What licenses does my business need?
Learn which licenses you need
Complete a New Business Checklist to find out what licenses, permits, and certificates your business needs. The tool creates a custom list of requirements based on your business.
You can use the checklist even if your business is already up and running – just don’t submit your form!
Apply or renew online
Apply for a license: visit Connecticut’s eLicense website.
Renew a license: visit To Renew Online.
Learn more about licenses
You can learn more about required licenses, permits, and certificates from the appropriate agencies – and get help from them, too. Visit Business licenses and permits to learn more more about getting the credentials you need.
Agriculture
The Department of Agriculture (DoAg) oversees licenses and permits for dairy, livestock, poultry, agricultural commodities, aquaculture, seafood, and businesses supporting domestic pets.
Childcare and youth camps
The Office of Early Childhood (OEC) oversees licensing programs for over 4,000 childcare centers, group childcare homes, family childcare homes, and youth camps in Connecticut.
Consumer Protection
The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) provides licenses for many businesses and professions serving CT consumers, from accounting firms to welders. They ensure people are qualified to do a job. Apprenticeships are a common way to become qualified for many jobs.
Energy and Environmental Protection
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) issues permits and licenses for air emissions, waste materials, water and land use, and water discharges. They also oversee professional licenses for forest practitioners, environmental professionals, wastewater treatment facility operators, pesticide applicators, and more.
Public Health
The Department of Public Health (DPH) oversees the licensing of healthcare facilities and professionals to ensure they provide effective care. They also license a wide range of professionals whose work can impact the health of people and pets. Examples include environmental health practitioners and training providers, tattooists, asbestos technicians, and veterinarians.
Revenue Services
You must obtain a permit from the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) if you are a paid preparer or a facilitator of refund anticipation loans (RAL) or refund anticipation checks (RAC).
Transportation
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for commercial vehicles and drivers, people and businesses that sell or repair motor vehicles, emission testers, and more.