LA Business License Basics
If you own a business in Louisiana then you need a license to operate. There are many different types of Louisiana business licenses and permits that are required by various government entities at federal, state and local levels. An operating license is the basic type of business license that most all businesses will be required to have.
Each level of government has specific regulations and requirements that has to be met before a business can get a license. If you don’t know the licensing rules in Louisiana and follow them it could lead to expensive fines and putting your business at risk.
Types of Business Licenses in Louisiana
Federal Business Licenses – The federal government has a number of agencies that regulate and supervise business activities. If your business participates in any one of these federally regulated activities you will need to get a federal business license.
Activities that'll be required to get a federal business license include:
- Alcohol manufacturing, importing and sales
- Agriculture
- Firearm dealing, importing and manufacturing
- Ammunition and Explosives dealing, importing and manufacturing
- Aviation
- Wildlife related activity
- Mining
- Drilling
- Commercial fishing
- TV and radio broadcasting
- Trucking
State Business Licenses – Nearly all Louisiana businesses must obtain some sort of state business license to be able to legally operate. At the minimum a business will have to get a professional or occupational license. Louisiana business licenses are typically used for tax purposes.
Local Business Licenses – Local Louisiana governments and municipalities also grant business licenses. All businesses will be required to get some good type of local business license to be able to operate in Louisiana.
Permits – Permits are more specific to a certain kind of business within an industry. Permits have a wide selection of purposes from parking to product sales.
How to Get a Louisiana Business License
The steps you will need to take to obtain a business license in Louisiana will vary depending on which kind of business license you need to get. No matter what type of license you are hoping to get you will need to fill out application form(s) and supply details about your business.
If you are starting a business or expanding your business you'll have numerous forms to fill out. Be prepared to supply your Employer Identification Number (EIN).
The SBA (Small Business Administration) has great online tools for helping business owners figure out exactly what type of Louisiana business licenses they should get, links to websites, applications and instructions. If you’re just starting a business and need help with licensing, the SBA is the perfect place to get more info.
Maintaining Your Louisiana Business License
Once you get your Louisiana business licenses and permits you must still maintain them year after year to keep them current. The guidelines below are recommended in order to ensure your business license is in good standing.
- Make copies of your business licenses and permits.
- Track when licenses and permits have to be renewed.
- Follow the regulations for displaying your business license.
- If you intend to change or expand your business be sure to verify whether you need additional permits or business licenses.