Skip to main content

Washington State Business License: a step-by-step guide (with links)

Below is a practical, do-it-now walkthrough for getting your Washington state business license (the “Business License Application” filed through the Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service, or BLS). I’ll also point out when you need to handle your entity filing (LLC/corp) first, how city licenses (“endorsements”) fit in, what it costs, and how long things take.

1) Choose your structure and (if needed) register with the Secretary of State

If you’ll operate as an LLC, corporation, LP/LLP, you must form the entity before filing the state Business License Application. Do this with the WA Secretary of State in the Corporations & Charities Filing System (CCFS).

Tip: Name availability is checked as part of your SoS filing. You can also search existing entities from the SoS site. (Use CCFS search from the SoS pages.) WA Secretary of State

2) (Usually) get your Federal EIN

Most businesses get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. It’s free and immediate online.

Safety note: many ads mimic the IRS and charge for EINs. The IRS warns the EIN is free—stick to irs.gov. IRS+1

3) Create your Washington login and open My DOR

Washington uses SecureAccess Washington (SAW) to sign in across agencies. Create a SAW/WA.gov account and log in to My DOR (the Department of Revenue portal).

4) Use the Business Licensing Wizard (optional but helpful)

The Business Licensing Wizard asks a few questions and tells you the state, city, and specialty licenses you’ll need.

5) File your Business License Application in My DOR

You can apply online (fastest) or by mail.

Online (recommended)

By mail (slower)

What you’ll need handy (varies slightly by structure): owner SSN/ITIN, EIN, business address, start date, a description of activities, expected gross revenue, and whether you’ll hire employees in the next 90 days. The DOR checklist pages list this out for sole props/partnerships and for corporations/LLCs. Washington Department of Revenue

Good to know: If your structure is a corporation/LLC/LLP, the DOR site explicitly says file with the Secretary of State first, then complete the Business License Application. Washington Department of Revenue+1

6) Add city and state endorsements during the application

While completing the application you can add required city business licenses (“endorsements”) for most WA cities and any needed state endorsements (like reseller permit-related activities, etc.).

7) (Optional) Register a trade name (DBA)

7) (Optional) Register a trade name (DBA)

If you’ll operate under a name other than your legal name, add a trade name to your application. The fee is $5 per trade name (plus the application’s processing fee).

8) Pay fees and submit

Washington uses a variable processing fee model for the Business License Application in addition to any city/state endorsement and trade-name fees:

  • Open/Reopen a business: $50

  • Add additional location: $0

  • City Non-Resident endorsement added to existing location: $0

  • Any other purpose (e.g., hiring employees, adding endorsements, trade names): $10

  • Annual renewal processing: $5 (plus each endorsement’s renewal fee; late penalties can apply)
    Official details: Variable business license processing fees. Washington Department of Revenue

You’ll pay online in My DOR (e-check/credit options) or include payment by mail per the form. Washington Department of Revenue

9) Processing times & what you receive

  • Processing time: About 10 business days for the application; if you included city or state endorsements, expect an extra 2–3 weeks for those approvals. Washington Department of Revenue+1

  • UBI number: When your license is issued, you’ll receive a Unified Business Identifier (UBI)—your state business ID used across agencies. Washington Department of Revenue

10) If you’ll have employees: L&I & ESD accounts (done through the application)

Checking “Yes” to hiring employees in the next 90 days triggers creation of your Employment Security Department (unemployment) and Labor & Industries (workers’ comp) employer accounts via the Business License Application. You must then file quarterly reports for active accounts. Washington Department of Revenue

11) Renew each year

Most city and state endorsements renew annually. BLS sends a renewal notice about a month before expiration; there’s a $5 state renewal processing fee (plus endorsement renewal fees). Late penalties can apply.

12) After you’re licensed: helpful next steps

  • Sales tax/B&O setup & filings: You’ll file in My DOR under your UBI. See the Businesses hub. Washington Department of Revenue

  • Check other agency requirements: Next-steps page has quick links (DOL professional licenses, city requirements, and a reminder about new federal BOI reporting with FinCEN for many entities). Washington Department of Revenue

Quick, copy-paste checklist (what to gather before you apply)

Handy links (all official)

Exceptional Talent