await approval

Once you apply for your Nevada business licenses and permits, you’ll have to wait for them to get processed. Typically, it takes no longer than 45 days to get your State Business License. Other licenses and permits will vary, depending on who is issuing them.

Step 4: Renew if needed

Different licenses and permits have different expiration times and terms. Make sure you track them and renew in a timely fashion to avoid fines and other penalties.

Get the help you need if you need it

If you’re still not sure how to go about hunting down the pertinent information about Nevada business licenses and permits, let alone filing the right paperwork, you might need a little help. Tailor Brands is here to help you figure out everything you need to know about small business licenses and permits, then stay on top of the renewals and regulatory updates, so you’re always in the clear.

Want help? Our friendly team is standing by, so reach out today.

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