Here's what you need in Nevada
Official state business portal: Nevada Orion business portal. Nevada Orion, run by the Secretary of State, is the online portal for getting a State Business License and forming a business in Nevada.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNevada State Business License. Nevada requires almost every business to hold a State Business License from the Secretary of State before doing business, and to renew it every year. | Nevada Secretary of State | $200 a year ($500 for corporations) | Applyat nvsilverflume.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. File Articles of Organization with the Nevada Secretary of State to form an LLC, and file the initial list of managers or members. You also need a State Business License. | Nevada Secretary of State | $75 filing fee, plus $150 for the initial list | Applyat nvsilverflume.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Fictitious Firm Name Certificate. If you do business under a name that is different from the legal names of the owners, file a certificate with the county clerk in each county where you do business (county level). | County clerk | Set by each county | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitNevada Sales/Use Tax Permit. Every retailer selling goods in Nevada needs a sales tax permit from the Department of Taxation. You must have a State Business License first. | Nevada Department of Taxation | $15 per location | Applyat tax.nv.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment Insurance Registration. If you have employees, contact the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation to find out if you need to register for unemployment insurance. | Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) | You pay tax on wages | Source | 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 Nevada pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual List of Managers or MembersEvery Nevada LLC files an Annual List with the Secretary of State each year, by the last day of the month in which it was formed. You file it together with the state business license renewal. | Nevada Secretary of State | $150 a year | Applyat nvsilverflume.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| State Business License renewalA Nevada LLC renews its state business license every year at the same time it files its Annual List. | Nevada Secretary of State | $200 a year | Applyat nvsilverflume.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 salonCosmetological Establishment License. Hair, nail and beauty salons need an establishment license from the Nevada State Board of Cosmetology after an inspection. Barber shops are licensed separately. | Nevada State Board of Cosmetology | $200 for 2 years, $400 for 4 years, plus $15 inspection | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeChild Care Facility License. Caring for five or more children for pay makes your home a child care facility that needs a license. Some counties and cities run their own child care licensing instead of the state. | Nevada Division of Social Services, Child Care Licensing | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Local liquor license (city or county). Nevada has no state liquor license for bars and restaurants. Contact the city or county clerk where your business will be, because local governments issue retail liquor licenses. | Your city or county (the Nevada Department of Taxation licenses only importers and wholesalers) | Set by your city or county | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorContractor's License. You need a license from the Nevada State Contractors Board to work as a contractor or bid on a job in Nevada. The Board sets exams, bonds and a monetary limit for each license. | Nevada State Contractors Board | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Cottage Food Operation Registration. You can sell certain homemade foods, such as candies, jams and dry herbs, made in your private home, but you must register before selling. Labels must say the food is not subject to government food safety inspection. | Nevada Department of Agriculture or your local board of health | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Nevada
- Nevada is one of 6 places in our data with a general state business license: Nevada State Business License.
- At $75, the LLC filing fee is near the middle: 13 of 49 verified states charge less and 34 charge more.
- Where to file a business name (DBA): If you do business under a name that is different from the legal names of the owners, file a certificate with the county clerk in each county where you do business (county level).
- Homemade food sales are capped at $100,000 a year (adjusted each year for inflation). Of the 16 states where we verified a cap, 4 allow more.
- At $200, the salon or shop license fee is among the highest: only 9 of 36 verified states charge more.
- Annual List of Managers or Members: $150 a year. Every Nevada LLC files an Annual List with the Secretary of State each year, by the last day of the month in which it was formed. You file it together with the state business license renewal.
- State Business License renewal: $200 a year. A Nevada LLC renews its state business license every year at the same time it files its Annual List.
Steps to start a business in Nevada
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization with the Nevada Secretary of State ($75).
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 County clerk.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Nevada Department of Taxation before your first sale.
Get the state business license
Nevada State Business License, from the Nevada Secretary of State.
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 Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR).
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Nevada can require their own business license, zoning approval, health permit or building permit. Rules change from place to place, so ask your city hall and county clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
In the biggest cities, ask these local governments:
- Las Vegas: the city, and Clark County. Business license (lasvegasnevada.gov), City of Las Vegas (lasvegasnevada.gov)
City rules and fees are not in our guide yet.
Questions about business licenses in Nevada
Do I need a business license in Nevada?
Yes. Nevada requires almost every business to hold a State Business License from the Secretary of State before doing business, and to renew it every year. The official fee is $200 a year ($500 for corporations).
How much is a business license in Nevada?
The Nevada State Business License costs $200 a year ($500 for corporations). Your city or county may charge for its own license too.
How much is an LLC in Nevada?
The Nevada Secretary of State charges $75 filing fee, plus $150 for the initial list to file the Articles of Organization. File Articles of Organization with the Nevada Secretary of State to form an LLC, and file the initial list of managers or members. You also need a State Business License.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Nevada?
Annual List of Managers or Members: $150 a year. Every Nevada LLC files an Annual List with the Secretary of State each year, by the last day of the month in which it was formed. You file it together with the state business license renewal. State Business License renewal: $200 a year. A Nevada LLC renews its state business license every year at the same time it files its Annual List.
Does an LLC need a business license in Nevada?
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 Nevada 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 Nevada?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. Every retailer selling goods in Nevada needs a sales tax permit from the Department of Taxation. You must have a State Business License first. Official fee: $15 per location.
How much is a DBA in Nevada?
If you do business under a name that is different from the legal names of the owners, file a certificate with the county clerk in each county where you do business (county level). Official fee: Set by each county.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Nevada?
You can sell certain homemade foods, such as candies, jams and dry herbs, made in your private home, but you must register before selling. Labels must say the food is not subject to government food safety inspection. Sales cap: $100,000 a year (adjusted each year for inflation).
Do contractors need a state license in Nevada?
You need a license from the Nevada State Contractors Board to work as a contractor or bid on a job in Nevada. The Board sets exams, bonds and a monetary limit for each license.
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 Nevada Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Nevada Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) County clerk Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Nevada Department of Taxation Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Nevada State Board of Cosmetology Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Nevada Division of Social Services, Child Care Licensing Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Your city or county (the Nevada Department of Taxation licenses only importers and wholesalers) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Nevada State Contractors Board Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Nevada Department of Agriculture or your local board of health Checked Nov 7, 2026
- State Business License renewal Nevada Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026