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How to Get a Retail alcohol License in North Dakota (2026)

Quick answer

Anyone intending to sell alcoholic beverages at retail needs a state license.

Renewal

The state retail alcoholic beverage license must be renewed on or before December 31st each year

View official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

How do I get this license?

  1. Check the licensing authority

    Board

    North Dakota Attorney General.

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    must be licensed by the Attorney General
    Official source

    Official agency page

    Open the official agency page

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    Retail Alcoholic Beverage License
    Official source
  2. Prepare your application

    Apply with the agency

    Open the official agency page

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    To apply for a new state retail alcoholic beverage license, complete and submit the following:
    Official source
  3. Confirm your next step with the agency

    Review the official instructions for your situation before applying.

    Open the official agency page

What else should I know?

Agency guidance

Anyone intending to sell alcoholic beverages at retail needs a state license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Any person who intends to engage in the retail sale of alcoholic beverages must be licensed by the Attorney General.
Official source

Agency guidance

A state applicant must also provide the beer and/or liquor license issued by the local city, county or tribal authority in the applicant's name.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
A copy of the beer and/or liquor licenses issued from the local city, county, or tribal authority in the applicant’s name.
Official source

Agency guidance

The new-license fee schedule depends on the month sales begin, the establishment's location and the beverage types approved by the local license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Pay only the month in which alcoholic beverage sales will begin based on the location of the establishment and type of alcoholic beverages approved by local license.
Official source

When do I renew, and is CE required?

Renewal

The state retail alcoholic beverage license must be renewed on or before December 31st each year

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The state retail alcoholic beverage license must be renewed on or before December 31st each year
Official source

Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.

What does it cost?

Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.

What are the common questions?

How often do I renew a retail alcohol license license in North Dakota?

The state retail alcoholic beverage license must be renewed on or before December 31st each year

Source and quotation
The state retail alcoholic beverage license must be renewed on or before December 31st each year
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Which official sources support this guide?

Official sources and verification (7)

Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.

Board

North Dakota Attorney General.

North Dakota Attorney General.

must be licensed by the Attorney General
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Official agency page

Open the official agency page

https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/licensing-and-gaming/licensing/retail-alcoholic-beverage-license/

Retail Alcoholic Beverage License
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Apply with the agency

Open the official agency page

https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/licensing-and-gaming/licensing/retail-alcoholic-beverage-license/

To apply for a new state retail alcoholic beverage license, complete and submit the following:
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal

The state retail alcoholic beverage license must be renewed on or before December 31st each year

The state retail alcoholic beverage license must be renewed on or before December 31st each year Applies to: State retail alcoholic beverage licenses.

The state retail alcoholic beverage license must be renewed on or before December 31st each year
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Anyone intending to sell alcoholic beverages at retail needs a state license.

Anyone intending to sell alcoholic beverages at retail needs a state license.

Any person who intends to engage in the retail sale of alcoholic beverages must be licensed by the Attorney General.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

A state applicant must also provide the beer and/or liquor license issued by the local city, county or tribal authority in the applicant's name.

A state applicant must also provide the beer and/or liquor license issued by the local city, county or tribal authority in the applicant's name.

A copy of the beer and/or liquor licenses issued from the local city, county, or tribal authority in the applicant’s name.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

The new-license fee schedule depends on the month sales begin, the establishment's location and the beverage types approved by the local license.

The new-license fee schedule depends on the month sales begin, the establishment's location and the beverage types approved by the local license.

Pay only the month in which alcoholic beverage sales will begin based on the location of the establishment and type of alcoholic beverages approved by local license.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Not yet verified: license fee, required hours, exam, continuing education — see the official agency.

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What should I explore next?

Retail alcohol license in neighboring states

Neighboring states use Census adjacency data, including water and point boundaries.

What’s my next step?

Last verified Oct 25, 2026.

Official sources (2)

Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.