How to Get a North Carolina Business License

Am I Required to Get a North Carolina Business License?

North Carolina doesn’t offer just one single license to all NC businesses. However, that doesn’t mean you’re off scot-free; in fact, NC requires multiple business types to apply for a business license that’s specific, such as:

• Industry type
• Services offered
• Type of products sold
• And more

Plus, getting a business license can open up a world of opportunities for your business, both now and in the future. For example, a business license can:

• Make you appear trustworthy and official in your clients’ eyes
• Help keep your business’s taxes separate from your personal taxes
• Allow you to apply for business loans, grants, and other forms of financing
• Help you open up additional locations
• Satisfy landlords if you’re leasing an office, retail store, or another business location
• And more!

If you’re just starting your business, it’s a good idea to check to see if you’re legally obligated to obtain a license or certification. We’ll cover how to do that in the next section.

How to Get a Business License in North Carolina

1. Head to the North Carolina government website.

Good news: Most businesses can apply for a North Carolina business license 100% online. To start the process, head to NC.gov and navigate to the page titled: “Starting a Business in NC.”

Scroll down the page to the Licensing section, then click.

Note: If you haven’t already registered your business in N.C., you’ll likely need to do that before you can apply for a business license. You can register your business here.

2. Examine the NCBOLD industry listings to find the license you should apply for.

In North Carolina, there’s no one-size-fits-all type of business license, so the license you may need could be different from another business owner in another industry.

Additionally, N.C. requires certain businesses to apply for environmental permits or to follow zoning requirements. Again, these restrictions are based on your business type and location, so it’s important to pay attention to what’s required of a small business in your specific industry.

Click on the NCBOLD link to reach the North Carolina Licensing page. You’ll see a huge list of different business types, which is why we recommend typing your industry’s keyword in the search bar to be taken directly to your results.

3. Follow your licensing application instructions.

Here’s where the North Carolina licensing process splits off, depending on the type of business you own. Each industry has its own licensing requirements, fees, and application process, so be sure to carefully follow the instructions provided by your industry type.

4. Call with any questions you might have about your NC business license.

If you’re having difficulty finding your business license type or you have any additional questions about the application process, you can call Business Link NC at 1-800-228-8443.

The good news is that North Carolina makes it relatively easy to find and apply for your business license type. That means there’s likely nothing standing between you and your official NC state business license!

By the way, if you’re required to apply for a contractor license, you can follow our step-by-step guide on how to apply for an NC contractor license.

NC State Business License Costs

Short answer: Business license costs vary depending on your industry, as well as where you’re located.

The best way to find out how much your NC state business license will cost is to navigate to your specific industry on NCBOLD’s website. You should see a clear summary of how much your license will cost there.

These costs could change, but for example, we found North Carolina licensing costs for the following business types:

• Landscape Contractor: $75 for the application; $60 for a new license

• Esthetician: $20 for the application; $20 for a new license

• Plumbing Contractor (Class I): $100 for the application; $130 for a new license

As you can see, you don’t have to shell out thousands of dollars to get your business license — which is good news if you’re starting your North Carolina business on a budget!

North Carolina Business License + Insurance: What You Need to Know

Depending on your industry type, you may be required to have proof of business insurance before applying for a business license.

Here’s why: some industries (particularly those that require work with clients or client properties) can carry a certain amount of risk. Business insurance shows that you’re protecting your business from financial claims that may arise from those risks (for instance if an employee accidentally damages a client’s property).

Plus, if you have employees, you may be required to have a NC workers' comp policy before being approved for an NC state business license.

Don’t let a lack of insurance hold you back from getting your business license. Use our free quote comparison tool to check business insurance policies from the nation’s top insurers.

Just click on the policy you want, the effective date, purchase it, and boom — your business is insured.

Make It Official with a North Carolina Business License!

Whether you’ve just started your business or you’ve been told your business has to get licensed, taking the time to get a North Carolina business license is a necessary step toward ensuring that your business will be around for years to come.

So grab a cup of coffee, clear out some time, and make a point of applying for your license. You’ll thank yourself in the long run!