Personal Trainer Permit Requirements in Annapolis, MD

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. Maryland Comptroller — Sales Tax Registration

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in Maryland (6% state rate; Maryland has no local sales taxes). Retail product sales are taxable. Some services are also taxable — notably cleaning of a COMMERCIAL or industrial building (janitorial/commercial cleaning) under Md. Tax-General §11-101(m): commercial cleaning businesses must collect 6% on the service itself, while residential cleaning is not taxable. Sales of photographs (portrait/wedding) are taxable as tangible personal property. Registration with the Comptroller of Maryland is free.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online via bFile)

   Free

   Immediate (online via bFile)

2. Maryland does not require a state personal trainer license

   Maryland does not have a state licensing requirement for personal trainers. However, national certifications from organizations like NASM, ACE, or ACSM are strongly recommended and may be required by employers or facilities.

   Official government source

   $200–$800 (national certification)·1–6 months (self-study and exam)

   $200–$800 (national certification)

   1–6 months (self-study and exam)

1. Annapolis — No General Business License Required

   Neither the City of Annapolis nor the State of Maryland requires a general business license. The Annapolis Department of Finance does not license businesses. Annapolis licenses only specific activities (peddlers/mobile vendors, bed-and-breakfasts, rental housing, trade contractors) through the City Clerk and Licenses & Permits Division. Businesses selling goods need a Maryland trader's license from the Anne Arundel County Clerk of the Circuit Court, and opening a commercial space in Annapolis requires a Certificate of Use from Planning and Zoning.

   Official government source

   $0 — no general business license exists; activity-specific licenses, if applicable, have their own fees·Not applicable

   $0 — no general business license exists; activity-specific licenses, if applicable, have their own fees

   Not applicable

2. Annapolis Use and Occupancy Permit (commercial space)

   Occupying a commercial space in Annapolis for a personal training business requires a Use and Occupancy permit from the City of Annapolis (Code section 17.05.030), handled by the Planning and Zoning department's Licenses and Permits Division through the Citizen Self Service portal. The permit is issued after inspection, and the Fire Department also performs a use and occupancy inspection. A zoning certificate confirms the use is allowed in the zoning district. For home-based training, confirm with Annapolis permitting ([email protected]) whether the accessory use is permitted and whether a zoning certificate is required - the city does not publish a separate home occupation permit fee.

   Official government source

   Nonrefundable use and occupancy inspection fee (FY2027 schedule, effective July 1, 2026): commercial space 900 sq ft or less $0.325 per sq ft; 901-1,800 sq ft $300.00; 1,801-2,700 sq ft $325.00; 2,701-3,600 sq ft $350.00; 3,601-5,000 sq ft $375.00; 5,001-10,000 sq ft $400.00; 10,001-25,000 sq ft $0.05 per sq ft; 25,001 sq ft or more $0.04 per sq ft (residential $250.00 per unit). Fire Department use and occupancy inspection $50.00; zoning certificate $50.00.·Depends on scheduling the required inspections; confirm current turnaround with Annapolis permitting ([email protected]) before signing a lease

   Nonrefundable use and occupancy inspection fee (FY2027 schedule, effective July 1, 2026): commercial space 900 sq ft or less $0.325 per sq ft; 901-1,800 sq ft $300.00; 1,801-2,700 sq ft $325.00; 2,701-3,600 sq ft $350.00; 3,601-5,000 sq ft $375.00; 5,001-10,000 sq ft $400.00; 10,001-25,000 sq ft $0.05 per sq ft; 25,001 sq ft or more $0.04 per sq ft (residential $250.00 per unit). Fire Department use and occupancy inspection $50.00; zoning certificate $50.00.

   Depends on scheduling the required inspections; confirm current turnaround with Annapolis permitting ([email protected]) before signing a lease

Official Sources

• City of Annapolis Department of Finance

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