Professional Licensing

• You don't need to obtain a professional license to start a business as a freelance designer. Although you may take classes or online courses to enhance your freelance design skills, no governing body exists that places accreditation requirements for freelance design instruction, and no law exists requiring freelance designers to hold a professional license.
  
  

Business License

• States typically require some types of businesses to register with the secretary of state or other government entity. For example, the Ohio requires any business operating as a corporation or limited liability company to register with the Ohio Secretary of State. However, Ohio, like most states, doesn't require registration of sole proprietorships. If you conduct your freelance design business under your own name and don't have employees, registration is typically not necessary. However, check with your local small business office or Secretary of State website before starting your business without registration.
  
  

Sales License

• Some counties and cities may require you to obtain a sales license for your freelance design business, even if you provide website and blog design services primarily to people and businesses outside of your area. A sales license allows you to sell your services and collect any required taxes. Check with your local economic development or small business office to determine if your city or county requires a sales license for your freelance design business.
  
  

Consideration

• Although you don't need a professional license to provide freelance design services, obtaining a certification by completing a course may help establish credibility for your business, particularly when it's new and you don't have an established client base. Although certification courses aren't accredited, a design certificate can show that you have the training and knowledge necessary to meet your clients' website and blog design needs.