General Business License

• Many states do not issue general business licenses to every company that exists in the state. Instead, they only require specialized licenses and permits for specific types of businesses and occupations. Medical care professionals may need to be licensed and certified in the state they do business in, for example, and companies that deal in creating or shipping food items may need permits and certifications from the state health department.
  
  

Resale Tax Permit

• Businesses that sell tangible products or taxable services generally need to obtain a sales tax ID or permit from the state they do business in. These requirements do not always apply to online businesses, however, so you'll need to check with your local small business licensing office to determine if the requirement applies in your area.
  
  

Regulated Licenses

• Some types of businesses are regulated by specific government bodies or the federal government. If you plan to start a business selling pharmaceutical drugs or supplies online, for example, you will probably need to get a federal license or permit, and there may be additional licenses and certifications required by the state your business operates in. Certain types of communication companies and those that deal in firearms or tobacco are also subject to federal regulations and licensing.
  
  

Local Permits

• Many local city or county governments have zoning ordinances that may require you to get special permits for running your online business from home. Often referred to as a home office or home occupational permit, this license is generally issued by your local business licensing body. Home office permits may have restrictions such as how often you're allowed to receive or send deliveries, and what times of day these business activities can occur. These ordinances are designed to limit the impact of your business activities on residential neighbors.