New Hampshire Business License

Want to launch a new business in New Hampshire? It’s good to be informed about state and local laws & regulations before starting your business. We will cover topics such as: how to register your business and be licensed, the necessity of obtaining a business license in New Hampshire, the requirements, expenses you will likely spend when forming your business, and more.

Does NH require a business license?

The requirements of licensure for your business will depend on the scope of the work and the location. There is no general state-level business license in New Hampshire that would apply to every business operating in the state. However, there are certain licenses/permits that NM State issues base on the nature of your business:

• Environmental permits
• Food services licensing
• Meals & rentals tax license
• A license to sell alcoholic beverages

To learn more about the business-related licensing, requirements, and tax information you can visit the New Hampshire official website.

Aside from the above-mentioned licenses and permits that New Hampshire provides there are also occupational licenses for certain professionals and trades. The most common occupations that require state licensing in New Hampshire to practice the specific profession are as follows:

• Accountants
• Attorneys
• Architects
• Dentists
• Engineers
• Nurses
• Veterinarians
• Physicians
• And more

To acquire the full list of professions that require licensing visit the Licensed, Certified, and Registered Occupations Index section on the New Hampshire Employment Security website. Additionally, if your business is in industries such as daycare, food establishments, auto recyclers, and more you should obtain a license.

Depending on the location, there may also be zoning requirements that you should meet. Keep in mind that NM occupational licenses shouldn’t be referred to as business licenses. There can be both occupational licensing and local business licensing requirements when establishing your company.

How do I register a business in NH?

Prior to the license application, you should register your business in the state. Here, we have outlined the main steps you will go through when forming your business in New Hampshire:

1. Name your business. Let’s say you chose your business structure as LLC when forming your business you should include the phrase limited liability company or its abbreviations such as LLC or L.L.C along with the name. The name shouldn’t be used and to check the uniqueness of it utilize the business search option through New Hampshire’s QuickStart website 
2. Assign a registered agent or registered agent service. A registered agent will receive tax forms or legal documents on behalf of your company.
3. Obtain EIN from IRS. The Employer Identification number is basically the social security number of your business that will identify your business for tax purposes.
4. Form your legal entity. For instance, to register your LLC business you must file the Certificate of Formation with the New Hampshire Department of State. You can either file online or download the form fill out and along with the $100 filing fee mail it to the following address: Corporation Division, NH Dept. of State, 107 N Main St, Rm 204, Concord, NH 03301

How much is a business license in NH?

As there are numerous types of licenses and permits issued depending on the location and the nature of the business, the costs will greatly vary from city to city. To find out the cost of obtaining a certain license or its renewal you should reach out to your local municipality.

What constitutes doing business in New Hampshire?

Businesses that have been formed outside of New Hampshire should register their foreign business with the state if they are “doing business”. Foreign businesses should have a physical presence in New Hampshire which means having one of the followings:

• A warehouse in NH
• A store in NH
• An office in NH or
• A sales representative in NH