Working is other State

[JStructsteel]

Hi, I live in Ohio, and have been asked to do some side work outside of Ohio in Penn. The client is in West Virginia. Should I have a business license in Penn, or WV? I have one for Ohio, but not sure if other states are needed

 

[Lion06]

You will probably need a stamp for PA (where the job is located).

 

[JStructsteel]

I have a PA stamp, but not a "business license" in PA

 

[Lion06]

I would think all you need is the stamp.

 

[msquared48]

StructuralEIT is correct.

As far as my experience goes, and I have been licensed and done business in 11 states in the past, you only have to have a business license if you maintain a physical office in that state.

Mike McCann
McCann Engineering

 

[JStructsteel]

Great, thanks for the info Mike

 

[PEinc]

I have an office in PA only; yet I need a business license and a certificate of authorizartion for Delaware work. I also need certificates of authorization (from PE Board) and authority for working (from NJ Secy. of State) in NJ. Therefore, you should check with the state in which you intend to work.

 

[PEinc]

Sorry, state AND/OR municipality!

 

[twinnell]

PEinc is correct and that you have to check with the Penn board of engineers to see if you have to have a cert of authority for your business. If you do, you might have to file with the secretary of state office to register your business. This can get expensive...pay for cert from board, pay for PE license from board...pay for filing with sec of state. But it is a part of doing business as a business (inc. or LLC).

There might be a way around the Cert of Authority and filing with the Sec of state, but it would depend on your insurance. If you do work under your personal name instead of as a business (sole proprietor), you won't need the Cert of Authority (if required) and you won't need to file with the Sec of State (not a LLC or INC).

 

[PEinc]

Correct, twinnell. Also, once you register, they may expect you to file quarterly and/or annual tax returns!

 

[DonPhillips]

You may want to consult with a PA accountant regarding the tax implications. If you do the actual work in Ohio, I doubt PA would expect any taxes on that. However, field visits and meetings with clients in PA will probably be subject to PA and not OH taxes.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com

 

[tmills]

We have to have a stamp, business licence, and certificate of authority to provide services in any state where we provide services.

I think the exception to this is when you personally provide services under your name, i.e. not under your business name.

Check wiht each state. I would be surprised in any state lets you get by with just a stamp.

Also check firm ownership requirements. Some states require that the firm be some minimum percentage owned by PEs.

Tim, P.E. VA, NC, SC.

 

[civilperson]

No business license is required until you open an office at that location.

 

[archeng59]

I am licensed in several states and the laws vary. In Colorado, I only need a license to practice. No certificate of authority and I do not have to have my business registered there. In NJ, I have to have a license, certificate of authority, either a physical address in NJ or hire a registered agent to represent me in NJ, my business must be registered with the state. WV is similar except I do not need the physical address or a registered agent. Kansas requires a PE license and CA.

I recommend reading the PE licensing laws and state laws regarding doing business in PA.

 

[PEinc]

"No business license is required until you open an office at that location."

Not true. I need a business license (and a certificate of authorization) for work in Delaware.