Getting a business license in Kansas allows you to operate a business in the state legally and helps ensure your activities comply with regulations and taxes. Kansas doesn’t issue a general business license. However, depending on your chosen location and industry, you might need to get a license from one or more government agencies at the federal, state, or local levels.

If you’re just starting out, it might not be clear which licenses you need, especially if you plan to operate your business in more than one city or county. Below, we’ll discuss the licenses and permits you could need, how to apply for them, and what costs you can expect.

Key takeaways

• Kansas doesn’t have a general state business license. Instead, licensing is managed by local municipalities, state boards, and regulatory agencies. The types of licenses you’ll need will depend on where your business will operate and your chosen industry or profession.

• The application process and fees for a business license in Kansas vary widely, based on the issuing agency and type of license.

• License renewal timelines and fees can differ significantly. Tracking renewal deadlines can help you avoid penalties and legal issues.

Do you need a business license in Kansas?

There’s no general business license in Kansas. However, state and local governments require businesses in certain industries to have specific licenses and permits to operate. You might need to be licensed at the state, county, or city level, depending on the type of business you plan to open, where it’ll operate, and your chosen profession.

Researching licensing requirements can help ensure you apply for the correct licenses and permits. Business owners can access business licensing resources at Kansas.gov, including a list of occupations that require state licensing and links to local government websites.

What are the types of business licenses and permits in Kansas?

Here are some common types of business licenses and permits in Kansas:

• City or county business licenses: Rules for business licenses and permits vary, depending on the issuing county or city. For example, Kansas City requires all businesses to have an occupation tax license. Other cities, such as Wichita, require only certain businesses to be licensed. Some counties don’t issue business licenses, but cities within those counties might.

• Professional licenses: Certain types of occupations require professional licensing by state boards. Nurses, for instance, are licensed by the Kansas Board of Nursing, while certified public accountants (CPAs) receive licenses from the Kansas Board of Accountancy.

• Industry-specific state licenses: Businesses in regulated industries must be licensed by specific state agencies. For example, food trucks need a license from the Department of Agriculture. Meanwhile, dry cleaners and laundromats must have a license from the Department of Health and Environment.

• State sales tax certificate: Kansas requires businesses that sell personal property, charge admission, or provide taxable services to register with the Kansas Department of Revenue for a sales tax certificate. The city or county a business operates in might also charge a local sales tax that the business must collect, report, and remit.

• Federal licenses for regulated industries: Businesses in certain industries (e.g., aviation, firearms, telecommunications) might need a federal license or permit to operate lawfully.

How do you get a business license in Kansas?

If you’re planning to open a business in Kansas, you can follow these steps to get the necessary licenses and permits:

• Choose and register your business structure: Decide how you want to structure your business. If you choose a limited liability company (LLC), limited liability partnership (LLP), limited partnership (LP), or corporation, you’ll have to register your business with the Kansas secretary of state. You won’t have to register if you operate as a sole proprietor.

• Get an employer identification number (EIN): You’ll need an EIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to apply for any Kansas business licenses. You can get your EIN online by applying on the IRS website.

• Apply for state licenses and permits: It’s advisable to research the licensing requirements for your chosen industry and occupation. Then, you can apply for the necessary industry and professional licenses and permits.

• Check city and county licensing requirements: Contact the city and county where you’ll operate to learn which local licenses, permits, or other approvals are needed. That means searching the lists of cities and counties on the state portal, or using the League of Kansas Municipalities’ directory search to find contact details for local government offices by jurisdiction.

• Register to collect sales tax: If you are going to sell taxable goods and services, you must register for a sales tax account with the Department of Revenue.

• Receive your licenses: Once your applications are approved and you’ve paid the applicable fees, you’ll typically receive your Kansas business licenses and permits, and be able to begin operating legally.

For additional support establishing a business in Kansas, entrepreneurs can access a statewide referral service, Network Kansas, to be connected with professional experts and educational or economic resources.

How much does a business license cost in Kansas?

The cost to license a business in Kansas depends on the business’s location and the specific licenses it needs. There’s no cost for sales tax registration, and professional license fees vary by trade. For example, real estate agents must pay a $15.00 application fee, a $70.00 background check fee, and a $125.00 fee for the initial license, and the license must be renewed for $125.00 every two years.

Meanwhile, contractors are licensed by local cities and counties, so licensing fees can differ based on jurisdiction. In Kansas City, for instance, the annual occupation tax is $188.00 for a general residential contractor and $330.00 for an electrician.

How do renewals work for a Kansas business license?

Each type of license in Kansas has a different renewal schedule. State, city, and county licenses generally renew annually, either by calendar year or on a specific date every year. In Wyandotte County, for example, most licenses are valid for the calendar year, but in Topeka, a contractor license expires on December 14. Municipalities typically charge a fee for late renewals.

State professional licenses are usually valid for one or two years, depending on the type of license. How and when renewal reminders are sent varies. For example, the Kansas Real Estate Commission emails a reminder 45 days before a license expires. Kansas veterinary licenses expire on June 30 every year, so the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners mails renewal notices on June 1.

There’s no need to renew sales tax certificates in Kansas; they don’t expire. However, a business needs a new certificate if it changes its ownership, name, or location.

What are some Kansas-specific considerations?

Before opening a business in Kansas, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

Zoning and inspection approval

Depending on where your business will operate, you might need to complete local zoning and inspection steps before you can get a business license. For example, if your business will be physically located in Kansas City, you’ll have to get zoning approval and pass a zoning inspection before you can apply for an occupation tax license. If you plan to operate in Derby, your application will need to be reviewed by the economic development manager and zoning administrator. Your business will also have to pass inspections by the fire marshal and building inspector before you’ll be able to get a registration certificate.

Technical businesses need business certification

An individual professional license might not be enough if your business is going to provide technical services in Kansas, such as architecture and engineering. Unless you’re planning to operate as a sole proprietor, your business will also need to get a certificate of authorization from the Kansas State Board of Technical Professions (KSBTP). To obtain the certificate, you’ll have to name at least one principal who’s licensed by the board to take responsibility for the professional work the license covers.

Biennial information reports

Kansas businesses registered with the Kansas secretary of state must submit an information report and pay a filing fee every two years. Assuming this requirement applies to your business and you fail to submit the report and pay the fee by the end of the three-month delinquency period, the state could revoke your business’s legal status. If that happens, you can reinstate your business by filing a reinstatement form, submitting the missing information reports, and paying the required fees.

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FAQs about getting a business license in Kansas