Corporations How to Start Doing Business in Alaska The State of Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing requires the following prior to engaging in business in the State of Alaska: Select your business structure: (i.e. sole proprietorship, corporation, LLC, etc.)• For more information go to: Establishing a Business in Alaska and see Chapter 2. Determine your line of business and NAICS code:• For more information go to: Line of Business / Alaska NAICS Code Research and select your business name: • For more information go to:Selecting a Name for Your Business Determine a "Distinguishable" Name If an entity (i.e. corporation, LLC, LLP, LP, etc.) select your Registered Agent:• For more information go to: Registered Agents FAQs For additional resources go to: BusinessLicense.Alaska.Gov, and scroll down to RESOURCES. Further assistance: you are advised to seek the services of an attorney or other qualified professional. The Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing may require the following registrations and/or licenses prior to engaging in business in the State of Alaska. STEP 1 - Corporations Section (if applicable) Do you need to start a new Domestic (Alaskan) Business Corporation, Nonprofit Corporation, LLC, or another entity type in the State of Alaska? "Domestic" means the entity will be formed in Alaska and Alaska will be its home state or jurisdiction. Do you already have a Foreign (out-of-state or out-of-country) Business Corporation, Nonprofit Corporation, LLC, or another entity type that will be doing business in the State of Alaska? "Foreign" means an entity was formed and registered in another state or country, and registering a Foreign entity in Alaska makes it an "extension" of that business. If the answer is no and you will not do business through an entity: You may skip this step. If the answer is yes and you will do business through an entity: The first step is to register your corporation/entity for an Alaska Entity Number. All forms are available at: Forms By Entity Type Select your entity type in the menu and select whether it is Domestic or Foreign. The first form listed for your specific entity type will create your entity and issue an Alaska Entity Number. Before applying for an entity, check to ensure you are completing the correct application for your entity type and review all data entry. Once posted, filings are non-refundable and permanent records. Corrections may require additional forms and filing fees. Go to www.Corporations.Alaska.Gov for additional resources & FAQs See Notice: The Entity's Responsibility for general filing expectations to maintain your entity's status in Alaska in the future. STEP 2 - Professional Licensing Section (if applicable) Will you be engaging in a professionally licensed (occupational) field? The Professional Licensing Section issues licenses for more than 40 professions and grants the recipient of a license legal authority to practice in that specific field in Alaska. This includes: Construction Contractors, Medical, Dental, Nursing, Architects, Engineers, Hairdressers, Massage Therapy, and more. A license may be required before a person and/or an entity can legally do business in a profession. If the answer is no and you will not have a professional activity: You may skip this step. If the answer is yes and you will have a professional activity: Visit the Professional Licensing Section to become licensed as an individual and/or an entity. The exact licensing requirements will vary depending on the specific licensing program. All licensed professions are available at: www.ProfessionalLicense.Alaska.gov Click on the licensing program you are interested in to find applications, statutes, and contact information. Go to www.ProfessionalLicense.Alaska.gov for additional resources & FAQs for each profession. STEP 3 - Business Licensing Section The Business Licensing Section issues business licenses to a person or to an entity that intends to engage in a business in Alaska. This includes individuals (Sole Proprietors), entities (both incorporated and unincorporated/non-registered), and Partnerships (two or more individuals/entities). Any for-profit or non-profit business that engages or offers to engage in a trade, service, profession, or another business activity must obtain an Alaska Business License. In addition, Business Licensing issues Tobacco Endorsements and Telemedicine Business Registrations. A business license contains a “DBA” (doing business as) name, also known as a business name or trade name. This is the name that the owner (a person or entity) will operate and advertise under in Alaska. The owner should obtain more than one license if they operate and advertise under multiple DBA names. (1 Business License = 1 DBA name) After Steps #1 and #2 (if either are applicable), a new Alaska Business License can be applied online at www.BusinessLicense.Alaska.Gov Before applying for a license, please note that business licenses are not refundable and are not transferable or assignable from one owner to another. If you wish to have the benefits of an entity, you must first register an entity in Alaska (see Step #1). Go to www.BusinessLicense.Alaska.Gov for additional resources & FAQs concerning business licenses, tobacco endorsements, and the telemedicine business registry. STEP 4 - Check with Other Agencies Depending on the type of work and location, a business may be required to hold other licenses, registrations, or permits on a municipal, state, or federal level to legally conduct its business activities. It is advised that the business conducts a thorough search to ensure compliance on a municipal, state, and federal level. This could include (but not limited to): Alaska Department of Labor Alaska Department of Revenue Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Division of Banking & Securities Division of Environmental Health Division of Insurance Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office Division of Mining, Land and Water Division of Commercial Fisheries Other municipal, state, or federal agencies regulating taxes, business activities, or specific occupations. This Division does not provide legal advice. The information contained within these webpages is provided for your convenienceand is not to be interpreted as legal advice. It is your responsibility to know what your rewgistering, reporting, and filing requirements are based on your specific business activities. Not knowing what is expected of you may not preclude you from the legal obligationto meet these requirements and compliance with the law. You are encouraged to seek the advice of a professional, such as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and/or Attorney, if you need additional assistance. Contact Us Please direct your questions to the appropriate section: Corporations, Professional Licensing, or Business Licensing. Each section specializes in its own requirements, per Alaska Statutes and Regulations. For Step #1 - Corporations Section Email: Corporations@Alaska.Gov For Step #2 - Professional Licensing Section Email: License@Alaska.Gov For Step #3 - Business Licensing Section Email: BusinessLicense@Alaska.Gov