How to Get a Business License in Florida: A Complete Guide

Florida has attracted a rapid influx of businesses since the early 2020s. The number of newly registered businesses grew by 86%¹ in 2022-2023.

If your company wants to relocate to Florida, there are many benefits in store. However, it is very important to stay up to date with all of the business license requirements in the state. Companies will need to research federal, state, and local licenses when they relocate to Florida.

How to get a business license in Florida: Step-by-step

Applying for the right licenses in Florida is straightforward if you have all of the right information. Businesses are required to have one or more licenses to operate in the state. However, there is not a single, universal license² for companies that want to operate in Florida.

The first step is to ensure your filing information is correct. You will need to set up your business, appoint a registered agent with a local address, and apply for an EIN. After this, your business will also need to send an application to the Florida Department of Revenue to ensure that you can collect sales taxes.

Most of the requirements are related to your company’s operations. It is crucial to research your industry³ to determine which licenses you need to apply for.

Companies will need to submit information when they apply, such as:

• Company information
• Owner information, including contract information
• Purpose of your business
• Number of employees
• NAICS
• EIN or SSN

Once these steps are complete, you also need to read about all of the local laws. Your city or county may also have extra license requirements for your business.

What to consider if you have an international business

If you have an international business and want to operate in Florida, the process can be a bit more complicated.

You will need to present your company formation documents, ID, and other documents to prove that your company is registered in your respective country. You may need to translate these documents.

All businesses in Florida also need an EIN. Non-citizens need to complete Form SS-4⁴ in order to get an EIN from the IRS.

You will also need to comply with all of the same requirements as domestic companies. This means that you will need to have a local Florida address, appoint a registered agent, and file other required documents, such as an annual report.

The biggest challenge to note is that you may need to be in the country to perform some of these actions. This is especially true⁵ for activities like opening a bank account.

How to get a business license in Florida online

It's easy to get a business license in Florida, but the process isn’t universal. Your requirements depend on your location in Florida and your company’s industry.

One of the most important documents⁶ is the business tax form. You will need to supply information such as EIN, SSN, and other business information. Foreign citizens who don’t have an SSN can submit their visa number and provide information about their Florida business partner, if applicable.

The Department of Fees and Business Registration’s website has all of the information⁷ about the requirements for each industry and the fees. In some cases, you may be able to apply for a waiver.

Federal business license regulations still apply when you move to Florida. If you are moving from another state, this should be easy. New entrants from other countries will also need to research federal regulations, as well as state and local ones.

How much does it cost to get a business license in Florida?

Your costs will vary substantially depending on the type of industry you operate in. Licenses can be as cheap⁸ as $15, but you may also need to pay thousands of dollars to become licensed in other industries. For example, Florida medical license fees can cost⁹ as much as $5,000. Most industries require you to pay renewal fees every year or every other year. You may also need to take an exam to become licensed, which could result in extra exam preparation fees.

How long does it take to get a business license in Florida?

Applying for business licenses is relatively fast-paced, especially if you have all of the correct information and are ready to go.

Local and city offices move faster¹⁰ and can typically issue them within a few days or weeks. On the other hand, getting a license at the state level may take weeks or months, especially if they need to perform an inspection or background check.

Some other exceptions include licenses that require you to take exams. In this case, you should also factor in the amount of time needed to study for the exam and retake it if necessary.

How to get a general business license in Florida?

If you are planning to relocate to Florida, it could be ideal to talk to an attorney to ensure you comply with local, state, and federal business license requirements. Florida does not have a general business license, unlike some states, so you will have to do research at the local and state levels.

Florida makes it easier for new businesses to register. Many of the requirements, like maintaining a registered agent and filing an annual report, are the same as other states. Once you are correctly incorporated in Florida, you can begin researching the license requirements in your state and county, and begin applying right away.

Operating a business without a license can result¹¹ in fines and even jail time in some cases. This can result in wasted time and money, and even make it difficult to continue operating in Florida.

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Sources

1. Florida, Jacksonville See Most Corporate Relocation Growth of States, Large U.S. Cities Respectively - JAXUSA
2. How to Get a Business License in Florida: A Guide
3. What Services Require a DBPR License? – MyFloridaLicense.com
4. Florida Non-US Resident Business Formation Made Simple
5. How to Form a Florida LLC for Non-US Residents [2024]
6. Florida Dept. of Revenue - Home
7. Welcome to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Application Center.
8. Florida Business License | StateRequirement
9. https://mascmedical.com/florida-medical-license
10. How to Get a Business License in Florida: Essential Legal Steps for Small Business Owners
11. Operating a Business Without a License in Miami | Hubbs Law Firm
    All sources checked August 2025