Wisconsin state provides a variety of public services to new and existing businesses: business resources, planning, licenses,
permits and regulations, registration, taxes, and business employment topics.
Wisconsin regulates many types of occupations and businesses that frequently need to meet specific regulations, as well as legal, educational and examination requirements. The requirements are determined by what is being done in a business. Some businesses may not need state licensing but will need to comply with other federal or local requirements. In other cases, there may not be a license that covers what is being done in the business.
Wisconsin has 16 state agencies that administer different forms of state permissions such as licenses, permits, registration, certificates, etc. For example, if you plan to sell any type of tangible personal property or taxable service in Wisconsin you will need a Sellers Permit from the Department of Revenue. If your business would emit any fumes into the air or discharge any wastewater you will need to contact the Department of Natural Resources to obtain certain environmental permits. Certain occupations require an operating license that are administered through the Department of Regulation & Licensing and the Department of Transportation.
To search for specific Wisconsin state licenses and permits, select the License, Permit and Registration Services or select the new Business Wizard to access Wisconsin licenses and permits required by a specific business type.
Environmental Information
Not sure if your business needs an environmental permit? The DNR's interactive Permit Primer webpage helps you identify the permits you need.
Small Business Clean Air Assistance Program serves as a free, confidential, and non-regulatory resource to small business owners around the state. Through the program, Clean Air Specialists work as a liaison between small businesses and state (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources or DNR) and federal (Environmental Protection Agency or EPA) regulators.
On-Line Business Services - Forget paper, U.S. Mail, and the telephone. Interact on-line with WI state agencies to submit applications, check application status, verify credentials, report wages, and more.
The type of business entity you decide to form will be a determining factor as to how you register your business with the state. Information regarding business registration can be found in Naming Your Business.
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