Every state has its own formation rules, licensing requirements, and tax obligations. These guides cover the Alabama-specific steps — county license before day one, mandatory name reservation, no LLC annual report since October 2024 — that generic "how to start a business" guides miss entirely.
Choose your structure
LLC for liability protection, sole proprietorship if you're testing the idea first. Most Alabama businesses form an LLC.
Reserve your name & file
Alabama requires name reservation before the Certificate of Formation — a two-step sequence no neighboring state requires.
Get your county license
Required before you open. October 31 renewal. Required in every county where you conduct business — not just where you're based.
Register a trade name
Operating under anything other than your LLC's legal name requires a DBA with the Alabama SOS Trademarks Division — $30, use-first rule.
Get your EIN
Free from the IRS at irs.gov. Required for employees, corporate tax treatment, or most business bank accounts.
Industry licenses & permits
Some business types require state board licensing beyond the county privilege license. Each guide covers what applies to that industry.
The Alabama rules most guides don't cover
The most common North Alabama business types — trades, cleaning, and lawn care. All require a county license before opening and face the multi-county rule.
How to Start a Cleaning Business in Alabama
LLC formation, county license, bonding, insurance, and trade name registration for Alabama cleaning businesses.
Read the guide →How to Start a Lawn Care Business in Alabama
LLC, county license, pesticide applicator licensing (ADAI), equipment, and the multi-county rule for mobile operations.
Read the guide →How to Start a Contractor Business in Alabama
ALSBCA licensing for $50,000+ projects, LLC formation, bonding, insurance, and county license requirements.
Read the guide →How to Start a Pressure Washing Business in Alabama
Equipment, county license, wastewater discharge rules, and pricing for North Alabama.
Coming soonService businesses, consultants, and freelancers — typically lower startup cost but still require the county license and LLC formation steps.
How to Start a Photography Business in Alabama
LLC, county license, sales tax on photography services, and Alabama's specific rules on taxable services.
Coming soonHow to Start a Virtual Assistant Business in Alabama
Home-based LLC, county license, self-employment tax, and client contracts.
Coming soonHow to Start a Bookkeeping Business in Alabama
LLC formation, county license, and Alabama CPA licensing rules for non-licensed bookkeepers.
Coming soonFood businesses in Alabama layer county licensing over state health department permits — both are required before serving a single customer.
How to Start a Food Truck Business in Alabama
ADPH food service permit, commissary requirement, county license in each county you operate, and LLC formation.
Coming soonHow to Start a Catering Business in Alabama
ADPH permits, cottage food rules, county license, and LLC formation for Alabama caterers.
Coming soonHow to Start a Daycare Business in Alabama
DHR licensing, staff-to-child ratios, home vs center rules, and county license requirements.
Coming soonHow to Start a Personal Training Business in Alabama
LLC formation, county license, liability insurance, and independent contractor vs employee rules.
Coming soonThe foundation every Alabama business needs — regardless of industry.
How to Form an LLC in Alabama
Name reservation, Certificate of Formation, registered agent, and operating agreement — step by step.
Read the guide →Alabama Business License by County
Every county has different fees and offices. Find yours here before you open.
Read the guide →Alabama Registered Agent
Requirements, options, and why your home address becomes public without one.
Read the guide →DBA Alabama — Register a Trade Name
Alabama's use-first rule, three specimen requirement, and where to file.
Read the guide →EIN Number Alabama
Free from the IRS. When you need one and when you don't.
Read the guide →Single-Member LLC Alabama
Formation, taxes, no annual report, and what disregarded entity status means for your return.
Read the guide →