Photography Business Permit Requirements in Greensboro, NC

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Also useful for opening a business bank account and separating personal and business finances. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

2. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (Drone Photography)

   Required if you offer commercial aerial photography using drones (unmanned aircraft systems). Must pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test at an approved testing center. Operating commercially without this certificate can result in significant fines. This is a federal requirement enforced by the FAA regardless of state.

   Official government source

   $175 (exam fee)·2–4 weeks to study and schedule exam

   $175 (exam fee)

   2–4 weeks to study and schedule exam

1. North Carolina — No State Photography License Required

   North Carolina does not require a state-issued license or certification to offer paid photography services. Photography is an unregulated profession at the state level — there is no state board or licensing agency that certifies photographers in North Carolina.

   Official government source

   N/A·N/A

   N/A

   N/A

2. North Carolina Department of Revenue — Certificate of Registration

   North Carolina requires photographers to collect sales tax on tangible photographs, prints, and albums. Digital photograph downloads are also generally taxable in North Carolina as "certain digital property": G.S. 105-164.4(a)(1)b applies the general rate to the sales price of certain digital property, which G.S. 105-164.3(33) defines as specified digital products and additional digital goods. The combined rate in Greensboro (Guilford County) is 6.75% (4.75% State + 2.00% local). Register with the North Carolina Department of Revenue.

   Official government source

   Free (there is no fee to apply for a NC sales and use tax Certificate of Registration)·Immediate to 1 week (online)

   Free (there is no fee to apply for a NC sales and use tax Certificate of Registration)

   Immediate to 1 week (online)

1. Greensboro — No General Business License Required

   North Carolina repealed city and county authority to levy privilege/business-license taxes effective July 1, 2015 (S.L. 2014-3, s. 12.3, repealing G.S. 160A-211 and G.S. 153A-152). The City of Greensboro's own Business Privilege License page states: "Due to state legislation effective July 2015, businesses physically located in Greensboro city limits will no longer need a license, with the exception of those operating taxicabs and beer and wine privilege license holders." The same page adds that, also effective July 2015, peddlers, itinerant merchants, mobile food vendors, commercial solicitors, and massage businesses must obtain a City business permit. Photography studios and freelance photographers — commercial location or home-based — fall into none of those categories, so no City of Greensboro or Guilford County general business license or occupational tax certificate is required. Greensboro's Planning Department lists no standalone "Home Occupation Permit"; home occupations are regulated as an accessory use under the Land Development Ordinance — request a zoning verification/compliance letter from Greensboro Planning (336-373-2144) to confirm your use before receiving clients at your residence.

   Official government source

   No fee — no general business license or occupational tax certificate exists. Any zoning verification letter fee is not published online; contact Greensboro Planning at 336-373-2144.·N/A for licensing. Zoning verification turnaround is not published online — contact Greensboro Planning.

   No fee — no general business license or occupational tax certificate exists. Any zoning verification letter fee is not published online; contact Greensboro Planning at 336-373-2144.

   N/A for licensing. Zoning verification turnaround is not published online — contact Greensboro Planning.

2. Greensboro — Commercial Photography / Film Permit (Public Locations)

   Greensboro may require a commercial photography or film permit for paid shoots on public property (parks, streets, plazas), but this could not be confirmed this session — the City of Greensboro website blocked automated access. Contact the City of Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department or City Clerk's office directly to confirm whether a permit is required, and current fees and timeline, before conducting a paid public-location shoot.

   Not verified — confirm current fee schedule with the City of Greensboro·Not verified — confirm processing time with the City of Greensboro

   Not verified — confirm current fee schedule with the City of Greensboro

   Not verified — confirm processing time with the City of Greensboro

Official Sources

• Greensboro Business Licensing
• North Carolina Department of Revenue — Certificate of Registration
• FAA — Become a Drone Pilot (Part 107)

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