Catering License: 3 Factors of Getting a Catering License

A big part of learning how to start a catering business is learning about catering license needs. When you’re serving food at different types of catering events, there is a lot of licensing involved. This includes health and food safety as well as insurance and liquor licensing.

The following three factors of getting a catering license cover what your business generally needs, the specifications of liquor licensing, and requirements by state for catering business ideas. Read on to learn what you’ll need to get your business licensed and open.

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Catering License: Do Caterers Need a License?

Yes, caterers need a license. To be precise, caterers need several licenses and permits. The general list includes:

A general business license
A tax ID number
A health permit from your local health and safety department
A Doing Business As (DBA) if you’re operating as a sole proprietorship
A catering permit
A liquor license–learn how to get a liquor license
A home occupation permit if you’re cooking from home
Catering business insurance–and liability insurance
A food handler’s permit
A restaurant food service license

You might want to look into permits for your wait staff. When you’re serving food you can never be too careful with making sure you have the proper licensing.

Liquor License for Catering

There are a few ways to serve liquor at a catered event, but as a caterer, there are some strict rules on liquor licensing. You need a liquor license if you want to offer liquor as part of your catering services.

There is a workaround in some states where a caterer can serve alcohol if the host provides it. However, most states require businesses to have a state liquor license to serve alcohol.

There are some locations that accept a caterer’s permit with liquor permissions. You need to research your own location and business to be absolutely sure.

BinWise isn’t a legal agency, and we don’t offer legal advice. It’s best to know the specifics of your state.

Food Catering License: By the State

There are specifications for food catering license needs depending on the state you live and work in. If you work in multiple states you’ll need to look into those rules as well. An example would be if you live and work in Oregon, but also cater events in Washington.

Overall, this guide to the state requirements will get you started. These regulations aren’t necessarily everything each state requires, and the requirements may change, so be sure to check your state before getting started.

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Alabama: you’ll need a business license, a DBA, and a seller's permit, as well as a food handler’s permit.
Alaska: you’ll need a food worker card, a health permit, a temporary food permit, a cottage food license, and an Alaska business license.
Arizona: you’ll need a county permit and a food handler’s card, beyond those, the state of Arizona has a lot of county-specific requirements.
Arkansas: you’ll need a food service permit, regular food-service inspections, and a home-based catering and food service permit.
California: you’ll need a caterer’s permit, an environmental health permit, and a food handler’s certificate.
Colorado: you’ll need a retail food license, a food handler’s certificate, and a Colorado sales tax license.
Connecticut: you’ll need to complete a state-approved food safety training and be approved, as well as a catering license and a food handler’s certificate.
Delaware: you’ll need a food establishment permit and a Delaware general business license.
Florida: you’ll need a catering license, a licensed DBPR facility, a general business license, and a cottage food license.
Georgia: you’ll need a catering license, a general business license, and a liquor license.
Hawaii: you’ll need a food establishment permit, as well as potentially a personal chef license and a cottage food license.
Idaho: you’ll need to meet Idaho Food Code requirements, and have a general business license, as well as comply with FDA standards.
Illinois: you’ll need a Type 1 meat processing license, a general business license, and a catering license.
Indiana: you’ll need to register through the state or county health department, as well as get food safety certification and a liquor license.
Iowa: you’ll need a catering license and a general food license, as well as a liquor license if you want to offer alcohol.
Kansas: you’ll need a food establishment safety license and a general business license.
Kentucky: you’ll need an annual permit to operate a catering business, a certified kitchen, and food safety manager and food handler certification.
Louisiana: you’ll need a liquor license and food handler certifications, but there isn’t a specific catering license.

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Maine: you’ll need a catering permit and a state food license.
Maryland: you’ll need a statewide caterer’s license and a food service facility license.
Massachusetts: you’ll need a caterer license, a general business license, and a liquor license.
Michigan: you’ll need a catering permit, and a food service establishment license or retail food establishment license.
Minnesota: you’ll need to be a certified food protection manager, and have a caterer’s permit with alcohol if you intend to serve alcoholic beverages.
Mississippi: you’ll need a food permit, potentially a cottage food license, and you or a staff member needs a food protection manager certification.
Missouri: you’ll need a state sales tax number, a health permit, an occupancy permit, a catering permit, and a general business license.
Montana: you’ll need a catering endorsement, a business license, a catering permit, and a seller’s permit.
Nebraska: you’ll need a food establishment permit, a catering license, and a food handler certificate.
Nevada: you’ll need a business license, a food service license, a catering business license, a liquor license, a seller’s permit, and a food facility health permit.
New Hampshire: you’ll need a local business license depending on your specific location, as well as a food service license.
New Jersey: you’ll need a catering permit, a food license, a commercial, inspected kitchen, and a liquor license.
New Mexico: you’ll need a retail food permit, a food handler’s card, and a certified food protection manager.
New York: you’ll need a health permit, a general business license, a liquor license, and potentially other certifications depending on your specific location.
North Carolina: you’ll need a food vendor license through a food establishment review, which will also require your complete catering and menu plan.
North Dakota: you’ll need a state health license, a food service license, and a catering permit.
Ohio: you’ll need a liquor permit, licensing for your vehicle, a catering food service operation license, and a vendor’s license.
Oklahoma: you’ll need a catering and storage license and food safety training certification.
Oregon: you’ll need a domestic kitchen license and a food safety license.

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Pennsylvania: you’ll need a retail food facility license and a general business license.
Rhode Island: you’ll need a food service license, a food safety manager, and a general business license.
South Carolina: you’ll need a local business license and a food safety and food service permit.
South Dakota: you’ll need a food service license, a health permit, and potentially a cottage food license.
Tennessee: you’ll need a catering license and a food service license.
Texas: you’ll need catering certification, a health permit, and a food handler’s certification.
Utah: you’ll need a liquor license, food license, and a general business license, but there isn’t a specific catering license.
Vermont: you’ll need a food service establishment license, a liquor license, a beer and wine license, a meat products and dairy license, and a general business license.
Virginia: you’ll need a catering license and a retail food business license through the local health department.
Washington: you’ll need a spirits, beer, and wine catering license, a food handler’s certification, and a general business license.
West Virginia: you’ll need a general business license, a seller’s permit, and a food services permit.
Wisconsin: you’ll need a retail food services license, a state sales tax number, and a general business license.
Wyoming: you’ll need a food handler’s license, Wyoming has a lot of industry and locality-specific requirements, but you don't need a general business license.

"Key Takeaway: When you’re serving food at different types of catering events, there is a lot of licensing involved. This includes health and food safety as well as insurance and liquor licensing."

Frequently Asked Questions About Catering Licenses

Licensing isn’t something you want to be unsure about. Fines and business losses can be brutal. It’s best to start out with all the necessary information. Of course, depending on your business structure and location there will be plenty of information you need to look up on your own.

Our answers to the following frequently asked questions will provide some of that information. When you begin your catering business, be thorough with your license and permit research.

What Licenses are Needed to Start a Catering Business?

Some of the general licenses you need to start a catering business include:

A general business license
A food handler’s license or permit
A caterer permit

You’ll also most likely need a liquor license. Beyond those, it’s best to do your own research. BinWise doesn’t offer legal advice, and it’s important to know exactly what you need.

How Do I Start My Own Catering Small Business?

Starting a catering business should start with a catering business plan. That will give you an outline of what you need, what you need to do, and the direction you want to take your business. Beyond that, you’ll need funding, equipment, small business marketing plans, and clients.

Can You Sell Food Without a License?

For the most part, you need a license to sell food; however, there are some exemptions. Exemptions are mainly based on who is making the food, where it is being sold, how much profit is made, and the location. In general, even if you’re selling food that you made at home, you need at least a domestic kitchen license.

How Much Profit Should I Make From Catering?

The average profit margin for a catering business is 7-8%, which is a tidy profit margin overall. This margin can be moved in your favor by finding ways to trim costs. You can take on more work, batch cook for events, and invest in quality equipment that won’t need to be replaced as often.

Catering Licenses: Licensed to Cater

Once you’ve got your licensing and permits sorted you’re nearly ready to start catering events. When you’re setting up your kitchen and the storage of your ingredients, come on back to BinWise to manage your inventory program. BinWise Pro, paired with the BinScan mobile app, can help you keep your inventory in line.