Texas LLC Business License: What You Actually Need

The three places a license can come from

State-level (activity-based). No general license, but specific activities trigger permits — most commonly a sales and use tax permit from the Texas Comptroller if you sell taxable goods or services in the state, and licenses for regulated professions.

Local (city/county). Some Texas cities require a local operating permit or certificate. If you have no physical Texas premises, this often doesn't apply.

Federal. Only certain regulated industries (alcohol, firearms, transport, etc.) require a federal license.

What this means for most non-resident founders

If you run an online business, agency, SaaS, e-commerce, or consulting company with no physical Texas presence and no Texas sales-tax obligation, you typically need no Texas business license — just your LLC, registered agent, EIN, and your annual franchise-tax/PIR filing. Always confirm for your specific activity.

When you likely DO need something

• You sell taxable goods or services with Texas nexus → sales and use tax permit from the Comptroller.
• You are in a regulated profession (legal, medical, financial, real estate, etc.).
• You have a physical premises in a Texas city with local permit rules.