Good news: In the United States, there isn't a "cleaning license" like a cosmetology or contractor license. What you need are the permits required by any service business—a business license from your city or county, a registered name (DBA or LLC), an EIN, and, in some states, a sales tax permit —plus two things that aren't licenses but are essential for commercial clients to hire you: liability insurance and, for large contracts, a bond . All of this costs between $150 and $800 the first year, takes one to two weeks to obtain, and can be done with an ITIN. This guide provides the exact list, the order, the costs, and the differences by state.
Complete list: licenses and permits for a cleaning business
| I allow the document | required | Where | Cost 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure: LLC or business name (DBA) | Yes (one of the two) to operate under your own name and open an account | Secretary of State (LLC) or County (DBA) | LLC: $50 – $300 depending on the state · DBA: $10 – $100 |
| EIN | Yes, if you have an LLC or employees; always recommended. | IRS.gov, free, 10 minutes | $0 |
| Business license | Yes, in almost every city and county | City or county | $15 – $100 per year (Tennessee: $15 minimum for standard county and city license) |
| Land use permit for home-based business | Only if you operate from home and your city requires it. | City Hall (zoning) | $ 0 - $ 50 |
| Sales tax permit | Only if you sell products or in states that tax cleaning services (Texas, New Mexico, Hawaii, among others) | State Department of Revenue | $0 |
| Liability insurance | It's not the law, but it's a practical requirement for business clients and administrators. | Insurance company | $400 – $900 per year for $1 million of coverage |
| Bono (janitorial bond) | Offices, banks, and the government request it; it covers thefts by employees | Insurance company or surety company | $100 – $250 per year for $10,000 – $25,000 |
| Workers’ compensation | Mandatory with employees (in Tennessee, from 5; in California, Florida and Texas, separate rules) | Insurance company or state fund | $1.50 – $3 for every $100 of payroll |
| State employer registration | Only if you hire employees (withholdings and unemployment) | State Department of Labor | $0 |
In what order should they be processed (and why)
- Choose the name and verify it in your state's registry and on Google. Avoid names that are already being used by other cleaning companies in your area.
- Register the LLC (or the DBA if you start as an individual). An LLC protects your home and car if a client sues; it's the right option for entering other people's homes and offices. Guide: How to open an LLC in the United States.
- Get the EIN With the LLC name already approved. It's free and you need it for banking, insurance, and hiring. You can apply for it online with an ITIN as well.
- Business license from the county and the city where your business address is located. In Tennessee, for example, you apply for a standard license from the County Clerk and another from the city if you operate within its boundaries; it is renewed when you file your annual business tax return.
- Sales tax permit Only if it applies in your state. In Texas, residential and commercial cleaning services are taxed, and you must collect the tax from the customer.
- Insurance and bonus before your first business client. An insurer can process both in one day with the EIN and LLC.
- Business bank account with LLC + EIN + ID (works with ITIN and passport): how to open it.
Differences by state: Tennessee, Texas, Florida, and California
| Status | Business license | Sales tax on cleaning | Particularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | Standard county and city license ($15 each); annual business tax on gross sales | No (cleaning services not taxed) | Workers' comp mandatory for 5 or more employees. See How to start a business in Tennessee |
| Texas | There is no general state license; local permits vary by city. | YesCleaning services pay sales tax; you need the permit and must collect it from the customer. | Franchise tax only applies above ~$2.47M of revenue |
| Florida St | County and City Business Tax Receipt ($30 – $150) | Residential no; commercial in most cases yes | LLC registration $125 + annual report $138.75 |
| California | City business license ($50 – $200) | Not for cleaning services | $800 annual franchise tax to the LLC; workers' compensation from the first employee |
Specialized services require additional permits: post-construction cleaning at construction sites with a contractor's license, handling of industrial chemicals (registration and safety data sheets required), and cleaning of ducts or tanks. Standard residential and office cleaning does not require these permits.
Licenses for a cleaning business with an ITIN or without residency
None of the procedures listed in the table ask about immigration status: the LLC is registered with a passport, the EIN is obtained with an ITIN, the business license is issued by the county in the company's name, and insurance is obtained using the EIN. What does change is employment: hiring other people requires verifying their work authorization (Form I-9), and working as an employee for another company is not the same as being the owner. For your specific situation, consult an immigration attorney. If you don't yet have an ITIN: how to get your ITIN in 2026.
Mistakes that close cleaning businesses
- Working without insurance "until there are more clients." A broken vase is paid for; a fall by your employee at the client's house or chemical damage to a marble floor is not.
- Do not collect sales tax in Texas (or where applicable): the state charges you for it later, with fines.
- Paying the helpers "in cash" as if they were contractors. If you set a schedule for them, give them products, and tell them how to work, they are employees; the state reclassifies and collects back taxes.
- Forget about renewal of the license (annual in almost all cases) and the LLC's annual report.
- Without a written contract With business clients: without it, there is no way to collect an unpaid invoice.
Video transcript
Video Chapters
- 00:00 — Do I need the licenses before I start working?
- 00:44 — What happens if you operate without permits?
- 01:26 — Requirements vary by state and county
- 01:53 — DBA License (trade name)
- 02:32 — County business license
- 03:04 — Sales tax permit: when it applies (and why it doesn't in Tennessee)
- 03:17 — EIN: the business identification number with the IRS
- 03:45 — Bonds and guarantees for business customers
- 04:14 — Insurance: liability, workers' compensation, commercial auto
- 05:11 — Closure
When starting your business, you must have all the licenses required by law to open a cleaning business. At Hispanos Emprendedores, we review the requirements you need. Having everything up to date will not only prevent penalties but also help you gain the trust of your clients. [pause weak] For more information on entrepreneurship, we invite you to subscribe to our YouTube channel. [pause weak] Do I need to obtain the licenses before starting work?
Without a doubt, your business, whatever it may be, must be registered and have all the necessary licenses and permits before providing services to clients. This means you are operating within the law, and the relevant authorities are aware that your business exists. Starting operations without the proper permits for a cleaning company will cause you problems. If the authorities discover you lack the required licenses, they will penalize you, which can range from fines to imprisonment.
Of course, the company will no longer be able to operate under those circumstances. And if you decide to start another residential or commercial cleaning business in the future, it's quite likely that you'll be denied licenses. So, to get off to a good start, it's best to have everything in order. Customers will also appreciate it because it proves that it's a trustworthy company, and it also gives you a competitive edge in the market. [pause weak] Licenses for Opening a Cleaning Business We've talked about how to open a cleaning business in previous articles.
Now we turn to the legal aspect and present a list of the requirements you must meet. First of all, it's important to remember that each state has its own rules, and they even vary from county to county. Therefore, the permits and requirements you need will depend on the location of your business. Let's see what license is needed to start a cleaning business: [pause weak] DBA License You must register a "Doing Business As" (DBA) for your business; this will be your trade name.
To obtain it, you must first check that the name is available. Each state has a service where you can do this search. You can also search on Google. Once you've found the name, register it before someone else takes it. Sole proprietors and general partners need a DBA to obtain a business license, and an Employer Identification Number. [pause weak] Business License Every house cleaning business must have a business license in each county where it will operate.
You can find the requirements for obtaining a business license at the Secretary of State's office, as well as at municipal offices. The relevant offices provide all the information, which you can also find online. They will tell you the requirements and the cost of the cleaning business license. The process is simple, so you can do it yourself or seek assistance if you prefer. With a business license, the business can collect sales tax. This is a requirement in most states, but there are others, like Tennessee, where these businesses are not subject to sales tax.
You may need other types of permits or complete additional paperwork if you use hazardous equipment or dispose of large quantities of chemicals. [pause weak] EIN If you plan to hire employees at any point, you must have an Employer Identification Number (EIN). You must withhold taxes for employees; in addition, you must verify the eligibility of foreign employees if you plan to hire any. [pause weak] Bonds and Surety Bonds The local government may require a license bond.
This is a three-party contract: the company, the client, and the guarantor. Its purpose is to protect government agencies from potential lawsuits when a cleaning company fails to perform its job properly. Surety bonds, on the other hand, are also bonds, but they protect the client if the company doesn't fulfill its obligations or if an employee steals from them. [pause weak] Cleaning Business Insurance We just discussed client protection.
Now, you'll also need to protect your commercial or residential cleaning business by purchasing liability insurance. In addition, there are other types of policies you'll need. Here are some of the different types of insurance you might need: Workers' Compensation. This covers employees' medical expenses and protects the business in case of a lawsuit. General Liability. This protects the business if an employee damages a client's property or injures them. Commercial Auto Insurance.
This insurance is required for company-owned vehicles. It covers expenses in case of accidents and can be expanded with additional coverage such as theft, fire, etc. It's contracted auto insurance, not company ownership. If employees or the owner use their own vehicles to get to work, then this is the type of insurance they should purchase. We hope we have clarified the licenses required to open a cleaning business. If you need support to launch your business, don't hesitate to contact us for Hispanic Entrepreneurship Consulting.
[pause weak] Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel and turn on notifications.
Automatic transcription of the video by Hispanos Emprendedores; the current figures are those of the article.
Frequently asked questions about cleaning licenses
Do I need a license to clean houses in the United States?
There is no professional cleaning license. You need a business license from your city or county, and if you operate as an individual, an LLC or DBA. For occasional house cleaning as an individual, in many cities you only need to declare your income; once it becomes a regular business, you'll need a license.
How much do licenses for a cleaning business cost?
Between $150 and $800 the first year: LLC ($50–$300), local license ($15–$100), insurance ($400–$900), and bonus ($100–$250). The EIN and sales tax permit are free.
Which is better, DBA or LLC?
DBA is just a name; it doesn't protect you. An LLC separates your personal assets from the business. For a business that operates on other people's property and may have employees, an LLC is the best option.
¿Necesito estar bonded and insured?
Legally, no, but practically, yes: it's the first thing offices, property managers, and Airbnb ask. Putting "licensed, bonded & insured" on your card sets you apart from half the competition.
How long does it take to get everything ready?
From 3 days to 2 weeks: LLC (1 day to 2 weeks depending on the state), EIN (minutes), local license (same day to one week), insurance (1 day).
Next Steps
- How to start a cleaning business in the United States (the complete starter guide)
- How much to charge for house cleaning
- How to get clients for your cleaning company
- Insurance for the cleaning business
- En español: How to start a cleaning business in the US
Requirements vary by city and state; please check with your local city hall and your Secretary of State's website. Would you like us to register your LLC, EIN, and business license in Tennessee or your state? Request a quote.
