Here's what you need in Washington, DC
Official state business portal: BOSS (boss.dc.gov). BOSS is the District's one platform for registering a business entity and applying for and managing business licenses.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseBasic Business License (BBL). Anyone doing business in the District needs a Basic Business License from DLCP for their type of business activity. Apply online at BOSS. | DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) | $99 for a 2-year general business license ($49 for 6 months, $198 for 4 years) | Applyat boss.dc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCCertificate of Organization. Register a DC limited liability company by filing a Certificate of Organization with the DLCP Corporations Division. | DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division | $99 filing fee | Applyat boss.dc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Trade Name Registration. Trade names are registered with the DLCP Corporations Division, not with a county. Trade names must be renewed, and renewal costs the same as the first filing. | DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division | $55 filing fee | Applyat boss.dc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitSales and Use Tax Registration (Form FR-500). New businesses register with the Office of Tax and Revenue by filing Form FR-500 on MyTax.DC.gov, listing every location where they will collect sales tax. Register with DLCP first if needed, then return to DLCP for your business license. | DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat mytax.dc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment insurance employer registration (Form FR-500). To register as an employer for unemployment insurance, complete Form FR-500 online. DOES then tells you whether you are liable and when your quarterly reports and payments are due. | DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) | You pay tax on wages | Applyat mytax.dc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Federal tax ID (EIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Free | Applyat irs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Costs after you start
What an LLC in Washington, DC pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biennial ReportEvery DC LLC files a Biennial Report with the Corporations Division every two years. A late fee applies if it is filed late. | DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division | $300 every 2 years | Applyat dlcp.dc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or county may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonBasic Business License: Barber Shop or Beauty Shop. Barber shops, hair salons and nail salons need a Basic Business License in the Beauty and Grooming category from DLCP, with separate activities for barber shops, beauty shops and nail shops. Apply online at BOSS. | DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat boss.dc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeChild Development Home License. Almost all child care programs in DC must be licensed by OSSE. A child development home (family child care home) cares for up to six children in the provider's home, and an expanded home cares for six to 12 children. | DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Alcoholic beverage license. Bars and restaurants get an alcohol license from ABCA, with approval by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Licenses usually run for three years and the fee depends on the type of establishment. | DC Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) | Depends on the license type | Applyat abca.dc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorBasic Business License: General Contractor or Home Improvement Contractor. DC licenses general contractors, construction managers and home improvement contractors through a Basic Business License in the Contractor and Construction Services category. Apply online at BOSS. | DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat boss.dc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Cottage Food Business registration. Under the Cottage Food Act you can make some foods in your home kitchen and sell them in the District after you submit a Cottage Food Registry Application to DC Health. You also need a Home Occupancy Permit and a food protection manager certification, and an inspection may be required. | DC Health, Division of Food | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Washington, DC
- Washington, DC is one of 6 places in our data with a general state business license: Basic Business License (BBL).
- At $99, the LLC filing fee is near the middle: 16 of 49 verified states charge less and 31 charge more.
- Where to file a business name (DBA): Trade names are registered with the DLCP Corporations Division, not with a county. Trade names must be renewed, and renewal costs the same as the first filing.
- Biennial Report: $300 every 2 years. Every DC LLC files a Biennial Report with the Corporations Division every two years. A late fee applies if it is filed late.
Steps to start a business in Washington, DC
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Certificate of Organization with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division ($99).
Get a free EIN
Apply on irs.gov. You need it to hire, and banks usually ask for it. Never pay a website for an EIN.
Register your business name
If you trade under a name that is not your legal name, file a DBA with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) before your first sale.
Get the state business license
Basic Business License (BBL), from the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP).
Get a state license for your type of business
Salons, child care, alcohol, building work and home food each have their own state rules. See the table above.
Check city and county permits
Ask about a local business license, zoning, health and building permits before you sign a lease.
Register as an employer when you hire
Open a state unemployment insurance tax account with the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES).
City and county permits
Washington, DC has no separate city or county governments. The District government issues both the state level and the local licenses and permits, so start with the agencies on this page.
Questions about business licenses in Washington, DC
Do I need a business license in Washington, DC?
Yes. Anyone doing business in the District needs a Basic Business License from DLCP for their type of business activity. Apply online at BOSS. The official fee is $99 for a 2-year general business license ($49 for 6 months, $198 for 4 years).
How much is a business license in Washington, DC?
The Basic Business License (BBL) costs $99 for a 2-year general business license ($49 for 6 months, $198 for 4 years). Your city or county may charge for its own license too.
How much is an LLC in Washington, DC?
The DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division charges $99 filing fee to file the Certificate of Organization. Register a DC limited liability company by filing a Certificate of Organization with the DLCP Corporations Division.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Washington, DC?
Biennial Report: $300 every 2 years. Every DC LLC files a Biennial Report with the Corporations Division every two years. A late fee applies if it is filed late.
Does an LLC need a business license in Washington, DC?
Yes, if your type of business or your location requires one. Forming an LLC only registers your company with the state; it is not a license. An LLC in Washington, DC still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or county.
Do I need a sales tax permit in Washington, DC?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. New businesses register with the Office of Tax and Revenue by filing Form FR-500 on MyTax.DC.gov, listing every location where they will collect sales tax. Register with DLCP first if needed, then return to DLCP for your business license.
How much is a DBA in Washington, DC?
Trade names are registered with the DLCP Corporations Division, not with a county. Trade names must be renewed, and renewal costs the same as the first filing. Official fee: $55 filing fee.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Washington, DC?
Under the Cottage Food Act you can make some foods in your home kitchen and sell them in the District after you submit a Cottage Food Registry Application to DC Health. You also need a Home Occupancy Permit and a food protection manager certification, and an inspection may be required.
Do contractors need a state license in Washington, DC?
DC licenses general contractors, construction managers and home improvement contractors through a Basic Business License in the Contractor and Construction Services category. Apply online at BOSS.
Do I need an EIN?
You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. It is free: never pay a website for an EIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from an official government page, checked on the date shown. Facts we could not confirm are marked Not yet verified and show no number. How we check.
- General state business license DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit DC Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal District of Columbia (DLCP) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) DC Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) DC Health, Division of Food Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Biennial Report DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corporations Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026