Insurance Agent Permit Requirements in Paterson, NJ

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. New Jersey Division of Taxation — Sales Tax Certificate of Authority

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in New Jersey. New Jersey charges a 6.625% state sales tax. Most services are exempt; retail product sales and certain services are taxable. Register free online via the State of New Jersey Business Registration portal.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate to 3 business days (online)

   Free

   Immediate to 3 business days (online)

2. New Jersey Insurance Producer License — Business Entity

   If you operate through a business entity — an LLC, corporation or partnership — rather than solely as an individual, the entity itself must hold its own insurance producer license from the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, on top of the individual producer licenses held by the people who sell. The entity's license carries its own lines of authority and must designate a licensed individual producer as responsible for the entity's compliance with New Jersey insurance law. The entity license renews on the same two-year cycle as individual licenses.

   Official government source

   $190 for an initial resident business entity license in the major lines ($150 license fee plus a $40 processing fee); $115 for limited lines only ($75 plus $40). Renewal is $170 for major lines and $95 for limited lines.·Filed through the New Jersey producer licensing system once the entity is formed and registered with the State; it renews biennially alongside the individual licenses.

   $190 for an initial resident business entity license in the major lines ($150 license fee plus a $40 processing fee); $115 for limited lines only ($75 plus $40). Renewal is $170 for major lines and $95 for limited lines.

   Filed through the New Jersey producer licensing system once the entity is formed and registered with the State; it renews biennially alongside the individual licenses.

1. New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance — Insurance Producer License

   All insurance producers (agents and brokers) in New Jersey must be licensed by the Department of Banking and Insurance; Paterson issues no separate insurance licence. Resident applicants complete approved prelicensing education, pass the corresponding PSI Services examination for each line of authority, submit Live Scan electronic fingerprints for a New Jersey State Police and FBI criminal history check, and then file the application. Licenses run on a two-year term.

   Official government source

   $150 license fee for a 2-year major-lines license ($75 limited lines only) plus a $20 application fee, plus a $20 surcharge if you apply on paper rather than online; $47 per PSI examination. Prelicensing courses and Live Scan fingerprinting are billed separately.·DOBI publishes no processing time; prelicensing education, the PSI exam and Live Scan fingerprint results must all be completed before the application is filed

   $150 license fee for a 2-year major-lines license ($75 limited lines only) plus a $20 application fee, plus a $20 surcharge if you apply on paper rather than online; $47 per PSI examination. Prelicensing courses and Live Scan fingerprinting are billed separately.

   DOBI publishes no processing time; prelicensing education, the PSI exam and Live Scan fingerprint results must all be completed before the application is filed

2. City of Paterson Health & Human Services — Mercantile License

   Paterson city ordinance requires businesses operating in the city to register and obtain a Mercantile License, administered by the Mercantile Licensing division of the Department of Health & Human Services. A mercantile inspector visits the business as part of the process, which the city describes as a consumer-protection function that also provides technical assistance to businesses. Note that Paterson has no 'Department of Business Administration' — the city's departments are Administration, Community Development, Economic Development, Finance, Health & Human Services, Legal, Municipal Court, Public Safety and Public Works. Businesses in regulated industries need additional permits from the relevant division, such as retail food licensing from the Division of Health or construction permits from UCC Construction/Buildings.

   Official government source

   Paterson does not publish a Mercantile License fee schedule online; the fee is set by city ordinance and varies with the type of business. Contact Mercantile Licensing through City Hall at 973-321-1600 for the amount that applies to you.·Paterson's permitting and licensing system is being moved online. Apply through Mercantile Licensing and allow time for the mercantile inspection before you open.

   Paterson does not publish a Mercantile License fee schedule online; the fee is set by city ordinance and varies with the type of business. Contact Mercantile Licensing through City Hall at 973-321-1600 for the amount that applies to you.

   Paterson's permitting and licensing system is being moved online. Apply through Mercantile Licensing and allow time for the mercantile inspection before you open.

Official Sources

• New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance — Insurance Producer License
• City of Paterson Department of Business Administration

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