Personal Trainer Permit Requirements in Denver, CO

Complete permit and license guide for starting a personal trainer in Denver, Denver County, Colorado.

Updated 2026-03-13 5 stops $150–$500 est. 1–2 weeks for basic licensing; add 4–6 weeks if opening a studio
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS, obtained instantly online.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online application)

State of Colorado

2 stops

  1. Colorado Secretary of State Business Registration

    Required to register your fitness business as a legal entity in Colorado. Most personal trainers form an LLC for liability protection. File Articles of Organization online with the CO SOS.

    Official government source

    $50 (LLC filing fee)1–5 business days

  2. Colorado Sales Tax License (if selling merchandise)

    Required if you sell supplements, branded merchandise, or training programs as physical products. Issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue. Personal training services are not currently subject to Colorado sales tax.

    Official government source

    $16/yearImmediate (online application)

City of Denver / Denver County

2 stops

  1. Denver Business License

    Required for all businesses operating in Denver. Issued by the Denver Department of Excise & Licenses. Personal trainers operating independently or owning a studio must register before conducting business.

    Official government source

    $25–$50/year1–2 weeks

  2. Certificate of Occupancy (for studio)

    Required if you open a dedicated fitness studio space. Issued by Denver Community Planning and Development after the space passes building, fire, and zoning inspections for the intended use.

    Official government source

    $100–$400 (building permit fees)2–6 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $150–$500 · 1–2 weeks for basic licensing; add 4–6 weeks if opening a studio

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Official Sources

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