{"id":5532,"date":"2016-04-04T10:48:01","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:48:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/starting-a-business\/state-guide-business-opportunity-disclosure-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-05-20T01:31:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T06:31:00","slug":"state-guide-business-opportunity-disclosure-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/starting-a-business\/state-guide-business-opportunity-disclosure-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"State Guide: Business Opportunity Disclosure Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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State Guide: Business Opportunity Disclosure Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A state business opportunity law is a statute regulating the sale of business opportunities to protect buyers from fraudulent investments. These state regulations typically require sellers to provide pre-sale disclosure documents to prospective purchasers before any transactions occur.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Twenty-five states have business opportunity laws<\/span><\/a>. Most of these laws prohibit sales of business opportunities<\/span> unless the seller gives potential purchasers a pre-sale disclosure document<\/span> that has first been filed with a designated state agency.<\/p>\n

State <\/span>business opportunity laws<\/span> typically cover every imaginable type of business opportunity that might be offered. If a business opportunity seller<\/span> is not required to provide pre-sale disclosures by the Franchise<\/span> Rule<\/span><\/a>, these disclosures will almost always be required by the laws of the states listed below.<\/p>\n

The disclosures required by state <\/span>business opportunity laws<\/span> differ, and usually provide more abbreviated information than the Franchise<\/span> Rule<\/span> requires. However, most of these laws provide important rights and remedies for business opportunity investors, including required security bonds to cover investor losses.<\/p>\n

If you are considering purchasing a work-at-home<\/span><\/a> or other business opportunity, and reside in a state with a business opportunity law<\/span>, we encourage you to find out more about the protection provided by your state statute before you invest.<\/p>\n

Form your LLC with confidence.\u202fOur trusted partner LegalZoom has packages starting at $0 + filing fees.<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

State Government Agencies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

State<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Agency\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Address<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Website<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Phone<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

AK<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Alaska Department of Law, Consumer Protection Unit<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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1031 W. Fourth Avenue, Suite 200<\/span><\/p>\n

Anchorage, AK 99501\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

law.alaska.gov\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(907) 269-5200\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

(888) 576-2529<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

CA<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

CA DOJ \u2013 Public Inquiry Unit<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244\u20112550<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

oag.ca.gov<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(800) 952\u20115225<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

CT<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Dept. of Banking \u2013 Securities & Business Investments<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

260 Constitution Plaza, Hartford, CT 06103\u20111800<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

portal.ct.gov\/DOB<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(860) 240\u20118180<\/span><\/p>\n

(800) 831\u20117225<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

FL<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

407 S. Calhoun St., Tallahassee, FL 32399<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

fdacs.gov<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(850) 245\u20111040<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

GA<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Georgia AG \u2013 Consumer Protection Division<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

40 Capitol Square, SW<\/span><\/p>\n

Atlanta, GA\u00a0 30334<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

consumer.georgia<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(404) 651\u20118600<\/span><\/p>\n

(800) 869\u20111123<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

HI<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

DCCA Business Registration Division\u2028P. O. Box 40\u2028Honolulu, Hawaii 96810\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

cca.hawaii.gov\/breg<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

844-808-3222<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

IL<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Illinois Securities Department<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

421 E. Capitol Ave., 2nd Fl., Springfield, IL 62701<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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ilsos.gov\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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(217) 785\u20112256<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

IN<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Indiana AG \u2013 Consumer Protection Division<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

302 W. Washington St., 5th Fl., Indianapolis, IN 46204<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

in.gov\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(317) 232\u20116330<\/span><\/p>\n

(800) 382\u20115516<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

IA<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Iowa Insurance Division (securities)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1963 Bell Ave., Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50315<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

iid.iowa.gov<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(515) 654\u20116600<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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KY<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Kentucky AG \u2013 Office of Consumer Protection<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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1024 Capital Center Dr., Ste. 200, Frankfort, KY 40601<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

ag.ky.gov<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(502) 696\u20115389<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

LA<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Louisiana AG \u2013 Consumer Protection Section<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

P.O. Box 94005, Baton Rouge, LA 70804\u20119005\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

ag.state.la.us<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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800\u2011351\u20114889<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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ME<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Maine Office of Securities<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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121 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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maine.gov\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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(207) 624\u20118593<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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MD<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Maryland AG \u2013 Securities Division<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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200 Saint Paul Place, Baltimore, MD 21202\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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marylandattorneygeneral\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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(410) 576\u20116300 \/ 6360\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

MI<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Michigan AG \u2013 Consumer Protection Division<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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P.O. Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909\u20117713<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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secure.ag.state.mi.us<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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(517) 335\u20117599<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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MN<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Minnesota Dept. of Commerce<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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85 7th Pl E, Ste. 500, St Paul, MN 55101<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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mn.gov\/commerce\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(651) 224\u20111152<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NE<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

NebraskaDept. of Banking & Finance \u2013 Bureau of Securities<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

P.O. Box 95006, Lincoln, NE 68509\u20115006; 1526 K St., Ste 300<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

ndbf.nebraska.gov<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(402) 471\u20113445<\/span><\/p>\n

(402) 471\u20112171<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NH<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

New Hampshire AG \u2013 Consumer Protection & Antitrust Bureau<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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33 Capitol St., Concord, NH 03301<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

doj.nh.gov\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(603) 271\u20113641<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

NC<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

North Carolina DOJ \u2013 Consumer Protection Division<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699\u20119001<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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ncdoj.gov<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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(919) 716\u20116000<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

OH<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ohio AG \u2013 Consumer Protection Section<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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30 E. Broad St., 14th Fl., Columbus, OH 43215\u20113400<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

ohioattorneygeneral<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

800\u2011282\u20110515<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

OK<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Oklahoma Dept. of Securities<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Suite 860, First National Center, 120 N. Robinson, OKC, OK 73102<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

securities.ok.gov<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(405) 280\u20117700<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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SC<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

South Carolina Secretary of State \u2013 Business Opportunities<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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1205 Pendleton St., Ste. 525, Columbia, SC 29201<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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sos.sc.gov\/services-and-filings\/business-opportunities<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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(803) 734\u20112170<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

SD<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

South Dakota Division of Securities<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

124 S. Euclid Ave., 2nd Fl., Pierre, SD 57501<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

dlr.sd.gov\/securities\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(605) 773\u20113563<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

TX<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Texas Secretary of State \u2013 Statutory Documents<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

P.O. Box 13563, Austin, TX 78711\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

sos.state.tx.us<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(512) 475\u20111769<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

UT<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Utah Division of Consumer Protection<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

160 E 300 S, 2nd Fl., Salt Lake City, UT 84111<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

dcp.utah.gov<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

(801) 530\u20116601<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

VA<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Virginia AG \u2013 Consumer Protection Section<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

202 N. 9th St., Richmond, VA 23219<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

oag.state.va.us<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

800\u2011552\u20119963<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

WA<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Washington DFI \u2013 Securities Division<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

P.O. Box 9033, Olympia, WA 98507\u20119033<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

dfi.wa.gov\/securities<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Main: (360) 902-8760<\/span><\/p>\n

Toll-free: (877) 746-4334\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Next Steps<\/h2>\n

If you are considering a business opportunity or franchisee<\/span>, know the laws and your state\u2019s requirements. Consult with a business law attorney<\/a> in your area to learn more.<\/p>\n

Looking to start your own business? Use FindLaw\u2019s DIY forms<\/a>\u00a0to get a legal business entity set up in minutes.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

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