Here's what you need in North Carolina
Official state business portal: Start My Business (NC.gov). The state's Start My Business guide on NC.gov walks through registering, licenses and permits, taxes, insurance and financing, with free help from Small Business Advisors.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNo general state business license. North Carolina has no single general business license. Some businesses need one or more state licenses for their trade, and others need none. | State of North Carolina | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. To form an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the North Carolina Secretary of State. You can file online. | North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division | $125 filing fee | Applyat sosnc.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Assumed Business Name Certificate. Assumed business names are filed with the register of deeds in the county, and one filing can cover several counties. The Secretary of State keeps a statewide online search of these filings. | County register of deeds | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitCertificate of Registration (sales and use tax). If you sell taxable goods or services, register online or by mail with the Department of Revenue to get a Certificate of Registration. There is no fee. | North Carolina Department of Revenue | Free | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Employer ID Number for unemployment insurance tax. If your business meets the wage or employee conditions, you must pay state unemployment insurance tax. Apply online and create an NCSUITS account to get your Employer ID Number and liability status. | North Carolina Division of Employment Security (DES) | You pay tax on wages | Applyat des.nc.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 North Carolina pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual ReportEvery North Carolina LLC files an Annual Report with the Secretary of State by April 15 each year, starting the year after it is formed. The state fee is the same online or on paper; paying online by credit card adds a small electronic filing charge, and paying by bank transfer (ACH) adds a smaller one. | North Carolina Secretary of State | $200 a year ($203 online by card) | Applyat sosnc.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 salonCosmetic art shop (salon) license. A new cosmetic art shop (salon) is inspected and licensed by the Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners, and pays a yearly fee for each active booth. | North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners | Up to $25 to inspect a new shop, plus up to $3 per active booth a year | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeFamily child care home license. A family child care home must be licensed by DCDEE, and every licensed home pays a yearly license fee. | North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) | $52 annual license fee | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Retail ABC permit. Bars and restaurants get retail ABC permits from the state ABC Commission. The Commission first notifies your city or county, which can object to the permit. | North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorGeneral contractor license. You need a general contractor license for building projects that cost more than the limit set in state law. The license level (limited, intermediate or unlimited) sets the largest project you can take on. | North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors | Up to $75 for a limited license, $100 intermediate, $125 unlimited | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Home Processor Inspection. You can make shelf stable foods such as baked goods, jams and candies at home after your kitchen passes an inspection by the Department of Agriculture. No permit is issued; you get an inspection report instead. | North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Food and Drug Protection Division | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in North Carolina
- At $125, the LLC filing fee is near the middle: 31 of 49 verified states charge less and 14 charge more.
- Where to file a business name (DBA): Assumed business names are filed with the register of deeds in the county, and one filing can cover several counties. The Secretary of State keeps a statewide online search of these filings.
- Contractor licensing in North Carolina: You need a general contractor license for building projects that cost more than the limit set in state law. The license level (limited, intermediate or unlimited) sets the largest project you can take on.
- At $25, the salon or shop license fee is among the lowest: only 1 of 36 verified states charge less.
- Annual Report: $200 a year ($203 online by card). Every North Carolina LLC files an Annual Report with the Secretary of State by April 15 each year, starting the year after it is formed. The state fee is the same online or on paper; paying online by credit card adds a small electronic filing charge, and paying by bank transfer (ACH) adds a smaller one.
Steps to start a business in North Carolina
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 North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division ($125).
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 register of deeds.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the North Carolina Department of Revenue before your first sale.
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 North Carolina Division of Employment Security (DES).
City and county permits
Cities and countys in North Carolina 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:
- Charlotte: the city, and Mecklenburg County. City of Charlotte (charlottenc.gov)
- Raleigh: the city, and Wake County. City of Raleigh (raleighnc.gov)
City rules and fees are not in our guide yet.
Questions about business licenses in North Carolina
Do I need a business license in North Carolina?
No. North Carolina has no single general business license. Some businesses need one or more state licenses for their trade, and others need none.
How much is a business license in North Carolina?
There is no general state business license fee in North Carolina. A local business license, if your city or county requires one, is priced by that city or county. State licenses for some types of business have their own fees, listed on this page.
How much is an LLC in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division charges $125 filing fee to file the Articles of Organization. To form an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the North Carolina Secretary of State. You can file online.
How much does an LLC cost per year in North Carolina?
Annual Report: $200 a year ($203 online by card). Every North Carolina LLC files an Annual Report with the Secretary of State by April 15 each year, starting the year after it is formed. The state fee is the same online or on paper; paying online by credit card adds a small electronic filing charge, and paying by bank transfer (ACH) adds a smaller one.
Does an LLC need a business license in North Carolina?
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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. If you sell taxable goods or services, register online or by mail with the Department of Revenue to get a Certificate of Registration. There is no fee. Official fee: Free.
How do I get a DBA in North Carolina?
Assumed business names are filed with the register of deeds in the county, and one filing can cover several counties. The Secretary of State keeps a statewide online search of these filings.
Can I sell homemade food from home in North Carolina?
You can make shelf stable foods such as baked goods, jams and candies at home after your kitchen passes an inspection by the Department of Agriculture. No permit is issued; you get an inspection report instead.
Do contractors need a state license in North Carolina?
You need a general contractor license for building projects that cost more than the limit set in state law. The license level (limited, intermediate or unlimited) sets the largest project you can take on. Official fee: Up to $75 for a limited license, $100 intermediate, $125 unlimited.
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 State of North Carolina Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) County register of deeds Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit North Carolina Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) North Carolina Division of Employment Security (DES) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Food and Drug Protection Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Annual Report North Carolina Secretary of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026