How to Apply for a Business License in Virginia

Suppose you’re starting a new business in Virginia. In that case, you may need to obtain a business license — potentially several of them. Business owners must apply for appropriate licenses and permits to keep their small businesses in good standing, whether a limited liability company or a corporation. Read on to learn more about licensing requirements in Virginia. 

Virginia Business License: Key Takeaways

1. A business license is a legal document your business must have to conduct specific business activities. Virginia doesn’t have general business license requirements. Still, you may be required to obtain a federal, state, or local license.

2. You must maintain your business license through regular renewal filings.

3. You may need a special license to run a home-based business, depending on your city.

What Is a Business License?

The concept of a business license is relatively straightforward. It’s a legal document you need to operate your small business in compliance with the law. 

You may face federal, state, and local business license requirements. You must get a federal license if the federal government regulates your industry. Specific industries also require a state or local license from your town, city, county, or municipality. “Business license” and “permit” are often used interchangeably. 

Ultimately, the type of business license you need depends on the nature of your business activities and its location in Virginia. You may need to apply for multiple licenses. 

Some entrepreneurs confuse registering a business entity (ex: a limited liability company or applying for a DBA) with obtaining a business license. These are two different processes. First, you must register your business and apply for any necessary business licenses. 

Get Your Virginia Business License in 7 Steps

Determining what business license you need to apply for can take time. Some Virginia businesses require federal, state, and additional licenses from your local government. We’re breaking down Virginia licensing requirements in the following sections. 

Step 1: Apply for Virginia General Business Licenses

Some states require all businesses to apply for a general business license regardless of what they do. However, Virginia is not one of those states, and there’s no general business license requirement. 

Depending on your business type, you may still need to apply for a state license in Virginia. Your small business may also need a professional or local license from your city or county.  

Step 2: Apply for Federal Licenses for Virginia Businesses

Your new business may need a federal license to operate if your business activities fall within a regulated industry. 

Business owners may need to obtain a business license from one of the following federal government agencies:[1^]

• Department of Agriculture if you’re importing or transporting animals, animal products, biologics, biotechnology, or plants across state lines

• Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Trade Bureau and Local Alcohol Beverage Control Board if you’re manufacturing, importing, or selling (wholesale or retail) alcoholic beverages

• Federal Aviation Administration if you’re operating aircrafts, transporting people or goods via air, or doing aircraft maintenance

• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives if you’re manufacture, dealing, or import firearms, ammunition, and explosives

• US Fish and Wildlife Service if you’re importing and exporting wildlife and derivative products

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service if you’re engaging in commercial fishing of any kind

• Federal Maritime Commission if you’re dealing with ocean transportation or facilitation of shipment of cargo by sea

• Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement if you’re drilling for natural gas oil, or other mineral resources on federal lands

• US Nuclear Regulatory Commission if you’re involved in the commercial production of nuclear energy, operating a fuel cycle facility, or distributing and disposing of nuclear materials

• Federal Communications Commission if you’re involved in radio and television broadcasting over the radio, television, wire, satellite, or cable

• US Department of Transportation if you’re involved in transportation & logistics, specifically an operation of an oversized or an overweight vehicle

You can learn more about federal licensing requirements on the Small Business Administration website. After obtaining a federal license, you may still need additional permits from the State of Virginia and your local government.  

Step 3: Search for Virginia Permits and Licenses

Virginia regulates numerous business industries that require a state license to operate. You should carefully research whether your business needs a state business license or a permit to carry out its activities. 

For example, suppose your business operations involve alcoholic beverages. In that case, you may need to apply for a banquet license, a retail license, or an ABC alcohol license. If your business activities include in-state delivery or solicitor tasting, you may also need to obtain additional licenses and permits. 

Insurance agents, money transmitters, and payday lenders must also solicit business licenses from the State of Virginia. Learn more about licensing requirements here.[2] 

Step 4: Search for Local County or City Virginia Business Licenses

In addition to federal and state licenses, you may also need to obtain additional licenses from your local government. Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to apply for a general business license, a zoning permit, a professional license, a business tax certificate, a sales tax permit, and more. 

For example, Virginia Beach requires all home-based businesses to obtain a business license.[3]

Similarly, to operate a business in Chesapeake, you may need to obtain an alcohol license, a building permit, or a zoning ordinance.[4]

It’s essential to stay in compliance with your local license requirements. When in doubt, call your city’s local tax office. 

Step 5: Search for Virginia Professional Licenses

Virginia heavily regulates certain professions that require a professional license. The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation has created an index of occupations that require an occupational license. 

You must obtain a professional business license in Virginia if you are:   

• An architect 

• A barber

• A cosmetologist

• A geologist

• A home inspector

• An interior designer

• A nail technician  

• A real estate broker

• A plumber

This is not an exhaustive list. You can find more professional license information on the official website of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, dpor.virginia.gov.[5] Note that depending on your profession, you may be required to get a local and a state license.  

Step 6: Apply for a Virginia Home-Based Business License

If you run your small business from home, you may be required to obtain a particular type of business license, a home-based license. Depending on your business location, you may need a general business license, a home occupation permit, or a zoning permit, among other possible requirements. 

There is no state-wide requirement for home-based business licenses in Virginia. The best way to determine whether your new business needs a home-based license is to contact your local government office. 

Step 7: Maintain Your Virginia Business License

Business owners must regularly renew their business licenses to keep them in good standing with the State of Virginia. In most cases, you’ll need to renew your business licenses & permits every year. You must pay a business license fee to renew your business license. 

Busy entrepreneurs often use a third-party service like Swyft Filings to obtain and maintain proper business licenses. 

Apply for a Virginia Business License Online

Researching and applying for business licenses takes time. As a new business owner, you want to pour your energy into building your small business. We can help you determine what business licenses you need and accurately file for them. 

Letting us research and obtain your business licenses helps you avoid the headache of navigating different federal, state, and local regulations and filling out confusing business license applications. Instead, focus on doing what you love — running your business. 

FAQs

How do I get a business license in Virginia?

It depends on what type of business licenses you need. Start with researching whether you need federal, state, or local licenses. 

Does Virginia require a general business license?

There’s no general business license requirement in the State of Virginia. However, depending on the nature of your business, you may need to obtain multiple state, professional, and local licenses. 

Can you sell things in Virginia without a license?

Generally speaking, you must register with the Department of Taxation to collect sales tax in Virginia. Contact the Department of Taxation for more information. 

Do I need a special license for an online business in Virginia?

It depends on if you’re doing business in a regulated industry at a state, federal, or local level. You may also need a home-based business license to run your business from home. 

Can I collect sales tax in Virginia without a license?

You need to register with the Department of Taxation to collect sales tax in Virginia.  

How much does a Virginia business license cost?

It depends on the type of business license. Typically, you can expect a business license to cost $50-$500. 

What’s the penalty for not having a business license in Virginia?

There are severe consequences to not obtaining proper business licenses. You may need to pay fines or even be forced to close your business. 

Bibliography

1. US Small Business Administration. “Apply for licenses and permits.” Accessed June 5, 2023. 

2. Virginia.gov. “Financial, Insurance & Business Licenses.” Accessed June 5, 2023.

3. Virginia Beach. “Starting a Business.” Accessed June 5, 2023. 

4. City of Chesapeake. “Opening/Operating a Business - Tax & Licensing.” Accessed June 5, 2023. 

5. Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. “Applicants.” Accessed June 5, 2023.