Personal Trainer Permit Requirements in Wilmington, DE

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Delaware — No Sales Tax

   Delaware has no state or local sales tax. Instead, Delaware levies a Gross Receipts Tax on the seller of goods or provider of services, based on total receipts. Register with the Delaware Division of Revenue.

   Official government source

   Free (gross receipts tax registration)·Immediate (online)

   Free (gross receipts tax registration)

   Immediate (online)

2. Delaware does not require a state personal trainer license

   Delaware has no state licensing requirement for personal trainers. Most gyms, insurers, and clients instead expect a nationally accredited certification such as NASM, ACE, ACSM, or NSCA. Certification cost and study time are set by the private certifying body, not the state.

   Official government source

   Set by the certifying body (not a government fee) — check the provider's current pricing·1–6 months (self-study and exam)

   Set by the certifying body (not a government fee) — check the provider's current pricing

   1–6 months (self-study and exam)

1. City of Wilmington Business License (Department of Finance, Wage/Business License Division)

   Businesses operating inside Wilmington must hold a City of Wilmington business license in addition to their State of Delaware business license. Applications are filed with the Department of Finance, Wage/Business License Division (302-576-2415), and a copy of the current State of Delaware business license must be attached. Fees are set per license-type code; air conditioning, plumbing, heating, mechanical and refrigeration contractors must first pass a trade test with the Department of Licenses and Inspections. Employers also pay a head tax of $15 per month for each employee above five.

   Official government source

   Set by license-type code (fee increase effective 1/1/2024): $200/year for most non-professional services (e.g. landscaping/tree services, beauty parlor/barber shop, day care centers, janitorial, pest control, photographers) and construction trades; $300 for professional services; $250 for retailers; $151 for a mobile food vendor; $50 branch license·1–3 weeks

   Set by license-type code (fee increase effective 1/1/2024): $200/year for most non-professional services (e.g. landscaping/tree services, beauty parlor/barber shop, day care centers, janitorial, pest control, photographers) and construction trades; $300 for professional services; $250 for retailers; $151 for a mobile food vendor; $50 branch license

   1–3 weeks

2. City of Wilmington Certificate of Occupancy / Home Occupation Zoning

   A personal training business in a commercial space in Wilmington needs a Certificate of Occupancy from the Department of Licenses and Inspections, collected in person by the applicant who filed the permit. Home-based training must instead comply with the home-occupation provisions of the City's zoning code, also administered by L&I. A written zoning certification from L&I will confirm in advance that the use is allowed at the address and list any outstanding violations.

   Official government source

   $100 Certificate of Occupancy; $25 for a written zoning certification (verbal confirmation is free), per the City's published Development Review Process fee list·1–3 weeks

   $100 Certificate of Occupancy; $25 for a written zoning certification (verbal confirmation is free), per the City's published Development Review Process fee list

   1–3 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Wilmington Revenue Division

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