Business Licenses and Permits

New business?

Before you apply for a business license, there may be other steps you need to take. Learn how to register your business and get a Connecticut tax registration number.

Not sure where to start? Our New Business Checklist tool can help. It will guide you through the process and tell you which types of licenses your business needs. You can use the checklist even if your business is already up and running – just don’t submit your form!

Renew or apply for a business license

Once you’re ready, you can renew or apply for many business licenses on Connecticut’s eLicense website.

Can’t find your business on eLicense? Select your business type from the following list to learn more about the required licenses, permits, and certificates.

Agriculture businesses

• The Department of Agriculture (DoAg) oversees licenses and permits for agricultural, aquacultural, and domestic animal businesses. View DoAg licenses and permits.
  
  
• The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) may have additional licenses and permits you need. View DEEP licenses and permits.

Banking and financial businesses

The Department of Banking (DOB) allows you to apply for a license for banks, debt adjusters, mortgage brokers, and more. View DOB licenses and permits.

Childcare businesses

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. Learn how to renew or apply for the following licenses:

• Overview of OEC licensing
• Childcare centers and group childcare homes
• Family childcare homes
• Youth camps

Driving and transportation businesses

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) provides licenses for commercial drivers and transportation businesses.

• Auto dealer, repairer, leasing, manufacturer, recycler, or auto club licenses
• DMV-regulated business license renewals
• Existing dealer or repairer license updates
• Register your commercial vehicle or renew your commercial vehicle registration
• Get a commercial driver’s license or renew a commercial driver’s license
• Commercial driving instructor licenses
• Commercial driving school licenses
• Vehicle emissions facilities

Can’t find what you’re looking for? View a full list of forms for businesses regulated by the DMV.

Environmental and energy businesses

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) issues permits and licenses for air emissions, water and land use, and more.

• DEEP permits and licenses
• DEEP permitting forms and guidance
• DEEP Pesticide Management Program

General businesses

The Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) provides licenses for many businesses and professions from accounting firms to welders. View DCP licenses and permits.

Healthcare businesses

The Department of Public Health (DPH) issues permits and licenses for healthcare facilities and professionals to ensure they provide effective care. They also license a wide range of professionals including tattooists, asbestos technicians, and more.

• DPH permits and licenses
• Practitioner licenses
• Facility licenses

Insurance businesses

The CT Insurance Department (CID) helps insurance companies follow state rules by offering licensing guidance, support, and education.

• CID permits and licenses
• License types and renewal information
• License updates

Notaries

The Secretary of the State (SOTS) licenses all notaries public in the state.

• Online notary application
• Notary commission renewals

Tax preparers and facilitators

The Department of Revenue Services (DRS) issues permits and licenses for paid preparers of refund anticipation loans (RAL) or refund anticipation checks (RAC). View DRS licenses and permits.

We’re here to help

To learn more about licenses and permits:

• Visit our Business licenses and permits page.
• Learn how to lookup or verify a license.
• Visit our Get Help page.