Minnesota Business License

As a Minnesotasmall business owner, you probably have lots of questions. You can find answers to many of them by visiting the official home page of the state"s Department of Employment and Economic Development or DEED. On the DEED website, you'll find information on starting a business, along with a "for business" tab that contains links to important topics such as how to obtain the right licenses and/or permits.
Business Licensing for MinnesotaSmall Business Owners

Depending on the nature of your business, you could need to obtain licensing. In Minnesota, business licenses and permits generally fall into one of ten categories, which include:

• Those related to practicing certain trades or professions
• Product and process safety
• Controlling market access and/or restricting competition
• Safeguarding natural resources
• The development of advanced technology

License Minnesota operates as the Bureau of Business Licenses (BBL). This agency provides information on a number of statewide business licenses. By visiting the Bureau of Business Licenses, you can also obtain a comprehensive directory of the required state licenses and permits.

The elicense website contains even more information. There you can check specific lists in areas such as the environment, business, or professionals. Click on a particular area of interest in order to navigate to another website that has more information. For example, you can find out which agency is responsible for granting the license and learn which laws or state regulations pertain to it.

In addition to state licenses, local governments may also require them. One such local government is the city of Minneapolis, which has its own division known as the Business License and Consumer Services that issues local business licenses.

Aside from obtaining licenses, you could be required to file other records if you are an LLC (Limited Liability Company) or corporation. Furthermore, LLCs, corporations and other types of businesses are also required to register their entities with the Minnesota Secretary of State or SOS.
Minnesota Professional Licensing Requirements

The State of Minnesota requires a large number of professionals to become licensed in their occupation. A few occupations that must obtain licenses include attorneys, physicians, dentists, architects, accountants, nurses, engineers, and veterinarians. To learn which state agencies are responsible for licensing and regulating certain professions, visit the License Minnesota website. There you will find a State Agencies section that will provide you with all the details.

You may choose not to operate your business under your own name. Instead, you may want to use a business name that more closely matches your company. You might also operate a corporation or LLC that was once registered under a different name. In Minnesota, this may be referred to as the registered, true, or business name. If you registered under one name but are now doing business under a different one, this is called a "Doing Business As" (or DBA), a trade name, fictitious name, or assumed name. If you operate under a different name than your own, you will likely be required to register that name with the Minnesota Secretary of State. Visit the official SOS website to find out more.

Trademarks, trade names, and service marks protect you by uniquely identifying certain goods, services, or businesses. They may even help to distinguish your products, services, or business from similar ones offered by your competition. You may choose to register your trademark or service mark with the state of Minnesota. If so, be advised that this process is different and separate from that of federal registration. Look to the Trademark and Service Marks Section, which is located on the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.