Registration
Master Business Licence Ontario: What It Is
The master business license is Ontario's former name for business name registration. Learn what it means today, the $60 fee and 5-year renewal rules.
A master business license is the older, still widely used name for business name registration in Ontario. When a sole proprietorship registers a name such as Maple Lane Catering instead of operating under the owner's own legal name, that filing with the Ontario Business Registry is what people call a master business licence. It is a name registration, not a permit, and it does not replace municipal licences or CRA tax accounts. This guide explains what it is, what it costs and how renewal works today.
Why Ontario still uses the term
For years ServiceOntario issued a printed document called a Master Business Licence to sole proprietorships and partnerships that registered a business name. Registration has since moved into the Ontario Business Registry (OBR), an online system, and what you receive today is a Certificate of Registration together with a Business Identification Number (BIN) and a company key. The old name stuck in everyday use, which is why searches for a master business license Ontario remain common even though the registry itself no longer uses that wording. The underlying law is Ontario's Business Names Act.
Do you need to register a business name?
Not always. Ontario does not require a business name registration when a sole proprietor carries on business under their own legal name, so Jordan Chen trading as Jordan Chen needs no registration. You register when you adopt a different name, because customers and suppliers need a way to identify who is behind it. Ontario also states that businesses with employees, facilities or offices in the province must register through the Ontario Business Registry. Our walkthrough on how to register a sole proprietorship in Ontario covers this end to end.
Tax obligations can apply either way. If you hire employees you will typically need a CRA Business Number (BN) for payroll deductions, and once revenue passes the small-supplier threshold you may need to register for GST/HST. Those accounts are separate from a provincial name registration.
What a master business licence costs in Ontario
The fees below are the amounts listed by the Ontario Business Registry on ontario.ca as of the current tax year. Government fees change, so confirm the current figure on ontario.ca before you file.
| Item | Fee (as of the current tax year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Register a business name for a sole proprietorship | $60 | Online through the Ontario Business Registry, or by mail with form 5288e |
| Renew a business name registration | $60 | Every five years |
| Cancel a registration | $0 | Available at any time |
| Basic search of the registry | Free | Optional products: profile report $8, document copy $3, certificate of status $26 |
Ontario does not require a NUANS report to register a sole proprietorship business name, though a NUANS search is standard when you incorporate or continue in another jurisdiction. Our guide to the NUANS report in Canada explains where it is actually needed. For a wider comparison, see business registration cost by province.
Registering or renewing, step by step
- Search the Ontario Business Registry free of charge to check whether the name is already in use.
- Create an Ontario.ca Login and an Ontario Business Account.
- File Register a Business Name for a Sole Proprietorship online ($60), or mail form 5288e with $60.
- Save the Business Identification Number (BIN), company key and Certificate of Registration sent to you.
- Renew before expiry, or cancel the registration at any time for $0.
If you are still choosing a name, our guide on how to search for a business name in Canada sets out the free and paid options.
Master business licence renewal: the five-year rule
Ontario business name registrations are not permanent. Under the Business Names Act, a registration is effective for five years and then must be renewed. As of the current tax year, the renewal fee is $60. Ontario allows a renewal to be filed from six months before the expiry date up to 60 days after it. If you miss that window, the registration is no longer renewable and you must file a new registration instead. Keep the BIN and company key from your original filing, since you will need them to renew or amend the record. Set a reminder a few months before expiry rather than risking a fresh filing.
Master business licence vs other licences and accounts
A master business licence is not permission to operate. Depending on your activity and municipality, you may also need:
- Municipal business licences, issued by cities such as Toronto and Ottawa
- Zoning approvals, health permits or fire inspections for your premises
- Professional, trade or industry licences for regulated work
- Federal or provincial registrations for certain goods and services
On the tax side, a name registration does not create a BN, a GST/HST account or a payroll account; those come from the CRA, and you can manage them through CRA My Business Account. If you are weighing structures, sole proprietorship vs corporation explains when incorporating changes these requirements. The guide to registering a business name in Canada covers naming rules across provinces.
Frequently asked questions
Is a master business license the same as a business licence in Ontario?
No. A master business licence is the old name for an Ontario business name registration, which lets a sole proprietorship trade under a name that is not the owner's legal name. A business licence is different: municipalities and some regulators issue licences to permit specific activities, such as operating a restaurant or a taxi. Registering a name does not grant that permission. Confirm requirements with your municipality.
Do I need a master business license for a sole proprietorship in Ontario?
Only if you use a business name other than your own legal name. Ontario does not require registration when a sole proprietor operates under their own name. Ontario does state that businesses with employees, facilities or offices in the province must register through the Ontario Business Registry. Tax registrations with the CRA, such as a BN, GST/HST or payroll account, are separate and depend on your situation.
How much does a master business licence cost in Ontario?
Ontario lists a $60 government fee to register a business name for a sole proprietorship, whether filed online through the Ontario Business Registry or by mail, as of 2026. Renewal is also listed at $60, and cancellation is free. Basic registry searches are free, while optional search products such as a profile report or certificate of status carry their own charges. Confirm current amounts on ontario.ca before filing.
How often must I renew an Ontario business name registration?
Ontario registrations run for five years and are not permanent. The renewal fee is listed as $60 as of 2026, and Ontario permits renewal from six months before the expiry date until 60 days after it. If that window passes, you cannot renew and must file a new registration instead. Always confirm the current period and fee on ontario.ca.
What happens if my Ontario business name registration expires?
Once the five-year term ends and the renewal window closes, the registration lapses. You would then file a new registration for the name, paying the registration fee again, rather than a renewal. Cancelling a registration is free and can be done at any time. If you no longer use the name, cancelling avoids confusion and keeps the registry accurate. Confirm details with the Ontario Business Registry.