How to Fill Out Washington Business License Application + FAQs

The Washington Business License Application (Form BLS-700-028, current revision 2025) is the single state form that every person or entity doing business in Washington must file with the Department of Revenue Business Licensing Service to obtain a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number, register for state taxes, and add city, regulatory, and trade-name endorsements. Filing this one form replaces dozens of separate registrations, which is why Washington processes more than 400,000 business license filings each year through the Business Licensing Wizard and paper channels combined.

If you skip the application, file the wrong owner type, or miss a city endorsement, the state can assess penalties under RCW 19.02.085, block your ability to collect sales tax legally, and force you to refile from scratch. The good news is the form is forgiving when you understand each box, so this guide walks you through every field, fee, and filing channel with named examples and edge cases pulled from three decades of front-line filing experience.

Here is what this article delivers:

📝 A line-by-line walkthrough of every section on the BLS Business License Application PDF, with sample entries and common mistakes flagged
🏛️ Plain-English explanations of UBI numbers, NAICS codes, governing people, and city endorsements under RCW Title 19.02
💵 Current fees, deadlines, and renewal penalties from the DOR fee schedule
🧭 Three full filed-out scenarios — a home-based sole proprietor, a Seattle restaurant LLC with a liquor endorsement, and an out-of-state corporation registering a Washington branch
⚠️ A focused list of 10+ mistakes that get applications rejected or delayed, plus 12+ FAQs answering the field-level questions filers ask most

What the Washington Business License Application Is and Who Must File It

The Washington Business License Application is the master state form administered by the Business Licensing Service (BLS), a division of the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR). It is authorized by RCW Chapter 19.02 (the Business Licensing Service Act) and works hand-in-hand with RCW Chapter 82.32, which governs tax administration. When you submit the form, BLS issues a 9-digit UBI number that follows your business across DOR, the Secretary of State, Labor & Industries, and the Employment Security Department.

You must file this application if you do any of the following inside Washington: open a new business, hire employees, sell goods or services subject to sales tax, gross more than $12,000 a year, register a trade name, or need a regulated endorsement such as liquor, cannabis, or a professional license. The rule applies to sole proprietors, general partnerships, LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, and out-of-state entities with a physical presence or economic nexus in the state. Even a part-time Etsy seller crossing the $12,000 threshold must file under WAC 458-20-101.

Out-of-state filers register through the same BLS application, but they typically file the Foreign Registration Statement with the Secretary of State first to obtain a UBI, then attach that UBI to the BLS form. Nonprofits use the same form but check the nonprofit ownership type box and may qualify for fee waivers under RCW 82.04.3651. Skipping registration triggers a $5-per-day penalty, back taxes, and possible referral to the Attorney General’s office for unauthorized business activity.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Filing goes faster when you gather everything before opening the application. The Business Licensing Wizard times out after 60 minutes of inactivity, so a missing document mid-application can force a restart. Build a folder with the items below, in digital and paper form, before you click Apply Online.

Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). Required for every entity except single-owner sole proprietors with no employees. Get one free at the IRS EIN Assistant. Without it, you cannot add the employee or excise-tax sections.
UBI number from the Secretary of State (if already formed). LLCs and corporations that filed their Certificate of Formation through the Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS) already have a UBI. Entering a mismatched UBI rejects the BLS filing.
Owner and governing-people SSNs or ITINs. Every owner, partner, member, officer, and director listed in the Governing People section needs a valid Social Security Number or ITIN under RCW 19.02.100. Missing numbers stall the application in manual review.
Physical business address and mailing address. A P.O. Box is not allowed for the physical location. The address determines which city endorsements apply.
Estimated gross income and start date. BLS uses the start date to set your first excise tax filing period, so be exact.
NAICS code(s). Pick the closest match from the 2022 NAICS code lookup. Bad codes cause incorrect tax classifications.
Trade name (DBA), if any. Reserve or check availability in the Business Name Search. The fee is $5 per trade name.
City endorsement details. Cities like Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, and Bellevue charge fees that ride along with the BLS form.
Regulated industry credentials. Liquor (LCB), cannabis, food handler, contractor, cosmetology, and other endorsements require pre-approved supporting documents.
Payment method. Credit/debit card or e-check online, or a check payable to the Department of Revenue for paper filings.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

The official paper form is the Business License Application (BLS-700-028), published in English and translated versions on the DOR website. Always download the version with the most recent revision date in the bottom-left corner. Older PDFs floating on third-party sites omit newer endorsement check-boxes and route to outdated fee schedules.

Most filers skip the paper PDF and use the Business Licensing Wizard, an online interview that asks plain-English questions, builds the form for you, and submits it to BLS in real time. The Wizard is the fastest channel because it pre-validates UBI, EIN, and NAICS values before payment. You can also log into SecureAccess Washington (SAW) and apply through your My DOR dashboard, which preserves your application history.

In-person filers can drop off or complete the form at a BLS field office in Olympia, Bellevue, Bellingham, Kent, Spokane, Tacoma, Tumwater, Vancouver, Wenatchee, or Yakima. Mail filers send the completed PDF and check to Department of Revenue, Business Licensing Service, P.O. Box 9034, Olympia, WA 98507-9034. Paper applications take 10 business days to process; online applications often issue a UBI within 10 minutes and a printed license within 7 to 10 days.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Washington Business License Application Line by Line

The form runs roughly six pages and is broken into numbered sections. Treat each numbered box as its own decision. The walkthrough below mirrors the BLS-700-028 paper form because the Business Licensing Wizard asks the same questions in the same order.

Section 1: Ownership Structure

This box asks what legal form your business takes — sole proprietor, general partnership, LLC, corporation, nonprofit, limited partnership, trust, estate, joint venture, or tribal entity. You answer by checking exactly one box that matches the entity you formed (or will form) with the Secretary of State.

For example, Maria Lopez, a freelance graphic designer working alone, checks ☒ Sole Proprietor. Northwest Brews LLC, a two-member craft brewery, checks ☒ Limited Liability Company.

The most common edge case is a single-member LLC. Even though the IRS treats it as a disregarded entity for federal taxes, Washington still treats it as an LLC on this form, so check ☒ LLC, not Sole Proprietor. The most common mistake is a husband-and-wife team checking General Partnership when they actually formed an LLC; that mismatch forces BLS to suspend the application until ownership records align with Secretary of State filings. A widespread misconception is that this box determines tax treatment — it does not. It only tells BLS which legal entity owns the UBI, while tax treatment is controlled by your IRS election and your DOR excise classifications.

Section 2: UBI Number (If Already Assigned)

This field asks whether your business already has a 9-digit Unified Business Identifier issued by another Washington agency. You answer by entering the existing UBI exactly as printed on your Secretary of State filing or prior Master Business License. Leave blank if this is your first Washington registration.

For example, Cascade Holdings, Inc. already filed Articles of Incorporation, so it enters 602 123 456 in the UBI box.

The nuance is that LLCs and corporations always have a UBI before BLS — the Secretary of State assigns it at formation. The most common mistake is entering the EIN here instead of the UBI; that bounces the application out of automated review and adds two weeks of delay. The misconception is that the UBI is the same as a tax ID — it is not. The UBI is your statewide tracking number, while the EIN is your federal tax ID.

Section 3: Business Name and Trade Name (DBA)

This section asks for two names: the legal name of the business (the name on file with the Secretary of State or the owner’s legal name for sole props) and any trade name the business uses with the public. You answer by typing the legal name exactly as registered, then listing each DBA on its own line.

For example, Marcus Chen operates as a sole proprietor. He writes Marcus Chen in the legal name field and Chen Mobile Repair as the trade name.

A common edge case is filing multiple trade names on one application — Washington allows it, but each DBA costs $5 under the BLS fee schedule. The most common mistake is putting the DBA in the legal name field, which causes the printed license to display the wrong owner and forces a free-but-slow correction filing. The misconception is that registering a trade name gives you trademark rights — it does not. Trademark protection comes from the USPTO, not from BLS.

Section 4: Business Mailing and Physical Address

This section asks for the address where you actually conduct business and the address where you want mail sent. You answer by entering the full street address (no abbreviations on the street type) for the physical location and either the same address or a separate mailing address for correspondence.

For example, Aisha Patel runs a home daycare at 1422 SE 32nd Avenue, Portland-line address, Vancouver, WA 98683 and uses a P.O. Box for mail at P.O. Box 4419, Vancouver, WA 98668.

The nuance: the physical address must be a real street address, not a P.O. Box, because BLS uses it to determine which city endorsements apply. The most common mistake is listing a registered-agent address as the physical location, which triggers the wrong city endorsements and overcharges the applicant. The misconception is that your home address can stay private — it cannot, because the physical address becomes part of the public license record under Washington’s Public Records Act.

Section 5: Business Activity and NAICS Code

This box asks what your business actually does and which NAICS industry code best matches that activity. You answer in two parts: a one-line plain-English description, then the 6-digit NAICS code.

For example, Janet Reyes runs a yoga studio. She writes Group yoga and meditation classes and codes it as 611699.

The nuance: pick the code for your primary revenue source if you have multiple activities. The most common mistake is choosing a generic code like 999999 or guessing — DOR uses NAICS to map you to the correct B&O tax classification under RCW 82.04, and the wrong code can put you in a higher tax bracket. The misconception is that the NAICS code locks you into one activity — it does not. You can update it later through your My DOR account, but doing so correctly the first time avoids tax-class disputes.

Section 6: Estimated Gross Income and Start Date

This section asks the date your business will start operating in Washington and your best estimate of annual gross income. You answer with an MM/DD/YYYY start date and a dollar amount rounded to the nearest hundred.

For example, Northwest Brews LLC enters 06/01/2026 and $280,000.

The nuance: the start date controls when your first excise tax return is due. The most common mistake is back-dating the start date to a date before formation, which makes you liable for back taxes you did not actually owe. The misconception is that the income estimate must be exact — it does not. DOR uses it only to set your filing frequency (monthly, quarterly, or annual) under WAC 458-20-22802.

Section 7: Owners, Partners, Members, and Governing People

This section asks for the legal name, title, SSN/ITIN, date of birth, and home address of every owner, member, partner, officer, or director listed under RCW 19.02.100. You answer by listing each person on a separate line and signing the SSN-disclosure acknowledgment.

For example, Northwest Brews LLC lists Carlos Mendoza, Member, SSN 123-45-6789, DOB 03/14/1985 and Priya Shah, Member, SSN 987-65-4321, DOB 11/22/1988.

The nuance: list every person with 10% or more ownership interest plus all officers and directors for corporations, regardless of ownership. The most common mistake is omitting a silent partner with under 25% ownership; if BLS later discovers the omission during an audit, the entire license can be revoked. The misconception is that SSNs are optional — they are mandatory under federal child-support enforcement law (42 U.S.C. § 666) and missing them voids the application.

Section 8: Hiring Employees

This box asks whether you have or will have employees in Washington within 90 days. You answer Yes or No, then provide first hire date, estimated quarterly wages, and worker count if Yes.

For example, Janet’s Yoga Studio will hire two part-time instructors. She checks ☒ Yes, enters first hire date 07/15/2026, $8,400 quarterly wages, and 2 employees.

The nuance: checking Yes auto-registers you with Labor & Industries (L&I) for workers’ compensation and with the Employment Security Department (ESD) for unemployment insurance. The most common mistake is checking No to avoid paperwork and then paying workers anyway — that triggers criminal misdemeanor liability under L&I rules. The misconception is that 1099 contractors don’t count — many of them do under Washington’s strict ABC test.

Section 9: Specialty Endorsements (Liquor, Cannabis, Lottery, Tobacco, Firearms)

This section asks whether you need any of the specialty regulatory endorsements administered by the Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB), the Lottery Commission, or the Department of Revenue tobacco unit. You answer by checking each endorsement that applies and attaching the required supporting documents.

For example, Northwest Brews LLC checks ☒ Microbrewery and ☒ Beer/Wine Restaurant, attaches a floor plan, and includes the $1,381 combined LCB fee.

The nuance: each endorsement has its own statutory waiting period — liquor takes 90 days minimum under RCW 66.24.010. The most common mistake is starting to operate before LCB approval, which results in a Class C felony exposure for unlicensed alcohol sales. The misconception is that local approval substitutes for state approval — it does not. Both must clear before service begins.

Section 10: City and County Endorsements

This section asks which Washington cities you will operate in, because more than 90 cities now collect their general business license through the BLS form. You answer by selecting each city and paying the city’s fee through BLS.

For example, Marcus Chen operates in Seattle and Bellevue, so he selects ☒ Seattle ($90 to $1,000+ depending on revenue under the Seattle business license tax) and ☒ Bellevue ($66 base fee).

The nuance: cities like Spokane and Tacoma calculate fees by employee headcount or gross revenue tier, so review each city’s schedule before submitting. The most common mistake is selecting only the home city and ignoring cities where you do mobile work — every city you physically work in needs its own endorsement. The misconception is that one state license covers every city — it does not, and Seattle alone issues thousands of citations every year for unendorsed activity.

Section 11: Signature, Date, and Penalty of Perjury

The final box asks the owner, officer, or authorized agent to sign and date the application under penalty of perjury per RCW 9A.72.040. You answer by signing your full legal name, printing it below, entering your title, and dating MM/DD/YYYY.

For example, Carlos Mendoza signs Carlos Mendoza, prints Carlos Mendoza, enters title Managing Member, and dates 05/22/2026.

The nuance: only an owner, officer, partner, or someone with a power of attorney filed under RCW 11.125 can sign. The most common mistake is having a bookkeeper sign without written authority, which voids the application. The misconception is that an electronic signature is weaker — it is not. The Wizard’s e-signature carries the same legal weight under the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Below are three full walkthroughs that show how very different filers complete the same form. Each table mirrors the order of fields on the BLS-700-028.

Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, Home-Based Etsy Seller (Sole Proprietor, Vancouver WA)

Form Section	What Maria Enters
Ownership Structure	☒ Sole Proprietor
UBI Number	Blank (first registration)
Legal Name / Trade Name	Maria Lopez / Lopez Handmade Goods
Physical Address	908 E 18th St, Vancouver, WA 98663
Business Activity & NAICS	Online sale of handmade jewelry / 454110
Start Date & Gross Income	06/15/2026 / $22,000
Governing People	Maria Lopez, Owner, SSN 555-22-1111, DOB 04/02/1990
Hiring Employees	☒ No
City Endorsements	☒ Vancouver ($60 base)
Signature	Maria Lopez, Owner, 05/22/2026

Scenario 2: Northwest Brews LLC, Seattle Microbrewery (Multi-Member LLC)

Form Section	What Northwest Brews Enters
Ownership Structure	☒ Limited Liability Company
UBI Number	604 887 221 (from CCFS filing)
Legal Name / Trade Name	Northwest Brews LLC / Cascade Tap Room
Physical Address	2210 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134
Business Activity & NAICS	Microbrewery with on-site tap room / 312120
Start Date & Gross Income	08/01/2026 / $540,000
Governing People	Carlos Mendoza, Member 60%; Priya Shah, Member 40%
Hiring Employees	☒ Yes, 6 employees, first hire 07/20/2026
Specialty Endorsements	☒ Microbrewery, ☒ Beer/Wine Restaurant
City Endorsements	☒ Seattle (revenue-tier fee)
Signature	Carlos Mendoza, Managing Member, 05/22/2026

Scenario 3: Cascade Holdings, Inc., Out-of-State Corporation Registering a Tacoma Branch

Form Section	What Cascade Holdings Enters
Ownership Structure	☒ Corporation – Foreign Profit
UBI Number	603 994 102 (from foreign registration)
Legal Name / Trade Name	Cascade Holdings, Inc. / Cascade Logistics Northwest
Physical Address	1717 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
Business Activity & NAICS	Third-party logistics warehouse / 493110
Start Date & Gross Income	07/01/2026 / $3,200,000
Governing People	4 directors, 2 officers listed with SSNs and DOBs
Hiring Employees	☒ Yes, 24 employees, first hire 06/24/2026
City Endorsements	☒ Tacoma (employee-based fee)
Signature	Janet Reyes, CFO, 05/22/2026

How to File the Completed Form

Washington offers four filing channels, and each has its own fee, processing time, and proof-of-filing rules under the BLS fee schedule. The base application fee is $90, plus $5 per trade name, plus city and specialty endorsement fees.

Online via Business Licensing Wizard. Go to the Business Licensing Wizard, pay by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx, or e-check, and download a confirmation page. Processing time is 10 business days for most endorsements and as fast as same-day for the base license. Save the confirmation PDF — that is your proof of filing.
My DOR (SecureAccess Washington). Log in at secureaccess.wa.gov, select Apply for a new business license, and pay through the same gateway. The advantage is that you keep an audit trail in your dashboard, which matters for renewals.
Mail. Send the completed BLS-700-028 PDF with a check payable to Department of Revenue to Business Licensing Service, P.O. Box 9034, Olympia, WA 98507-9034. Allow 10 business days from the date the postmark is received. Send via certified mail with return receipt as proof of filing.
In Person. Walk into any BLS field office, including Olympia, Bellevue, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Yakima. Bring the form, supporting documents, and payment by check or money order. The clerk gives you a date-stamped receipt as proof of filing.

What Happens After You File

Once BLS accepts the application, the system issues your 9-digit UBI within minutes for online filings and within 10 business days for paper filings. You receive a printed Master Business License showing every endorsement, which Washington law requires you to post in plain view at the physical location under RCW 19.02.100.

DOR then routes your information to L&I for workers’ comp setup, ESD for unemployment insurance, and the cities you endorsed. Expect separate welcome letters from each agency within two to three weeks, each with its own account number. Specialty endorsements like liquor, cannabis, and contractor licensing trigger a separate review by the Liquor and Cannabis Board or L&I Contractor Section, which can take 30 to 90 days.

Your license must be renewed annually on the expiration date printed on the certificate. Renewals cost $19 plus city and endorsement fees, and the DOR renewal portal sends email reminders 45 days out. Late renewals add a $39 delinquency fee plus the daily penalty under WAC 458-20-101.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

Avoiding these errors keeps you out of manual review and prevents costly delays:

Choosing the wrong ownership type. The state cross-checks against Secretary of State records, and any mismatch suspends the application until you refile.
Entering the EIN in the UBI box. This bounces the application out of automated review and adds at least two weeks.
Listing a P.O. Box as the physical address. BLS rejects the form because city endorsements depend on a real street address.
Picking a generic NAICS code. The wrong code maps you to the wrong B&O classification and overcharges you on excise tax.
Omitting a governing person. Failure to list every owner with 10%+ stake or any officer voids the application under RCW 19.02.100.
Saying “no employees” while paying workers. Triggers L&I and ESD penalties, plus possible criminal liability.
Skipping a city endorsement. Each city you operate in needs its own endorsement, or you face local citations and back fees.
Starting alcohol or cannabis sales before LCB approval. That is a felony, not a fee issue.
Back-dating the start date. You become liable for back taxes you never owed.
Missing the trade-name fee. Each $5 trade-name fee is separate from the $90 base; missing it stops the registration.
Using a bookkeeper signature without authority. The application is void.
Forgetting to renew on time. The $39 late fee plus daily penalty stacks fast.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

Do use the Business Licensing Wizard when possible, because pre-validation catches most errors instantly.
Do verify your UBI in the CCFS business search before entering it on the form.
Do choose your NAICS code from the official 2022 NAICS lookup so your tax classification matches reality.
Do list every governing person with their SSN/ITIN, even silent partners.
Do save the confirmation PDF and email — that is your proof of timely filing.
Do post your Master Business License at your physical location, because state law requires it.

Don’ts

Don’t put a DBA in the legal name field, because the printed license will display the wrong owner.
Don’t list a registered-agent address as the physical location.
Don’t guess at endorsements — review the DOR endorsement list line by line.
Don’t pay with cash by mail; checks and money orders only.
Don’t ignore the renewal email — the late fee compounds quickly.
Don’t operate before LCB or contractor approval if those endorsements apply.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Pros of Filing On Your Own

Save several hundred dollars in attorney or filing-service fees, which matters most for sole proprietors.
Learn the system, which makes future renewals and amendments faster.
Keep direct control over every entry and avoid miscommunication with a third party.
Get instant UBI issuance through the Wizard for simple filings.
Build a direct My DOR account audit trail you can reference later.

Cons of Filing On Your Own

High risk of NAICS, ownership, or endorsement errors that cost more to fix than to prevent.
Specialty endorsements like liquor and cannabis have rules that lay filers rarely catch.
Out-of-state and multi-city filings interact with foreign registration and local tax rules that get technical fast.
No malpractice safety net if a wrong entry triggers back taxes.
Time cost can exceed the savings for businesses with revenue above $250,000.

Filing Online vs. by Mail

Filing Channel	What to Expect
Online (Business Licensing Wizard)	UBI in minutes, license in 7–10 days, e-check or card payment, automatic city endorsement sync
By Mail (P.O. Box 9034, Olympia 98507)	10+ business day processing, check or money order only, manual data entry increases error risk

FAQs

Do I need a Washington Business License if I make less than $12,000 a year?

No. Washington exempts businesses grossing under $12,000 annually with no taxable sales and no specialty endorsements, but you still need the license once you collect sales tax or hire an employee.

Do I write my legal name or my DBA in Box 3?

Yes, write the legal name first (your full name for sole props or registered entity name for LLCs and corps), then list the DBA on the trade-name line.

Is the UBI the same as my EIN?

No. The UBI is a 9-digit Washington state number, while the EIN is a 9-digit federal IRS number, and the two are not interchangeable.

Can I use a P.O. Box as my physical address in Section 4?

No. The physical address must be a real street address because BLS uses it to assign city endorsements and tax jurisdiction.

Do I list a 5% silent partner in Section 7?

No for the SSN-disclosure box, but Yes if your operating agreement gives them governing authority — when in doubt, list them to avoid revocation risk.

Do 1099 contractors count as employees for Section 8?

Yes, often, because Washington’s ABC test reclassifies many 1099 workers as employees for L&I and ESD purposes.

Can I file the BLS application before forming my LLC with the Secretary of State?

No. LLCs and corporations must file with the Secretary of State first to receive a UBI before submitting the BLS form.

How much does the application cost in total?

Yes, the base fee is $90, plus $5 per trade name, plus city and specialty endorsement fees that vary by location and industry.

Is the Business Licensing Wizard signature legally binding?

Yes. Washington’s Uniform Electronic Transactions Act gives e-signatures the same legal weight as ink signatures.

Do I need a separate Seattle business license if I already filed BLS?

No. Seattle’s business license is added through the BLS form by checking the Seattle endorsement box, and the city fee rides along with the state fee.

Can my accountant sign Section 11 for me?

No, unless they have a written power of attorney filed under RCW 11.125; only owners, officers, or authorized partners may sign.

What happens if I enter the wrong NAICS code?

No application gets rejected solely for it, but DOR may reclassify your B&O tax bracket, which can mean back taxes and interest if the new class carries a higher rate.

How long does the Master Business License stay valid?

Yes, for one year — you must renew annually through My DOR, and late renewals add a $39 fee plus daily penalties.

Do nonprofits file the same form?

Yes. Nonprofits use the same BLS-700-028 but check the nonprofit ownership box and may qualify for fee waivers under RCW 82.04.3651.

Can I add a new city endorsement later without filing a new application?

Yes. You add cities through a Business License Application amendment in your My DOR account, and the new city’s fee is charged at the time of the change.

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