Here's what you need in Pennsylvania
Official state business portal: PA Business One-Stop Shop. The PA Business One-Stop Shop guides you through planning, registering, operating and growing a business, and its Business Hub builds a registration checklist for you.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNo general state business license. Pennsylvania has no general business license that every business must get. Some business activities need a special state license, and your municipality may require local licenses. | PA Business One-Stop Shop | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCCertificate of Organization. To form an LLC, file a Certificate of Organization with the Pennsylvania Department of State, online through Business Filing Services. | Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations | $125 filing fee | Applyat file.dos.pa.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Fictitious Name registration. Fictitious names are registered at the state level with the Pennsylvania Department of State, not with the county. | Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations | $70 filing fee | Applyat file.dos.pa.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitSales Tax License. If you sell anything that is subject to sales tax, get a sales tax license by completing the online business tax registration in myPATH. There is no fee. | Pennsylvania Department of Revenue | Free | Applyat mypath.pa.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment Compensation (UC) tax account. All employers with one or more workers must register with the Office of UC Tax Services. New employers must register within 30 days after work covered by the law first starts. | Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of UC Tax Services | You pay tax on wages | Applyat mypath.pa.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 Pennsylvania pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Report (DSCB:15-146)Every LLC files an Annual Report with the Department of State each year, starting in 2025. LLCs file between January 1 and September 30, online at file.dos.pa.gov. | Pennsylvania Department of State | $7 a year | Applyat file.dos.pa.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 salon license. A cosmetology salon or limited practice salon, such as a nail salon, needs a salon license from the State Board of Cosmetology. The fee is set in the Pennsylvania Code. | Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology | $142 application fee | Applyat pals.pa.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeFamily child care home certificate of compliance. A family child care home cares for 4 to 6 children who are not related to the caregiver, in a home. It must have a certificate of compliance (license) from the Department of Human Services, and you must attend an orientation first. | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Liquor license. Bars and restaurants get liquor licenses from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The yearly fee depends on the license type and the population of the municipality. | Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) | $125 to $700 a year, by license type and town size | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorHome Improvement Contractor registration. Contractors who do at least a set amount of home improvement work each year must register with the Attorney General's Office. The registration must be renewed every two years. | Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General | $100 every two years | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Limited Food Establishment registration. You can make shelf stable foods such as baked goods, jams and candy in a home kitchen if you register it as a Limited Food Establishment. The department inspects the kitchen, and you may need other licenses to sell at events or farmers markets. | Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture | $35 to register, $35 each year to renew | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Pennsylvania
- 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): Fictitious names are registered at the state level with the Pennsylvania Department of State, not with the county.
- Home food sellers need the Limited Food Establishment registration ($35 to register, $35 each year to renew).
- Contractor licensing in Pennsylvania: Contractors who do at least a set amount of home improvement work each year must register with the Attorney General's Office. The registration must be renewed every two years.
- At $142, the salon or shop license fee is near the middle: 19 of 36 verified states charge less and 15 charge more.
- Annual Report (DSCB:15-146): $7 a year. Every LLC files an Annual Report with the Department of State each year, starting in 2025. LLCs file between January 1 and September 30, online at file.dos.pa.gov.
Steps to start a business in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations ($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 Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of UC Tax Services.
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Pennsylvania 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:
- Philadelphia: the combined City and County of Philadelphia. Business licenses (Commercial Activity License and others) (phila.gov), City of Philadelphia (phila.gov)
- Pittsburgh: the city, and Allegheny County. City of Pittsburgh (pittsburghpa.gov)
City rules and fees are not in our guide yet.
Questions about business licenses in Pennsylvania
Do I need a business license in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania has no general business license that every business must get. Some business activities need a special state license, and your municipality may require local licenses.
How much is a business license in Pennsylvania?
There is no general state business license fee in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations charges $125 filing fee to file the Certificate of Organization. To form an LLC, file a Certificate of Organization with the Pennsylvania Department of State, online through Business Filing Services.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Pennsylvania?
Annual Report (DSCB:15-146): $7 a year. Every LLC files an Annual Report with the Department of State each year, starting in 2025. LLCs file between January 1 and September 30, online at file.dos.pa.gov.
Does an LLC need a business license in Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. If you sell anything that is subject to sales tax, get a sales tax license by completing the online business tax registration in myPATH. There is no fee. Official fee: Free.
How much is a DBA in Pennsylvania?
Fictitious names are registered at the state level with the Pennsylvania Department of State, not with the county. Official fee: $70 filing fee.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Pennsylvania?
You can make shelf stable foods such as baked goods, jams and candy in a home kitchen if you register it as a Limited Food Establishment. The department inspects the kitchen, and you may need other licenses to sell at events or farmers markets. Fee: $35 to register, $35 each year to renew.
Do contractors need a state license in Pennsylvania?
Contractors who do at least a set amount of home improvement work each year must register with the Attorney General's Office. The registration must be renewed every two years. Official fee: $100 every two years.
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 PA Business One-Stop Shop Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, Office of UC Tax Services Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Annual Report (DSCB:15-146) Pennsylvania Department of State Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026