[lewislynn]

.I'm licensed/certified by the state of Alabama.However,my business name will not show up on any state list.

Interesting. If I wanted you to do work for me how do you prove you're "licensed/certified by the state of Alabama"?

[quack]

With copies of my license(in my name) and certification(also in my name) as well as a copy of my insurance(again,in my name). The individual is certified,not the company.I do have it set up as a DBA though,which has my DBA name on my license.Thing is,there is another company in the state(miles away) that has the same name.That's why I have to use the DBA.

Any search for that particular business name will show results for "that" business,not mine.It's pretty common with small business.

Also,I re-read my post.That sounded terrible.My apologies. Here is the Penn state code sight. http://www.pacode.com/secure/browse.asp Only thing I could find was that his "ficticious name" couldn't be registered as an .inc.Not much in regards to his type of work on there.

[Cold Heat]

The fact he was not registered means very, very little.

The only time it is necessary to register is if you form a Corporation, or a Sub S.

The vast majority of private business use sole proprietor or simple partnership, and no stock is created, nor are expenses for forming a corporation needed. No annual fees are assessed.

If I recall, it cost me over a thousand dollars to set up my sub S.

Few companies do this as there are many other options.