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Key Takeaways

• No single statewide "general business license" exists in Maryland. Licensing is split between the state and local jurisdictions—every county and Baltimore City sets its own rules.
• Net worth requirements apply primarily to regulated industries such as alcohol distribution, private detective agencies, pawnbrokers, and certain professional contractors—not to most small businesses.
• Every new business must register with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) before operating legally, regardless of industry or location.
• Home-based and online businesses are not exempt from county-level tax certificate requirements.

What Business Licenses Are Needed in Maryland? The Complete Starting-a-Business Playbook (2025–2026)

Starting a business in Maryland sounds straightforward—until you realize the state delegates most licensing authority to 23 counties and Baltimore City. The result is a fragmented system where a Delaware LLC selling the same product in Baltimore may face completely different requirements than one operating in Howard County. This playbook cuts through the complexity.

We'll walk you through every licensing layer—from state registration and county tax certificates to industry-specific permits and net worth qualifications—with actionable checklists so you can launch compliantly the first time.

Step 1: Register Your Business with the State

Choose and Form Your Entity

Before any license is issued, your business must exist as a legal entity in Maryland. Options include:

• Sole Proprietorship — No state filing required; operate under your legal name or file a fictitious name (DBA).
• LLC (Limited Liability Company) — File Articles of Organization with SDAT.
• Corporation — File Articles of Incorporation with SDAT.
• LP / LLP — File with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and SDAT.

File with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)

Filing Type	Agency	Fee	Processing Time
Articles of Organization (LLC)	SDAT	$100	3–5 business days (standard); 1 day (expedited)
Articles of Incorporation	SDAT	$100	3–5 business days
Fictitious Name Registration	County Clerk	$25–$50 per county	Same day – 1 week
Out-of-State Foreign Qualification	SDAT	$100 + franchise tax deposit	5–7 business days

After filing, obtain your federal EIN from the IRS (free at irs.gov) and register for the Maryland State Occupational and Professional Licenses (OLIS) portal account if you hold a regulated profession.

Step 2: Secure Your County or City Tax Certificate

This is the most commonly misunderstood step. Maryland does not issue a general business license at the state level. Instead, every business operating in Maryland must obtain a Business and Occupational (B&O) Tax Registration Certificate from the county or city where it operates.

Maryland Tax Certificate Requirements by Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction	Tax Certificate Required?	Where to Apply	Annual Renewal Fee Range
Allegany County	Yes	County Treasurer's Office	$20–$50
Baltimore City	Yes	Baltimore City Revenue Administration	$50
Baltimore County	Yes	County Department of Revenue	$20–$50
Cecil County	Yes	County Fiscal Officer	$20–$40
Charles County	Yes	Department of Finance	$20–$50
Dorchester County	Yes	County Treasurer	$20–$40
Frederick County	Yes	Finance Department	$20–$50
Garrett County	Yes	County Treasurer	$20–$40
Harford County	Yes	Department of Assessment & Taxation	$20–$50
Howard County	Yes	Office of Finance & Administrative Services	$50
Kent County	Yes	County Treasurer	$20–$40
Montgomery County	Yes	Office of Finance	$50–$100
Prince George's County	Yes	Department of Finance	$50–$100
Somerset County	Yes	County Treasurer	$20–$40
St. Mary's County	Yes	Department of Finance	$20–$50
Talbot County	Yes	County Treasurer	$20–$40
Yes	Department of Finance	$20–$50
Wicomico County	Yes	County Office of Licensing	$20–$50