Wyoming Business License

Are you in the planning stages for starting a new business in Wyoming? If so, you will likely need to obtain several permits or licenses from the state before launch. Fortunately, there are more than enough resources at your disposal for learning about business licenses in Wyoming.

If you're starting your business, a smart first stop is the Secretary of State website. The Wyoming SOS website has in-depth resources to help entrepreneurs begin and operate their business.

Another excellent starting point is the Wyoming Business Council. The WBC maintains a "Business Resource Network" that has links to the essential places to begin and promote a business in Wyoming.

You should also familiarize yourself with the SBA, which maintains a district office in Casper. The Small Business Administration is a premium resource for business people. Check out their website to find their "Resource Guide For Small Business" that has specific information for the state.

Another excellent resource is the Wyoming Small Business Development Center. That site offers actionable guidance on how anyone can create and start their first business in the state. They also maintain information about the online and in-person classes the offer. The Wyoming SBDC is part of a national network small business development centers.

It's possible to run a business in Wyoming without needing a license. Other companies, depending on their industry and local regulations, will require more than one. For the most part, these permits and licenses are one of two kinds, either occupational or professional. If you work in any of the following professions listed below, you will need regulatory licensing and permissions.

Important categories of regulatory licenses and permits include:

• Public Land
• Agriculture
• Large Scale Projects
• Environmental Protection
• Transportation

Some state permits are taxation-related. Regulator permits are the territory of various state licensing agencies. That includes offices such as the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Agriculture. Check out the guide "Wyoming Business Permitting and Licensing" to gain an overview of the process the state uses to grand regulatory licenses and permits. You'll also learn about which agencies are responsible for which ones. That publication is available for download and printing from the WBC site.

Don't forget; it's also possible that your local county or city government may also need licensing information. A prime example is the City of Cheyenne, which issues its business licenses based on specific criteria.

The simplest way to find out what you need is to visit the county and city websites where you plan on operating. You can immediately find out whether you need to get permits or not.

You may even need specific legal forms if you plan on incorporating either a limited liability corporation (LLC) or a corporation. In that case, you'll have to form your formation records with the Wyoming Secretary of State. If you require any more information, they have a "Forms and Publication" section on their website. Make sure to have all of your records in place before you begin registration. It will save your time and effort. Incorporations will require additional filing for taxes, so read all the resources to discover your obligations before starting.

Another point of interest in licensing is that the state regulates certain occupations and professions. The Wyoming Department of Administration and Information has a list online that includes the regulatory process and boards for most licensed occupations and professions. You check out the Governor's Boards and Commissions site for any regulatory boards that you know by name. You can find just about all the different agencies in the state that regulate professional licenses in the "Wyoming Business Permitting and Licensing" guide book.

As you are probably aware, most companies don't operate simply in the name of the owner. Instead, they use fictitious names that represent their products and services. Corporations and limited liability corporations pick such a tradename at registration. Other companies may decide on a new monicker name by registering a DBA. The Secretary of State in Wisconsin is responsible for all Doing Business As Records. Check with them to determine the course of action.

You may want to register a service mark, or a trademark in the state. State marks are different from Federal trademarks and offer a separate level of protection.

If you use a mark to identify the services and products you sell, register appropriately. Visit the SOS website for a complete rundown on all of the information you need to run your marks.