Business licence or charitable registration in Alberta

Overview

Consumer Services licenses businesses and individuals and registers charitable organizations under the Consumer Protection Act, Charitable Fund-raising Act, and Cemeteries Act.

Details on licensing and charitable registration requirements are available at Get a business licence – Overview.

It is an offence to operate without the required licence or charitable registration. Other types of businesses may be licensed through other government departments, municipalities, or delegated agencies. Some businesses do not need any type of licence. 

Although a business, charity, or individual may hold a licence or registration, it is not an endorsement by the Government of Alberta of the company, nor does it guarantee the quality of goods or services offered.

Forms and support for licensing and registration

 If you are not sure if your business or charitable activities needs a provincial licence or requires registration, contact the business licensing office for assistance. 

To access forms for applying and maintaining licences and registrations related to consumer protection, cemeteries and charitable fundraising, visit the Consumer licensing forms webpage.

Security

Some businesses are required to provide a security as part of the licensing requirements as an additional protection for consumers.

A consumer may be able to claim on the business’ security if it has been negligent in performing its services.

Responsibilities as a licensee or registrant

Once a licence or registration has been issued, you must notify Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction of any changes that might affect your licence or registration, such as: 

• a change in ownership:
  • Provincial licences are not transferable. You must notify Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction within 15 days of a change of ownership.
• a change of business location or mailing address (within 15 days of the change)
• any change in the services offered by the business or activities of a charitable organization (e.g., a prepaid contractor licensed to build decks and fences expands to constructing garages, or a vacuum salesperson decides to sell cookware). Some licences are specific to products or services 

For licensees under the Consumer Protection Act, please note that until your licence is amended to reflect the change in services, you are not licensed to carry out those additional services. To do so is an offence under the Consumer Protection Act. 

Business licence search

You can check to see if a business is currently licensed or charitable organization is currently registered with Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction by using the business licence search tool.

The tool provides the following information:

• whether a business is licensed or charity is registered by Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction
• the legal business and company name
• the address of the business
• the provincial licence type
• whether the business has posted a security or is required to post one 

Registration of a business

Information on how to register a business name, the different business name types and the application process is available at Incorporate a business or organization. 

Contact

If you have questions regarding applying for a license or registration, or providing a security instrument and the amount that is required, under the Consumer Protection Act, Cemeteries Act, or Charitable Fund-Raising Act, contact Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction business licensing office:

Email: [email protected] 
Telephone: 780-422-1335
Toll-free in Alberta: 310-0000, then enter 780-422-1335