Personal Trainer Permit Requirements in Columbus, OH

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

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

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Ohio Secretary of State Business Registration

   Required if operating as an LLC, corporation, or partnership in Ohio. Ohio does not require a state license for personal trainers, but proper business entity registration provides liability protection and is required for business banking.

   Official government source

   $99 (flat fee for LLC Articles of Organization or Corporation Articles of Incorporation, ORC 111.16)·Varies — check the Ohio Secretary of State's currently posted processing times before filing

   $99 (flat fee for LLC Articles of Organization or Corporation Articles of Incorporation, ORC 111.16)

   Varies — check the Ohio Secretary of State's currently posted processing times before filing

2. Ohio Vendor's License (if selling products)

   Required if you sell taxable products such as supplements, fitness equipment, or branded merchandise. Issued by the Ohio Department of Taxation. Personal training services themselves are generally not subject to Ohio sales tax.

   Official government source

   $50·Immediate to 1 week (online registration)

   $50

   Immediate to 1 week (online registration)

1. No general Columbus business license exists

   Columbus does not have a general city business license issued by the Division of Income Tax — no such blanket license exists for personal trainers. No separate business license is required to book clients; only city income-tax registration applies if you have Columbus-source income.

   Official government source

   N/A — no general business license required·N/A

   N/A — no general business license required

   N/A

2. Certificate of Occupancy (if opening a studio)

   If you open a dedicated personal training studio in a commercial space in Columbus, you must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the Columbus Division of Building and Zoning Services. The CO verifies that the space meets zoning, fire safety, and building code requirements for fitness studio use.

   Official government source

   No separate fee when the Certificate of Occupancy is issued with a building permit; a Certificate of Occupancy for an existing building not associated with a building permit is $700 (commercial/multi-family) per the City's 2026 Combined Development Related Fee Schedule.·2-6 weeks depending on renovation needed

   No separate fee when the Certificate of Occupancy is issued with a building permit; a Certificate of Occupancy for an existing building not associated with a building permit is $700 (commercial/multi-family) per the City's 2026 Combined Development Related Fee Schedule.

   2-6 weeks depending on renovation needed

Official Sources

• City of Columbus - Division of Taxation
• Columbus Division of Building and Zoning Services
• Ohio Secretary of State - Business Filings

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