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Apply for licenses and permits | U.S. Small Business Administration Skip to main content Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Apply for licenses and permits The requirements and fees vary based on your business activities, location, and government rules. Content Federal licenses and permits Most small businesses need a combination of licenses and permits from both federal and state agencies. Business activities regulated by a federal agency will need a federal license or permit. Check to see if any of your business activities are listed here. If they are, then check with the right federal agency to see how to apply. Requirements and fees depend on your business activity and the issuing agency. Check with them for details on the business license cost. Business activity Description Issuing agency Agriculture The import or transport across state lines of: Animals, Animal products Biologics Biotechnology or plants U.S. Department of Agriculture Alcoholic beverages Manufacture Wholesale Import Sale at a retail location Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Local Alcohol Beverage Control Board Aviation Aircraft operation Transport of goods or people via air Aircraft maintenance Federal Aviation Administration Firearms, ammunition, and explosives Manufacture Sale Import Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Fish and wildlife Any wildlife-related activity, including the import or export of wildlife Import/export of wildlife-derivative products U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Commercial fisheries Commercial fishing of any kind National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service Maritime transportation Transport of people by sea Shipment of cargo by sea Federal Maritime Commission Mining and drilling Drilling for natural gas, oil, or other mineral resources on federal lands Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Nuclear energy Production of commercial nuclear energy Operation as a fuel cycle facility Distribution and disposal of nuclear materials U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Radio and television broadcasting Information broadcasts via: Radio Television Wire Satellite Cable Federal Communications Commission Transportation and logistics Operation of an oversize or overweight vehicle Permits are issued by your state government, but the U.S. Department of Transportation can direct you to the correct state office U.S. Department of Transportation State licenses and permits The licenses and permits you need from the state, county, or city will depend on your business activities and business location . Your business license fees will also vary. You may also need licenses from your county or city. States tend to regulate a broader range of activities th
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