BUSINESS LICENSE INFORMATION GUIDE

Welcome to Clark County Department of Business License. We are happy to assist you with the licensing process, provide the best possible customer service, and meet all of your business plan needs. We accept general license applications by mail and in-person from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Regulated and privileged license applications are accepted by appointment 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. To make an appointment with a licensing specialist please contact: (702) 455-4125. 

To better serve your business you can now pay your license renewal fees on line by visiting our website.  Below are 10 easy steps to acquiring a business license.  Click on the links for more information:

10 EASY STEPS TO A BUSINESS LICENSE

STEP  1: DETERMINE WHERE YOUR BUSINESS IS LOCATED
STEP  2: OBTAIN A NEVADA STATE BUSINESS LICENSE
STEP  3: REGISTER WITH THE NEVADA SECRETARY OF STATE
STEP  4: REGISTER WITH THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION
STEP  5: OBTAIN A FICTITIOUS FIRM NAME
STEP  6: FILL OUT AN ONLINE APPLICATION
STEP  7: COMPLETE INVESTIGATION PACKETS (For General licenses, skip Step 7)
STEP  8 : PAY FEES
STEP  9: SCHEDULE INSPECTIONS
STEP 10: APPROVAL

STEP ONE: DETERMINE WHERE YOUR BUSINESS IS LOCATED
The primary location of your business determines the jurisdiction in which you must file for your business license. Clark County, Nevada is comprised of 6 jurisdictions, each with its own licensing agency – the City of Las Vegas, the City of North Las Vegas, the City of Henderson, Boulder City, the City of Mesquite, and our Department, Unincorporated Clark County. The Jurisdiction Locator   will help you identify your business’ licensing jurisdiction.  Please be aware that a large portion of the Las Vegas valley has a Las Vegas mailing address but is located in unincorporated Clark County. 

STEP TWO: OBTAIN A NEVADA STATE BUSINESS LICENSE:
NRS 76 requires all business, corporations, and partnerships operating in the state of Nevada to have a state business license. Please visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information.

STEP THREE: REGISTER WITH THE NEVADA SECRETARY OF STATE:
All corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships are required to register their corporate entities with the Nevada Secretary of State.

STEP FOUR: REGISTER WITH THE NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION:
You can now register online by visiting the Nevada Department of Taxation website.

STEP FIVE: OBTAIN A FICTITIOUS FIRM NAME:
Businesses operating under a fictitious firm name (any name other than the business owner’s legal name, or the corporate entity name registered with the Nevada Secretary of State) must file for a Fictitious Firm Name certificate with the Clark County Clerk’s Office. You can find the form online here: http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/clerk/Services/Documents/FFNCert.pdf

NOW YOU’RE READY TO APPLY FOR A CLARK COUNTY BUSINESS LICENSE (STEPS SIX THROUGH 10)!

STEP SIX: FILL OUT AN ONLINE APPLICATION
Use our Online Application to submit your Clark County Business License application!  Once you submit your application and pay your licensing fees, you will receive a confirmation email and be able to check the status of your pending application online.  Regulated and Liquor and Gaming licenses require additional information that can be dropped off or mailed to our office to complete the application process.

(GENERAL LICENSE APPLICANTS CAN SKIP STEP SEVEN)

STEP SEVEN: COMPLETE INVESTIGATION PACKETS
Complete investigation packets for Regulated or Liquor and Gaming categories.

STEP EIGHT: PAY FEES
If you are submitting your application in our office, your licensing technician will calculate your fees and direct you to the cashier's window.  Online applications are paid online at the time you submit your application.  In addition to a $45.00 application fee, click here for a list of licensing fees. 

STEP NINE: SCHEDULE INSPECTIONS
Upon submission of a completed application and payment of fees, your application will be sent electronically to the Comprehensive Planning Department for review and approval within 5 days of submission.  Your application is then sent to the Fire Department, and and any other public safety agency depending upon your business activities, e.g., Southern Nevada Health District, Air Quality, Animal Control.  You can find a list of public safety agencies at our Resources & Helpful Links page.

Liquor and Gaming licenses are also subject to location suitability requirements as determined by the Department.  Once all required public safety agencies have electronically signed off on your application in the Department's database, your application is ready for final approval by the Director.

STEP TEN: APPROVAL
Upon approval by the Director of Business License, your license will be automatically sent to your business location.  Privileged and regulated business licenses require an on-site inspection and code conference by a Business License Licensing Agent prior to final approval by the Director.

You are now ready to operate your business!  Thank you for allowing us to serve you and  wish you continued success!   

Thank you!    

Jacqueline R. Holloway