Start a Business
We are excited that you are considering choosing North Dakota as a place to do business. There are many planning steps in establishing your business. This section provides information to guide and connect you with state agencies that may help you on this journey.
Planning is an important first step when starting a business. It may include securing financing, conducting market research, creating a business plan, or seeing if special permits, licenses, or registrations are needed for your business.
If you have a name picked out but are not ready to register your business, you can reserve the name for up to 1 year if it is available. You will need to file a Reserved Name Application in the FirstStop Portal. This reserves the name, but you are not granted authority to use it until the business is registered.
Business advisors, attorneys, tax professionals, or financial advisors can help you address the different aspects of business ownership. Additionally, there are some business guidance organizations available to help provide training and advice.
Registering your business establishes legitimacy by creating a legally recognized entity that makes your business credible.
State law requires businesses to register with the ND Office of the Secretary of State prior to transacting business unless you are doing business solely using your personal name. In addition to being required, registration may also provide your business with certain rights and protections under North Dakota law.
You may be required to get a license or registration from a state agency or board if you are involved in certain occupations. Use the following to find information on licensing requirements through varied agencies.
Licenses issued by Attorney General
- Alcoholic Beverage Retailers
- Amusement Games and Fair Boards
- Firework Wholesalers
- Charitable Gaming Organizations
- Manufacturers and Distributors of Gaming Equipment and Supplies
- Polygraph Operators
- Tobacco Retailers, Wholesalers and Manufacturers
- Transient Merchant
Licenses issued by Secretary of State
- Contractors
- Home Inspectors
- Lobbyists
- Athlete Agents
- Professional Employer Organizations
- Professional Fundraisers
- Combative Sports
Other Licensing Information
North Dakota imposes a sales tax on retail sales.
Visit the Office of the State Tax Commissioner to see if your business has sales tax requirements.
If your North Dakota business hires employees, you may also need to contact:
- Job Service North Dakota – Unemployment
- Workforce Safety and Insurance – Workers’ Compensation
- North Dakota Department of Labor Requirements – labor laws
- North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner – income tax withholding
- North Dakota Child Support Employer Information – child support enforcement
Learn more about any federal requirements you may have through the following:
- IRS Small Business Center
- Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online
- Publication 15 and 15A (Circular E regarding employer-employee relations)
- Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9
- For more information, go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Questions and Answers
- For more information, go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Questions and Answers
- Social Security Program