Start a Specific Business in Virginia
Industry-by-industry guides to licenses, permits, startup costs and first steps for 67 kinds of Virginia business.
New to this? Start with the Virginia business formation guide, then come back for the specifics.
a General Contractor Business: RBC, CBC or HIC and Class C, B or ALicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →Virginia Tradesman License Guide: Journeyman and Master, $150 Fee, $160 Renewal Every 3 YearsLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →an Electrician Business: Master Electrician Required, $150 License, Class C at $235Licenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Plumbing Business: Master Plumber Qualifier, $150 License, Residential TierLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →an HVAC Business: Master HVAC Qualifier, Residential HVAC Tradesman and 2026 FeesLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Roofing Business: ROC Specialty, Class C Over $1,000 and 2026 DPOR FeesLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Handyman Business: Over $1,000 Needs a License, $500 a Day PenaltyLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Painting Business: PTC Specialty, EPA Lead Rule and Class C Over $1,000Licenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Home Inspection Business: 15-Point License System, $80 Application, $45 RenewalLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Barbershop: 750-Hour Barber License, $120 Application, $220 Shop LicenseLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Hair Salon: 1,000-Hour Cosmetology License, $120 Fees, $220 Salon LicenseLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Nail Salon: 150-Hour Nail Technician License, $120 Fees, $220 Salon LicenseLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →an Esthetician or Spa Business: 600-Hour License, $120 Fee, $220 Spa LicenseLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Tattoo Shop: State License, 1,500-Hour Apprenticeship, $220 Parlor FeeLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Massage Therapy Business: 500 Hours, $140 License, $95 RenewalLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Med Spa: Who Can Own One, Who Can Treat, and What Is Not LicensedLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Chiropractic Practice: $277 License, $312 Renewal, 30 CE HoursLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Dental Practice: $400 License by Exam, $285 Renewal, PLLC RulesLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Home Care Agency: VDH License $1,500 for 3 Years, $1 Million LiabilityLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Daycare: VDOE License, $28 to $400 by Capacity, Ratios 1:4 to 1:20Licenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Family Day Home: License at 5 to 12 Children, $28 Fee, Zoning Permit RulesLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →an Assisted Living Facility: DSS License, $250,000 to $1 Million LiabilityLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Counseling Practice: LPC License $175, Annual Renewal $130, 2,000-Hour ResidencyLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Real Estate Business: Salesperson $230, Broker $285, Firm License $370 (2026 Fees)Licenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Notary Business: $45 Commission, $10 Paper Fee Cap, 2026 Journal, 2027 ExamLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Tax Preparation Business: No State License, PTIN $18.75 Required on Every ReturnLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Towing Business: No State Board, Local Rules and the $210 Private-Property Tow CapLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Trucking Business: DMV Intrastate Permit, $750,000 Insurance Over 10,000 lbLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Courier Business: Vehicles 10,000 lb or Less Skip the DMV Permit, Not InsuranceLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Moving Company: DMV Certificate of Fitness, $50,000 Bond, $750,000 LiabilityLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Car Dealership: Dealer Board License, $50,000 Bond, 250 sq ft OfficeLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Security Guard Company: DCJS License $550 to $800, Officer Registration $25Licenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Bail Bonds Business: DCJS License, $900 Fee and $200,000 Property CollateralLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Pest Control Business: VDACS License $75 Per Location, Expires March 31Licenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Funeral Home: $600 Establishment License, Manager of Record, Inspection FirstLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Restaurant: VDH Permit $40 Plus $40, CFPM Required and 2026 ABC Food Ratio ChangeLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Coffee Shop: VDH Permit $40 Plus $40, CFPM and $450 Wine and Beer LicenseLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Bakery: Home Bakery Rules After 2026-07-01, VDACS vs VDH and No $25,000 CapLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Catering Business: ABC Caterer License $1,990, $4,000 a Month Gross SalesLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Meal Prep or Ghost Kitchen Business: VDH vs VDACS and Commissary RulesLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Food Truck: VDH Permit $40 Plus $40, Local Fire Official, Food Trailers IncludedLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Vending Machine Business: Sales Tax on Cost Price and a Registration Per LocalityLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →Virginia Cottage Food Law 2026: Sell Home-Made Food Online, No Permit, No $25,000 CapLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Bar: Mixed Beverage License $1,050 to $3,100 and the 2026 Food RatioLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Craft Brewery: ABC Brewery License $380 to $4,690 and the 20 Percent Own-Beer RuleLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Farm Winery: ABC License $275 to $4,000, Class I to IV Acreage RulesLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →an Agritourism Business: The Required Warning Sign and the Local Zoning ShieldLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Hemp or CBD Store: 2 mg THC Cap and $1,000 Registration Per Location (2026)Licenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →an Oyster Farm: VMRC Lease Fees, Annual Rent and Permit CostsLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Government Contracting Business: Free SWaM Certification, eVA and SBSDLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Lawn Care and Landscaping Business: $75 Pesticide License and DPOR LimitsLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Pressure Washing Business: Does It Need a DPOR License? What the Code SaysLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Junk Removal Business: No State License, DEQ Disposal and the Demolition LineLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →an Auto Detailing Business: No State License and the 9VAC25-194 Wash-Water RuleLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Cleaning Business: No State License, BPOL 36 Cent Cap and Sales Tax on ServicesLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Laundromat: No State License, VPDES Only for Surface Discharge, Sewer, ZoningLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Pet Grooming Business: No State License, Care Duties Under 3.2-6518Licenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Photography Business: Local License Capped at $30 With No Virginia StudioLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Bookkeeping Business: No State License and Where the CPA Line FallsLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Consulting Business: No State License, BPOL by Type of Work and Where GovCon FitsLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →an Online Store: Economic Nexus at $100,000 or 200 Sales and the Privacy Law TestLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →an Event Planning Business: No License and the ABC Banquet License for AlcoholLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Tutoring Business: No State License for Private TutorsLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Personal Training Business: No License Unless You Run a Health ClubLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Gym: Health Club Act Registration $200 to $800, Bond $10,000 to $100,000 and AEDLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →a Yoga or Pilates Studio: When the Health Club Act AppliesLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →Other Regulated Businesses: Agency and Fee for Licensed Types Without Their Own PageLicenses, permits and startup costs in VirginiaRead the guide →