D.L.C.A. Publishes List Of All Businesses Licensed To Operate In U.S.V.I.

ST. CROIX — There are roughly 10,000 businesses that are licensed to operate in the territory, according to Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (D.L.C.A.) Commissioner Devin Carrington, who published the full list on Friday in order to remind businesses of the importance of being in compliance with local law, and also to protect residents from doing business with delinquent operations.

The list, seen at the bottom of this article, includes businesses on all the islands that make up the territory as of February 1, 2016. According to the release, in order for D.L.C.A. to continue to assist, educate, protect and serve the need of licensing and consumer affairs in the territory; it is important to share and review the provided information.

The list does not include licenses that are in progress, the release states, and D.L.C.A. urged businesses that were not included to complete the renewal process, which may require additional inspections and/or permits.

Below is a checklist of basic reminders that can help speed up the renewal process, according to the government agency:

• Know the control number you received at the end of the online renewal process.
• Bring old license certificate, or have your business number handy if you need assistance completing   the renewal at the office.
• Ensure tax clearance with Bureau of Internal Revenue is finalized. You will receive an Email once tax Clearance is complete.
• Know your Email and password Credentials for the D.L.C.A. website.

D.L.C.A. says new applicants can find instructions online to digitally submit request for trade name. This first step, along with the rest of the licensing check list, can be found here.

It is the consumer’s right to request documentation before obtaining services and/or finalizing payment to a businesses, the release went on. It added that business owners should protect themselves and their operations by complying with regulatory standards set by law.

Consumers can find the most updated information on valid business licenses by doing a business search here. And the agency is also encouraging the public to report establishments and individuals that they suspect are doing businesses illegally.