What is a NAICS code, and why does it matter?
NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes are the official 6-digit numbers the U.S. government uses to classify your business. You'll be asked for one when you apply for your EIN at IRS.gov, register your LLC with your state, open a business bank account, file your federal taxes, and bid on government contracts.
Pick the wrong code and you may get audited under the wrong rules, be excluded from industry-specific grants and SBA loans, or get matched with the wrong insurance rates. Pick the right one and the government's systems quietly route you to the right benefits.
This page is the free, public version of the NAICS Master Index inside The Founder's Guidebook. The book includes the full 12-step filing playbook for each trade — EIN, LLC, BOI/FinCEN, Operating Agreement, state licensing, sales tax permits, DBA, bank accounts, and contracts. This page is just the codes.
| Trade | NAICS Code | Official Classification | Licensing Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appliance Repair | 811412 | Appliance Repair and Maintenance | Most states do not require a contractor license for appliance repair, but EPA Section 608 certification is required to handle refrigerants. |
| Auto Body | 811121 | Automotive Body, Paint, and Interior Repair and Maintenance | State automotive repair dealer (ARD) registration is required in most states (e.g., California Bureau of Automotive Repair). |
| Auto Detailing | 811192 | Car Washes (Detail Services) | Most states only require a general business license; no specialty automotive license needed for detailing only. |
| Auto Mechanic | 811111 | General Automotive Repair | State automotive repair dealer license required in many states. ASE certification recommended for technicians. |
| Bakery | 311811 | Retail Bakeries | Food handler permit, state retail food establishment license, and county health department inspection required. |
| Barbershop | 812111 | Barber Shops | Individual barber license and shop establishment license required by state cosmetology/barbering board. |
| Bookkeeping | 541219 | Other Accounting Services | No state license required for non-CPA bookkeeping. IRS PTIN required if also preparing tax returns. |
| Car Wash | 811192 | Car Washes | Most states only require a general business license. Water reclamation/recycling permits required in some jurisdictions. |
| Carpenter | 238350 | Finish Carpentry Contractors | State contractor's license required in most states above certain project value thresholds. Check state contractor board. |
| Catering | 722320 | Caterers | State retail food establishment license, food handler/manager certification, and county health department permit required. |
| CDL Owner-Operator | 484121 | General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload | USDOT number, MC number, CDL Class A, IFTA registration, and UCR filing required. State trucking authority also required in many states. |
| Cleaning Service | 561720 | Janitorial Services | Most states require only a general business license. Bonding and insurance strongly recommended for residential work. |
| Coffee Shop | 722515 | Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars | State retail food establishment license, food handler certification, and health department permit required. |
| Computer Repair | 811212 | Computer and Office Machine Repair and Maintenance | No state license required in most states. Manufacturer certifications (CompTIA A+, Apple, Microsoft) build credibility. |
| Concrete | 238110 | Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors | State contractor's license required in most states. Some states require specialty concrete contractor classification. |
| Drywall | 238310 | Drywall and Insulation Contractors | State contractor's license required in most states above project value thresholds (e.g., $500 in CA, $1,000 in TX). |
| Ecommerce | 454110 | Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses | State seller's permit / sales tax permit required to collect sales tax. Resale certificate required for wholesale purchases. |
| Electrician | 238210 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | State electrical contractor's license REQUIRED in nearly every state. Master electrician license required to pull permits. |
| Fence | 238990 | All Other Specialty Trade Contractors | State contractor's license required in most states above project value thresholds. |
| Flooring | 238330 | Flooring Contractors | State contractor's license required in most states. Some states require specialty flooring classification. |
| Food Truck | 722330 | Mobile Food Services | State retail food establishment license, mobile food vendor permit, commissary agreement, and health department inspection required. |
| Garage Door | 238290 | Other Building Equipment Contractors | State contractor's license required in most states above project value thresholds. IDA (International Door Association) certification recommended. |
| Hair Salon | 812112 | Beauty Salons | Individual cosmetology license and salon establishment license required by state cosmetology board. |
| Handyman | 236118 | Residential Remodelers | Many states allow handyman work below a dollar threshold without a contractor license (e.g., $500 in CA). Above that, full contractor license required. |
| HVAC | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | State HVAC contractor's license required in nearly every state. EPA Section 608 certification required for refrigerant handling. |
| Junk Removal | 562119 | Other Waste Collection | Most states require only a general business license. Some jurisdictions require waste hauler permits. Disposal site agreements needed. |
| Landscaper | 561730 | Landscaping Services | Many states require landscape contractor license above project value thresholds. Pesticide applicator license required for chemical work. |
| Lawn Care | 561730 | Landscaping Services | General business license sufficient in most states. Pesticide applicator license required for any chemical application. |
| Locksmith | 561622 | Locksmiths | State locksmith license REQUIRED in 15+ states (TX, CA, NJ, NC, IL, etc.). Background check required. Bond required in most licensed states. |
| Mason | 238140 | Masonry Contractors | State contractor's license required in most states above project value thresholds. Specialty masonry classification in some states. |
| Mobile Car Wash | 811192 | Car Washes (Mobile) | General business license plus water discharge/reclamation compliance. Some cities require mobile vendor permits. |
| Mobile Mechanic | 811111 | General Automotive Repair (Mobile) | State automotive repair dealer license required in many states. Mobile vendor permit required in some jurisdictions. |
| Painter | 238320 | Painting and Wall Covering Contractors | State contractor's license required in most states. EPA Lead-Safe Renovator certification required for pre-1978 homes. |
| Party Rental | 532299 | All Other Consumer Goods Rental | General business license sufficient in most states. Liability insurance and rental agreements critical. |
| Pest Control | 561710 | Exterminating and Pest Control Services | State pest control operator (PCO) license REQUIRED in every state. State pesticide applicator license also required. |
| Pet Grooming | 812910 | Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services | Most states do not require a specific grooming license, but business license and zoning compliance are required. |
| Plumber | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | State plumbing contractor's license REQUIRED in nearly every state. Master plumber / RMP (Responsible Master Plumber) required to pull permits. |
| Pool Service | 561790 | Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings | Some states require pool service contractor license. CPO (Certified Pool Operator) certification required for commercial pools. |
| Pressure Washing | 561790 | Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings | General business license sufficient in most states. EPA wastewater containment compliance required for commercial work. |
| Restaurant | 722511 | Full-Service Restaurants | State retail food establishment license, food manager certification, and health department inspection required. Liquor license separate. |
| Roofer | 238160 | Roofing Contractors | State roofing contractor's license REQUIRED in most states. Many states require specialty roofing classification and bonding. |
| Self Storage | 531130 | Lessors of Miniwarehouses and Self-Storage Units | General business license sufficient. State self-storage statutes govern lien procedures and tenant rights. |
| Smog Shop | 811111 | General Automotive Repair (Smog Inspection) | State smog/emissions inspection station license REQUIRED. Individual smog technician/inspector license required for each tech. |
| Solar Installer | 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (Solar) | State C-46 / specialty solar contractor's license required in most states. NABCEP certification strongly recommended. |
| Tile | 238340 | Tile and Terrazzo Contractors | State contractor's license required in most states above project value thresholds. |
| Tire & Wheel | 441320 | Tire Dealers | State automotive repair dealer license required in many states. Tire disposal/recycling compliance required. |
| Towing | 488410 | Motor Vehicle Towing | State motor carrier permit and towing operator's license REQUIRED. USDOT number for interstate. Police rotation list registration. |
| Tree Service | 561730 | Landscaping Services (Tree Care) | State tree care / arborist license required in some states (e.g., LA, MD, RI). ISA Certified Arborist credential strongly recommended. |
| Window & Door | 238150 | Glass and Glazing Contractors | State contractor's license required in most states above project value thresholds. |
| Window Cleaning | 561720 | Janitorial Services (Window Cleaning) | General business license sufficient in most states. IWCA (International Window Cleaning Association) safety certifications recommended. |
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