Master Business Licenses and Permits Made Easy
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Master Business Licenses and Permits Made Easy
A Small Business Plan from LegalShield makes it simple to identify and apply for the licenses and permits your company needs to operate successfully.
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Common types of business licenses and permits
The exact licenses and permits required for your business depend upon its location and the industry in which it operates. Below is a list of common business licenses and permits.
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You can conduct hours of research on government websites and still be unsure of exactly what licenses or permits you need. Alternatively, you can join LegalShield and a small business lawyer will help you submit all required applications. Working with a lawyer makes the process much less stressful and you’ll know it’s been done correctly.
Federal
If the activities in which your business engages are regulated by a federal agency, you likely need federal licenses or permits. At the very least, you almost certainly need a Federal Business Number (BN) to identify your organization for tax purposes. Below is a list of some of the most common industries and activities regulated by the Federal Government.
- Agriculture and farming
- Manufacture of alcoholic beverages
- Firearms and ammunition
- Mining and drilling
- Radio and TV broadcasting
- Commercial fisheries
- Transportation and logistics
- Aviation
A Small Business Plan from LegalShield gives you access to unlimited consultation with a small business lawyer who can guide you through the federal licensing and permitting process. Also, you can submit any documents or applications (up to 15 pages each) for review and feedback at no additional cost.
Provincial
Provincial licenses and permits fall into two main categories. The first category includes general business licenses and permits while the second category includes professional licenses and permits specific to an individual, such as a lawyer being licensed to practice law or a barber being licensed to cut hair.
- What provincial licensing laws apply to my line of work or that of my business as a whole?
- I moved, does my license from another state satisfy the requirements in my new province?
- Are there any provincial licenses or permits for which my employees need to apply?
- What are the fees associated with each permit?
- Can I apply online? Where do I locate the applications?
From doctors to restaurants to accounting practices, chances are good that the province in which you operate requires you to secure one or more licenses and permits to operate legally. If you’d like to do your own research, start by poking around on the government website for the province(s) in which your business will conduct business. Look for the business license section.
If you’d rather save time and stress less, the most cost-effective way to get the licenses and permits your business needs is to purchase a Small Business Plan from LegalShield. If you join on a normal business day, you can be on the phone with a lawyer in four hours or less and they will help you navigate the entire application process for a small monthly fee.
Local
While a good bit of business licensing and permitting falls under federal or provincial law, many cities and towns have local ordinances and regulations that require you to secure additional permits and licenses. Here are a few examples of local requirements.
- One time permits for special events
- Sales tax license
- General business permit
- Health permit for restaurants
- Building and zoning permits
- Tobacco, lottery or alcohol licenses for retail stores
The list above is a tiny sample. If you own a business, chances are very good you need one or more local licenses or permits.
Get a Small Business Plan from LegalShield and knock licenses and permits off your task list so you can get on with growing your company.
How a small business lawyer can help you
Identify the licenses and permits your business needs
On top of the Federal Government and the provincial governments, there are a plethora of local jurisdictions, such as cities, townships, municipalities and other types of local government.* Just trying to figure out which licenses and permits your business needs can feel like a full-time job.
If you want to tackle the task on your own, research your industry on Federal Government websites, the license and permit page of your provincial government website and any local government websites for the places in which your business operates. Online businesses that ship products to other states may require licenses in jurisdictions across the country.
If you’d rather not stress and guess, get a Small Business Plan from LegalShield and one of our experienced business lawyers can help you identify the licenses and permits your business needs as quickly and painlessly as possible.
The easy way to apply for licenses and permits
Once you’re clear about all the licenses and permits your business needs, you have to fill out and submit your applications along with any associated fees.
Some permits, such as a one-time permit to use a local park for a soccer tournament, may be as simple as filling out a short online form and paying a small fee. Other licenses, like a provincial liquor license, can involve complex application and approval processes and cost thousands of dollars. In either case, having a lawyer in your back pocket makes the process quicker and easier.
LegalShield lawyers have an average of 22 years of experience and can help you navigate the process of applying for and acquiring all of the licenses and permits you need to reduce liability, protect your rights and achieve your business goals.
Resolve issues with rejected applications or expired licenses
If you have applied for a license/permit and your application was rejected, having a lawyer review your application and the reasons for rejection is a good first step to remedy the situation.
If your business has been hit with fines or is having other issues related to an expired license/permit, you definitely want to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and determine the best next action to take.
When you have a Small Business Plan from LegalShield, not only do you get unlimited consultation with an experienced lawyer, they can review any documents you submit and even make phone calls or write letters on your behalf to resolve license or permit issues.
Get help with licenses and permits
Plans start at only $49 per month.
Learn about other license and permits topics
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—Micheal B.
LegalShield Member
Key features of our Small Business Legal Plans
LegalShield’s business plans can help you in the following areas.
Advice, consultation & research
Legal consultation from a provider lawyer on business legal matters, with legal research for each issue, if needed.
Letters or phone calls
Receive help with business legal matters more efficiently with professional communications issued on your behalf.
Document review
Put business-related legal documents through legal review.
Collection letters
A collection letter from a provider lawyer could help you recoup payments more efficiently.
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