Educational Services
This category includes businesses that provide instruction and training at any level. Any type of educational instruction or training that is provided by specialized establishment, such as schools, colleges, universities, and training centers are included in this business category.
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in offering courses in office procedures and secretarial and stenographic skills and may offer courses in basic office skills, such as word processing. In addition, these establishments may offer such classes as office machine operation, reception, communications, and other skills designed for individuals pursuing a clerical or secretarial career. Instruction may be provided in diverse settings, such as the establishment’s or client’s training facilities, educational institutions, the workplace, or the home, and through diverse means, such as correspondence, television, the Internet, or other electronic and distance-learning methods. The training provided by these establishments may include the use of simulators and simulation methods.
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in furnishing academic courses and granting degrees at baccalaureate or graduate levels. The requirement for admission is at least a high school diploma or equivalent general academic training. Instruction may be provided in diverse settings, such as the establishment’s or client’s training facilities, educational institutions, the workplace, or the home, and through diverse means, such as correspondence, television, the Internet, or other electronic and distance-learning methods. The training provided by these establishments may include the use of simulators and simulation methods.
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing noninstructional services that support educational processes or systems.
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in furnishing academic courses and associated course work that comprise a basic preparatory education. A basic preparatory education ordinarily constitutes kindergarten through 12th grade. This industry includes school boards and school districts.
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in furnishing academic, or academic and technical, courses and granting associate degrees, certificates, or diplomas below the baccalaureate level. The requirement for admission to an associate or equivalent degree program is at least a high school diploma or equivalent general academic training. Instruction may be provided in diverse settings, such as the establishment’s or client’s training facilities, educational institutions, the workplace, or the home, and through diverse means, such as correspondence, television, the Internet, or other electronic and distance-learning methods. The training provided by these establishments may include the use of simulators and simulation methods.
This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in offering or providing instruction (except academic schools, colleges, and universities; and business, computer, management, technical, or trade instruction). Instruction may be provided in diverse settings, such as the establishment’s or client’s training facilities, educational institutions, the workplace, or the home, and through diverse means, such as correspondence, television, the Internet, or other electronic and distance-learning methods. The training provided by these establishments may include the use of simulators and simulation methods.
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in offering vocational and technical training in a variety of technical subjects and trades. The training often leads to job-specific certification. Instruction may be provided in diverse settings, such as the establishment’s or client’s training facilities, educational institutions, the workplace, or the home, and through diverse means, such as correspondence, television, the Internet, or other electronic and distance-learning methods. The training provided by these establishments may include the use of simulators and simulation methods.
Before starting a business, you probably will need to register with the Florida Department of State, the IRS and the Florida Department of Revenue. For businesses located outside of the State of Florida, evidence of registration with their Division of Corporations or Corporate Registry may be required.
After completing these steps, you may need to get the appropriate license or permit from one of the Florida agencies below:
- Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – various agriculture-related continuing education, recovery agent schools and security officer schools
- Department of Business and Professional Regulation – real estate schools and various professional educational provider and course approvals
- Department of Education – private schools and independent postsecondary institutions
- Department of Financial Services – insurance business schools and funeral director/embalmer training agencies
- Department of Health – 911 public safety telecommunicator programs, EMS training and continuing education programs, massage schools, and nursing education programs. The Department of Health also regulates food sanitation and biomedical waste generators at these facilities.
- Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles – commercial driving schools, driving under the influence (DUI) programs, third party administrators for driver testing
Business owners in this category may also wish to explore assistance offered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Register your business with the Department of State
Department of State
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Corporations serves as the state’s central depository for a number of commercial activities. These activities include a variety of business entity filings, trade and service mark registrations, federal lien recordings, judgment lien filings, uniform commercial code financing statements, fictitious name registrations, notary commissions, and cable and video service franchises.
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Agency Introduction
The Department of State (DOS) is where you register your business. You can search and access filed information for corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, trademarks, fictitious name registrations and liens. Also, electronic filing and certification can be processed via the Department’s website.
Sunbiz offers several methods in which information can be submitted to the DOS for filing.
Apply for your Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the nation’s tax collection agency and administers the Internal Revenue Code enacted by Congress.
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Agency Introduction
If you are required to report employment taxes or give tax statements to employees, you need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to send with all items you report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or Social Security Administration. If you do not intend to hire others, you may skip this step.
You may apply for an EIN online if your principal business is located in the United States or U.S. Territories. The person applying online must have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number (SSN, ITIN, EIN). You are limited to one EIN per responsible party per day.
Register your business with the Department of Revenue
Department of Revenue
The Florida Department of Revenue administers three programs: general tax administration, property tax oversight and child support. The general tax administration program works with Florida businesses that are required to register for, collect, report and remit the taxes and fees administered by the Department.
The Department also manages the State of Florida’s New Hire Reporting Center. Federal and state laws require employers to report newly hired, re-hired and temporary employees within 20 days of an employee’s start date. This information is used to assist the Department’s child support program with child support orders. The employment information reported through the state’s New Hire Reporting Center is also used to detect and prevent public assistance and reemployment assistance fraud.
For additional information, please visit www.floridarevenue.com.
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Agency Introduction
A business owner or contractor may need to register for, collect, report and/or remit one or more of the taxes, fees and licenses administered by the Florida Department of Revenue. This is dependent on the structure of a business, the activities of a business, and whether the business hires employees. In addition, businesses must report newly hired, re-hired and temporary employees through the State of Florida’s New Hire Reporting program managed by the Florida Department of Revenue.
Reporting Employment Information
The Department manages the State of Florida’s New Hire Reporting Center. Federal and state laws require employers to report newly hired, re-hired and temporary employees within 20 days of an employee’s start date. The Department’s Child Support program utilizes employment information and employer cooperation to assist with child support order compliance. The reported employment information through the state’s New Hire Reporting Center is also used to detect and prevent public assistance and reemployment fraud.
Register your business to report newly hired, re-hired or temporary employees within 20 days of an employee’s start date.
The Department of Revenue’s Child Support Program works with employers in a variety of ways to ensure compliance with child support orders when applicable. Employers must work with the Child Support Program to respond to income withholding requests and to enroll children in medical insurance plans. Once registered with the New Hire Reporting Center, businesses will be able to access the Child Support Employer Services website to report employee termination and bonus or lump sum payments, request replacement copies of income withholding notices currently in place for employees, and use the Program’s online calculator to get pro-rated child support amounts for employees that have more than one child support case.
Business Taxes, Fees and Surcharge
Businesses in this category may be required to register for, collect, report and/or remit one or more of the following taxes and fees.
Most corporations and certain entities conducting business, or who are incorporated in Florida, including out-of-state corporations, must file a Florida corporate income tax return.
Register online or by submitting a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1), or by filing the Florida Corporate Income/Franchise Tax Return (Form F-1120).
Reemployment Assistance gives partial, temporary income to workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own and are able and available for work. If your business will employ workers in Florida, you may register online or submit a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1).
Before conducting business, anyone selling, renting, leasing or repairing goods, providing certain services, charging admissions, or renting or leasing short-term lodging, housekeeping accommodations, or commercial real property must register with the Department of Revenue.
Additionally, use tax is due on the use or consumption of taxable goods or services when sales tax was not paid at the time of purchase.
Register online or by submitting a Florida Business Tax Application (Form DR-1).
This surtax, imposed by most Florida counties, applies to most transactions subject to sales or use tax. Businesses must also collect the applicable discretionary sales surtax from the purchaser at the time of sale, then report and remit it to the Department of Revenue.
No additional registration is required.
These local option taxes apply to rentals, leases, and licenses to use living quarters or sleeping or housekeeping accommodations for a term of six (6) months or less. In addition to sales tax, businesses must collect the applicable tourist development tax from the purchaser at the time of sale.
If the tax is administered by the Department of Revenue, it must be reported and remitted with sales and use tax. No additional registration is required.
If the tax is administered locally by the county, it must be reported and remitted according to the county’s filing schedule. Registration with the county is required.
Apply for a license from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) supports and promotes Florida agriculture, protects the environment, safeguards consumers, and ensures the safety and wholesomeness of food. FDACS licenses and inspects various businesses and professions in Florida, such as bakeries, milk producers, weights and measurements, pesticide dealers, oyster harvesting, pre-packaged food sales, beekeepers and travel agents, among others. A variety of different businesses may need to coordinate with FDACS to obtain applicable licenses, registrations and/or permits.
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DACS licenses continuing education providers for surveyors and mappers.
Any school that provides instruction to applicants for recovery agents or recovery agent interns must have a Class “RS” license. “Recovery agent” means any individual or agency who, for consideration, advertises as providing or performs repossessions.
Any school that provides instruction to applicants for Class “D” licensure as security officers must have a Class “DS” license.
Apply for a license, permit or course approval from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is the agency charged with licensing and regulating businesses and professionals in Florida. A variety of businesses will need to coordinate with DBPR to obtain applicable licenses, registrations and/or permits.
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Agency Introduction
The department’s boards and divisions provide approval for many educational providers, continuing education (CE) providers and educational courses in Florida.
Schools and Educational Providers
A New School Permit must be obtained by any individual or entity that offers real estate courses for credit to be recognized by the department.
This application is used by individuals or companies that would like board approval to offer continuing education courses to licensed architects. The individual or company is known as a provider.
Individuals or companies who propose to be approved by the department as a continuing education provider use this application for approval to offer continuing education courses to licensed asbestos consultants and contractors. See the application instruction for detailed requirements and secondary documentation.
This application is used by individuals or companies that would like board approval to be a provider of an HIV/AIDS education course for the purpose of initial licensure or continuing education to licensed barbers.
Alternative method of meeting the experience requirement for a category of licensure.
Individuals or organizations who wish to offer ethics CPE to CPA licensees must apply for approved sponsor status, further each course must also be approved by the CPA board.
This application is used to apply as a community association manager continuing education provider.
This application is used by individuals and organizations seeking to obtain approval from the Construction Industry Licensing Board as a continuing education provider.
This application is used by individuals or companies that would like board approval to be a provider of continuing education courses to licensed cosmetologists or registered specialists.
This form is to be used by continuing education providers approved by the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal that wish to provide continuing education credit to individuals that are dually-licensed as fire safety inspectors and by the Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board pursuant to Section 633.081(7), Florida Statutes.
This application is used to become an approved continuing education provider for the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board.
This application is used to be approved as a continuing education provider on ethics for the Florida Board of Professional Engineers.
This application is used to be approved as a continuing education provider on laws and rules for the Florida Board of Professional Engineers.
This application is used to be approved as a new continuing education provider for the Florida Board of Professional Engineers.
This application is used to become an approved continuing education provider for the Home Inspectors’ Program.
This application is used by individuals or companies that would like board approval to offer continuing education courses to licensed interior designers. The individual or company is known as a provider.
This application is used by individuals or companies that would like board approval to offer continuing education courses to licensed landscape architects. The individual or company is known as a provider.
This application is used to become an approved continuing education provider for the Mold-Related Services Licensing Unit.
For educational facilities that conduct specific training courses on slot machines.
This application is used by individuals or companies to become continuing education providers and to approve the courses offered by the provider. The individual or company is known as a provider.
Course Approvals
This application is used by individuals or companies that would like board approval to offer continuing education courses to licensed architects.
Individuals or companies who have been approved by the department as a continuing education provider use this application for approval for specific continuing education courses in asbestos consultanting and contracting. See the application instruction for detailed requirements and secondary documentation.
This application is used by individuals or companies that would like board approval to offer an HIV/AIDS education course for the purpose of initial licensure or continuing education to licensed barbers.
Alternative method of meeting the experience requirement for a category of licensure.
Individuals or organizations who wish to offer ethics CPE to CPA licensees must apply for approved sponsor status, further each course must also be approved by the CPA board.
This application is used to apply for continuing education course approval. Applicants must be a pre-approved provider before applying to teach continuing education courses.
This application is used by continuing education providers who have been approved by the Construction Industry Licensing Board and are seeking approval of a continuing education course.
This application is used by individuals or companies that would like board approval to offer a body wrapping course for the purpose of qualifying an individual for initial registration as a body wrapper.
This application is used by individuals or companies that would like board approval to offer continuing education courses to licensed cosmetologists or registered specialists.
This application is used by individuals or companies that would like board approval to offer a hair braiding course for the purpose of qualifying an individual for initial registration as a hair braider.
This application is used by individuals or companies that would like board approval to offer a hair wrapping course for the purpose of qualifying an individual for initial registration as a hair wrapper.
This application is used by individuals or companies that would like board approval to offer an HIV/AIDS education course for the purpose of initial licensure or registration.
This form is to be used by continuing education providers approved by the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal that wish to provide continuing education credit to individuals that are dually-licensed as fire safety inspectors and by the Florida Building Code Administrators and Inspectors Board pursuant to Section 633.081(7), Florida Statutes.
This application is used to obtain course approval for Burglar Alarm System Agent Training.
This application is used to obtain course approval for Fire Alarm System Agent Training.
This application is used to obtain course approval for continuing education credit from the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board.
This application is used by approved providers to obtain course approval for continuing education credit from the Home Inspectors’ Program.
This application is used by individuals or companies that would like board approval to offer continuing education courses to licensed interior designers.
This application is used by approved continuing education providers to submit courses to the board for approval.
This application is used by approved providers to obtain course approval for continuing education credit from the Mold-Related Services Licensing Unit.
This application is used by approved continuing education providers to submit courses to the board for approval.
Apply for a license from the Department of Education
Department of Education
The Department of Education serves as the single repository of education data from school districts, state and community colleges, universities, and independent postsecondary institutions – allowing them to track student performance over time and across varying education sectors. This agency administers a statewide reading initiative for Florida’s public schools, and among community groups and volunteer organizations that support them, with a goal of having every child able to read at or above grade level.
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K-12 Private Schools
Private schools operating in Florida may be organized as either for-profit or nonprofit entities. Persons opening a private elementary or secondary school in Florida are required to complete two basic steps: (1) establish the private school with the Department of State, Division of Corporations; and (2) register the existence of the private school, once established,
Private schools are required to notify the Department of Education when they open, change location, or close.
Commission for Independent Education
To obtain an initial license to operate in the State of Florida planning to offer degrees, diplomas, or certificate programs, a person must first go through the Commission’s license application process. The process normally takes between 4 and 6 months.
License to operate an institution that offers degrees, diplomas, or certificate programs.
Apply for a license or registration from the Department of Financial Services
Department of Financial Services
The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) is the agency responsible for providing services and regulating businesses in financial and insurance related professions, as well as serving as the state’s fire marshal and chief financial officer. Financial and insurance related professionals will need to coordinate with DFS to obtain applicable licenses, registrations and/or permits.
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Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services
This industry is comprised of businesses primarily engaged in providing insurance education to current and prospective insurance agents and adjusters.
Information about becoming an insurance course provider for pre-licensing or continuing education courses.
Division of Funeral, Cemetery and Consumer Services
This division regulates the death care industry in Florida, including registration of training agencies for funeral directors and embalmers.
Registration required training agencies of funeral directors and embalmers.
Apply for a license from the Department of Health
Department of Health
The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, & community efforts. The department’s goal is to be the healthiest state in the nation through innovation, collaboration, accountability, responsiveness and excellence.
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License to become a 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Program.
Become an Emergency Medical Services Continuing Education Program.
License to become an Emergency Medical Services training program.
License to become a Massage School.
License to become a Nursing Education Program.
A license to operate a food service establishment regulated by the Department of Health.
Apply for a Biomedical Waste Permit
Apply for a license from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides highway safety and security through excellence in service, education and enforcement. The department is leading the way to a safer Florida through the efficient and professional execution of its core mission: the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle tags and titles and operation of the Florida Highway Patrol.
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License for businesses engaged in motor vehicle driving instruction, by an individual, association, corporation or partnership as owner of the school for a license to conduct a Commercial Driving School.
Dealers of motor vehicles, mobile homes or recreational vehicles must complete a DHSMV-approved dealer training school.
DUI programs are private and professional non-profit organizations that are required to provide education, a psychosocial evaluation and treatment referral services to DUI offenders to satisfy judicial and driver licensing requirements.
Authority to conduct driver license testing.
Authority to conduct third party driver license testing for commercial drivers.
Explore assistance from the Department of Economic Opportunity (optional)
Department of Economic Opportunity
In collaboration with our partners, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) assists the Governor in advancing Florida’s economy by championing the state’s economic development vision and by administering state and federal programs and initiatives to help visitors, citizens, businesses, and communities.
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Agency Introduction
The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) utilizes public and private sector expertise to attract, retain and grow businesses and create jobs in Florida. It also provides valuable resources for businesses and entrepreneurs; assistance with recruiting workers; and statistical information regarding Florida businesses and employment. Your business may qualify for various state or federal assistance.
Your business may qualify for various state or federal assistance programs.
Federal & Local Government Requirements
This checklist provides state requirements only. Remember to check federal requirements and your local county and municipal agencies. The following organizations and websites can help:
- Florida’s Small Business Development Center Network (FLSBDC) – State designated as Florida’s principal provider of small business assistance, the network provides no-cost, professional business consulting, in-person and on-demand training, and access to business research resources to help Florida businesses—no matter their stage of business—grow and succeed.
- Florida Chamber of Commerce – The chamber is a Florida business organization whose goal is to further the interest of businesses in Florida.
- County Websites – Florida’s county governments require various licenses, permits and filings above and beyond state requirements, depending on the type of business you wish to open. Find out about other public services and opportunities related to Florida counties and their governments by visiting the Florida Association of Counties website.
- City Websites – Business owners should be aware of local government requirements, especially local business taxes (occupational licenses), building permits and inspections, planning and zoning, and community and economic development opportunities. The Florida League of Cities offers a comprehensive, alphabetical listing of municipality websites and additional information about local events and government requirements.
Disclaimer: The State of Florida operates OpenMyFloridaBusiness.gov as a public service to Florida residents and visitors worldwide. While efforts were made to verify that the content of this website is accurate and comprehensive, it is recommended that you consult with a professional (e.g., attorney, CPA, SBDC, etc.) to ensure you meet all requirements before starting your business. OpenMyFloridaBusiness.gov is not responsible for the content of external websites.