HomeBiz|No License Needed
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61 Home Businesses You Can Start Without a License in New York

These occupations don't require a state-issued occupational license in New York. You still need basic business registration (LLC or sole prop), but you can skip the licensing fees, training requirements, and exams.

61 license-free · 41 require a license · LLC cost: $200

No License

61

License Required

41

LLC Cost

$200

Sales Tax

4%

Other

Median

$40.70/hr

Annual

$84,650

Full guide →
Title Examiner
No license

Median

$31.50/hr

Annual

$65,520

Full guide →

Median

$30.09/hr

Annual

$62,590

Full guide →

Median

$22.94/hr

Annual

$47,710

Full guide →
Auctioneer
No license

Median

$22.50/hr

Annual

$46,800

Full guide →

Construction and Home Services

Median

$39.24/hr

Annual

$81,630

Full guide →

Median

$39.24/hr

Annual

$81,630

Full guide →

Median

$36.78/hr

Annual

$76,490

Full guide →

Median

$35.40/hr

Annual

$73,630

Full guide →

Median

$35.32/hr

Annual

$73,470

Full guide →

Median

$35.32/hr

Annual

$73,470

Full guide →

Median

$35.32/hr

Annual

$73,470

Full guide →

Median

$35.32/hr

Annual

$73,470

Full guide →

Median

$34.89/hr

Annual

$72,570

Full guide →

Median

$34.89/hr

Annual

$72,570

Full guide →

Median

$32.05/hr

Annual

$66,670

Full guide →

Median

$32.05/hr

Annual

$66,670

Full guide →

Median

$30.70/hr

Annual

$63,860

Full guide →

Median

$30.70/hr

Annual

$63,860

Full guide →

Median

$30.53/hr

Annual

$63,500

Full guide →

Median

$30.53/hr

Annual

$63,500

Full guide →

Median

$30.30/hr

Annual

$63,020

Full guide →

Median

$30.30/hr

Annual

$63,020

Full guide →

Median

$28.84/hr

Annual

$60,000

Full guide →

Median

$28.84/hr

Annual

$60,000

Full guide →
Locksmith
No license

Median

$28.63/hr

Annual

$59,560

Full guide →

Median

$28.25/hr

Annual

$58,760

Full guide →

Median

$27.75/hr

Annual

$57,710

Full guide →

Median

$27.75/hr

Annual

$57,710

Full guide →

Median

$26.93/hr

Annual

$56,020

Full guide →

Median

$26.93/hr

Annual

$56,020

Full guide →

Median

$26.47/hr

Annual

$55,050

Full guide →

Median

$26.47/hr

Annual

$55,050

Full guide →

Median

$23.75/hr

Annual

$49,410

Full guide →

Median

$22.50/hr

Annual

$46,800

Full guide →

Median

$22.50/hr

Annual

$46,800

Full guide →

Animals, Agriculture, and Outdoors

Tree Trimmer
No license

Median

$29.90/hr

Annual

$62,180

Full guide →
Taxidermist
No license

Median

$24.47/hr

Annual

$50,890

Full guide →

Median

$23.66/hr

Annual

$49,210

Full guide →
Florist
No license

Median

$21.19/hr

Annual

$44,070

Full guide →
Log Scaler
No license

Median

$20.60/hr

Annual

$42,850

Full guide →
Nursery Worker
No license

Median

$18.93/hr

Annual

$39,370

Full guide →
Packer
No license

Median

$17.38/hr

Annual

$36,150

Full guide →

Entertainment and Hospitality

Bartender
No license

Median

$29.21/hr

Annual

$60,750

Full guide →
Travel Agency
No license

Median

$24.13/hr

Annual

$50,200

Full guide →

Health

Median

$27.71/hr

Annual

$57,630

Full guide →

Median

$25.61/hr

Annual

$53,270

Full guide →

Median

$23.19/hr

Annual

$48,230

Full guide →

Median

$22.61/hr

Annual

$47,020

Full guide →

Median

$22.21/hr

Annual

$46,210

Full guide →

Median

$19.63/hr

Annual

$40,840

Full guide →

Annual

$63,850

Full guide →

Transportation and Machinery

Median

$20.69/hr

Annual

$43,040

Full guide →

Education

What You Still Need (Even Without a License)

Business Registration

Form an LLC ($200 in New York) or register as a sole proprietor. An LLC protects your personal assets.

EIN (Tax ID)

Free from IRS.gov. Required for opening a business bank account and filing taxes. Takes 5 minutes online.

Home Occupation Permit

Most cities/counties require a permit to run a business from home. Usually $0-150. Check your local zoning office.

Business Insurance

General liability insurance runs $15-40/month for home businesses. Protects you from lawsuits and property damage claims.

Data: Institute for Justice License to Work 3. BLS OEWS May 2024 (wage data). "No license" means no state-issued occupational license — local permits and general business registration may still apply.