Did you know that 4.3 million new business applications were filed in 2020 alone?
With so many new businesses setting up shop, getting a new business license was something a lot of people had to learn about, and all those new applications caused delays. Checking licensing status online in a lot of states has never been easier, though, and it can make the entire process a lot easier.
How long does it take to get a business license, you ask? Luckily, we’re here to help.
Read on to learn everything you need to know.
How to Get a Business License
Before you can check your licensing status, you have to know how to get your business license. Here are the steps you’ll need to take:
1. Research
Start by researching the regulations in your state, city, and county to determine the types of business licenses you’ll need to get started. You can also contact the necessary municipalities if you need assistance.
2. Submit
Once you’ve done that, you’ll need to fill out and submit the necessary applications, along with fees. In some states, you can do this online, but in others, you’ll have to mail everything in.
In this case, you can sometimes email municipalities and ask for a packet of information. If you take this route, make sure you save the emails you send and receive. This is a great way to ensure you’re safe if anything goes wrong, and it’s a great thing to reference if you ever need to.
3. Get Approved
Once you’ve submitted everything and been approved, you’ll also need to keep up with renewing it. These laws are going to depend on the state, and taking on the help of state license servicing can make the process go a lot more smoothly for everyone involved.
How to Does It Take to Get a Business License?
The biggest thing that’s going to affect how long it takes you to get a business license is processing times.
For most businesses, your application is usually going to begin processing within three weeks of you sending in your application. You can usually check your business licensing status online, but it’s important to consider the industry you’re applying for before you grow impatient about how long it’s taking.
Other factors that can affect time include: whether or not you follow all the instructions, fill out your forms properly, and also include everything that’s necessary. If there are errors on your application, it’s going to take longer to process.
Don’t Let Your Licensing Status Be Affected
Luckily, it’s easy to avoid delays and ensure your licensing status isn’t going to be affected. With a little planning and proofreading, you can ensure your forms are good to go before you mail them out to be approved.
Remember, different states are going to have different needs, so it’s important to research your specific region before getting started.
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