How to Get a Business License in Nevada

Nevada State Business License

Nevada’s State Business License is a state-level license handled by the Secretary of State. Nevada law generally says a person may not conduct business in the state unless the person obtains a State Business License or qualifies for an exemption.

The Secretary of State currently lists the State Business License fee as $500 for corporations and $200 for all other business types. The license is renewed annually. For entities that file an annual list with the Secretary of State, the business-license renewal is handled with that annual-list filing.

This is different from forming an LLC. A Nevada LLC, corporation, or foreign entity filing is an entity filing. The State Business License is a licensing requirement. Many businesses need both, and many also need local licenses.

Nevada is also replacing the SilverFlume business portal through Project ORION. Because the Secretary of State says SilverFlume will be unavailable for a few days during the summer 2026 transition, use the current Secretary of State filing link rather than relying on an old bookmarked screen.

Who should check this

• Sole proprietors and independent contractors doing business in Nevada.
• Nevada LLCs, corporations, partnerships, nonprofits, and professional entities.
• Foreign businesses that operate in Nevada or have Nevada activity.
• Home-based businesses, unless an exemption applies and is properly claimed.
• Online businesses with a Nevada business location, Nevada operations, Nevada employees, or Nevada taxable activity.

Exemptions are not automatic for everyone

Nevada law includes several exemptions, but the home-based exemption is narrower than many people assume. State law excludes a person operating a business from home only when the statutory earnings test and other requirements are met. The Secretary of State’s exemption guidance also explains that the home-based exemption applies to a natural person operating individually, or a married couple operating jointly, from a Nevada residence.

A person claiming an exemption generally must file or renew the exemption as required by the Secretary of State. If you think you qualify, use the State Business License Exemption FAQ and do not assume that being home-based automatically removes the state-license requirement.

Nevada tax permits and accounts

The Nevada Department of Taxation says new businesses may need state tax permits after getting the State Business License. The main portal is My Nevada Tax.

2026 filing change: beginning with the January 2026 filing period, Nevada Sales and Use Tax returns and payments are due on the 20th day after the close of the taxable period. This is earlier than the old filing schedule, so update any calendar reminders or bookkeeping templates that still show the prior due date.

The Department of Taxation currently lists a $15 Sales Tax Permit fee for each Nevada business location. Nevada’s base state sales tax rate is 6.85%, and local taxes can raise the rate, so use the Department’s current county and location rate resources instead of copying a rate from another Nevada city.

Remote sellers and marketplace sellers

A remote seller without Nevada physical presence generally must register and collect Nevada sales or use tax when, in the previous or current calendar year, it has more than $100,000 in Nevada retail sales or 200 or more separate Nevada retail transactions. Marketplace rules can change who collects the tax, so check the Department of Taxation if some sales are direct and others go through a marketplace facilitator.

Commerce Tax threshold

Nevada’s Commerce Tax applies to businesses with Nevada gross revenue exceeding $4 million in a fiscal year. The return is generally due 45 days after the June 30 fiscal-year end. For the 2025-2026 Commerce Tax year, the Department lists August 14, 2026 as the due date. If that threshold may apply to you, check your filing status rather than assuming that having no Nevada individual income tax means there is no Nevada business tax.

Fictitious Firm Name filings in Nevada

Nevada commonly uses the term Fictitious Firm Name for what many people call a DBA. Clark County says a person doing business in Nevada under an assumed or fictitious name that is different from the legal name of each owner must file a certificate with the county clerk in each county where the business is conducted.

This is a county-level filing. It is not the same as forming an LLC, getting a State Business License, getting a sales tax permit, or registering a trademark.

• Use your county clerk’s official Fictitious Firm Name page.
• Check each county where the business is conducted.
• Use the legal owner name or legal entity name correctly.
• Keep a copy for local license applications, banking, and records.
• Ask the county clerk about renewals, notarization, and current filing fees.

City and county licenses still matter

After the Nevada state steps, check the local government where your business address is located and where you physically conduct business. In Nevada, this is especially important because a Las Vegas mailing address may not be inside the City of Las Vegas. It may be in Clark County, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Mesquite, or another jurisdiction.

What local offices often check

• Whether the address is inside that city or unincorporated county.
• Whether the zoning allows your business activity.
• Whether the building has the right certificate of occupancy or code status.
• Whether the business needs building, fire, health, police, or background review.
• Whether the business is a general, regulated, privileged, mobile, home-based, food, alcohol, gaming, cannabis, or short-term rental business.
• Whether you already have the Nevada State Business License, tax registration, fictitious firm name, and workers’ compensation paperwork.

Home-based and online businesses

A home-based or online business is still a business. In Nevada, you may need to check the State Business License or exemption, state tax registration, a Fictitious Firm Name filing, and local city or county rules.

Home-based businesses should check two things

1. State level: Confirm whether you need the Nevada State Business License or can properly claim an exemption.
2. Local level: Confirm whether your city or county requires a home occupation approval, home-based business license, zoning review, or other local approval.

Online sellers should not rely only on marketplace settings

Marketplace facilitators may collect Nevada sales tax in some situations. That does not automatically answer whether you need a Nevada State Business License, local home business approval, a Fictitious Firm Name, or tax registration for direct sales. Check your exact sales channels and Nevada activity.

Industry-specific Nevada licenses and permits

Some businesses need more than the State Business License and local business license. Nevada has many separate boards and agencies for regulated work.

If you hire workers in Nevada

Hiring employees adds more steps. These are not the same as a business license.

• Federal EIN: Check the IRS EIN rules if you hire employees, form a partnership or corporation, or need a federal tax ID.
• Nevada unemployment insurance: New employers subject to Nevada UI generally start at a 2.95% UI contribution rate. The 2026 taxable wage base is $43,700 per employee. Most employers also pay the separate 0.05% Career Enhancement Program assessment, subject to the state’s rate rules.
• Modified Business Tax: For most general-business employers, the current MBT rate is 1.17% on taxable wages after the first $50,000 of wages in a calendar quarter and permitted health-benefit deductions. Nevada says employers must file the quarterly return even when no MBT is due.
• Minimum wage: Nevada’s statewide minimum wage is $12.00 per hour. Industry, overtime, collective bargaining, or federal rules can still change what a particular worker must be paid.
• New hire reporting: Nevada says newly hired employees, and employees rehired after at least 60 consecutive days of separation, must generally be reported within 20 days.
• Workers’ compensation: Nevada says that, unless a statutory exclusion applies, an employer with one or more employees must provide workers’ compensation coverage. Local license offices may ask for a workers’ compensation affirmation or exemption statement.

Nevada city and county starting points

Use the local office for the exact address or work location. If you are in Southern Nevada, verify whether the address is inside a city or in unincorporated Clark County before you apply.