New Jersey business licensing guide
Last updated: August 17, 2026
New Jersey business licensing is not one single step. Most businesses need to handle state registration first, then check state tax accounts, industry licenses, and local city or township approvals.
This guide explains the New Jersey layers in plain English so you can see what to check before you open, sell, hire, sign a lease, or work from home.
The short answer
New Jersey does not route every business through one single statewide general business license application. The official state path starts with business registration and tax or employer registration. Then you check whether your activity needs a state license, a county filing, or a city or township approval.
For many small businesses, the practical order is: choose a structure, check the name, form or register the business if needed, complete New Jersey tax and employer registration through NJ-REG, then confirm local zoning, occupancy, health, fire, and business license rules before opening.
The local step matters. New Jersey’s own licensing guide says municipal and county rules are not covered by the state guide and tells businesses to contact the county clerk and the municipality where they are or will be located.
Quick start: what most New Jersey businesses should check first
- Decide your structure. A sole proprietor, general partnership, LLC, corporation, limited partnership, and LLP do not all file the same way.
- Check the name rules. LLCs and corporations check name availability with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury. Sole proprietors and general partnerships using a business name usually check county trade name rules.
- Get an EIN if needed. An EIN is federal. Get it directly from the IRS if your business needs one for hiring, banking, tax filing, or state registration.
- Form or authorize the entity if needed. LLCs, corporations, LPs, and LLPs generally file formation or authorization documents with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
- Register for New Jersey tax and employer purposes. New Jersey uses NJ-REG through the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
- Check sales tax before selling. If you sell taxable goods or taxable services, you may need a Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax.
- Check the local office before opening. Ask the city, township, borough, or county about zoning, certificate of occupancy, local business licenses, health permits, fire permits, signs, and home occupation rules.
- Check your industry. Food, alcohol, cannabis, construction, childcare, cosmetology, motor vehicle work, health care, professional services, and many other activities may need special state or local approval.
Important New Jersey business updates for 2026
If you used an older checklist or saved an old fee page, these are the current points most worth knowing.
- New Jersey’s current filing fees are still straightforward for many small entities. The Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services lists $100 for a New Jersey LLC certificate of formation and $75 for an LLC annual report. Most for-profit corporations, LPs, LLPs, and LLCs also have a $75 annual report fee. Check the current DORES fee schedule before filing.
- File NJ-REG before you start operating. The Division of Taxation says businesses must complete NJ-REG at least 15 business days before doing business in New Jersey or opening another place of business. See Doing Business in New Jersey.
- New Jersey Sales Tax remains 6.625%. Remote sellers without physical presence generally must register when New Jersey sales exceed $100,000 or they make 200 or more separate New Jersey transactions in the current or prior calendar year. Check the remote seller rules.
- 2026 employer numbers changed. The statewide minimum wage is $15.92 per hour for most workers, and the 2026 employer-side taxable wage base for unemployment insurance, workforce funds, and employer temporary disability contributions is $44,800. Use the current employer rate page.
- Worker-classification guidance changed in 2026. New Jersey Labor adopted regulations in May 2026 that clarify the state’s ABC test for deciding whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor. Review the 2026 worker-classification update before relying only on a contractor agreement or 1099 label.
- Federal BOI reporting changed again in August 2026. U.S.-created companies are exempt from federal Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Certain foreign companies registered to do business in the United States may still have reporting duties. Check FinCEN’s current BOI guidance.
- New Jersey’s online startup system is handling a growing share of formations. The state reported that more than 83,000 businesses had formed through Business.NJ.gov as of April 2026. That is a portal-use statistic, not a count of every active New Jersey business or local license. See the state Business.NJ.gov project update.
New Jersey facts box
| Question | New Jersey answer |
|---|---|
| Is there one statewide general business license? | New Jersey’s official start path is registration, tax setup, and activity-based licensing. Do not look for one universal state license that covers every business. Still check state industry rules and local rules. |
| Main state business portal | Business.NJ.gov and the state’s personalized business guide tools. |
| Entity filing office | New Jersey Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, often shortened to DORES. The current fee schedule lists $100 to form a New Jersey LLC. |
| Tax and employer registration | NJ-REG, the Business Registration Application for tax and employer purposes. |
| Sales tax document | Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax, if you register to collect New Jersey sales tax. |
| Annual report | Most registered New Jersey entities file an annual report. The current fee is $75 for LLCs and most for-profit corporations, LPs, and LLPs; nonprofit corporations currently pay $30. The report is generally due by the last day of the entity’s formation-anniversary month. |
| LLC/corporation alternate operating name | New Jersey calls this an alternate name for many registered entities. |
| Sole proprietor or general partnership business name | If you are not using your personal legal name, check trade name filing with the county clerk where the business is located. |
| Local layer | City, township, borough, county, zoning, health, fire, building, occupancy, and local licensing rules can still apply. |
Do not mix up the government layers
A New Jersey business can be fully registered with the state and still need local approval. It can also have a local license and still need a state activity license. Use the table below to keep the layers separate.
| Layer | What it may handle | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Federal | EIN, federal taxes, certain federal licenses for regulated activities, federal employer rules, and BOI reporting for certain foreign reporting companies. | IRS EIN information, FinCEN BOI guidance, and the relevant federal agency for regulated work. U.S.-created companies are exempt from BOI reporting under FinCEN’s August 2026 final rule. |
| State of New Jersey | Entity formation, New Jersey tax registration, sales tax authority, employer registration, professional licenses, regulated business licenses. | Business.NJ.gov registration guide and DORES. |
| County | Trade names for sole proprietors and general partnerships, some health or local records, and county-specific offices. | Your county clerk and, for food or health issues, the local health department. |
| City, township, or borough | Zoning, certificate of occupancy, local business license or mercantile license, construction, fire, signs, outdoor dining, vending, and local health approvals. | Your municipality’s clerk, zoning office, building department, health department, or business licensing office. |
| Private platforms | Marketplace seller rules, payment processor rules, landlord lease rules, insurance rules, and platform verification. | Your platform, landlord, insurer, or payment provider. These do not replace government approvals. |
Important: A New Jersey LLC is not the same thing as a business license. An EIN is not a business license. NJ-REG is a tax and employer registration. A certificate of occupancy is a local building or zoning clearance. Use the real name of the item you need.
State registration and NJ-REG
New Jersey says all companies doing business in the state need to register with the state. The exact path depends on your structure.
Entity formation or authorization
If you are forming an LLC, corporation, limited partnership, or LLP in New Jersey, you generally use the state’s online business formation process through the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
The DORES fee schedule updated July 1, 2026 lists a $100 certificate of formation fee for a New Jersey LLC and $100 for many other for-profit formation or authorization filings. Nonprofit and specialized filings can use different fees.
If your business was formed in another state and will do business in New Jersey, check New Jersey’s out-of-state business registration rules before operating.
NJ-REG for tax and employer purposes
If you are doing business in New Jersey, you use NJ-REG to register for tax purposes with DORES. NJ-REG asks for information the state uses to identify your tax and employer responsibilities.
The New Jersey Division of Taxation says to complete NJ-REG at least 15 business days before doing business or opening an additional place of business in New Jersey. This timing matters even if you already formed the LLC or corporation.
New Jersey’s tax registration page says common tax areas include income tax, sales and use tax, and payroll taxes or wage withholding if you have employees.
Business Registration Certificate is not a general license
After NJ-REG, your business registration records can include a New Jersey Tax ID and a Business Registration Certificate. Do not confuse the certificate with a general business license.
New Jersey DORES explains that the Business Registration Certificate is specifically used as proof of valid registration for public contracting and is required in certain public-sector and casino-service contexts. DORES also notes that the certificate itself is not required for every New Jersey business. It is not the same thing as a local license, zoning approval, or industry permit.
Annual reports
Most registered New Jersey entities have ongoing annual report duties with DORES. Business.NJ.gov says the report is generally due each year by the last day of the month in which the business was formed.
The current DORES fee schedule lists $75 for the annual report of an LLC, LLP, and most for-profit corporations and limited partnerships. Nonprofit corporations currently pay $30. Calendar the anniversary month because failure to keep reports current can affect the entity’s status.
| Item | What it is | Handled by |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Formation or similar entity filing | Creates or authorizes certain legal entities such as LLCs and corporations. | New Jersey DORES. |
| EIN | Federal tax ID from the IRS. Often needed for hiring, banking, tax filing, and state registration. | IRS. |
| NJ-REG | New Jersey tax and employer registration application. | New Jersey DORES. |
| Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax | State authorization to collect New Jersey sales tax when your taxable sales require it. | New Jersey through NJ-REG and tax registration. |
| Local license or occupancy approval | City, township, borough, zoning, health, fire, building, or other local approval. | Your municipality, county, or local department. |
Business names, alternate names, and trade names in New Jersey
New Jersey name rules depend on your business structure. This is one place where state-specific terminology matters.
LLCs, corporations, LPs, and LLPs
If you are an LLC, C corporation, S corporation, limited partnership, or LLP, New Jersey says you should check whether the business name is available with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury. You normally reserve or register the name as part of the state formation process.
Alternate names for registered entities
After a New Jersey business entity is established or authorized, it may be able to operate under an alternate name once that alternate name is registered. New Jersey’s DORES alternate-name page says this applies to profit and nonprofit corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships.
DORES says an alternate name registration does not provide exclusive rights to the name. The current registration fee is $50, and the registration is effective for five years and can be renewed for additional five-year periods. Register the alternate name before using it because the state can assess additional filing charges for prior unregistered use.
Sole proprietors and general partnerships
If you are a sole proprietor or general partnership and do not want to use your personal legal name as the business name, New Jersey’s business registration guide points you to the local county clerk’s office. This is often called a trade name filing.
Practical tip: A name filing does not prove that you meet zoning, health, sales tax, or professional license rules. Treat it as one piece of the setup process, not permission to open.
Sales tax, seller setup, and resale certificates
New Jersey does not usually call this a “seller’s permit” in the same way some other states do. The state language to know is Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax.
New Jersey’s statewide Sales Tax rate is currently 6.625% on most taxable tangible personal property, specified digital products, and certain services unless an exemption applies.
If your business sells taxable goods or taxable services in New Jersey, you must identify that you will collect sales tax on NJ-REG. If the registration applies, you receive a Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax. New Jersey says this document must be displayed at the business location or selling location.
New Jersey also says businesses that register for sales and use tax can issue and receive New Jersey Sales Tax Exemption Certificates when the rules allow it. A resale certificate is not a shortcut around sales tax. It is for qualified resale purchases, and the later retail sale may still be taxable.
Online sellers and marketplace sellers
Online sales still need a sales tax check. New Jersey says a remote seller without physical presence has economic nexus if gross revenue from covered sales delivered into New Jersey exceeds $100,000 or the seller makes 200 or more separate New Jersey transactions during the current or prior calendar year.
Marketplace facilitators have separate collection duties. A seller whose sales are entirely through a marketplace may have different collection responsibilities, but that does not automatically remove every New Jersey registration, income tax, employer, licensing, or local obligation. Check the current remote seller guidance and your marketplace setup.
If you hire workers in New Jersey
Hiring adds another layer. New Jersey employers may need wage withholding, unemployment insurance, temporary disability insurance, new-hire reporting, workers’ compensation, wage reporting, worker classification review, labor posters, and other employer obligations.
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development says the Division of Employer Accounts handles employer contributions to the state’s unemployment and disability insurance programs. The Department also says businesses should register with DORES before using Employer Accounts services.
For 2026, New Jersey’s statewide minimum wage is $15.92 per hour for most workers. Different rates apply to some seasonal, small-employer, agricultural, tipped, and long-term-care situations, so use the current Wage and Hour page for your category.
The 2026 taxable wage base for employer unemployment insurance, workforce funds, and employer temporary disability contributions is $44,800. For July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, the state new-employer table lists a 2.6825% unemployment insurance component, plus separate disability and workforce-fund contributions. Experienced employers receive their own assigned rates through Employer Access.
New hires and rehires generally must be reported to New Jersey’s new-hire system within 20 days of the hire date.
Workers’ compensation is also a separate employer requirement. New Jersey Labor says employers not covered by federal programs generally must maintain workers’ compensation coverage or be approved for self-insurance, with entity-specific details for owners, partners, LLC members, and people performing services.
Worker classification is a common risk area in New Jersey. In May 2026, NJDOL adopted regulations that clarify the state’s ABC test. In general, a worker is treated as an employee unless the required ABC test conditions are met. This can affect payroll taxes, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, wage rules, and other duties.
Do not guess on contractors. Calling someone a contractor, paying them on a 1099, or using a contractor agreement does not by itself decide their status. Review the 2026 NJDOL worker-classification guidance if the line between employee and contractor is not clear.
Industry licenses and regulated work
Many New Jersey businesses do not need one general state license, but they may need a state license, certification, or registration because of what they do.
The New Jersey License and Certification Guide says occupations and business activities often require some form of registration, license, or certification by the State of New Jersey. It also warns that the state guide is advisory and does not cover municipal or county rules.
Examples that often need special checks
- Restaurants, retail food, catering, mobile food, and cottage food.
- Alcohol sales.
- Cannabis businesses.
- Home improvement contractors and some construction-related work.
- Cosmetology, barbering, massage, health, and personal care services.
- Childcare, youth programs, and regulated care services.
- Motor vehicle dealers, auto body, repair, towing, and similar vehicle businesses.
- Real estate, accounting, engineering, architecture, legal, medical, and other professional services.
- Employment agencies and other regulated businesses handled by the Division of Consumer Affairs.
Use New Jersey’s licensing guide and the relevant board or agency page. For professional and occupational licenses, start with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. For food, start with the state health resources and your local health department. For construction or occupancy, start with your local building department and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs when state construction code issues apply.
Home improvement contractors: New Jersey Consumer Affairs maintains a separate Home Improvement Contractor registration program. The 2026 renewal page lists a $90 renewal fee, with a $25 late fee when applicable. Do not confuse that registration with local construction permits, trade licenses, or the separate Banking and Insurance license that can apply to financed home-repair contracts.
City, township, zoning, and home-based rules
New Jersey is local-government heavy. Your city, township, or borough may require a local license, mercantile license, zoning approval, certificate of occupancy, fire inspection, health permit, signage permit, outdoor dining approval, vending permit, or short-term rental approval.
Check before you sign a lease
Before signing a lease or spending money on buildout, ask whether your exact use is allowed at the address. A landlord saying “business use is fine” is not the same as zoning approval.
Certificate of occupancy and continued occupancy
Many New Jersey municipalities use some form of certificate of occupancy, continued certificate of occupancy, zoning certificate, or use approval before a business can operate from a space. The exact name and process vary by city.
For example, Jersey City’s official business page tells business owners to check zoning for the desired location and says a zoning determination letter may be used if the owner is unsure. Jersey City’s online permitting page also lists zoning, construction code, commerce business license applications, housing registrations, and other applications in its permitting system.
Home-based businesses
A home-based business may still need local zoning approval. It may also face limits on customers, employees, signage, storage, parking, deliveries, noise, food handling, hazardous materials, or commercial vehicles.
Food from home is a special area. New Jersey has a Cottage Food Operator program for certain allowed foods, but the state health page tells businesses to contact the local health department for hot or refrigerated food, catering, food carts, food trucks, retail food establishments, and similar activities.
Local rules can block a business even after state registration. State registration does not prove that your address is zoned for your use, that your building can be occupied, or that your city has approved local licensing.
New Jersey city guides on BusinessLicenseGuide
Use a city guide when BusinessLicenseGuide has one for your location. If your city is not listed, use the same order: state registration first, then local zoning, occupancy, health, fire, and licensing checks with your municipality.
Official local examples
Newark’s current online business portal lets businesses apply for and renew local licenses and review the requirements for the specific license type. Newark also says a city business license is required to open and operate a business in the city; for example, its retail license process calls for items such as a certificate of occupancy, Business Registration Certificate, zoning approval, and fire certificate.
Jersey City tells businesses to check zoning before signing a lease. Its current permitting portal handles zoning, construction, commerce business licenses, and related applications. A new certificate of occupancy may be required when a tenant fit-out changes the approved use, while the city says a new CO is not required simply because the business changes when there was no major renovation and the use stays the same.
What to ask when you contact the agency
Use this when you are not sure which office handles your situation. Before calling or emailing, have your business type, location, structure, products or services, and opening plan ready.
Phone or email script
Hello. I am planning to operate a [business type] in [city or township], [county], New Jersey. The business will be [home-based / mobile / storefront / online] and will sell or provide [products or services]. I am trying to confirm which approvals apply before I open. Can you tell me whether I need a local business license, mercantile license, zoning approval, certificate of occupancy, health permit, fire permit, sign permit, or another city, county, or state approval? If your office does not handle this, which office should I contact next?
Ask for the official application page, the exact name of the approval, the department name, and whether you need approval before signing a lease, selling, hiring, or opening to customers.
- Write down the agency name and department.
- Write down the person’s name or reference number if provided.
- Write down the exact license, permit, registration, or approval name.
- Ask whether the rule is state, county, or municipal.
- Ask whether zoning must be approved before applying for the license.
- Ask whether an inspection is required before opening.
- Ask for the official application link and fee page.
- Ask whether the approval must be renewed.
Common New Jersey mistakes to avoid
- Assuming an LLC is a license. An LLC is a legal structure. It does not replace NJ-REG, sales tax registration, zoning, or local permits.
- Skipping NJ-REG. New Jersey says businesses doing business in the state must complete the Business Registration Application for tax and employer purposes.
- Using “DBA” for every name filing. New Jersey uses alternate names for many registered entities and county trade names for many sole proprietors and general partnerships.
- Opening before zoning is cleared. A business address may not be allowed for your use, even if the landlord is willing to rent it.
- Forgetting the local health department. Food, catering, mobile food, and some home food operations often need local health review.
- Treating a marketplace as full compliance. A marketplace may collect sales tax in some cases, but that does not cover every license, zoning, product, or employer rule.
- Misclassifying workers. New Jersey’s ABC test can make worker classification stricter than a casual contractor agreement.
- Relying on old fee amounts. New Jersey and municipal fees can change. Always confirm current fees on the official fee page before filing.
- Forgetting the annual report. Most registered New Jersey entities have a yearly DORES report. For many for-profit entities the current fee is $75, and the due date is tied to the formation-anniversary month.
Official New Jersey agency directory
Use official sources first. If a page conflicts with a blog, ad, filing company, or old checklist, use the official agency page or contact the agency directly.
| Need | Official starting point | What to use it for |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey startup guide | Business.NJ.gov | State business roadmap, personalized guide, business registration, permits, and agency routing. |
| Business formation and state registration | New Jersey Online Business Entity Filing | Form or authorize an LLC, corporation, limited partnership, LLP, or other eligible entity. |
| Tax and employer registration | Online Tax and Employer Registration | NJ-REG for tax and employer purposes. |
| New Jersey tax guidance | NJ Division of Taxation: Doing Business in New Jersey | Business Registration Application, sales and use tax, employer taxes, and state tax links. |
| Business name search | New Jersey Business Name Search | Check entity name availability for state-registered entities. |
| Alternate name filing | DORES Alternate Names | Register an alternate name for many existing New Jersey entities. |
| State license and certification search | New Jersey License and Certification Guide | Find state-level licenses, certifications, and agency contacts by occupation or activity. |
| Professional and regulated business licenses | New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs | Professional boards, regulated businesses, license searches, and online licensing portals. |
| Employer accounts | New Jersey Division of Employer Accounts | Unemployment and disability insurance contributions, employer access, NJ-927, WR-30, and employer guidance. |
| 2026 wage and employer contribution figures | NJDOL Rate Information | 2026 taxable wage bases, new-employer contribution rates, quarterly reporting dates, and Employer Access rate notices. |
| Workers’ compensation | NJDOL Workers’ Compensation Employer Requirements | Coverage and self-insurance requirements for New Jersey employers. |
| Cottage food and local health routing | New Jersey Cottage Food Operator program | Allowed cottage food path and reminders to contact local health departments for food activities outside cottage food. |
| Newark local licensing example | City of Newark business page | Newark business license, renewal, fire, trade waste, and local business portal routing. |
| Jersey City local licensing example | Jersey City online permitting and licensing | Jersey City zoning, construction, commerce business license, and other local applications. |
What to do today
- Write down your exact business activity, address, city or township, county, structure, and whether you will sell taxable goods or services.
- Use Business.NJ.gov to build a state-specific starter path for your business.
- Check whether your structure needs state formation or authorization through DORES.
- Complete NJ-REG at least 15 business days before doing business or opening another New Jersey location, unless the state gives you different instructions for your situation.
- Contact your municipality before opening, signing a lease, building out, selling food, hiring employees, or operating from home.
- Check the New Jersey License and Certification Guide and the relevant board or department for your activity.
- Save copies of confirmations, certificates, permits, approvals, and agency emails in one folder.
Official sources used
- Business.NJ.gov: Register Your Business
- Business.NJ.gov: Register for Taxes
- Business.NJ.gov: Licensing and Certification Guide
- NJ Division of Taxation: Doing Business in New Jersey
- New Jersey Online Tax and Employer Registration
- New Jersey Online Business Entity Filing
- DORES: Alternate Names
- DORES: Registry Fee Schedules
- DORES: Business Registration Certificate
- NJ Division of Taxation: Sales and Use Tax
- NJ Division of Taxation: Remote Sellers
- New Jersey Division of Employer Accounts
- NJDOL: Employer Contribution Rates and 2026 Wage Bases
- NJDOL: Wage and Hour Compliance
- NJDOL: Workers’ Compensation Employer Requirements
- NJDOL: 2026 Worker Classification Regulations
- New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
- New Jersey Consumer Affairs: Home Improvement Contractors
- City of Newark: Business
- Jersey City: Businesses
- State of New Jersey: Business.NJ.gov project update
- FinCEN: Beneficial Ownership Information
- IRS: Employer Identification Number
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FAQ
Does New Jersey have one statewide general business license?
New Jersey does not route every business through one single statewide general business license application. Most businesses start with state business registration and NJ-REG tax or employer registration, then add state activity licenses and local city or township approvals if they apply.
What is NJ-REG?
NJ-REG is New Jersey’s Business Registration Application for tax and employer purposes. A business doing business in New Jersey uses it to register with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, identify tax responsibilities, and, when applicable, get authority to collect sales tax. The Division of Taxation says to complete NJ-REG at least 15 business days before doing business or opening another New Jersey location.
Do I need a New Jersey sales tax certificate?
You may need a Certificate of Authority to Collect Sales Tax if you sell taxable goods or taxable services in New Jersey. The statewide Sales Tax rate is currently 6.625%. Remote sellers without physical presence should also check New Jersey’s $100,000-or-200-transaction economic nexus thresholds. If your business is not making taxable sales, you may still need other state or local registrations.
Where do I file a DBA or trade name in New Jersey?
New Jersey uses different terms depending on the business type. Registered entities such as LLCs and corporations use an alternate name filing with the state. Sole proprietors and general partnerships usually register a trade name with the county clerk where the business is located.
Do home-based businesses in New Jersey need local approval?
They may. A home-based business may still need local zoning approval, a home occupation approval, a certificate of occupancy or similar local clearance, and any health, fire, or industry permit that applies to the activity.
What should I do first before applying for licenses?
Start by choosing your business structure and location, then check your business name path, get an EIN if needed, register with New Jersey for tax and employer purposes, and contact the city or township before signing a lease or opening.
Update note
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Next review: November 17, 2026
This guide was reviewed against current New Jersey Treasury, Division of Taxation, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Business.NJ.gov, Consumer Affairs, Newark, Jersey City, and federal sources. Fees, tax thresholds, employer rates, forms, portals, and local procedures can change, so use the official links in the section that applies to you before you file, pay, hire, sign a lease, or open.
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only. It is not legal, tax, financial, insurance, immigration, employment, safety, or professional advice. Rules, fees, forms, portals, and agency policies can change. Confirm important details with the official agency or a qualified professional before you act.