This chapter is adopted to implement the authority granted by RCW 19.02.030 to administer the consolidated business license application process created under chapter 19.02 RCW, and the authority granted by RCW 19.80.045 to administer the registration of trade names under chapter 19.80 RCW.

(1) Introduction. This rule provides information about business license application handling fees, renewal application handling fees, and late filing delinquency fees as described in chapter 19.02 RCW. Information about individual licenses may be obtained from the business licensing service (BLS) of the department of revenue (department) and is available online at dor.wa.gov.

(2) Definitions. The definitions in RCW 19.02.020 apply to this rule.

(3) What fee do I need to pay when applying for or renewing a license? Individual license fees vary depending on the license(s) for which you are applying or renewing. The fee payable is the total amount of all applicable individual license fees, business license application handling fees, renewal application handling fees, late filing delinquency fees, and other penalty fees. The method of payment may result in additional charges for credit or debit card processing.

(4) What does the department do with the fees? The department will distribute the fees received for individual licenses to the respective regulatory agencies. The application and renewal handling fees and the late filing delinquency fees support the operation of the BLS. Credit or debit card payment processing fees are charged and retained by a third-party payment processor.

(5) When do I get my business license? A business license will not be issued until the total fees due are collected and all required information has been submitted. Some individual licenses require review and approval by the regulating authorities, and the business license will not be issued until the regulating authorities have approved them.

(6) Can I get a refund? The business license application handling fee and renewal application handling fee collected under RCW 19.02.075 are not refundable. The late filing delinquency fee under RCW 19.02.085 may not be waived or refunded unless:

(a) The department determines that the licensee failed to renew a license by the business license expiration date due to an undisputable error or failure by the department that caused the late filing; or

(b) The licensee requests the waiver and has timely renewed all business licenses and paid the applicable business license fees for a period of 24 months immediately preceding the period covered by the renewal application for which the licensee is requesting the waiver.

When a license is denied or when an applicant withdraws an application, a refund of any other refundable portion of the total payment will be made in accordance with the applicable licensing laws.

(7) What are the fees? The business license application handling fee, renewal application handling fee, late renewal filing delinquency fee, and individual license fee amounts are as follows:

(8) What should I do with my business license? The business license document must be displayed in a conspicuous place at the business location for which the license is issued.

(9) Do I need to renew my business license?

(a) The various licenses endorsed and displayed on the business license may each have a requirement to be renewed periodically. The department may prorate the terms of individual licenses and associated fees as needed so that all requested licenses on the account are due for renewal at the same time.

(b) Licenses requiring renewal must be renewed by the expiration date or the department will assess a delinquency fee. The delinquency fee is calculated according to RCW 19.02.085 and must be paid by the licensee before a business license is renewed. Other regulatory agencies may also assess delinquency fees and/or penalties for late renewal, and may cancel the individual licenses for nonrenewal. Reissuance of individual licenses canceled for nonrenewal may require the filing of a new business license application.

Transfer of a business license is prohibited. Transfer of each individual license held under the business license is also prohibited, unless expressly permitted by the regulatory agency's applicable licensing law. In the event of proven incapacity, death, receivership, bankruptcy, or assignment for benefit of creditors of any licensee, the business license may be transferred to a court appointed or court confirmed guardian, executor or administrator, receiver, trustee, or assignee for the benefit of creditors, who may continue to operate or conduct the licensed business activities, subject to the rules of the individual agencies.

(1) When the information about a business that was submitted in a business license application changes, the applicant or the licensee must immediately notify the department of the change or correction. Notification must be made in advance of a change whenever possible.

(2) Where the rules of the granting regulatory agency require advanced notice of a change, and/or the approval of the granting agency before implementing the change, the licensee must comply with that requirement.

(3) Some changes must be reported on a specific form and may require the payment of a fee.

(4) If the change is significant, a new business license application may be required, and all licenses requested on that application will be reviewed and reapproved by the respective regulating authorities.

(1) Introduction.

(a) Any person or persons who carries on, conducts or transacts business under a name or names that do not include the true and real name of all persons conducting that business must register that name or names with the department as trade name(s).

(b) Trade name registrations are made by completing a business license application, payment of the appropriate fees, and providing the required information.

(c) A notice of change must be filed with the department when any information in the business license application relating to the trade name registration has changed.

(d) A trade name must be canceled with the department when use of the trade name is discontinued.

(2) For the purpose of this section, applicable terms have the meaning given in RCW 19.80.005.

(3) Can I search for a trade name?

(a) Free search of a particular trade name is available online at www.bls.dor.gov.

(b) Trade name registration does not afford any brand name protection or provide you with unlimited rights for the use of that name.

(4) What are the fees related to the trade name registration?

(5) Can I get a refund? The fees related to trade name registrations are not refundable.