Checklist for Opening a Business

Steps to forming a business in Washington State

This is a road map for opening a business in the state of Washington. There are eight steps in the road map but not all of them will apply to your business. We recommend you read through all steps in this road map before applying for your business license. You can download the Road Map as a PDF file if you prefer that format.

Here are the 8 steps:

  1. Research and make a plan;
  2. Register your business with the Secretary of State (SOS);
  3. License your business with the Department of Revenue (DOR);
  4. Report your new employees to the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS);
  5. Apply for a Reseller Permit with the Department of Revenue (DOR);
  6. Register as a contractor with Department of Labor & Industries (L&I);
  7. Contact your local health department for food handling requirements; and
  8. Check with your City and/or County for their requirements.

Start here to see what's involved in each step