Licensing in Washington is coordinated through the Department of Licensing (DOL), along with the Department of Revenue, Labor and Industries, and Employment Security. These agencies have created an easy one-stop business registration process. By filing a Master Business Application on DOL's site or at a local business licensing field office, business owners can apply for state business licenses, some city licenses and register one or more trade names for a business. If the structure is a corporate entity, it should first file with the Secretary of State.

Sole proprietors who are not employers usually do not need to apply for a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). All other business entity types must apply for registration through the Internal Revenue Service.

The Washington State Secretary of State Corporations Division registers domestic and foreign corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, LLPs and LLLPs. The division also registers state-level trademarks, immigration assistants, international student exchange programs, domestic partnerships, and accepts service of process.

The Washington State Governor's Office of Regulatory Assistance (ORA) has several resources to help determine what environmental permits might be required for your project. ORA is a separate state agency that helps businesses understand how government requirements apply to environmental permitting and business licensing. Ecology and other state natural resource agencies work with ORA to help businesses comply with permitting and regulatory requirements. 

Please keep in mind that it is your responsibility to know what environmental permits will be needed for your project. These ORA resources can help you get started: