Is posting of the business license or permit to operate my business required?

UPDATED: Jul 14, 2023Fact Checked

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Jeffrey Johnson

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Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

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UPDATED: Jul 14, 2023

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UPDATED: Jul 14, 2023Fact Checked

In virtually all localities, a business license must be posted for public display. Posting is also required of other locally-issued permits pertaining to premise use, alterations, maximum occupancy, emergency exits, sanitation clearance, and permits issued by law enforcement agencies. State-issued occupational licenses, the traditional professional licenses, are also generally posted.

An inspection license, or certificate of inspection, certifies that your business meets the city’s particular codes. A business may have four or five different inspection licenses, including fire, water, electrical and sanitation codes. Each inspection license is issued by a different agency, and each must usually be posted.

As a general rule, it is always good business practice to post any professional licenses for public viewing. Examples of professions that require licenses include building and construction, law, medicine, dentistry, veterinary, education and accounting. Posting your license for the public assures your clients that you are legitamately licensed. Transportation licenses must always be posted for public viewing. So if you are a taxi or bus driver, keep you licenses where the public can see them.

Other useful information for customers includes awards, recalls and site maps. If you are in a line of work that requires posting a bond, consider posting the bond certificate. This lets customers know that you are fully covered should any liability arise from their business with you. If you recognize employees through an employee award program, consider posting their picture and award for customers to see. It will add to the accomplishment of the employee as well as showing customers that you care about your employees.

In general, anything that contains the personal information of your employees should not be posted for public review. Documents such as tax forms, food handler’s cards or pay stubs should never be placed in an area for public review.

Case Studies: The Importance of Posting Business Licenses and Permits

Case Study 1: Professional License Display

A dentist recently opened a new dental practice and made sure to prominently display their professional license in the waiting area. Patients entering the office could easily see the license, providing reassurance that the dentist was properly licensed and qualified.

This display not only instilled confidence in the patients but also demonstrated the dentist’s commitment to professionalism and adherence to regulatory standards. By posting the license, the dentist effectively communicated their legitimacy to potential clients.

Case Study 2: Inspection Certificates for Restaurant

A restaurant owner obtained various inspection licenses, including fire, water, electrical, and sanitation codes. The owner made it a priority to prominently display these inspection certificates in visible areas of the restaurant, such as the entrance and dining area. This display demonstrated the owner’s commitment to maintaining a safe and clean environment for patrons.

Customers could easily see the certificates, providing them with peace of mind and assurance that the restaurant adhered to necessary health and safety regulations. The display of inspection certificates contributed to the restaurant’s reputation and trustworthiness.

Case Study 3: Transportation License Visibility

A taxi company required all drivers to display their transportation licenses within their vehicles, visible to passengers. By doing so, the company not only complied with regulatory requirements but also built trust and confidence with passengers. Passengers could easily identify that the driver was licensed, ensuring their safety and security during the ride.

The visible display of transportation licenses served as a visual reminder of the company’s commitment to employing licensed and qualified drivers, enhancing the overall customer experience.

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Jeffrey Johnson

Insurance Lawyer

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

Insurance Lawyer

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about legal topics and insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything legal and insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by experts.

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