Massachusetts · 3 jurisdictions covered
Business licences and permits in Massachusetts
Massachusetts charges an LLC $500 to form and $500 every year after, four times what a corporation pays. It was the first state to mandate allergen awareness in restaurants, and it registers auto body repair shops.
What applies everywhere in Massachusetts
15 requirements are set by Massachusetts itself and apply whichever city you open in. Local permits sit on top of them.
| Requirement | Issued by | Fee | Applies | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division | $110–$520 a year — $125 for a corporation on paper, $500 for an LLC | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Articles of Organization (Corporation) | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division | $275 minimum, for up to 275,000 authorised shares; $100 for each further 100,000 | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Barbershop Licence | Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering, Division of Occupational Licensure | $130 original registration; $78 to renew | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Certificate of Organization (LLC) | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division | $500 one-time filing by post; $520 online or by fax | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Certified Food Protection Manager | Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Food Protection | No fee | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Construction Supervisor Licence | Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Inspections, Division of Occupational Licensure | $150 initial licence for three years; $100 to renew every two | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Cosmetology, Aesthetics or Manicuring Salon Licence | Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering, Division of Occupational Licensure | $136 application; $82 to renew | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Food Allergen Awareness Requirements | Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Food Protection | No fee | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Food Establishment Permit | Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Food Protection | $50–$300 a year, set by the local board of health — there is no state fee | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| General Business Licence (municipal certificate, not state) | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Group and School Age Child Care Licence | Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care | $150 provisional licence for a small programme; $175 to renew | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Home Improvement Contractor Registration | Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, Home Improvement Contractor Program | $250–$650 initial — a $150 fee plus a guaranty fund payment of $100 to $500 by headcount | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Motor Vehicle Damage Repair Shop Registration | Massachusetts Division of Standards, Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation | $450 every three years, plus a $10,000 surety bond | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
| Sales and Use Tax Registration | Massachusetts Department of Revenue | No fee | To every business | 2026-09-03 |
| Veterinary Facility Registration (not required by Massachusetts) | Massachusetts Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine, Division of Occupational Licensure | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-03 |
Which Massachusetts city are you opening in?
- Boston, MANo general business license — a Common Victualler License from the Licensing Board stands in for restaurants, priced per seat. ISD's Division of Health Inspections, not the separately-branded Boston Public Health Commission, issues the Food Service Permit.8 published records
- Springfield, MAFood service permitting is run entirely locally by Springfield's own Health & Human Services division, applying the state Food Code but setting its own fees. Two official fee sources disagree on Certificate of Occupancy, building-alteration and sign-permit dollar figures; both are disclosed rather than one asserted as correct.7 published records
- Worcester, MAWorcester's Inspectional Services Department, Housing & Health Division — not the separately-branded Division of Public Health — issues the food-service fee schedule. The Common Victualler License and Fire Prevention permit fees are confirmed to exist but genuinely not published anywhere.7 published records
Is there a single Massachusetts business licence?
No. Massachusetts has no single licence that covers every business. What you need depends on your industry, your city and your county, and most of the obligations that matter are issued locally rather than at state level.
The state-level registrations that do apply to nearly everyone are tax accounts rather than licences — which is why they are easy to miss.
Who issues permits in Massachusetts?
- Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations DivisionEntity formation · Annual reports4 permits
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Food ProtectionState sanitary code for food establishments · Food protection manager recognition · Allergen awareness requirements3 permits
- Massachusetts Board of Registration of Cosmetology and Barbering, Division of Occupational LicensureSalon licensing · Barbershop licensing2 permits
- Massachusetts Board of Registration in Veterinary Medicine, Division of Occupational LicensureVeterinarian licensing1 permit
- Massachusetts Department of Early Education and CareGroup and school age child care licensing · Family child care licensing1 permit
- Massachusetts Department of RevenueSales and use tax registration1 permit
- Massachusetts Division of Standards, Office of Consumer Affairs and Business RegulationMotor vehicle damage repair shop registration1 permit
- Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, Home Improvement Contractor ProgramHome improvement contractor registration · Guaranty fund1 permit
- Massachusetts Office of Public Safety and Inspections, Division of Occupational LicensureConstruction supervisor licensing1 permit
By industry
Commercial Compliance Hub publishes information, not legal advice. Requirements change — confirm anything you rely on with the issuing agency before you file.