An Alberta business license is a basic requirement to register a business in Alberta. Certain types of businesses are required by provincial and municipal laws to obtain an Alberta business license before operating within the province. An Alberta business license can be acquired from the Consumer Services Branch of the Alberta Government or through an official licensing authority.
The terms of an Alberta business license may range from one to five years based on the nature of the business. The provincial government of Alberta awards an Alberta business license to a variety of businesses such as auctions, cemeteries, charitable organizations, collection agencies, employment agencies, travel clubs and even prepaid contractors. However, some businesses may also require additional licenses from the local municipal authority where the business plans to operate.
Granting an Alberta business license is subject to various laws that apply to specific types of businesses. Following is a quick run down.
· The Cemeteries Act deals with various businesses related to burials such as the sale of pre-need funeral policies, the salesmen that sell them as well as the burial sites. Salesmen pay $100 for one year of an Alberta business license under the Cemeteries Act.
· The Charitable Fund Raising Act requires businesses involved in fund-raising activities to post a $25,000 bond and pay $130 for an Alberta business license.
· The Fair Trading Act affects the issuance of an Alberta business license for several types of businesses and it is meted out by way of a number of policies.
· The Collection Practices Regulation concerns the approval of an Alberta business license for collection agencies. Collection agencies pay $168 while collectors pay $72 for a one year Alberta business license. A $15,000 bond and trust account is also required for the Alberta business license.
· Direct selling businesses also require an Alberta business license under the Direct Selling Business Licensing Regulation. The cost of an Alberta business license is $120 for two years along with a bond requirement that may vary from $5,000 to $25,000.
· The Employment Agency Business Licensing Regulation on the other hand stipulates a $120 two-year Alberta business license.
· The Prepaid Contracting Business Licensing Regulation requires a business to pay $60 for an Alberta business license.
· The Retail Home Sales Business Licensing Regulation requires a business to pay $120 for a two-year Alberta business license.
· The Public Auctions Regulation for businesses involved in public auctions direct a $300 five-year Alberta business license, a background check of people involved in the business along with a $25,000 bond.
· The Electricity Marketing Regulation requires a $1,000 fee for an Alberta business license as well as a $1,000,000 bond.
Application forms for an Alberta business license and additional information regarding licensing and registration are available at the Licensing office of Alberta Government Services and also online via www.albertaregistry.net. Be sure that all documents are completed when applying for an Alberta business license. Remember too that all the necessary materials required for an Alberta business license application should be submitted so as to avoid delays or denials.
It is considered a major offense in Alberta to operate without the necessary Alberta business license. However, an Alberta business license is not a guarantee of the quality of a business. Neither does an Alberta business license endorse any business that acquires one.
At the same, businesses that have been granted an Alberta business license are duty-bound to inform the Alberta Government Services if they have modified their business in any way that would encroach on their existing Alberta business license. These changes would include ownership, business or mailing address as well as services. The Alberta business license covers specific services or products and any additional or deducted service may be in violation of the license.