Depends on the business (2026)
11 states say licensing depends on the business or activity: Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Mainstay Filing, our best overall pick, forms the LLC either way.
| State | What the page says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | “Most businesses that require a state license or permit are regulated by a state board or commission.” | Arkansas Secretary of State FAQ |
| Connecticut | “provides licenses and permits for industries such as accounting, real estate, construction, retail, and more” | Connecticut Business Portal (business.ct.gov) |
| Georgia | “Some businesses may need to acquire specialized permits or licenses at various levels of government.” | Georgia.gov |
| Maryland | “determine if you are required to register for any of the following business licenses” | Comptroller of Maryland |
| Michigan | “to find out if your new business needs a license.” | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
| Minnesota | “In some cases, cities and counties may require a general business license that involves no more than registration and payment of a fee.” | Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development |
| Montana | “Depending on your business type and location, you may also need local or state licenses to operate legally.” | Montana Secretary of State help center |
| New Mexico | “New Mexico requires several types of businesses obtain licenses.” | New Mexico Business Portal |
| New York | “Many counties, cities, towns, and villages also require local permits and licenses.” | New York Business Express |
| Pennsylvania | “Check with the local municipality concerning taxes, zoning requirements, local licenses and permits” | Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop |
| Rhode Island | “Some businesses are required to obtain a license from the State of Rhode Island prior to opening.” | Rhode Island Secretary of State Business Assistant |