How do I Remove Corporate Officers From a Business License in Washington State?

Washington's master business license system provides an efficient way to make changes to licenses across state agencies.

Washington requires all businesses operating under its jurisdiction to apply for a master business license through the state's Department of Licensing. The master license system coordinates licensing across most state and many city agencies, centralizing license applications, renewals and update requests. Providing notice of a change of business operations through the Department of Licensing will effectively update all licenses with the agencies participating in the master license application system, and require further efforts only for those licenses obtained outside the master system.

Things You'll Need

• Master business license application
• Filing fee

Instructions

1. Navigate to the Washington Department of Licensing website section "File a Master Business Application" (see References section for a link). Note a new master business application must be filed to change ownership of a business per the "Who should file, and when?" section. Even though a corporation can change officers without changing ownership (officers may or may not own stock in the company), the master application treats officers the same as owners under the "governing persons" section of the application.

2. Decide whether to complete a master business application online or file the application by mail. If filing by mail, download the PDF file "Master Business Application" from the link provided on the "File a Master Business Application" website. If filing online, click the "Complete a Master Business Application online" link. Online filing requires the payment of filing fees by credit card.

3. Complete sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the master application either online or in hard copy. The key to removing corporate officers from the company's business license is completing section 3f, "Owner Information: Governing Persons," with the information of the current owners and officers. This new master application will override the old version, effectively removing the information of defunct corporate officers from the business license.

4. File the master application with the Department of Licensing. Applications can be filed online, by mail or in person and must be accompanied by the appropriate filing fee. The instructions for filing and determining fees can be found on the "File a Master Business Application" Web page.

5. Determine if you must change any business licenses not issued through the master application system. Although the master license covers most license requirements, certain businesses have professional, specialty or environmental licenses issued directly from controlling state, city or county agencies. If you are not sure whether you have a license that falls outside the master license, call the agencies at issue for instructions or run your business through the Washington Business Licensing Guide (see Resources for a link) to double check.

References

• Washington Department of Licensing: File a Master Business Application
• Master Business Application
• Access Washington: Get Licenses and Environmental Permits
• Online Revised Code of Washington: Business License Center Act
• Choose Washington: Licensing and Permitting

Resources

• Washington Business Licensing Guide
• Washington Small Business Development Center