Federal Licenses for Regulated Businesses

You'll only need a federal license or permit if your business is involved in activities that are supervised and regulated by a federal agency. The types of business activities licensed by the federal government are described below.

Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issues permits for business involved in the importation and interstate transportation of animals, animal products, biologics, biotechnology and plants.

Alcohol Beverages

Federal law requires manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and retailers of alcohol beverages to register, pay special taxes and maintain certain records with the the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

Alcohol and tobacco businesses above the retail level (i.e., manufacturers, wholesalers, importers, exporters, etc.) must apply for an operations permit from TTB. The federal government does not impose a fee or charge for permits.  The applicant must obtain written approval from TTB before engaging in business.

Small producers, such as microbrewries and small wineries that may also have retail operations will need to

All alcohol beverage business, including retailers of alcohol beverages, such as bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and retail liquor stores should contact their state's Alcohol Beverage Control Board for specific permit and licensing information. Also, contact your city and/or county government for additional licenses and permits that may be required.

In addition to obtaining appropriate permits, all business engaged in manufacturing, distributing and selling alcohol, including retailers, are required to pay special federal taxes. For more information on the requirements necessary to run an alcohol beverage business, visit our Food and Beverage Industry Guide.

Aviation

• FAA Licenses and Certificates
  Licensing information for airmen, aircraft, airports, airlines and medical aviation services.
  
• Pilot Licenses and Training Requirements
  Provides a list of regulations, policies, license and certifications for pilots.
  
• Aircraft Mechanic Licenses
  Provides a list of regulations, policies, license and certifications for aircraft mechanics.

Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives

Manufacturers, dealers and importers of firearms and ammunitions are subject to licensing standards described in the Gun Control Act, which is administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the principal law enforcement agency within the U.S. Department of Justice. The ATF is responsible for regulating the firearms and explosives industries.

• Firearms and Explosives License and Permit Information
  The National Licensing Center (NLC) is responsible for determining eligibility and acting upon applications for Federal firearms licenses, Federal explosives licenses, and Federal explosives users permits.
  
• Safe Explosives Act
  Provides guidance and information on licensing and permit requirements for explosive materials.

Licenses required to carry a concealed weapon are issued by state or local governments.

Manufactures, distributors, importers, and dealers of firearms, ammunition or explosives need to file and pay excise taxes with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, a federal agency responsible for collecting excise taxes on firearms and ammunition to ensure that these products are labeled, advertised, and marketed in accordance with the law.

• Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax (FAET)
  FAET is a tax imposed by Chapter 32 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 4181) on the sale of firearms and ammunition by manufacturers, producers, and importers. This packet contains all the information necessary for a firearms or ammunition dealer, importer or manufacturer to file and pay required excise taxes.  It also includes information for those who wish to register before making tax-free firearms or ammunition sales to certain acceptable groups or organizations.
• 50 Gun Exemption to the Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax (FAET)
  This information sheet describes an amendment to the IRS tax code that provides an exemption from FAET for any pistol, revolver, or firearm (article) if it was manufactured, produced, or imported by a person who manufacturers, produces, or imports less than an aggregate of 50 of such articles during a calendar year.

Fish and Wildlife

Businesses and organizations engaged in any wildlife related activity, including the import/export of wildlife and derivative products, must obtain an appropriate permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service.

• Fish and Wildlife Permits
  Main portal to resources, forms, tools, and guides concerning federal fish and wildlife permits.
  
• Fish and Wildlife Import-Export Permit Issuing Offices
  Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement, issued permits and Regional FWS Permit Office addresses.

Commercial Fisheries

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regulates the interaction between marine mammals and commercial fisheries by issuing permits for fishing activities that would otherwise be prohibited by law.

• NOAA Fisheries Forms Portal
  Provides electronic versions of many NOAA Fisheries forms, listed for each geographic area by both OMB number and NOAA form name.
  
• National Marine Fisheries Service Permit Shop
  Purchase permits for Atlantic tunas, update permit information, and report recreational landings of bluefin tuna.
  
• Office of Protected Resources, Permits and Authorizations
  Permits and authorizations are required under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to conduct activities that may result in the "taking" of a protected species.
  
• Authorizations and Permits for Protected Species (APPS)
  NOAA Fisheries permits and authorizations for federally-protected species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
• Groundfish Federal Fisheries Permits
  Permits and fishing authorizations issued by the Northwest Region for fisheries affecting west coast groundfish.
  
• High Seas Fishing Permits
  High Seas Act compliance and permit information.
• Antarctic Marine Living Resource Trade Permits
  Information on Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS) permits.
  

Maritime Transportation

• Ocean Transportation Intermediary Licenses
  General description of the Office of Transportation Intermediaries with appropriate contact information.

Mining and Drilling

The Minerals Management Service (MMS), a bureau in the U.S. Department of the Interior, is the federal agency that manages the nation's natural gas, oil and other mineral resources on the outer continental shelf. Businesses involved in the drilling for natural gas, oil or other mineral resources on federal lands may be required to obtain a drilling permit from MMS.

• eWell Permitting and Reporting System
  Online application for permit to drill in the Gulf of Mexico.
  
• Geological and Geophysical Exploration Permits
  How to apply for a permit to conduct geological or geophysical exploration on the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf.

Nuclear Energy

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses commercial nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities; distribution of nuclear materials; and nuclear waste disposal facilities.

• Nuclear Regulatory Commission Licensing
  Provides NRC applicants and licensees with the rules and regulations governing the assessment and collection of fees, and forms used in processing incoming payments from licensee.
  
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission Consolidation Guidance about Materials Licenses
  Comprehensive source of reference information about materials regulation for those involved in various aspects of licensed materials use.

Radio and Television Broadcasting

If your business broadcasts information by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable, you may be required to obtain a license form The Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC does not regulate the Internet or Internet Service Providers.

• Guide to Obtaining FCC Licenses
  Information how to obtain specific FCC licenses, from amateur radio to commercial radio and television broadcasting.
  
• How to Apply for a Broadcast Station
  Basic information about radio and television stations and the related application processes.
  
• License Renewal Applications for Television Broadcast Stations
  Guide to renewing FCC licenses for television stations.
  
• Commission Registration System (CORES)
  Licensees, certificate holder, or any entity sending payments to the FCC is considered to be doing business with the FCC and must register with the agency.
  
• FCC Licensing Systems
  Information on filing for an FCC license online.
  

Transportation and Logistics

• Oversize and Overweight Load Permit Information
  Federally mandated maximum weights for the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways.