State business license or registration (2026)
6 states say a business must hold a state license or registration: Alabama, Delaware, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington and West Virginia. Mainstay Filing, our best overall pick, forms the LLC either way.
| State | What the page says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | “A privilege license is a license requirement of every person, firm, company or corporation engaged in any business, vocation, occupation or profession described in Title 40, Chapter 12” | Alabama Department of Revenue |
| Delaware | “All businesses operating in Delaware need a business license from Division of Revenue.” | Delaware Division of Revenue |
| Hawaii | “Businesses operating in Hawaii are required to register with the Department to obtain a license” | Hawaii Department of Taxation |
| Nevada | “Every retailer selling tangible personal property that will be stored, used, or consumed in Nevada must have a Business License” | Nevada Department of Taxation |
| Washington | “get a business license if you meet any of the following conditions” | Washington Department of Revenue |
| West Virginia | “every individual or business entity must obtain a West Virginia business registration certificate from the State Tax Department” | West Virginia State Tax Department |