State Guide

West Virginia Business License

This guide covers West Virginia's general business license requirements — state-level registration, local city and county licenses, fees, and renewal timelines.

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Overview

West Virginia requires businesses to obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the WV State Tax Department before beginning operations. The fee is $30 and the certificate must be renewed annually.

Local West Virginia cities may require additional local business licenses. Charleston, Huntington, and Morgantown have their own local requirements.

West Virginia Business Registration Certificate

Primary agencyWest Virginia State Tax Department
Legal authorityW. Va. Code § 11-12-1 et seq.
Key noteWV Business Registration Certificate ($30/year) required for all businesses before starting operations.

Initial Registration

Filing methodOnline at WV State Tax Department portal
Agency fee$30 per year

Registration Renewal

Filing methodAnnual renewal online
Agency fee$30 annually
Due dateDecember 31 annually

Local General Business Licenses

WV cities may require local business licenses in addition to the state certificate.

Counties

Barbour CountyBerkeley CountyBoone CountyBraxton CountyBrooke CountyCabell CountyCalhoun CountyClay CountyDoddridge CountyFayette CountyGilmer CountyGrant CountyGreenbrier CountyHampshire CountyHancock CountyHardy CountyHarrison CountyJackson CountyJefferson CountyKanawha CountyLewis CountyLincoln CountyLogan CountyMarion CountyMarshall CountyMason CountyMcDowell CountyMercer CountyMineral CountyMingo CountyMonongalia CountyMonroe CountyMorgan CountyNicholas CountyOhio CountyPendleton CountyPleasants CountyPocahontas CountyPreston CountyPutnam CountyRaleigh CountyRandolph CountyRitchie CountyRoane CountySummers CountyTaylor CountyTucker CountyTyler CountyUpshur CountyWayne CountyWebster CountyWetzel CountyWirt CountyWood CountyWyoming County

Cities & Townships

BeckleyCharlestonClarksburgFairmontHuntingtonMartinsburgMorgantownSouth CharlestonSt. AlbansViennaWeirtonWheeling

EntityEngine does not provide tax, financial, or legal advice. Requirements change — always verify with the issuing agency. Confirm with West Virginia State Tax Department →

Frequently Asked Questions

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