Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs: Complete List of Exemptions

Complete List of Exemptions for New General Business License

For nearly all cases, if you have a business tax indentification number, you will be required to obtain a BBL General Business License. However, there are some exemptions. Business entities whose principles are required to be maintain licensure by a local, state or national certification board or body will not be required to obtain an General Business License. Other exemptions include:

Not having a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN);
Having a Basic Business License whose endorsements authorize all current business activities; or
Having a current occupational or professional license for business activities

You must submit your exemption request prior to your assigned deadline.

Download Fillable General Business BBL Exemption Request Form*

If you feel you are exempt, please complete the exemption certificate and return to:

     DCRA Business License Center
     941 North Capitol Street NE, First Floor
     Washington, DC 20002

Complete List of Exemptions

DC Court of Appeals licenses:

Attorneys

Department of Health (DOH) Health Occupation Professional Licenses:

Acupuncturist
Addiction Counselor
Registered Nurse
Anesthesiologist & Assistants
Audiologists
Chiropractor
Dance Therapist
Dental Hygienist
Dentist
Dietician
Marriage/Family Therapist
Massage Therapist
Medical Doctor
Naturopath
Naturopathic Physician
Nursing Home Administrator
Nursing School
Nutritionist
Occupational Therapist & Assistant
Optometrist
Pharmacist
Pharmacy Interns
Physical Therapist & Assistant
Physician Assistant
Podiatrist
Post-Graduate Physician Enrollment
Practical Nurse
Professional Counselor
Psychologist
Recreation Therapist
Respiratory Care Therapist
Social Worker
Speech Language Pathologist
Surgical Assistant
Trained Medication Employees
Veterinarians

DCRA non-health Occupation Professional Licenses:

Accounting Firm
Architect
Architect Firm
Asbestos Worker
Barber
Barber Shop
Boxer/Wrestler*
*Includes referees and all other officials involved
Certified Public Accountants
Cosmetologist
Cosmetology Shop
Electrician Company
Electrician
Funeral Director & Apprentice
Funeral Home
Interior Designer
Plumber/Gasfitter
Plumbing Company
Professional Engineer
Professional Engineer Firm
Real Estate Agent
Real Estate Broker
Real Estate Manager
Real Estate Firm
Real Estate Appraiser
Refrigeration and A/C Mechanics
Refrigeration and A/C Company
Steam Engineers

DC State Board of Education Issued Licenses:

Post-Secondary Educational Institutions
Teachers seeking to practice in DC’s 37 Local Education Agencies
University of the District of Columbia
Teachers and instructional employees at UDC

Office of the Secretary Issued Licenses:

Notaries Public

Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking Issued Licenses:

Insurance agents & brokers
Insurance companies
Securities agents & brokers
Securities companies
Investment advisors
Taxicab Commission
Hackers, taxicab and limo operators

Department of Transportation/Department of Public Works Issued Licenses:

Commercial drivers
Commercial bicycle operators
MetrPD
Special police
Security officers
Correctional officers

Public Service Commission Issued Licenses:

Telephone companies
Electricity companies
Natural gas companies
Water and sanitation companies

Office of Cable Television Issued Licenses:

Cable television

Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Agency Issued Licenses:

All businesses with an ABRA License

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