Maine · 17 statewide requirements covered
Business licences and permits in Maine
Maine splits food licensing between two departments by the legal distinction between an eating establishment and a food establishment. It licenses no general contractor, only a mandatory written contract above $3,000.
What applies everywhere in Maine
17 requirements are set by Maine itself and apply whichever city you open in. Local permits sit on top of them.
| Requirement | Issued by | Fee | Applies | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Report | Maine Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions | $85 for a domestic LLC or corporation, $150 for a foreign entity, $35 for a nonprofit; a late report adds a further $50 | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Articles of Incorporation | Maine Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions | $145 one-time filing | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Automotive Repair Shop Licence (not required by Maine) | Maine Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police, Traffic Division | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Certificate of Formation (LLC) | Maine Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions | $175 one-time filing | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Certified Food Protection Manager | Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Inspection Program | Not a state fee — priced by the private accredited provider, commonly in the range of $89 to $235 | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Child Care Facility Licence | Maine Office of Child and Family Services, Children's Licensing and Investigation Services | $240 for a full licence or its biennial renewal; a provisional or temporary licence is $120 | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Cosmetology or Barbering Establishment Licence | Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing Program | $20 a year | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Eating Establishment Licence | Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Inspection Program | $205–$300 a year, banded by seating capacity | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Electrician Licence | Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Electricians' Examining Board | $150 for a master, journeyman or limited electrician's licence; an apprentice is $25 | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Food Establishment Licence (manufacturing, processing or retail sale) | Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Division of Quality Assurance and Regulations | $20–$150 a year, banded by the number of employees | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| General Business Licence (not required by Maine) | Maine Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| General Contractor Licence (not required by Maine) | Maine Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Home Construction Written Contract Requirement | Maine Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Internal Plumbing Licence | Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Plumbers' Examining Board | $200 for a master or journeyman plumber's licence; a trainee is $100 | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Oil Burner and Solid Fuel Technician Licence | Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Maine Fuel Board | $200 for a master technician; a journeyman is $100 and an apprentice $40, each plus a $21 background check | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
| Sales and Use Tax Registration | Maine Revenue Services | No fee | To every business | 2026-09-04 |
| Veterinary Facility Permit (not required by Maine) | Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board of Veterinary Medicine | No fee | Only in some cases | 2026-09-04 |
Which Maine city are you opening in?
We do not yet publish a Maine city. The statewide requirements above are verified as far as they go, but a city or county adds its own — a local business tax receipt, a food permit, a building sign-off — and we will not guess at those. The jurisdictions we do cover are listed in full.
Is there a single Maine business licence?
No. Maine 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 Maine?
- Maine Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Corporations, Elections and CommissionsEntity formation · Annual reports4 permits
- Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Inspection ProgramEating establishment licences · Certified food protection manager rules2 permits
- Maine Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection DivisionHome construction contract requirements2 permits
- Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Division of Quality Assurance and RegulationsFood establishment licences for manufacturing, processing and retail1 permit
- Maine Department of Public Safety, Bureau of State Police, Traffic DivisionOfficial inspection station and inspection mechanic licensing1 permit
- Maine Office of Child and Family Services, Children's Licensing and Investigation ServicesChild care facility and family provider licensing1 permit
- Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Barbering and Cosmetology Licensing ProgramSalon and barbershop establishment licensing1 permit
- Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Board of Veterinary MedicineVeterinarian licensing1 permit
- Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Electricians' Examining BoardElectrician licensing1 permit
- Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Maine Fuel BoardOil burner and solid fuel technician licensing1 permit
- Maine Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Plumbers' Examining BoardInternal plumbing licensing1 permit
- Maine Revenue ServicesSales and use tax registration1 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.