Here's what you need in Oregon
Official state business portal: Oregon Business Xpress. Oregon Business Xpress guides you through planning, starting and running a business, and links to the state Business License Directory.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNo general state business license. Oregon does not have a general state business license. Many jobs and business activities need a special state license, and your city or county may require its own license. | Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. To form an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Corporation Division of the Oregon Secretary of State, online or by mail. | Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division | $100 filing fee | Applyat sos.oregon.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Assumed Business Name registration. Assumed business names are registered with the state, at the Corporation Division of the Oregon Secretary of State. A registration lasts two years. | Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division | $50, good for 2 years | Applyat sos.oregon.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitNo state sales tax. Oregon does not have a general sales tax, so there is no state sales tax permit. | Oregon Department of Revenue | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment insurance tax account. Employers must register with the Oregon Employment Department before issuing any paychecks. You register for a Business Identification Number through Revenue Online or the Combined Employer's Registration form. | Oregon Employment Department | You pay tax on wages | Applyat revenueonline.dor.oregon.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 Oregon pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Report (renewal)Every Oregon LLC files an Annual Report each year, by its anniversary date. The Secretary of State mails a notice about 50 days before, and you can file online yourself without paying extra. | Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division | $100 a year | Applyat sos.oregon.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 salonCosmetology facility license. A salon or other cosmetology business needs a facility license from the Health Licensing Office before services are offered there. You must register an assumed business name first unless the business uses the owners' real names. | Oregon Health Licensing Office, Board of Cosmetology | $140 application fee plus $155 license fee ($295 total) | Applyat oregon.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeRegistered Family Child Care license. A Registered Family Child Care home can care for up to 10 children in the provider's home. Apply to the Child Care Licensing Division at least 45 days before you plan to open. The license lasts two years. | Department of Early Learning and Care, Child Care Licensing Division | $30 application fee, not refundable | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Full On-Premises Sales or Limited On-Premises Sales license. Bars and restaurants get liquor licenses from the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. The yearly fee depends on the license type. | Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) | $800 a year (Full On-Premises Commercial) or $400 a year (Limited On-Premises) | Applyat oregon.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorCCB contractor license. Anyone paid to do construction work on real property, including handyman work, must be licensed by the Construction Contractors Board. The license lasts two years. | Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) | $400 for a two year license | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Cottage food exemption. You can sell certain foods made in your home kitchen without a food license or inspection, as long as yearly sales stay under the cap. An optional ID number lets you leave your home address off labels. | Oregon Department of Agriculture | No license needed; optional ID number costs $25 a year | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Oregon
- Oregon is one of 5 states with no state sales tax, so there is no state sales tax permit. Oregon does not have a general sales tax, so there is no state sales tax permit.
- At $100, the LLC filing fee is near the middle: 18 of 49 verified states charge less and 21 charge more.
- Business names (DBAs) are filed with the state, at the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division. At $50, the state DBA fee is among the highest: only 5 of 33 verified states charge more.
- Homemade food sales are capped at Under $52,700 a year. Of the 16 states where we verified a cap, 9 allow more.
- At $295, the salon or shop license fee is among the highest: only 4 of 36 verified states charge more.
- Annual Report (renewal): $100 a year. Every Oregon LLC files an Annual Report each year, by its anniversary date. The Secretary of State mails a notice about 50 days before, and you can file online yourself without paying extra.
Steps to start a business in Oregon
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 Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division ($100).
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 Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division.
No state sales tax permit
Oregon has no state sales tax. Ask your city or county about any local tax.
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 Oregon Employment Department.
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Oregon 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:
- Portland: the city, and Multnomah County. Business License Tax registration (portland.gov), City of Portland (portland.gov)
City rules and fees are not in our guide yet.
Questions about business licenses in Oregon
Do I need a business license in Oregon?
No. Oregon does not have a general state business license. Many jobs and business activities need a special state license, and your city or county may require its own license.
How much is a business license in Oregon?
There is no general state business license fee in Oregon. 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 Oregon?
The Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division charges $100 filing fee to file the Articles of Organization. To form an LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Corporation Division of the Oregon Secretary of State, online or by mail.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Oregon?
Annual Report (renewal): $100 a year. Every Oregon LLC files an Annual Report each year, by its anniversary date. The Secretary of State mails a notice about 50 days before, and you can file online yourself without paying extra.
Does an LLC need a business license in Oregon?
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 Oregon 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 Oregon?
No. Oregon does not have a general sales tax, so there is no state sales tax permit.
How much is a DBA in Oregon?
Assumed business names are registered with the state, at the Corporation Division of the Oregon Secretary of State. A registration lasts two years. Official fee: $50, good for 2 years.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Oregon?
You can sell certain foods made in your home kitchen without a food license or inspection, as long as yearly sales stay under the cap. An optional ID number lets you leave your home address off labels. Fee: No license needed; optional ID number costs $25 a year. Sales cap: Under $52,700 a year.
Do contractors need a state license in Oregon?
Anyone paid to do construction work on real property, including handyman work, must be licensed by the Construction Contractors Board. The license lasts two years. Official fee: $400 for a two year 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 Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Oregon Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Oregon Employment Department Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Oregon Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Oregon Health Licensing Office, Board of Cosmetology Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Department of Early Learning and Care, Child Care Licensing Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Oregon Construction Contractors Board (CCB) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Oregon Department of Agriculture Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Annual Report (renewal) Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026