Do you need a cleaning business license? A state-by-state guide

Learn about cleaning business license cost, insurance requirements, permits and more.

By Kim Mercado

Contributing Writer

Jun 12, 2025

9 min read

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In most states you’ll need some type of cleaning business license to operate your business legally. But the exact requirements depend on where you’re located and the cleaning services you provide.

For example, many states require a business license — essentially a permit that allows you to legally operate within a city or state.

You may also need a specific license if you offer certain services, like hazardous waste cleanup or large commercial cleaning work. Some areas require pressure washers to have an occupational license. Check your local regulations if you plan to offer more specialized services.

In this guide, we’ll cover what type of cleaning license you might need for your business, how to get a cleaning business license in your state and what it could cost you.

Jump ahead to learn:

What cleaning business licenses do you need to start?
How much does a cleaning business license cost?
State-by-state cleaning business license requirements
Do you need insurance to start a cleaning business?
How NEXT helps cleaning businesses thrive?

What cleaning business licenses do you need to start?

Most cleaning businesses need a few basic licenses or permits to operate legally.

You might need a:

1. Business license

This is the most common license for cleaning businesses. It’s typically issued by your city or county and gives you permission to legally operate in your area. Some states also require a state-level business license.

2. DBA (Doing Business As) license

This can also be called a “fictitious business name statement” or an “assumed name certificate.” If you’re using a business name that’s different from your legal name — like “Bright & Clean Services” instead of “Terry Smith” — you may need to register a DBA with your local government.

3. Home occupation permit

If you’re running your business out of your home, some cities require a home occupation permit. This permit is especially important if you’re storing cleaning supplies for work at home or meeting with clients from your home office.

4. Special permits or certifications

Most general cleaning services don’t require a professional license. But if your business handles hazardous materials, post-construction cleanup or wastewater, you may need extra permits or safety certifications. Check with your local government to know for sure.

5. Sales tax permit

If you sell cleaning products or add product costs to your invoices, you might need a sales tax permit from your state’s department of revenue.

How much does a cleaning business license cost?

Licenses can be as low as $10 or go as high as a couple of hundred per license. The costs for a license for your cleaning business depend on a number of factors, including:

Which license you need.
Your city and state mandates.
The type of cleaning business you have (domestic, commercial or specialized services).

State-by-state cleaning business license requirements

Licensing and registration rules vary across the U.S. These are the rules in your state.

State	Cleaning business license requirement	Business licensing department
Alabama	Requires a state business privilege license, typically obtained through the county probate office.	Alabama Department of Revenue
Alaska	A state business license is mandatory for all businesses.	Alaska Department of Commerce
Arizona	Arizona does not require a state business license. Most city/town offices issue business licenses. Businesses must obtain a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) license if engaging in taxable activities.	Not applicable
Arkansas	Business licenses are issued at the local level, but businesses must register with the state.	Arkansas Secretary of State
California	Janitorial businesses must register with the Labor Commissioner’s Office. Business licenses are issued at the local level.	Not applicable
Colorado	Businesses must register with the Colorado Secretary of State.	Colorado Secretary of State
Connecticut	Businesses must register with the Connecticut Secretary of the State.	State of Connecticut
Delaware	A general business license is required from the Division of Revenue. Businesses (except sole proprietors) must also register with the Delaware Division of Corporations.	Delaware Division of Revenue
Florida	Cleaning services fall under “Services to Buildings and Dwellings” and must register accordingly. Register with the Florida Department of State.	Florida Department of State
Georgia	Licensing is done on the local level. Businesses must register with the Georgia Secretary of State and the Department of Revenue.	Georgia Secretary of State
Hawaii	Register your business with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (except sole proprietors).	Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Idaho	Licensing is done on the local level. Businesses must register with the Secretary of State.	Idaho Secretary of State
Illinois	Register with the Illinois Department of Revenue.	Illinois Department of Revenue
Indiana	No general state business license, but businesses must register with the Indiana Secretary of State and Department of Revenue.	Indiana Secretary of State
Iowa	Licensing requirements depend on the nature of the business. Businesses must register with the Iowa Secretary of State.	Iowa Secretary of State
Kansas	Business licenses are generally issued at the local level. State registration is required through the Secretary of State (sole proprietors excepted).	Kansas Secretary of State
Kentucky	A state business license is not required, but businesses must register with the Kentucky One Stop Business Portal.	State of Kentucky
Louisiana	There is no general licensing at the state level. However, you may have to register with the Secretary of State, Department of Revenue and Workforce Commission.	Louisiana Secretary of State
Maine	No state licenses required for cleaning services. Businesses must register with the Maine Secretary of State. (sole proprietors excepted)	Maine Department of Economic & Community Development
Maryland	A state business license is typically required, and businesses must register with the Maryland Business Express portal.	Maryland Business Express
Massachusetts	Businesses must register with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. (Sole proprietors and general partnerships excepted.)	Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth
Michigan	Most business entities like LLCs and corporations must file a DBA with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.	Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Minnesota	Business licenses are not required at the state level for general cleaning services. Businesses must register with the Minnesota Secretary of State.	Minnesota Secretary of State
Mississippi	A state business license is not required, but local authorities may require their own. Businesses must register with the Mississippi Secretary of State.	Mississippi Secretary of State
Missouri	The state does not require a general business license. Businesses must register with the Missouri Secretary of State. (Sole proprietors and general partnerships excepted.)	Missouri Secretary of State
Montana	No general business license is required at the state level. Businesses must register with the Montana Secretary of State.	Montana Secretary of State
Nebraska	State-issued business licenses are not required for general cleaning services. Businesses must register with the Nebraska Secretary of State.	Nebraska Secretary of State
Nevada	A state business license is required and must be obtained through the Nevada Secretary of State. Businesses must also register with the state.	Nevada Secretary of State
New Hampshire	No state business license is required for general cleaning. Businesses must register with the New Hampshire Secretary of State.	New Hampshire Secretary of State
New Jersey	The state does not require a general cleaning business license. Businesses must register with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.	New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services
New Mexico	No general business license is required by the state. Businesses must register with the New Mexico Secretary of State.	New Mexico Secretary of State
New York	There is no general cleaning license required at the state level. Businesses must register with the New York Department of State. (Sole proprietors and general partnerships excepted.)	New York Department of State
North Carolina	A state-issued business license is not required for general cleaning services. Businesses must register with the North Carolina Secretary of State.	North Carolina Secretary of State
North Dakota	The state does not issue a general business license. Businesses must register with the North Dakota Secretary of State.	North Dakota Secretary of State
Ohio	Cleaning companies do not need a state business license. Businesses must register with the Ohio Secretary of State.	Ohio Secretary of State
Oklahoma	No state business license is required for cleaning services. Businesses must register with the Oklahoma Secretary of State.	Oklahoma Secretary of State
Oregon	The state does not require a business license for general cleaning. Businesses must register with the Oregon Secretary of State.	Oregon Secretary of State
Pennsylvania	No state-issued business license is needed for general cleaning services. Businesses must register with the Pennsylvania Department of State.	Pennsylvania Department of State
Rhode Island	A general business license is not required at the state level. Businesses must register with the Rhode Island Secretary of State.	Rhode Island Secretary of State
South Carolina	The state does not issue business licenses, though local licenses may be necessary. Businesses must register with the South Carolina Secretary of State.	South Carolina Secretary of State
South Dakota	There is no state-level business license requirement for cleaning businesses. Businesses must register with the South Dakota Secretary of State.	South Dakota Secretary of State
Tennessee	A state business license is required for businesses with gross receipts above a set threshold. Businesses must register with the Tennessee Secretary of State.	Tennessee Secretary of State
Texas	The state does not require a general business license for cleaning services. Businesses must register with the Texas Secretary of State.	Texas Secretary of State
Utah	A state business license is required. Businesses must register with the Utah Department of Commerce.	Utah Department of Commerce
Vermont	No general business license is required at the state level. Businesses must register with the Vermont Secretary of State.	Vermont Secretary of State
Virginia	The state does not require a business license for general cleaning services. Businesses must register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.	Virginia State Corporation Commission
Washington	A state business license is required. Businesses must register with the Washington Secretary of State.	Washington Department of Revenue
West Virginia	No state-issued business license is required for cleaning services. Businesses must register with the West Virginia State Tax Department.	West Virginia State Tax Department
Wisconsin	There is no state license required for general cleaning businesses. Businesses must register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.	Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Wyoming	A state-issued business license is not required. Businesses must register with the Wyoming Secretary of State.	Wyoming Secretary of State

Do you need insurance to start a cleaning business?

Some states may require you to carry business insurance. Others make it optional. Even if insurance isn’t a legal requirement in your state, it can help protect you from lawsuits and financial losses. And it can make your business look more professional and help you stand out from your competitors.

Here are some of the most common types of insurance to consider when starting a cleaning business.

General Liability insurance

General liability insurance can help cover losses around injuries to non-employees and damage to other people’s property. And it can help pay for legal fees if someone files a lawsuit against you.

Learn more about general liability for cleaners.

Tools and Equipment insurance

This type of insurance coverage is available as an add-on to general liability insurance. Tools and equipment coverage can help pay to repair or replace your gear if someone steals or damages it.

Workers’ Compensation insurance

If you have employees, most states require this type of coverage. Workers’ comp insurance can help pay medical bills and lost wages when an employee experiences a work-related illness or injury.

Learn more about workers’ comp for cleaners.

Commercial Auto insurance

You need a way to haul your cleaning supplies from one place to another. Your personal auto insurance policy probably won’t cover you for accidents or property damage when you’re driving for work, but a commercial auto insurance policy can.

How NEXT can help your cleaning businesses thrive

At NEXT, cleaning business insurance is fast, easy and affordable.

In about 10 minutes, you can answer a few questions about your business, see your policy options, get a quote and buy 100% online. You’re covered immediately after payment, and you can share a certificate of insurance at no additional cost.

Manage your policy 24/7 via web or mobile app.

If you have questions, our licensed, U.S.-based insurance professionals are ready to help.

Start a free quote with NEXT today.

About the author

Kim Mercado is a content editor at NEXT. She writes and edits content for small business owners, and enjoys helping entrepreneurs solve their business challenges and learn about insurance. Kim has contributed to Salesforce, Samsara and Google.

You can find Kim trying new recipes and cheering the 49ers.

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