Here's what you need in Virginia
Official state business portal: Virginia Business One Stop. The state's online one stop for entrepreneurs to plan, develop and expand a business, with all the steps organized in one place.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNo general state business license. The State Corporation Commission does not issue business licenses. Most businesses need a local business license from the city or county where they operate, and some business types also need an industry license or permit. | Your city or county (Commissioner of the Revenue) | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization (Form LLC1011). File Articles of Organization with the State Corporation Commission, online or on paper. | Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) | $100 filing fee | Applyat cis.scc.virginia.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name. If you do business under a name other than your own or your company's legal name, file a Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name with the State Corporation Commission. Individuals and companies use separate forms. | Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) | $10 filing fee | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitSales Tax Certificate of Registration (Form ST-4). Businesses that sell taxable goods must register with Virginia Tax to collect sales tax. You get a sales tax account number and a certificate to display at your location. | Virginia Department of Taxation | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Applyat tax.virginia.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Employer registration for unemployment insurance tax. If your business has employees in Virginia, register with the Virginia Employment Commission to find out if you owe state unemployment tax. Registering online through iFile/iReg is fastest. | Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) | You pay tax on wages | Applyat vec.virginia.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 Virginia pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Registration FeeEvery Virginia LLC pays an annual registration fee to the State Corporation Commission each year. It is due by the last day of the month the LLC was formed. | Virginia State Corporation Commission | $50 a year | Applyat scc.virginia.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 salonSalon, Shop and Spa License (Barber Shop, Cosmetology Salon, Nail Salon). Barber shops, cosmetology salons, nail salons, esthetics spas and similar shops apply for a salon, shop or spa license from the Board for Barbers and Cosmetology. The application fee is charged for each license type. | Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (DPOR) | $234.50 application fee | Applyat dpor.virginia.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeLicensed Home-Based Child Care. A license is required when you care for 5 to 12 children in your home, not counting your own children or children who live there. Smaller homes can register voluntarily. | Virginia Department of Education, Office of Child Care Health and Safety | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Mixed Beverage Restaurant license. Restaurants that serve mixed drinks, wine and beer need a Mixed Beverage Restaurant license from Virginia ABC. The state fee depends on the number of seats, and local license fees also apply. | Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) | $1,050 to $3,100, by number of seats | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorContractor license (Class A, B or C). Contractor businesses need a Class A, B or C license from the Board for Contractors. You must also meet the local licensing rules of each city, town or county where you work. | Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) | $274.50 for Class C, $419.50 for Class B, $439.50 for Class A | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Home Food Processing Exemption. You can make low risk foods such as baked goods, candies and jams in your own home without a permit or inspection, and sell them in Virginia directly to people for their own use. You cannot sell to stores, restaurants or across state lines, and acidified vegetables have a yearly sales limit. | Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) | No permit or inspection fee | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Virginia
- 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 Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC). At $10, the state DBA fee is among the lowest: only 3 of 33 verified states charge less.
- At $234.50, the salon or shop license fee is among the highest: only 6 of 36 verified states charge more.
- Annual Registration Fee: $50 a year. Every Virginia LLC pays an annual registration fee to the State Corporation Commission each year. It is due by the last day of the month the LLC was formed.
Steps to start a business in Virginia
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization (Form LLC1011) with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) ($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 Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC).
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Virginia Department of Taxation 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 Virginia Employment Commission (VEC).
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Virginia 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.
Questions about business licenses in Virginia
Do I need a business license in Virginia?
No. The State Corporation Commission does not issue business licenses. Most businesses need a local business license from the city or county where they operate, and some business types also need an industry license or permit.
How much is a business license in Virginia?
There is no general state business license fee in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) charges $100 filing fee to file the Articles of Organization (Form LLC1011). File Articles of Organization with the State Corporation Commission, online or on paper.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Virginia?
Annual Registration Fee: $50 a year. Every Virginia LLC pays an annual registration fee to the State Corporation Commission each year. It is due by the last day of the month the LLC was formed.
Does an LLC need a business license in Virginia?
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 Virginia 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 Virginia?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. Businesses that sell taxable goods must register with Virginia Tax to collect sales tax. You get a sales tax account number and a certificate to display at your location.
How much is a DBA in Virginia?
If you do business under a name other than your own or your company's legal name, file a Certificate of Assumed or Fictitious Name with the State Corporation Commission. Individuals and companies use separate forms. Official fee: $10 filing fee.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Virginia?
You can make low risk foods such as baked goods, candies and jams in your own home without a permit or inspection, and sell them in Virginia directly to people for their own use. You cannot sell to stores, restaurants or across state lines, and acidified vegetables have a yearly sales limit. Fee: No permit or inspection fee.
Do contractors need a state license in Virginia?
Contractor businesses need a Class A, B or C license from the Board for Contractors. You must also meet the local licensing rules of each city, town or county where you work. Official fee: $274.50 for Class C, $419.50 for Class B, $439.50 for Class A.
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 Your city or county (Commissioner of the Revenue) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Virginia Department of Taxation Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology (DPOR) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Virginia Department of Education, Office of Child Care Health and Safety Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Virginia Board for Contractors (DPOR) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Annual Registration Fee Virginia State Corporation Commission Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026