Provincial Business License

The following information has been taken from the Service Alberta website is provided by the Province of Alberta. The Service Alberta web site provides information on business licensing and corporate registries. Airdrie Registry is the provincial registry agent in Airdrie, it is located at 1-128 Edmonton Trail SE. Provincial licenses and corporate registries are not available at City Hall.

What businesses require a provincial business license?
The following types of businesses and persons are required to be licensed or registered by Service Alberta (municipal licensing or approvals may also be required):

• Auctions
• Cemeteries
• Cemetery pre-need contract sales and salespersons
• Charitable organizations
• Collection and debt repayment agencies
• Collectors and debt repayment agents
• Cooperatives
• Direct (door-to-door) sellers
• Energy marketing companies and energy marketers
• Employment agencies
• Fund-raising businesses
• Mausoleums
• Monument sales and monument salespeople
• Prepaid contractors
• Retail home sales (mobile homes, modular homes, packaged homes)
• Travel clubs

It is an offence to operate a business without the required license. Other types of businesses may be licensed through other government departments, municipalities or agencies. Some businesses do not need any type of license. Although a business may hold a license or a registration, it is not an endorsement of the company nor does it guarantee the quality of goods or services offered.

How to apply for a provincial business license?
If you are not sure if your particular business requires a provincial business license or registration, call Service Alberta toll-free at 1-877-427-4088 or contact Service Alberta licensing officer:

Calgary
301, 7015 MacLeod Trail South
Calgary, Alberta, T2H 2K6
(403) 297-5743

Does my business require a Calgary Health Permit?
The Environmental Public Health division of the Calgary Health Region is responsible for the enforcement of the Alberta Public Health Act. This includes inspections, consultations, education and enforcement. Information about the type of businesses that require an inspection under the Alberta Public Health Act can be found at Calgary Health Region - Environmental Public Health.

Does my business require a 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’s security if it has been negligent in performing its services. For more information on the need for and amount of security required, contact Service Alberta.

Does my business require a direct sales license?
The Fair Trading Act and applicable regulations require specific information to be included in a direct sales contract worth more than $25. A direct sale is one that is negotiated or concluded away from the seller’s normal place of business (i.e. in a customer’s home).

Visit the Service Alberta website or call toll-free in Alberta at 1-877-427-4088 for more information on direct door-to-door sales.
Additional contract requirements are also required for prepaid contracting and energy marketing businesses. When you apply for a business license, you will be provided with the information you need for your type of business.

Operating without the correct license could affect your direct sales contract. Consumers have a legal right to cancel the contract within one year from the date they signed the contract if:

• The business is not properly licensed;
• The contract doesn’t contain the required information; or
• The goods are not delivered or if the services have not commenced within 30 days of the contract date or an amended contract date.

What are my responsibilities as the license holder?
Once you are licensed, you must notify Service Alberta of any changes to your business that might affect your license or registration; such as:

• A change in ownership. Provincial licenses are not transferable. You must notify Service Alberta 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 (e.g. a prepaid contractor licensed to build decks and fences expands to constructing garages or a vacuum salesperson decides to sell cookware). Some licenses are specific to products or services. Please note that until your license 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 Fair Trading Act.

Some industries require special licensing; it is the responsibility of the business owner to ensure all proper licenses are in place before starting the business.