Essential Licenses and Permits in Maryland

April 25, 2026

1. The “Traders License”

Business licenses in Maryland are issued by the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county where the business is located. You can search for existing licenses or find local contact information via the Judiciary portal.

2. Zoning Use & Occupancy

Zoning is handled at the local (county or city) level. Maryland provides a central directory of every local planning and zoning department in the state to help business owners find their specific requirements.

3. Professional Licensing

The Maryland Department of Labor oversees 21 licensing boards ranging from architects and engineers to barbers and CPAs. Their portal allows for license verification and new applications.

4. Combined Registration (CRA)

The Comptroller of Maryland allows you to register for multiple tax accounts (sales and use, withholding, unemployment insurance) in one step using the Combined Registration Application. 

5. Federal EIN

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the only official source for your Employer Identification Number. Applying online is free and provides the number immediately upon completion.

6. Health and Environmental Permits

These permits are split between environmental safety and public health safety.

7. Trade Name Registration (DBA)

Registering a “Doing Business As” name is handled by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) through the Maryland Business Express portal. 

8. Liquor License

Licensing depends on your business model: Retail licenses (bars, restaurants, liquor stores) are issued by local boards, while Manufacturing and Wholesale licenses (breweries, distilleries, wineries) are overseen by the state.