There are several steps involved if you want to start a new business in the state of Missouri. Once you’ve filed your new company with the state, one of the last steps before you can open your doors is to acquire any necessary business licenses and permits.
However, the exact licenses and permits that a Missouri business needs will vary depending on a few factors, including where the business is located and the specific activities it engages in. This sometimes makes it a little tricky to determine which licenses and permits you need to acquire. To help you out, we’ve put together a complete guide covering everything you need to know about how to get small business licenses and permits in Missouri.
If you’ve ever wondered why states require business licenses and permits in the first place, you’re not alone. However, the reason why they are required is simple; licenses and permits allow government agencies to regulate the businesses in their jurisdictions and ensure that they are compliant with all laws and regulations. Anytime you apply for and renew a business license, you’ll be required to provide information about your company to prove its ongoing compliance.
In most cases, licenses grant businesses authorization to operate in a specific area, such as a state or city, while business permits are used to regulate specific business activities. Many businesses in Missouri will require a combination of both, making it important to carefully research which one your business needs based on its location and industry.
Business licenses and business permits are essentially the same thing, they’re just generally used for different purposes. Here’s a quick breakdown of each to help you understand the differences:
For example, a daycare operating in Springfield, MO will need a general business license from the city to conduct business within city limits, but it may also require additional permits such as a health permit from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).
Where your business is located and the industry that it operates in are the two main factors that will determine which licenses and permits it needs. That said, there are a lot of different types of licenses and permits that a Missouri business might be required to have, and they can be issued from all levels of government (including local, state, and federal).
Here are all the different types of licenses and permits your Missouri business could potentially need from each level of government:
In addition to general business licenses, many specialized permits are issued at the state and local level as well. This includes permits like:
Lastly, federal permits may be required if your business engages in any federally regulated activities such as:
To learn more about federal licensing requirements, check out the Small Business Administration (SBA) federal licenses and permits page.
Since there are a lot of different licenses and permits that a Missouri business might need, the exact process for obtaining them depends on which ones your business is required to have. However, here is the general process you can expect when obtaining business licenses and permits in Missouri:
Businesses in Missouri may be required to obtain licenses and permits from agencies in the local, state, and federal government:
Once you know which licenses and permits your business needs, you begin the process of applying for them by following these general steps:
After you submit your application, you can track its status by contacting the issuing agency. Many agencies (especially at the state and federal level) will provide an online portal where you can track the application status of business licenses.
Approval times for business licenses and permits will vary. Most state and local license applications are processed within 10-15 business days, while federal licenses tend to take longer.
Almost all business licenses and permits will have to be renewed periodically. This makes it important to carefully track the renewal deadlines of all your licenses and permits. The processing of renewing business licenses and permits is typically similar to the process you go through when you first apply for them, with businesses required to submit information and pay a fee for renewal.
Making sure you acquire all the necessary business licenses and permits is a vital part of starting a new company in Missouri. While the fact that every business’s licensing requirements is unique makes it a little challenging to know the exact licenses and permits your business needs, we hope you’ve found this guide helpful!
You should never begin business operations until you are sure that you have the licenses and permits you need. Failing to obtain required business licenses and permits can lead to some stiff consequences, including fines and business closure.
Yes, sole proprietors in Missouri are treated just like any other business when it comes to licensing requirements. Just like an LLC or a corporation, the licenses and permits that a sole proprietor will need depends on the type of business they are engaged in and the location where they are doing business.
Most business licenses and permits that a Missouri business needs will have to be renewed, with annual renewal being the most common frequency. Be sure to check the renewal deadlines for each license and permit that you acquire.
This portion of our website is for informational purposes only. Tailor Brands is not a law firm, and none of the information on this website constitutes or is intended to convey legal advice. All statements, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions are solely the expression of the author and provided on an as-is basis. Accordingly, Tailor Brands is not responsible for the information and/or its accuracy or completeness. It also does not indicate any affiliation between Tailor Brands and any other brands, services or logos.
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