Whether you’re a sole proprietor or starting an LLC in Nevada, chances are you’re going to need licenses and permits. 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 need 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 your Nevada State Business License annually (local license terms vary; in Henderson, for example, business licenses are renewed every 6 months). 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. Most businesses need one. A few are exempt, such as nonprofits and some home-based businesses, and you claim the exemption with the Secretary of State rather than just skipping the license. You must apply for this through the Nevada Secretary of State (SOS). LLCs and corporations get the State Business License when they file their formation documents and initial list, and renew it with the annual list. Sole proprietors and general partnerships apply separately.
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. 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 tax permit if you sell tangible goods ($15 per location from the Nevada Department of Taxation), or a Consumer Use Tax Permit if you buy goods for use in Nevada without paying Nevada sales tax
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 (for example, 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. Exemptions include governmental entities, 501(c) nonprofits, home-based businesses whose net earnings are no more than 66 2/3% of the average annual wage, and individuals whose only business is renting out 4 or fewer homes (NRS 76.020).
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, retail liquor licenses come from your city or county. Importers and wholesalers also need a license from the Nevada Department of Taxation.
The one thing almost everyone doing business in Nevada will need, however, is the State Business License. To get it:
- Go to the Nevada Secretary of State’s ORION Business Portal, which replaced SilverFlume on September 14, 2026 (LLCs and corporations get the license with their formation filing and initial list)
- Choose which entity you will be, whether sole proprietor or general partnership
- Decide whether to submit online or via paper form
- For online filing, apply through the ORION portal
- Fill out the form
- Pay the licensing fee online, which is $500 for corporations and $200 for most small businesses (learn more about the Nevada business license cost)
- To file by mail, use the current paper form, available in the ORION portal (forms used before September 14, 2026 are no longer accepted)
- Print and fill it out, following the instructions for payment at the bottom of the form
The address for mailing is:
Nevada Secretary of State
Commercial Recordings Division
401 North Carson Street
Carson City, Nevada 89701-4201
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. Processing times for the State Business License vary, and online filings are usually faster than mailed ones. 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.
FAQ
While licensing and permitting vary depending on your industry, all businesses need a license except certain nonprofits, governmental entities, home-based businesses earning no more than 66 2/3% of the average annual wage, and a few other situations. You must claim an exemption with the state; you cannot just assume you don’t need a license.
If you don’t get the right Nevada business licenses and permits, you’re not legally allowed to operate in Nevada. You could face fines, penalties, or lawsuits.
Yes, sole proprietors need both a business license and permits, depending on their business types. There are exemptions, but you’ll need to do your research to make sure they apply to you.
Yes, sole proprietors need both a business license and permits, depending on their business types. There are exemptions, but you’ll need to do your research to make sure they apply to you.
That depends on the specific license or permit application. For the Nevada State Business License, processing times vary, and online filings are usually faster than mailed ones.
Yes, you will need to renew the Nevada State Business License annually. The rules for other small business licenses and permits vary, so make sure to check with the appropriate government agency.